Moran, Kemp get first taste of bigs

Two hours before Tuesday’s first pitch, Tony Kemp and Colin Moran sat in the visitors’ dugout at U.S. Cellular Field, presumably soaking in what the last 48 hours had been for the two of them.

On Monday, Kemp was called up from Class AAA Fresno. Later that day, Moran, another top prospect at Fresno, sent Kemp a text saying he was coming to Chicago as well. Moran, a 22-year-old former first-round pick, was called up Tuesday.

“I just immediately called him,” said Kemp, a 24-year-old Vanderbilt product and former Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. “Colin’s one of those guys who doesn’t show many emotions, but I think this one got to him. He was just like, ‘I’m trying to figure out flight info, and I’m calling my dad.’ It was really cool to see that kind of emotion come out of him.”

Moran, a lefthandedhitting third baseman, hit .288 with a .747 OPS in 136 plate appearances with Fresno. He was the sixth overall pick in 2013 and was part of the Jarred Cosart Marlins trade that also brought the Astros Jake Marisnick and Francis Martes.

“Still just trying to soak it in,” said Moran, the nephew of former big leaguers Rich and B.J. Surhoff. “Just being around all the guys and seeing the park has been a lot of fun.”

Kemp and Moran, both lefthanded hitters, will start Wednesday against White Sox righthander Mat Latos.

“It’s starting to become time to look at the internal options that we have to help us from the minor leagues,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’re looking to jump-start an offense for a little bit more consistency.”

The lefthanded-hitting Kemp should see time in the outfield but could pinch-run, which he did Tuesday, scoring a goahead run in the eighth in his major league debut. Moran has the possibility to play more regularly, Hinch said, getting time at third base and as the designated hitter.

In another move, the Astros designated righthanded pitcher Asher Wojciechowski for assignment.