Farmstros Pre-Season Pitcher of the Year

Now that the Farmstros Village has elected Austin Wates its pre-season Player of the Year, it is time to select the pre-season Pitcher of the Year. Voting will run through 11:59 a.m.(Minute Maid Park time), Monday, February 13.

The Candidates:

Jake Buchanan, 22, RHP(ages as of April 5, 2012). Buchanan was voted the Farmstros Pitcher of the Year in 2011. The #13 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, he had a 3.91 ERA over 25 starts for Lancaster. He made one solid start at the end of the season for Corpus Christi.

Kirk Clark, 23, RHP. Clark has led the Astros' minor league system in saves each of the last two seasons. He had some rough outings for Lancaster in 2011, but ended the season with 19 saves. Clark was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Creighton.

Paul Clemens, 24, RHP. The Astros picked up Clemens from Atlanta in the Michael Bourn trade. He made five starts for Corpus Christi, posting a 2.35 ERA before getting promoted to Oklahoma City for one start at the end of the season. He was added to the 40-man roster in the off-season.

Jarred Cosart, 21, RHP. Cosart, who was acquired from Philadelphia in the Hunter Pence trade, made seven starts for Corpus Christi after joining the organization last summer. His ERA in those starts was 4.71; however, Baseball America ranks Cosart, who went to high school at Clear Creek in the Houston area, as the Astros' top pitching prospect.

Jorge DeLeon, 24, RHP. In 2011, the converted shortstop continued his climb up the Astros' pitching ladder. He made 43 appearances out of the Lexington bullpen. In 55 IP, he struck out 51 batters, posted a 3.42 ERA and recorded 16 saves.

Dayan Diaz, 23, RHP. After missing almost two whole seasons with injury, Diaz burst onto the scene with Tri-City in 2011. He had 70 strikeouts in 50 innings for the Valley Cats. His ERA was a tiny 1.98.

Kyle Hallock, 23, LHP. The Astros selected Hallock in the 10th Round of the 2011 Draft out of Kent St. He made 13 starts for Tri-City posting a 2.63 ERA in 62 innings.

Adrian Houser, 19, RHP. Houser was the Astros highest-selected pitcher in the 2011 draft. After signing last summer, he spent time with the GCL Astros and Greeneville. The #11 prospect in the system, Houser made a total 12 appearances and struck out 44 in 48 innings.

Dallas Keuchel, 24, LHP. Keuchel was Corpus Christi's top starter in 2011. He posted a 3.17 ERA in 20 starts for the Hooks. He made seven starts at the end of the season, for AAA Oklahoma City.

Nick Tropeano, 21, RHP. Tropeano was a fifth round pick in the 2011 Draft. He made 12 starts for the Valley Cats. In 53 innings pitched, he struck out 63 and posted a 2.36 ERA.

*Jason Chowning, 24, RHP. This award traditionally has 10 candidates; however, Chowning(@Jason_Chowning) indicated via Twitter that he is poised to win the title. After reviewing the numbers, I have decide to give him a shot. In 2011, Chowning made 35 relief appearances for Lexington. He struck out 60 in 59 innings with a 2.45 ERA.