Tanielu hits on a major-league trajectory
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two hours after his time in major league camp concluded, Nick Tanielu remained in the big league clubhouse. He dressed and placed his belongings in a full locker, an odd sight among the swath of empty space his fellow non-roster invitees once inhabited.
Tanielu was among nine players sent to minor league camp by the Astros on Tuesday morning, and he and the other five non-roster invitees in the group know better than most that this is a difficult team to crack.
When they are cut, most must clean their lockers and move across the Astros’ facility to their new home. Tanielu was exempt, a reward for his head-turning performance during these last five weeks.
Tanielu’s reassignment to minor league camp was somewhat of a formality, just official word he will not crack the opening-day roster. But manager A.J. Hinch allowed Tanielu to remain in the major league clubhouse and participate in big league camp.
“(Tanielu) is going to (stay) here because of what he did,” Hinch said. “He’s made himself a viable major league prospect.”
In 17 Grapefruit League games, Tanielu has tattooed the baseball, slugging a team-leading four home runs. Nine of his 14 total hits earned extra bases.
On Thursday against the Tigers, Tanielu launched a double that was within inches of leaving the ballpark in center field. It would have been his fifth Grapefruit League home run. No other Astros player has more than two.
Though he has played largely after the Astros’ regulars exited games, Tanielu has an 1.116 OPS in 46 plate appearances. He will accompany the Astros to Houston for their two exhibition games against the Pirates next week, along with Brendan McCurry, Yordan Alvarez, Kent Emmanuel and Derek Fisher — all of whom were sent to minor league camp this week.
“(Tanielu’s) at-bats this spring have been really impressive, and I think that’s going to be his calling card … a righthanded bat, most likely off the bench,” Hinch said.
In November 2016, Tanielu tore his ACL during a charity flag football game, all but scuttling his 2017 season. He appeared in only two minor league games but nevertheless was extended a non-roster invitation to spring training. Hinch acknowledged the Astros were “guarded” in deploying him.
“Coming in (this year), I was just trying to come in in shape and try to show A.J. and them what I could do, since last year I was kind of hobbled with a leg injury,” Tanielu said Tuesday. “This spring training was big for me, and I just kind of wanted to put myself out there and show these guys I could play.”
His offensive ability has never been in question. About a month before his knee injury, Tanielu had an .879 OPS in 58 plate appearances at the Arizona Fall League.
Defensive versatility will be vital for Tanielu to reach the majors. Hinch intimated he could see time at first base and third base — both of which Tanielu has played at the minor league level. Left field is an option, too, although Tanielu has never played the position in a game.
In the meeting in which Tanielu was informed of his reassignment, Hinch encouraged the 26year-old to look at the trajectory of a player like Tyler White, who was a 33rd-round draft selection. White grinded through Houston’s farm system, making himself more versatile and hitting his way onto the major league roster.
“There’s not a reason why he can’t make it to the big leagues based on what we saw this spring,” Hinch said of Tanielu, a 14th-round pick.
Said Tanielu: “You always want to hear that. You always want to know there’s a chance for you to be in the big leagues.”