Houston Astros Memorial Day Check-In (A Week Later)
BIGGEST SURPRISE: JAKE MARISNICK’S BAT
Josh Reddick’s overall presence is an honorable mention here strictly because his clubhouse chemistry, contact-first lefty bat, and excellent defense are exactly what the Astros expected when they signed him this winter.
A now-healthy Reddick has exceeded expectations and is a key cog on both sides of the ball. However, the surprise that few expected is Jake Marisnick’s sudden refined hitting ability. Much had been discussed how he adjusted his approach during Spring Training, but it has not until recently that Marisnick has demonstrated consistency.
As if his two mammoth revenge home runs off of Marlins Park’s Picasso were not enough, he hit a huge ultimately game-winning home-run in the bottom of the 8th against the Tigers. He currently has six on the year and is a safe bet to exceed his career high of 9 in 2015.
Astros fans certainly would not mind another double-digit home-run bat in a 7-9 that leads the league in OPS. He has already eclipsed his 2016 total of 5 home runs and sports a clean .250/.337/.533 to go along with it.
These correlate to an almost-great .850 OPS and .362 wOBA. Marisnick teased Astros fans when he flashed his home-run potential in 2015, but a down 2016 suggested that he may be better equipped as a speedy defensive replacement. He’s out to prove everyone wrong now.