Three Surprise Players Who've Dominated at Astros Spring Training

Spring Training is well underway, and with so many Astros participating in the World Baseball Classic, even more prospects than usual are getting the chance to show their stuff in the Grapefruit League. We’ve seen some everyday regulars struggle and career minor leaguers excel. 

This list will take a look at the surprise players who have dominated spring training. You won’t find Korey Lee on this list (even though he’s carrying a 1.093 OPS) as he was a first round pick and is widely considered their catcher of the future. Justin Dirden isn’t on the list either. We’ve talked at great length of Dirden and he’s got a real shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. He’d hit at every level and has rocketed through the Astros system. Matt Gage doesn't crack the list either, after great debut in 2022 and a spotlight piece already.

This list will look at three guys that have emerged from seemingly out of nowhere and have excelled this Spring. They won’t crack the big league roster for Opening Day, but they’ll be worth following to see what the future holds for them. 

Rylan Bannon

Rylan Bannon made his big league debut last season, going 2-15 in only five games. He struck out five times and worked no walks and collected no extra-base hits. 

The Astros claimed him off waivers this offseason from the Chicago Cubs. He had spent time with the Cubs, Dodgers, Braves and Orioles all in 2022, but as of yet hasn’t been able to stick with a club. Maybe the 2023 Spring Training will be what solidifies Bannon as an Astro for the future.

Bannon is 6-20 this spring for a clean .300 batting average. He’s got two doubles and one home run, and has also stolen two bases. His .941 OPS looks very nice.

Bannon was claimed by Houston as a utility infielder, and as Mauricio Dubon continues to struggle at the plate (.192 avg and .453 OPS this Spring), perhaps we see Bannon with the big league club at some point in 2023. 

Bryan Garcia

Bryan Garcia was a sixth round pick by the Tigers back in 2016. He made his debut in 2019 and struggled in a small sample size, but was tremendous in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, carrying a 1.66 ERA in 26 appearances for Detroit. 

2021 was a struggle for Garcia, who made only four appearances for the Tigers in 2022. Houston signed Garcia to a minor league deal in February, and Garcia has been great this Spring. Garcia has made four appearances and one start for the Astros, throwing 8.1 innings. He has allowed only three hits and walked one, good for a 0.72 WHIP. 

His lone start came against the Atlanta Braves, and while all of their regulars weren’t in the lineup, he did successfully navigate a lineup that included Ozzie Albies, Matt Olsen, Austin Riley, Sean Murphy and Michael Harris III, allowing one hit, walking three and striking out three. 

Garcia looks like a great depth option if injury were to unexpectedly strike the Astros this season, either in the pen or in the rotation.