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3 Houston Astros whose Spring Training was a fluke, and 2 who were a preview
The Houston Astros have had a lot more movement from IL and AAA this year than years past, so more insight can be sought from spring training numbers.
Mauricio Dubón, UTL - fluke
The Houston Astros utility-knife this season, Mauricio Dubón has been a big surprise to the Astros fans. Dubón has had an uncharacteristic season. Dubón is a career .256 hitter, and the most home runs he had in a single season prior to this year was five.
You could argue either point--his spring training was par for the course, or that it was a fluke (as in not a good preview for this year). Dubón hit .209 with 2 RBI this spring and it seemed like it would be another low performing year for him. He has doing nothing short of surprising Major League Baseball this season with his production, which has him hitting .289 with three home runs, while driving in 16. You would have never predicted his start by looking at any of his stats, let alone his spring numbers.
José Abreu, 1B - Fluke
While José Abreu might be coming to life finally as a productive member of the Houston Astros lineup, his June is what Astros fans expected right out of the gates.
In spring training Abreu was one of the more productive core members of the Astros lineup, hitting .292 with two home runs and 11 RBI in only 48 at-bats. Those numbers look great, and maybe those are finally showing themselves here in June. Abreu is hitting .284 with four home runs and 16 RBI, but prior to this month, he has been awful. He has been so bad that Astros fans were calling for a trade for anyone to replace him. The jury is still out on his season, but his overall numbers (.232 with five home runs and 36 RBI) suggest his spring was a fluke.
Rafael Montero, RP - Fluke
Houston Astros fans begrudgingly know Rafael Montero's name all too well. Montero signed a big contract in the off-season and has since had big numbers, and in not a good way. His spring was a continuation of his electric 2022 season as he posted a 1.80 ERA in 5 appearances along with a 0.80 WHIP.
Astros fans might even go to say that the 2022 season was a fluke for Montero, as he is not pitching well at all this season. Montero has a 7.76 ERA over 31.1 innings with a 1.819 WHIP. Those numbers are not even close to what we saw last year with him or in spring training, perhaps both were a fluke?
Yainer Diaz, C - Preview
One of the best surprises this season for Houston Astros fans has been the emergence of Yainer Diaz. Astros brass and fans were all in on Korey Lee last season, and yet Diaz has beat him out this year and has shown why.
Diaz posted a .325 average with one home run and eight RBI this spring along with an .892 OPS. That was just to show what great things were to come, as he is currently the go-to DH when he's not catching, and he has posted a .276 average with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and an .801 OPS. He has been clearly superior to Martin Maldonado's .189 average with only four home runs and 10 RBI in 50 more at-bats than Diaz.
Corey Julks, OF - Preview
The Houston Astros outfield has been waiting for awhile for the return of Michael Brantley, and Corey Julks has stepped up to the plate. Julks is not an eye-popping numbers guy, but he did show off his well-rounded approach at the plate. Julks hit .275 this spring with two home runs, 12 RBI, and a stolen base, which almost perfectly matches his performance this season. He is currently hitting .257 with six home runs, 26 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He has been a solid defender, as fans saw on display this weekend in Los Angeles. Julks numbers definitely match up and he looks to be around a 20 home run, 30 stolen bases player who would be a servicable part of an outfield platoon.