RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 15: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros pitches in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on August 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, the Houston Astros have optioned SP Ronel Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land, and recalled RP Miguel Ullola.
Blanco pitched 4 innings in yesterday’s loss to the Seattle Mariners, allowing 5 ER and 7 H and a walk while striking out 3. He allowed one HR while throwing 42 of his 59 pitches for strikes.
Since returning from the IL, Blanco has been hit hard. In 5 appearances (including 4 starts) Blanco is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. While his velocities are in line with his career norms since becoming a full time starter, and spin rates are consistent with his career norms as well, his command has been notably off.
Command being off is often extrapolated as being wild outside of the zone, however Blanco has been wild inside the zone. He has been missing his spots but still in the zone, with his pitches in better places to be hit hard.
Also of note, Blanco’s pitch mix and pitch performance is different. While he is throwing his fastball about the same rate as a year ago (slightly less than 2024), his changeup use is way up and slider rate is way down from last season and his career historically.
Blanco’s slider was his best put away pitch in 2025, generating a 42.4% whiff rate. In 2026, that same pitch is only generating a 17.9% whiff rate. Last season, he threw the slider 31.5% of the time. This season, it is down to 17.7%.
Meanwhile, Blanco’s reliance on his changeup has spiked. Throwing the pitch only 12.5% of the time in 2025, he is leaning on it to the rate of 29.2% this season. His 36.3% whiff rate is similar to last season’s 35.8%.
It would seem he has lost faith in his slider, especially vs. RH hitters. Historically, Blanco has leaned hard on his slider vs. righties as his primary weapon. This season it is second to his fastball.
Meanwhile Miguel Ullola has worked solely as a one inning reliever since being optioned back to Sugar Land following his July 26 outing for the Astros against the White Sox in which he was charged with 3 ER in 1 inning on a walk and 2 homers.
Since that time, Ullola has made 7 appearances for the Space Cowboys. He has thrown 7 innings, allowing 3R (2 ER) on 3 hits, walked 4 and struck out 9. He has gone 3-0 in those 7 games, with every appearance coming in the 8th or later.
So far this season at the big league level, Ullola has no record and a 5.40 ERA across 3 appearances. In 5 innings, he has allowed 3 runs and 4 hits, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.
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