Astros call up top prospect David Paulino

The Houston Astros have added another arm to the bullpen in the race to the playoffs. Houston has called up prospect David Paulino to the active roster on Tuesday with the team in Cleveland — Paulino was already on the 40-man roster.

Paulino, 22, was acquired by the Astros as part of the 2013 trade with the Tigers for Jose Veras. He has steadily moved up the minor league ranks, ending last season in Lancaster. Paulino has pitched in Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno, he has posted a 5-4 record with a 2.00 ERA in 20 minor league games in 2016 (15 starts).

Paulino in the No. 8 prospect in The Crawfish Boxes’ mid-season prospect rankings. Chris said of Paulino:

Paulino lost some time due to suspension for breaking unspecified team rules, but when on the field, he befuddled batters with a McCullers-like strikeout rate and Musgrovian walk rate. He looks like the real deal, and should make a rapid climb to high in 2017 Top 100 lists. Few Astros top prospects boosted their stock through performance the way Paulino has....

Paulino will start in Thursday’s game against the Indians.