This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
The last couple of position-player spots and final few bullpen spots on the 26-man roster are still up for grabs, and manager Joe Espada said he’s going to use the exhibition games in Houston to make the final assessments. That means the roster won’t be set when the team leaves Florida on Sunday night.
"I’m expecting the competition to go all the way through those exhibition games,” he said.
Here are five players who had standout spring performances for the Astros:
IF/OF Zach Dezenzo
The club’s No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Dezenzo is hitting .415 (17-for-41) with two homers and a 1.138 OPS this spring (through Friday). He’s split time between the corner outfield positions and first base as the Astros try to find ways to expand his versatility for a spot on the Major League roster.
Espada’s take: “He’s had a great spring. His defense in the outfield has been better than what I thought. He actually picked up on it pretty quickly. The at-bats, hitting the ball to all fields, the speed -- he can steal some bases -- the versatility, we all knew could be something that could benefit our club. He’s handled it very well. He’s not fazed by what’s going on. I told him from the very beginning he had a chance to make this club, and he hasn’t backed down. He’s taken it very seriously and has made a strong case for himself.”
3B/RF Cam Smith
Smith (the team’s No. 1 prospect) has been the talk of camp since hitting a pair of home runs in his first two Grapefruit League at-bats. He hasn’t stopped there, batting .371 (13-for-35) with four homers and a 1.221 OPS this spring. The Astros started playing him in right field a couple of weeks ago after they realized they may want to carry him on the Opening Day roster.
Espada’s take: “I said that I was only going to play him at third base, and I guess I didn’t keep my promise because he pushed our hand. His approach at the plate, his swing decisions, how hard he’s hitting the ball, we need some of that type of hitter in our lineup, something last year that we somewhat struggled with. If we could add players like him in our lineup, it would stretch our lineup even further.”
RHP Logan VanWey
VanWey has flown under the radar all spring but could be on track to making his first Major League roster out of camp. VanWey, who struck out 98 hitters in 72 2/3 innings last year at Triple-A, has allowed one run and struck out 12 in 12 2/3 innings.
Espada’s take: “I still want to see more of VanWey against lefties. He has the weapons to get the righties out with ease. Lefties, we’d like to see the execution more of his changeup and getting the left-handed hitters out quicker. He’s demonstrated toughness, and he showed it last year in Triple-A. His name came up a lot, and now I see why.”
SS Jeremy Peña
Last spring, Peña was working on remaking his swing load to reduce body movement with hopes of driving the ball more, and he wound up having a season pretty much on par with his career numbers. He went 3-for-3 with a double and a homer Friday, and he is hitting .459 (17-for-37) with four homers, 10 RBIs and a 1.297 OPS this spring.
Espada’s take: “He is slightly open on his stance and is trying to create more space and be more on time and elevate the ball, and so far, it’s paying dividends for him. We need to continue to do that. So far, the results have been really, really good.”
LHP Bryan King
King posted a 2.39 ERA last year in 28 games out of Houston’s bullpen last year as a 27-year-old rookie, and he showed the ability to get lefties and righties out. He has allowed three earned runs and seven hits in 10 Grapefruit League innings.
Espada’s take: “Bryan King came up last year and had some really good outings for us. Right now, he’s one of those guys that I feel comfortable giving him high-leverage opportunities. He did it last year, and I feel comfortable doing it again this year.”
Supervising Club Reporter Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009.
