Astros Weekend Links

The Astros got a win in yesterday’s exhibition opener. A number of future Astros like George Springer, Delino DeShields, Carlos Correa, and Preston Tucker saw action in the game. Here’s a recap and a few Astros tidbits from around the blogosphere.

Astros Daily

"The offense punched out 12 hits in all, with contributions from Fowler, Krauss, Jose Altuve, Chris Carter, Carlos Corporan, Robbie Grossman, Jonathan Villar, Marwin Gonzalez, Preston Tucker, Carlos Correa and Max Stassi."

What the Heck, Bobby?

"Tucker is probably known by most more for that powerful swing of his than anything else, but his defense in 2013 was solid. He only committed one error while collecting 14 outfield assists for the season. Tucker will be 24 in July."

The Crawfish Boxes

"Cut to the Spring of 2014, and Duffy finds himself in the Houston Astros’ camp, hat in hand, asking for a chance to fight for a roster spot on a Double-A team at the tender age of 26."

Ultimate Astros

"Manager Bo Porter is going to employ a Grapefruit League usage plan similar to last year’s with catcher Jason Castro. Castro started working out this past winter earlier than he ever had and he feels his knee problems are behind him, but the Astros nonetheless will be careful with their best player."

Fangraphs

"One interesting thing about the Astros: they project to be way, way better this year than last. Another interesting thing about the Astros: they still project for the second-lowest WAR in baseball, between the Twins and the Marlins. That’s a better team, an improved team, but it’s still a bad team with a handful of shinier pieces."

Delino DeShields (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)