Houston Astros: 2 candidates for the fourth outfielding spot

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Although the Houston Astros fell 9-0 to the Miami Marlins on Friday, Manager Dusty Baker sent out the soon to be Sugar Land Skeeters behind Zack Greinke to evaluate depth. While the fourth outfielding spot is still up in the air, the team hasn’t been testing many players in centerfield, and with Steven Souza Jr. out of the picture, they will rely on unexperienced depth to open the season.

light. Related Story. Steven Souza Jr. shouldn't make the 40-man

From left to right, Michael Brantley, Myles Straw and Kyle Tucker are locks for the outfield, while Yordan Alvarez will DH and be listed among this group. The issue is that the fourth outfielder will need experience in centerfield to help Straw out, and by the looks of it, Brantley and Alvarez aren’t in the best shape to fill this void. This leaves it up to a prospect to help out, although Tucker has tested the water in center this spring.

Who can be the fourth outfielder for the Astros?

As we sound like a broken record, the 40-man roster has been a tricky situation this offseason, and while currently full, the Astros have Pedro Baez waiting for a spot and Framber Valdez and Forrest Whitley missing time due to their respected injuries.

While possibly bringing up a prospect could be on the team’s mind, it still leaves an issue with 40-man spots, as the team shouldn’t designate optionable pitching for assignment to add other players. This leaves it up to two candidates one on the 40-man and one that would shake up the roster.

Chas McCormick

The Astros added Chas McCormick to the Wild Card and ALDS rosters in 2020, as extra depth and acclamation to the team. Although not having a major league debut under his belt, the right-hander is the best option to be the fourth outfielder.

Related Story. Chas McCormick added to roster with eye on future. light

Although throwing left-handed, McCormick is a different breed, while hitting right-handed at the plate. This spring hasn’t gone much to plan, while only having two hits in 24 at bats. Although these numbers don’t count against you, the right-hander needs to prove that he can play at the next level.

It is a predicament to have your fourth outfielder with little-to-no major league experience, but issues with the CBT and losing key players has left the Astros in this predicament. While Aledmys Diaz, possibly Garrett Stubbs, Robel Garcia and others taking innings in the outfield this season, the team should be more worried about centerfield depth, and McCormick hasn’t been getting that.

Due to his lack of reps and quiet bat thus far, the Astros could turn to a new name that has become a journeyman in the minor leagues.

Jose Siri

While being another speedster in the outfield and on the base paths, Jose Siri could be the targeted fourth outfielder. While signing a minor league deal with the Astros in December, the right-hander showed out in the Dominican Winter League, but an upsetting 2019 minor league campaign plummeted his stock.

Related Story. Prospects in the Dominican Winter League playoffs. light

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Although bouncing around in multiple team’s systems in 2020, the Astros could lean on Siri, but at what cost? With a currently full 40-man roster, McCormick seems like the best option, but his numbers say otherwise, as this leaves a player in trouble of being designated for assignment or traded to make room.

The right-hander is still waiting for an assignment, and while having six hits through 27 at bats, this could be the Astros closely evaluating his case to make the roster. Although being a defensively effective centerfielder, Siri has seen his struggles at the plate but looks slightly better than McCormick.

If Siri were to make the roster and McCormick were to be optioned, then this leaves the Astros in a good position moving forward, as they have depth in the minor leagues when needed. With a surplus of pitchers, this could be where the move happens, but it all comes down to what the front office wants to do.

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The Astros are back on the field against the New York Mets on Saturday with Bryan Abreu on the mound at 12:10 p.m. While this is a game to prove that he is ready to make the big league roster, the right-hander could have an easy path with Pedro Baez, Jake Odorizzi and possibly Andre Scrubb not ready by Opening Day. Kent Emanuel will get the ball first in Saturday’s ‘B’ game against the Washington Nationals. The team also reassigned Alex De Goti, Ronnie Dawson, Ralph Garza Jr., C.J. Hinojosa, Hector Velasquez, Carson LaRue and Jeremy Pena to the minor leagues on Friday.

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