Meyers’ return to overcrowd CF
Jake Meyers’ return to the Astros is on the horizon, and with it arrives an unenviable situation for the organization’s two current center fielders.
Chas McCormick and Jose Siri have shared the role of starting center fielder this entire season while Meyers recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Both player have had their brilliant moments, but neither has distinguished himself in any obvious way. The clock on Meyers’ minor league rehab assignment runs out this week, forcing a roster crunch that will leave McCormick or Siri — both of whom still have minor league options — as the odd man out.
“I hope I don’t have to go back down to the minors. That would suck,” McCormick said. “But I think Meyers coming back, the trade deadline — it’s super congested right now with Taylor Jones coming back, too. … So they’re going to have to make changes, turn this team into a World Series team. I mean, I think what we’ve got right now is good enough, but I know they’re going to make some changes.”
Siri said he tries not to think about the inevitable in his day-to-day.
“Keep working, and then that’s that,” he said. “I don’t have control over that, you know? I do whatever the boss wants. I’m here for one reason. And I’m chilling.”
Meyers, McCormick and Siri all bat righthanded.
Defensively, Siri has an advantage in speed, and he entered Tuesday’s game against the Mets worth seven defensive runs saved, tied with former Astro Myles Straw for the most among all major league center fielders. McCormick is a more natural corner outfielder but provides versatility and is worth a solid three outs above average.
Offensively, he and Siri have struggled to produce consistently. McCormick has a season OPS-plus of 95 and a chase rate and whiff rate in the bottom 11 percent and 12 percent, respectively, of major league hitters. Siri has cut down on his strikeout rate but is slashing .189/ .256/.303 with an OPSplus of 62.
McCormick woke up Tuesday with a .154 batting average and nine strikeouts through 26 atbats in June. Siri had an .080 batting average with eight strikeouts in 25 atbats this month.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said both have been swinging the bat “so-so.”
“They both bring something to the table that has helped us get to the point where we are now,” Baker said. “I’m sure they want to be better, of course, but I’ve tried to play them equally and try to play ’em on what I need. If I need more speed and defense, I’m playing Siri. It depends on who’s pitching. Just need a little more offense. They both still are better than they’ve played.”
Baker has flip-flopped between the two depending on pitching matchups or even midnight premonitions. Last season, McCormick was in a similar situation, splitting time with Meyers.
“It doesn’t really feel like that much of a difference, honestly,” McCormick said. “I think I just put a little more pressure on myself this year.”
McCormick also said pitchers are throwing him fewer fastballs this season. Particularly with two strikes, they force him to chase off-speed pitches down in the zone.
“But you know, (I’ve) just gotta make adjustments,” he said. “They’re just doing the scouting report, and they’re being smart, and I just have to kind of know what to — I’ve been trying to have better at-bats. You know, see a little more, but I’m still kind of behind the eight-ball. Still fouling pitches off that I should be crushing.”
Baker said he believes the opposition is pitching McCormick differently and surmised that teams are still relying on minor league reports to craft plans for Siri, who has 308 fewer major league plate appearances than McCormick.
McCormick has accrued a shade over a year of major league service time, while Siri has just a few months. Baker has used Siri’s inexperience to excuse the exuberant Dominican’s propensity for brash decisions, especially on the bases, but the manager also appreciates Siri’s willingness to take risks.
“Nobody’s got more tools than Siri,” Baker said Tuesday. “He’s tooled up. People knew that at places he played before here. He has the tools. It’s just a matter of putting them together.”
Siri said his decisionmaking and precision with his swing could be better but that he is happy overall with his approach at the plate and his defense. While he is aware of the decision confronting Astros personnel with Meyers’ imminent return, he isn’t trying to make any last-minute adjustments in order to win a spot.
“I’m normal,” he said. “I believe in my talent. I’m faster. I have power. … I always have confidence.”
Astros general James Click visited Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday to assess Meyers’ readiness. Baker said he is unsure if Meyers could rejoin the Astros as soon as Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets.
In his first 12 rehab games with Sugar Land, Meyers hit .205 (9-for-44) with a double, a homer and two RBIs. He slashed .260/.323/.438 with a .761 OPS in 49 games with the Astros last season.
The success of outfielders Pedro Leon and Corey Julks in Triple-A also could bring more competition nipping at the heels of whichever Astros outfielders remain.
While acknowledging the possibility he could be demoted to the minors, McCormick expressed hope that Meyers’ return could help him emerge from his slump and turn his offense up another notch with the Astros.
“That would stink if I have to go down, but if I have to go, that’s baseball,” McCormick said. “But having Meyers back is going to be big for this ballclub. That’s what matters. He’s a good player. He’s rested. He’s ready to go. I hope he’s ready to go. But obviously, if I stay here when he comes back, I want to try to beat him out. But you know, whatever happens happens. The thing is, though, he’s a winner. Having Meyers come back for this ballclub is huge. Everyone likes him, and it’d be good to have him back.”