Astros Have No Room on 40-Man Roster for Young, Effective Pitching?

According to the email newsletter sent out periodically by the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Arizona Diamondbacks recently came to terms on a free-agent deal with ex-Hooks closer Jailen Peguero on a free-agent deal. Apparently, the Astros did not believe Peguero was worthy of a prestigious spot on the team's 40-man roster, but the Snakes did. I side with the Snakes, at least from the looks of the numbers.

Peguero, who is 25 years old, had a 2.94 ERA in Corpus in 2005 and split the 2006 season between Corpus and Round Rock (0.70 ERA in Corpus and 3.47 ERA in Round Rock). Peguero allowed only three HR in 75 innings in 2006, striking out 78 and walking 34. Instead of Peguero, the Astros opted to keep, among others, Eric Bruntlett, Brooks Conrad, Charlton Jimerson, Orlando Palmeiro and Mike Rodriguez. Never having seen Peguero pitch clearly puts us at a disadvantage, but his minor-league numbers are stellar, making the Astros failure to add him to their 40-man roster certainly seem on the surface like a questionable decision.