Luis Aguilar doesn’t blow hitters away with his fastball, but the 21-year-old righthander from Panama is effective on the mound. He showcased his exceptional command with five no-hit innings in his debut for Low-A Fayetteville on Aug. 13.
The 5-foot-11, 176-pound Aguilar left a good impression in his first taste of the Carolina League after dominating in the Florida Complex League.
“He’s progressing very, very well,” Astros farm director Jacob Buffa said of Aguilar. “Obviously, he just had an outstanding outing in Fayetteville.”
Aguilar’s fastball sits 89 mph after he added zip to the pitch over the last year.
“This year he’s sitting 89 mph, and his extension is up,” Buffa said. “He has really special command. His changeup performs to both bat sides. His fastball also performs to both bat sides. He really has advanced execution for a 21-year-old.”
Aguilar signed with the Astros at 18 years old out of Chiriqui, Panama, in January 2023. He spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in the Dominican Summer League before making his debut in the United States this season.
Aguilar pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 44 innings in the FCL this season. He struck out 49 and walked 14.
The Astros would like to see Aguilar replicate his FCL success in Low-A.
“Hopefully he can keep the walk (rate) down to 10% and keep the K rate to 30%,” Buffa said. “Hopefully, he can come back with another velo uptick.”