Club sends down 7 players
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Astros reassigned seven players from major league spring training to minor league camp Sunday, including their consensus top prospect Jacob Melton.
Infielders Zach Dezenzo and Will Wagner, catcher Miguel Palma and pitchers A.J. Blubaugh, Rhett Kouba and Colton Gordon were also reassigned. None of the seven prospects are on the Astros’ 40-man roster, and manager Joe Espada noted the moves will allow them to get more consistent at-bats and innings on the minor league side.
Melton, the 23-year-old outfielder, enters this year as the Astros’ toprated prospect by multiple outlets after ending last season at Class AA. He had appeared in four Grapefruit League games through Sunday and was 1-for-9 with a home run, logging defensive innings in center and right field.
Dezenzo and Wagner both worked at thirdbase in big league camp, with Wagner also seeing reps at first base. With third baseman Alex Bregman entering his final season under contract, both could be in-house options at the position if Bregman departs.
Wagner slashed .337/ .420/.518 in 65 minor league games at three levels last season. Dezenzo totaled a .304/.383/.531 slash line in 94 games between High-A and Class AA. Dezenzo had not hit in Grapefruit League games as of Sunday due to a wrist issue.
Gordon recently began a throwing program after a delayed start to camp. Gordon, Kouba and Spencer Arrighetti are the Astros’ closest upperlevel starting pitching prospects. All three reached Class AAA last season and represent potential rotation depth for Houston this year.
“They came in here and they believed that they belong,” Espada said of the players involved in Sunday’s moves. “Our players embraced them, they understand how important it is to get these guys acclimated and comfortable in our clubhouse, and they handled that stuff well. They’re not overwhelmed by games or anything like that. So that’s very encouraging to see.”