HOUSTON -- The Astros will welcome several new faces to the club when Spring Training begins next month, including first baseman Christian Walker, third baseman Isaac Paredes and starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Gone will be three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker and third baseman Alex Bregman, who's unlikely to return in free agency at this point. The club is still pursuing a deal to trade relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to shed the $14 million he's owed this season and free up some money to add another bat, preferably in the outfield. Pressly has a no-trade clause and would have to agree to be traded to any other team, but Houston's offseason moves might not be over. Astros manager Joe Espada last month addressed some other topics concerning players who will be back in 2025: On how much slugger Yordan Alvarez will see time in left field next season: "My answer always is keeping Yordan in the lineup is really important. Any time I throw him in left field consecutive games, he's going to post. He wants to help us win. He never says no, but I need to be more mindful of the more he plays out there, the more I'm asking of him, and I need to try to keep him healthy. So I would like to kind of cut back on the amount of reps that he gets in left field. So hopefully we could get that done and not ask Yordan to play that many innings in left." On how outfielder Chas McCormick can rebound this year: "What I told McCormick is 2024, just turn the page, put that in the past. He's a really good player, and it's in there. I think he tried to do a little bit too much going into Spring Training and trying to put up the same numbers. 'Just be the same Chas McCormick that you've been for previous seasons, and you're going to be fine.' I told him, 'Hey, listen, that's in the past. Forget about it. Go home. Train, get ready, and get ready for Spring Training.'" |
On whether utility player Mauricio Dubón could play a more regular role in 2025 after starting at seven positions last season: "It's good to have Dubón, because he's that guy. If something happens and we need to fill a spot, Dubón is there. Dubón has played 135, 140 games the past few years. So he plays almost every single day. What makes him valuable is he can start a game at third and finish in right field. Or he can come in at some point and pinch-hit and play defense and help us win the game. So having that piece on your team is super valuable. We are a really good team when Mauricio Dubón is that player and we can just deploy him in many different ways." On expectations of right-hander Forrest Whitley, who made his big league debut last season as a reliever: "I'm excited about Forrest Whitley. I think he's a guy we've been waiting for, for a long time. I think he's finally starting to turn the corner. I could see Forrest competing in our bullpen. But I'm excited for him. He's actually healthy, and I think he understands what it takes. He got a taste this year in the big leagues. I expect him to come in ready to go in Spring Training." |
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Who was the last catcher to hit leadoff to start a game for Houston? A. Brad Ausmus B. Craig Biggio C. Ron Brand D. J.R. Towles |
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The Astros on Wednesday signed 20 free agents on the first day of the international signing period, including eight players from Venezuela, six from the Dominican Republic, four from Mexico and one each from Colombia and Cuba. Headlining the class was outfielder Kevin Alvarez, MLB Pipeline's No. 7 international prospect. Alvarez's deal is worth $2 million. The club received $5.65 million in pool money this year. Here's what Astros officials said about Alvarez, who's not related to Yordan: "Alvarez's polished skillset stood out to us during the scouting process. His maturity and baseball IQ further separated him from his peers. We are thrilled to welcome Alvarez to the Astros and look forward to supporting him in his development." -- international scouting director Brian Rodgers "Alvarez is a loose and flexible left-handed-hitting outfielder with above-average tools across the board. He combines standout hit-ability with power at the plate, and his above-average arm and natural instincts make him a strong defender. His feel for the game, confidence, and outstanding baseball makeup make him an exciting addition to our organization." -- senior scouting advisor Charlie Gonzalez |
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Six of the Astros' Top 10 prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline will be in camp with the team when pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach next month. That includes top prospect Cam Smith (No. 73 overall), who was acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade last month. Outfielder Jacob Melton (No. 89), infielders Brice Matthews (Astros' No. 4) and Zach Dezenzo (No. 6), right-hander Miguel Ullola (No. 8) and right-hander A.J. Blubaugh (No. 10) will also be in Major League camp this spring. There will be 23 non-roster invitees to camp -- 13 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders and two outfielders. This group includes right-hander Miguel Castro, catcher Joe Hudson, lefty Steven Okert, infielder Zack Short and lefty Blake Weiman, who are all new to the organization in 2025, as well as veteran right-hander Rafael Montero, who was designated for assignment last summer in the second year of a three-year, $34.5 million deal. The preliminary Spring Training roster includes seven former All-Stars: second baseman Jose Altuve, outfielder Alvarez, lefty Josh Hader, right-hander Lance McCullers Jr., infielder Paredes, right-hander Ryan Pressly and left-hander Framber Valdez. Paredes came from the Cubs in the Tucker deal along with Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski. The Astros will hold their first official Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers at the Park of the Palm Beaches complex Feb. 13. The first official workout for the entire squad is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18. |
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A. Ausmus, on Aug. 19, 2002. Ausmus (twice), Biggio (35 times) and Brand (six times) are the only Astros catchers to start a game at catcher and hit first. |
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