Hinch preaches versatility

The Astros already have an overload of options at first base. Jon Singleton is the incumbent, but Chris Carter and Evan Gattis should see time there as well.

Last year’s backup first basemen — Jesus Guzman ( playing in Japan) and Mark Krauss (Angels) — no longer are in the organization.

Even with the crowd, versatility will be something of a buzzword around camp this spring. Some players will be testing new waters.

“As with a lot of players, when they get to certain points in their career, and/ or just as the makeup of the team changes, some of your responsibilities do, too,” A.J. Hinch said. “Carter’s going to be an example. Gattis is an example. Just about every outfielder is an example of playing outside maybe their comfort zone.

“You know, outside of our catchers and ( Jose) Altuve, and probably ( Jed) Lowrie, we’re going to preach versatility, and that includes ( Matt) Dominguez putting on a first-base glove, learning a little bit on that side. He’s competing for the thirdbase job, which I made clear to him. But adding to his versatility will only help him make this team, compete to get the at-bats that everybody wants.”

Like Singleton, there is particular pressure on Dominguez to perform this spring. Both players have power potential, but they are coming off down years and also could be optioned to the minor leagues.

Dominguez, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft, hit .215 with a .256 on-base percentage and .330 slugging percentage in 2014. Of 24 qualified third baseman, that production was the worst.

As for Luis Valbuena’s presence, Dominguez said all he can do is play better.

“I got to go out and perform and play better and hopefully I get a chance to play some third base and see what happens,” he said. “I just got to be ready and be in shape and have good at-bats, and we’ll see what happens.

“I’m still confident. I think last year’s in the past now. Hopefully, I get a shot in spring training and go out and have some good at-bats and play good defense, and (they’ll) make the decision and go from there.” ing to come to a conclusion pretty soon,” Biggio said Saturday.

Biggio wore three generations of caps in his time with the Astros, which spanned 1988-2007.

Asked if he had a preference yet — even if there was no consensus — he didn’t give many clues.

“If I tell you that, then I’m going to give away the answer,” he said. “The late ’80s, early ’90s, was special times for me. The late ’90s were even more special from the standpoint of, we were a brotherhood, man. We all came up in the minors together for the most part; we hung out as families together.

“The late 2000s, the magical years we had here. I got fond memories of them all. That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

Evan Drellich