5 Astros players taking the most advantage of 2024 spring training

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The Houston Astros have been in spring training long enough now that we can start to take a look at how all the players are performing. Sure, the sample sizes still are quite small and most of spring training is about staying healthy, getting in shape, and making any adjustments needed in a controlled environment. However, there have been a few standout performers in Astros camp that warrant a mention.

The goal here isn't to point out that established players are, in fact, still good. As a result, you won't find guys like Kyle Tucker, Victor Caratini, and Jose Urquidy on this list, although they have had good springs so far. Instead, the goal is to highlight unsung players and/or guys on the fringes of contending for roster spots who have made the most of their opportunities this spring through the first week of March.

With all of the caveats out of the way, here are some of the Astros' standout performers so far during 2024 spring training.

Astros Spring Training 2024 Standout Performers

Corey Julks

Corey Julks' first taste of the major leagues was a bit of a mixed bag in 2023. He saw a decent bit of playing time (393 plate appearances) and hit a few homers while being a legitimate threat on the bases, but he also only hit .245 and his offensive output was fairly meh overall.

If this spring is any indication, he could be on the verge of a breakout season. Through seven games this spring, Julks has posted a 1.000 OPS and leads all Houston players during spring training so far with nine total bases. Again, super small sample size warning here, but that is very encouraging, especially from a guy that everyone agrees is uber-talented.

Most importantly here, though, is that the Astros seem to be wanting to get him a lot of playing time this spring, as he has played in the most games of any Astros hitter this spring. One shouldn't draw too many conclusions just yet, as it is still early, but seeing the field that much seems to bode well for Julks' chances of making the Opening Day roster.

Spencer Arrighetti

In terms of playing time, Arrighetti doesn't stand out all that much right now, as he has just one scoreless two-inning appearance on his ledger. However, make no mistake about it: he's come to camp wanting to make the roster, and Arrighetti has been turning heads all spring long.

The combination of Arrighetti's pure stuff and his prospect pedigree in the Astros' farm system made him a name to keep an eye on from the start of camp. Given how much he has impressed so far this spring, the only real question is when in 2024 will he get an opportunity to make his big league debut. With Justin Verlander having to start the season on the IL and some uncertainty elsewhere in the rotation, that opportunity could come sooner rather than later.

Jake Meyers

We have been hard on Jake Meyers ahead of the 2024 season. Obviously he is a great defender in the outfield, but his track record (or lack thereof) of hitting in the big leagues has been tough to ignore, especially with the depth and upside that the Astros have at the position. However, Meyers has been doing his absolute damndest to make us eat those words.

Through six games this spring, Meyers ranks third amongst Astros' hitters with a 1.300 OPS, thanks to cracking three doubles and walking five times already. There is no shot that he can keep this up because, well, no one can. However, if Meyers becomes a threat at the plate, he will have us regretting doubting him, and he could establish himself as Houston's center fielder of the future. If he comes back to Earth, it clearly won't be for lack of trying on his part.

Ronel Blanco

While there have been some sexier rotation contenders this spring, Ronel Blanco has quietly established himself as a favorite to win a spot right out of spring training. Blanco's 2023 season was pretty pedestrian as he posted a 4.50 ERA while walking too many guys in 17 appearances including seven starts. Spring training, however, has seen him separate himself from the rest of the Astros' pitchers in camp.

Through 7.2 innings this spring (the most of any Houston pitcher thus far), Blanco has yet to give up an earned run and has given up four hits and two walks against eight strikeouts. Could those numbers be a symptom of pitchers generally being ahead of hitters right now, combined with a small sample of short appearances? Perhaps, but Blanco was already contending for a rotation spot this spring and nothing he has done has hurt his case.

Joey Loperfido

Finally, we come to Joey Loperfido, who has had a ton of helium as a prospect over the last year or two. The Astros' seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft has quickly ascended the minor league ranks since joining the organization and is considered by many to be one of Houston's best position player prospects now. Now, Loperfido's strong camp has gotten the Astros' attention and he is firmly in the hunt for an Opening Day roster spot.

In six games this spring, Loperfido is slashing .400/.538/.500. One shouldn't draw too many conclusions from those numbers just yet, but he is clearly seeing the ball well at the plate. When you factor in comments made by Astros' personnel with his performance, it is clear that Loperfido has made a great impression in camp. That he has also survived the spring training roster cuts thus far also shows that Houston wants to see more of him this spring as well.

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