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5 Astros players who don’t deserve to be on the 40-man roster
Spring training is right around the corner, and we will soon see who the Houston Astros are going to roll into the 2024 season with. By in large, there are not going to be a ton of real competitions for active big league roster spots with the last spot in the rotation, a couple spots in the bullpen, and outfield being unsettled. However, spring training is also a chance for the Astros to get a look at all of the guys on the 40-man roster and see if they are worth keeping around.
There are a lot of considerations that go into 40-man roster moves. One is sheer space, and while the Astros' 40-man roster is full at the moment, they do have a few guys (Luis Garcia, Kendall Graveman, and Lance McCullers Jr.) who will start the season on the long-term injured list, which will temporarily make some room until they return. Another consideration is whether or not a player is among the immediate promotion plans, as well as whether a guy has a good chance of clearing waivers if taken off the 40-man. That is where things get sticky.
Right now, there isn't a pressing need for the Astros to make any 40-man roster moves. However, there is still a bit of offseason left before the start of spring training, and if any free agents tickle Dana Brown's fancy or if players that get cut in spring training get added, Houston is going to probably have to start making some tough choices. Here is a look at the guys on the Astros' 40-man roster that could get axed if that comes to pass.
5 players who could get knocked off Astros' 40-man roster this spring
David Hensley
It wasn't that long ago that David Hensley was considered a breakout prospect candidate for the Astros. It took Hensley a while to get going in the minor leagues, but back to back seasons with an .800+ OPS in 2021 and 2022 got many excited that he could contribute in the bigs.
Unfortunately, 2023 was not kind to Hensley after his promising 2022 big league debut. In 94 plate appearances last season, he slashed just .119/.213/.167, and while his numbers at Triple-A were better, it wasn't by as much as one would hope. Hensley does have quality defensive versatility going for him. However, with the trade to add Trey Cabbage as well as Mauricio Dubon still being around, Hensley just doesn't have much of a future with the Astros from the looks of things.
Parker Mushinski
Like many teams, the Astros' 40-man roster is loaded with arms. Depth at pitching is an asset in the big leagues, as virtually every team will have to cycle pitchers in and out to cover innings over the course of a 162-game season. However, that also means that a lot of the arms that get carried on the 40-man roster both are the most expendable players and are also the guys most likely to clear waivers. Parker Mushinski fits the mold of a guy that could find himself getting shuffled off the roster in such a way.
Mushinski's limited big league playing time hasn't been terrible overall. In 21 appearances total over the last couple of years, he has posted a 4.91 ERA while striking out around a batter an inning. However, walks have been an issue for him in the minor leagues, and his Statcast profile points to some troubling trends regarding the quality of contact against him and his decidedly mediocre stuff. Given the Astros' other bullpen options available just on the 40-man alone, Mushinski is a guy the Astros could afford to lose, even if he doesn't clear waivers.
Grae Kessinger
Kessinger is in a very similar boat to Hensley. In very limited playing time in the big leagues in 2023, Kessinger didn't do much to inspire confidence. He offensive numbers in the minors were respectable and he did hit for some power in 2022, but he has some lingering hit tool questions and his path to playing time is obstructed with Cabbage and Dubon around.
Complicating matters, the Astros have help from the minor leagues, and that help has a higher ceiling than Kessinger. Zach Dezenzo, Will Wagner, and Pedro Leon are lurking close to the big leagues, with first-round pick Bryce Matthews being a college bat that could move up quickly as well. If the Astros didn't have infield options, keeping Kessinger around would make sense. As things stand, he looks like 40-man filler.
Dylan Coleman
Normally, a guy that only just got acquired wouldn't necessarily be on the chopping block because, well, he was acquired for a reason. However, Dylan Coleman is a bit of a unique case, as he already has a track record of being sort of a quad-A type player that is going to struggle to win a regular bullpen spot, unless things go sideways this spring.
When the Astros traded for Coleman this offseason, he was a low-cost acquisition to give Astros some bullpen depth this spring. At the time, Houston's bullpen was looking pretty speculative, and that sort of depth had value. However, the Astros have since signed Josh Hader and the bullpen is looking more promising. Point blank, the Astros just have better internal options ahead of Coleman and they can probably find someone better to fill out the bullpen from the pile of players that get cut in spring training.
Corey Julks
Finally, we come to Corey Julks as the lone outfield representative on the list. Julks is pretty clearly on the outside looking in when it comes to outfield playing time, even in the event of an injury. Kyle Tucker is a lock, Chas McCormick seems to have earned another shot at starting, and the Astros seem to really value Jake Meyers' defense. Yordan Alvarez may play some left field here and there, and the Astros already have prospect Kenedy Corona on the 40-man. Given all of that, when would Houston ever play Julks?
Minor-league depth is also a factor here. Jacob Melton is the Astros' best prospect, and he plays the outfield, as do other top prospects Joey Loperfido, Colin Barber, Pedro Leon, and Justin Dirden. That is just the guys that are at Double-A or higher. Having outfield depth on the 40-man is nice, but the Astros have plenty of options if need be, and Julks just hasn't shown enough to warrant keeping a spot if push came to shove.
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