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Astros Prospects Dance Their Way to Grounders (video)

By Kenny Van Doren |
Mandatory Credit: The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Mandatory Credit: The Corpus Christi Caller Times
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Astros prospects dance before fielding grounders Saturday at mini-camp.

A select group of Houston Astros prospects are currently in West Palm Beach, Florida, for minor-league mini-camp, before the state of spring training. Those prospects had fun Saturday, fielding ground balls following their best dance moves.

Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle was on sight to catch some of the best prospects moves, as he reports on the team.

Two catchers — Korey Lee and CJ Stubbs — flashed the leather Saturday, as both have also been eyed as versatility products in the last year.

Stubbs, who possibly got his moves from his hype man brother, has played a few innings in the infield as well as in the outfield, while seen fielding without a catcher’s mitt.

For Lee, he is destined to be behind the dish. The 23-year-old has changed his approach, setting up on one knee behind the plate and flashing a quicker motion to second with an adjusted arm slot.

JC Correa made the switch to catcher this offseason but is not present at mini-camp. The 23-year-old flashed offensive success this past year in his rise, but the addition of a catcher’s mitt could benefit his advancement in the system, even though the catching room had grown crowded.

Mandatory Credit: Knoxville
Mandatory Credit: Knoxville /

A few well-known Astros outfielding and infielding prospects joined in on the fun.

Edwin Diaz, a minor-league free agent signing, and Pedro Leon could occupy the left side of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys’ infield to start the 202s season, depending on where Jeremy Pena starts the year.

Diaz is a career minor leaguer with experience at shortstop and the hot corner, while his defense is his best attribute. Leon is on the opposite side as one of the team’s top prospects with a heavy bat and strong arm that the Astros are trying in the infield as well as centerfield.

The change in roles for prospects is called “position audition,” Rome reported. The Astros have flexed prospects at different positions at minor-league levels for the last five years now, including recent selection Tyler Whitaker who has taken reps at third base but is normally an outfielder.

Freudis Nova was removed from the 40-man roster in November, after a down year and season-ending surgery. The once top Astros prospect told Climbing Tal’s Hill that he is at mini-camp, but nothing enlightening has been seen from beat reporters.

Colin Barber looks to make his name known as reported by Jake Kaplan of The Athletic, following two lost seasons. The outfielder embarks on a healthy season following mini-camp, after his 2021 campaign was halted by injury. Outfielder Zach Daniels was also in on the fun.

Grae Kessinger saw his offensive production decrease in 2021, before taking more reps in the Arizona Fall League following the Minor League Baseball season. The regular shortstop took innings at first base, as he is one of the many to add an extra glove to his bag.

Next. Heyman offers 10-team list of Carlos Correa suitors. dark

As MLB players are not present, the staff is. Manager Dusty Baker has been seen, perusing the back fields in West Palm Beach, along with coach Gary Pettis, who Climbing Tal’s Hill hopes to see at third base this season.

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