Spring Training: Young Astros Heating Up

The Houston Astros now have 11 games under their belt this spring, and some young players are starting to make some notable impressions.

Joe Musgrove and the Astros faced the New York Mets for the third time in March and threw three scoreless frames. He now has eight innings pitched, giving up one earned run and striking out seven. Musgrove is in a battle for the fifth rotation spot and looks to be winning it. Musgrove had this to share following his performance via McTaggart.

“I’ve been hesitant the last couple of outings to really let [the slider] go and trust in it,” Musgrove said. “I think my arm has caught up and my body has been feeling good, and I kind of went game speed today like I would in the season, and it was sharp. It felt good.”

The other competitors are Mike Fiers and Chris Devenski.  Fiers appears to be dealing with a sore hamstring and will miss his next slated start on Saturday. Young prospect Francis Martes will take his spot, and Devenski will relieve him.

Lance McCullers shined in his spring debut.  Per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart:

McCullers, who missed the final two months of last season following an elbow sprain and has been on an individualized throwing program, mixed his arsenal well, throwing 16 of 24 pitches for strikes. He retired all six hitters he faced, striking out Stephen Piscotty in the first inning and Jedd Gyorko and Anthony Garcia in the second.

McCullers will be a key piece in the Astros rotation this year. He has struggled with walks and injuries thus far in his young career and could be a breakout candidate for Houston. His next start is slated for Tuesday against the Mets.

And on deck…

Offensively, A.J. Reed has been lighting up opposing pitching. He hit his third home run of the spring against the Mets on Friday and is currently batting .318 with 6 RBI’s. Reed could make the team as a platooning first baseman/designated hitter bringing a power bat from the left-hand side. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last year, and struggled mightily at the plate, batting .164 and striking out 48 times in 122 at bats.

The chances are that Reed starts the season in Fresno, but if he continues to mash the ball, manager A.J. Hinch may opt to make room for the young slugger.

Some young third basemen not named Alex Bregman are also shining. Colin Moran and J.D. Davis are hitting the ball very well. The former 6th overall pick Moran is batting .438 with two long balls in March. Davis is hitting .385 and has drawn three walks.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

Unfortunately for both players, Bregman is sitting atop the depth chart, and also Yulieski Gurriel who could easily slide over if needed. Moran could help himself with a good spring, even if it is to bolster his trade value. He deserves a legitimate shot to make the show, but it doesn’t look like it will happen with Houston. Davis will either start the year in Corpus Christi or Fresno.

Outfielder Derek Fisher has been climbing through the Astros’ farm system and is showing off his talents as a hitter and a base runner. In 12 at-bats, he has four hits (two of them doubles), five RBI’s and five stolen bases. Fisher won’t make the club this year, but he does have a window of opportunity ahead of him in upcoming years to earn a spot in the Houston outfield.

Next: Astros Spring Notes: Lance McCullers, How We Missed You

The Astros next game is Saturday against the Marlins. Opening day is just over three weeks away!

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***