Astros call up Marc Krauss

Astros outfielder Trevor Crowe is headed to the disabled list after crashing hard into the rightfield wall today in an attempt to catch Jonathan Lucroy‘s homerun. Crowe’s right shoulder took the brunt of the collision and Trevor immediately went to the ground writhing in pain. He was unable to stay in the game and was replaced by Brandon Barnes.

With Crowe out indefinitely the Astros have decided to call up slugging OF/1B/DH Marc Krauss. Crowe has impressed Bo Porter and earned a lot of playing time in recent weeks. When Justin Maxwell came off the disabled list earlier this week, Crowe stayed with the big club and Jimmy Paredes was optioned to AAA.

Marc Krauss (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)

With Krauss being called up, instead of Paredes, I expect to see him get a chance to play regularly. A left-handed hitter, Krauss could cut into the playing time of  right-handers Chris Carter and Justin Maxwell.

Krauss was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization last season in the Chris Johnson trade. Marc has posted a .277/.393/.488 slash line in 65 games at Oklahoma City this season. His minor league strikeout totals have been high — but so far this season Krauss has a nifty 45/43 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The 25-year old was a second round draft pick in 2009 and has yet to reach the big leagues. Krauss will join the Astros in Chicago and could make his debut tomorrow against the Cubs. For those of you who don’t get CSN Houston, Saturday’s game will be broadcast on WGN at 3:00. I’m looking forward to seeing another one of our prospects do his thing in the big leagues. But the timing may not be just right for Krauss. No DH for the next three games means someone will have to sit.