Houston Astros: Who should get the 26th roster spot?

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Alex De Goti #86 of the Houston Astros slides safely into second base after hitting a double against the Washington Nationals during a Grapefruit League spring training game at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on February 23, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

De Goti was drafted out of Barry University in the 15th round of the 2016 draft. He had a spectacular senior year at Barry after having three under-performing years for California State, Long Beach. He went from having a .414 OPS in 73 games for CSULB to a 1.186 OPS in 46 games with the Parrots.

De Goti played in all three levels of minor league ball for the Astros in 2017, his first full season of pro ball. The past two seasons have seen him be very successful at the Double-A and Triple-A levels. De Goti has averaged a .783 OPS with a 43 percent walk-to-strikeout rate.

As a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, he is coming into his age 25 season and coming off of two very good seasons. In 2018 he was a Texas League All-Star and in 2019 named an organizational All-Star.

De Goti might not have big-time college career numbers but he has shown the ability to adapt in every stop of his minor league career. Not only has he shown to be productive with the stick, he also has shown he is pretty good with the leather. Throughout his minor league career, he has played at every infield position outside of first base plus a handful of games in left field.

This type of versatility has to be key when determining who will win the 26th spot. Baker seems to also be taking a close look at De Goti, as he has been written into the lineup a couple of times already this spring. Even if he doesn’t make the team out of Spring Training, he could be in Houston sometime this season.

Schedule