Who’s Hot? Trevor Crowe

A few years ago, Trevor Crowe was a top prospect. The Cleveland Indians drafted the outfielder in the first round of the 2005 draft. Crowe rose through the minor leagues to varying degrees of success showing some speed, and not much power before being promoted to the major leagues in 2009.

Trevor Crowe (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Once he hit Cleveland, Crowe did not have the type of success originally expected for him and this past offseason he landed in Houston as a minor league free agent signing. Jeff Luhnow added Crowe with the expectation that he would provide some veteran organizational depth and because he batted from the left side. It also did not hurt that Crowe was still just 29 years old, so there was a small possibility that he could finally realize his potential.

Crowe had a good spring training and ended up making the Astros to start the season. However that success did not carry over and in 31 games and 70 at bats, Crowe only hit .200 with one home run and five RBI’s. He essentially remained on the roster because the Astros really did not have many other options. So when he went on the disabled list with a shoulder injury in June, I honestly assumed that it would be the last we would see of Crowe in Houston.

Instead, the outfielder had other ideas. As he rehabbed and recovered in AAA, Crowe had success. He hit .304 with three home runs and 23 RBI’s in 60 games along with 16 stolen bases, and earned a return engagement in Houston. It worked out well for the Astros, because they were in need of another bat. The return of Crowe coincided with some injuries and the cooling off of L.J. Hoes.

So far in six games Crowe has certainly made an impression this month. He is batting .407 in 27 at bats with four RBI’s, four runs scored, and one stolen base. His walk off single won the game for Houston against the Twins on Wednesday, and his production has been just what Bo Porter needed. Also what stands out even more to me, especially on this year’s Astro team, is that Crowe only has one strikeout over that period.