Departures leave little outfield depth
JUPITER, Fla. — The Astros made marginal additions this winter to increase the competition in their outfield. George Springer’s departure generates most of the headlines, but losing the luxury of Josh Reddick should not be understated. Reddick’s subpar offensive statistics since 2018 speak for themselves, but he provided the team a professional plate appearance and defense that garnered Gold Glove consideration in 2019.
Last season, Reddick afforded manager Dusty Baker the chance to ease a still-unproven Kyle Tucker into the season. When Michael Brantley briefly went to the injured list and Yordan Alvarez underwent seasonending knee surgery, general manager James Click chose not to scour the open
market in reaction.
Reddick did not provide anything elite, but he gave the club comfort — an established major leaguer more than equipped to handle himself competently in any situation. His departure in free agency arrived as no surprise. Life without him might bring concern.
Through three weeks of Grapefruit League play, the Astros’ outfield depth does not invite enthusiasm. The team seems hesitant to play Alvarez at all in left field. Myles Straw has secured the center field job, but is still unproven.
Houston signed Jose Siri and Steven Souza, Jr. to minor league deals to push Chas McCormick in the battle for a fourth outfield spot. None are distinguishing themselves, leaving concern for the team’s depth once regular season play begins. Aledmys Diaz plays some left field, but he’s needed more urgently to be the backup infielder.
None of the three candidates for Houston’s fourth outfield spot have inspired any confidence. All started Sunday’s game against the Marlins. Each struck out twice. Souza bunted for a single. Siri grounded another through the middle and took second base on a slight bobble in center field.
Grapefruit League results are not the greatest indicator of future success and are largely ignored by established major leaguers who are getting ready for their season. Whether the numbers will affect Click and Baker’s opening day roster decisions remains to be seen. Souza and McCormick have had miserable springs. Siri has been a tad better, but the success is relative.
Siri finished 1-for-3 on Sunday against the Marlins, bringing his Grapefruit League line to 5-for-23. McCormick is 2-for-21 with 10 strikeouts. Souza, the only man among them with any major league experience, is 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts.
Souza became so frustrated that, after a strikeout in Friday night’s game against the Cardinals, the veteran outfielder broke his bat over his knee inside the dugout. He added another punchout in his first plate appearance Sunday. During his second, Souza bunted the first pich up the first base line for a base hit, trying to turn his luck on this excruciating spring.
Souza will earn $1.15 million if he makes the major league team. For a club approaching the $210 million competitive balance tax — and an apparent intention to stay under it — including Souza doesn’t make much sense. He profiles as strictly a corner outfielder, not offering much insurance if Straw struggles as the everyday center fielder. The poor quality of his at-bats in Grapefruit League play and his lack of minor league options only diminishes his case.
Both Siri and McCormick have minor league options. Of the two, only Siri is a true center fielder. The Astros view his defense as above average to elite, perhaps in the same profile as former fan favorite Jake Marisnick, who lingered on Houston’s bench as a late-game defensive replacement. Siri’s average exit velocity on balls in play is among the highest of any Astro in camp.
Swing and miss problems plague Siri’s offensive approach, but the upside he brings is tantalizing. Baseball America once ranked him the seventhbest prospect in the Cincinnati Reds system. In 2019, he fell to ninth.
“He’s in consideration,” Baker said Sunday. “I had heard a lot about him before. He was in consideration. Some of the guys that knew him from the past, I had made some calls to the Giants and the Reds, some people there I knew that had him. He’s a tremendous talent. Is he big league ready? I’m not sure. Is he ready to make this club? I’m not sure. He’s pretty close.”
Six spring games remain for Siri to state his case. The Reds designated him for assignment last January. The San Francisco Giants claimed him in March. By July, he was designated again. Siri plays with a certain swagger. He wagged his finger at Cardinals Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina earlier this spring, producing a viral video. He danced to pregame music Sunday while other teammates were stretching.
“I recognize the opportunity,” Siri said through an interpreter earlier in camp. “There’s a lot of opportunity coming over here with this team, with the Astros. We knew that the Astros were an organization where I’d have a chance. I know there’s a big chance for me to make the big league team now. The player I was two years ago to now, a lot has changed in that period of time.”