After 'surreal' WS run, Hensley eyes '23 spot

HOUSTON -- Looking back on the end of the 2022 season, David Hensley can sometimes hardly believe it. Called up from Triple-A in August, he swung the bat well in limited action with the Astros, made the postseason roster and got a pair of hits in the World Series.

A championship parade and a ring-sizing followed before Hensley turned his attention to 2023. He moved to Houston and began working out four or five times a week, while getting baseball drills in at Minute Maid Park with Astros bench coach Joe Espada, assistant hitting coach Jason Kanzler and Minor League hitting coach Aaron Westlake.

The goal for the 6-foot-6 Hensley is to make his first Opening Day roster in 2023, but the memories of the Astros’ 2022 run to the World Series title are still vivid in his mind.

“It was surreal for me,” he said. “It was like a dream. I didn’t even take the time to comprehend what was going on because it went so fast. Playing every day and traveling and ultimately ended up World Series champs. … That’s the dream every kid growing up wishes for. It happened for me. I’m so blessed and just grateful.”

Hensley, 26, was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land -- where he posted an .898 OPS in 104 games -- on Aug. 20 and slashed .345/.441/.586 in 29 at-bats for the Astros while playing second base, third base, shortstop and left field. He started at designated hitter in Games 3 and 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia and had a single in each game.

Hensley’s excellent strike zone discipline helped get him to the big leagues, along with his ability to play all four infield spots and left field.

“I’ve been doing the utility thing for a long time with these guys and got an opportunity to play last year and did well,” he said. “I hope I can keep it rolling [and] ultimately try to fill that role [this] year.”

The Astros didn’t bring back veteran utility man Aledmys Díaz, who signed with Oakland, and have all but closed the door on longtime first baseman Yuli Gurriel returning as a utility option off the bench. Gurriel’s starting spot at first base was taken by José Abreu, who signed a three-year deal in December.

With the starting nine position players and designated hitter seemingly set heading into camp, the Astros will have to decide who will be the backup catcher between prospects Yanier Díaz and Korey Lee, the fourth outfielder (likely Jake Meyers) and then two remaining roster spots for a fifth infielder/utility player. If Mauricio Dubón gets a spot, that leaves one roster opening for Hensley or Bligh Madris, a left-handed hitter who came to the Astros in a trade with the Tigers earlier this month. He can play first base and right field.

“I’m still working hard,” Hensley said. “I know I’ve got to make the team still and ultimately just play my game -- take my opportunities as they’re given and see where I end up after camp.”

Much of Hensley’s focus in his offseason work has been on improving his game plan and trying to better understand his opponents and how pitchers will try to get him out.

“It’s a whole different level of ballgame up here,” he said. “What I learned the most is how much these guys pre-plan and how much they understand their opponents and what’s going to happen. Ultimately, on the offensive side, the pitchers and understanding who’s throwing and what it’s going to look like and preparing each and every day for that.

“That’s something that I didn’t really have too much focus on in the Minor Leagues, but it definitely started to help towards the end of the season, and I certainly learned from the older guys and see the ways they go about their business.”

More than anything, Hensley learned last year that opportunities abound if you’re prepared. And dreams can come true.

“It just so happened an opportunity opened up, and I was there to fill it,” he said.