The Houston Astros have added left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon to their 40-man roster, ensuring he is protected from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Gordon, ranked as the Astros’ No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was the only player the club added before the Tuesday deadline. This move leaves Houston with 39 players on its 40-man roster.
Gordon had a strong 2024 season despite missing time in the spring and early months due to a left lat strain. He posted an 8-2 record with a 3.94 ERA across 25 games (24 starts) and 123 1/3 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land.
His performance included 124 strikeouts and a .238 opponents’ batting average. Among Pacific Coast League pitchers, Gordon ranked first in opponents’ batting average and WHIP (1.22), third in ERA, and fifth in strikeouts, making him one of the league’s standout performers.
Players not added to the 40-man roster by the deadline are eligible to be picked by other teams during the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place on December 11 at the Winter Meetings. Notable Astros prospects left unprotected include right-handers Alimber Santa (No. 16), Rhett Kouba (No. 24), and outfielder Colin Barber (No. 30). Another unprotected player is right-hander Alex Santos II, the team’s supplemental second-round pick in 2020. Santos struggled with elbow issues in 2024 but rebounded in the Arizona Fall League, where he led all pitchers with 26 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings, showcasing an impressive pitch mix.
Under MLB rules, players signed at age 18 or younger must be added to the 40-man roster within five seasons, while those signed at 19 or older must be protected within four seasons. Teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the Rule 5 Draft, and if the player isn’t kept on the 26-man roster for the full season, they must be returned to their original team for $50,000.
Gordon is expected to compete for a spot in the Astros’ rotation during Spring Training. Drafted in the eighth round in 2021 from Central Florida, Gordon overcame Tommy John surgery that year and represented Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Over his Minor League career, Gordon has a 3.74 ERA with 353 strikeouts in 305 1/3 innings, further cementing his potential as a valuable contributor for Houston’s pitching staff.