Rookies’ audition for postseason has one week left
Urquidy, Abreu solid in September; Tucker, Toro vie for position spot
HOUSTON — When he took a break from dancing on his toes and booty-popping to the concupiscent poetry of Cardi B that, along with beer and cigars, stirred the Astros’ division-clinching clubhouse celebration Sunday, Chris Devenski peeled back the plastic tarp that covered his locker. He reached for a stash of stogies. “Abreu!” he shouted. Devenski handed a cigar to rookie Bryan Abreu, one of Houston’s six September call-ups.
The two righthanded relievers had gotten to know each other when Devenski visited the Astros’ academy in the Dominican Republic. At the time, Abreu had yet to compete at a professional level higher than Class A, but the Astros expected his spin rate and determination would get him to the majors quickly.
On Sunday, the 22-year-old, who has a 1.59 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 52⁄3 innings this month, was drenched from beer spray and enjoyed a taste of what it is like to play for a championship contender.
“I feel like the proudest man in the world,” he said.
Better yet, with their third consecutive American League West championship clinched, the Astros can give more playing time over their last six regular-season games to Abreu and three other fresh faces — starter Jose Urquidy, outfielder Kyle Tucker and utility man Abraham Toro — who are in the mix for the final spots on the postseason roster. General manager Jeff Luhnow said there is one opening but suggested there could be two.
The Astros will finish with a pair of games at Seattle and four at Anaheim. Fourth starter Wade Miley has a last-chance audition he has to nail Thursday night against the Angels. His 22.09 September ERA has pushed the door wide open for a pitcher to usurp him. Urquidy will start Friday.
Like Abreu, Urquidy had not pitched above Class A until this season. He has a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings this month. He is confident about making the cut.
“I think so,” the stocky 6-foot tall righthander from Mexico said.
The organization had been cautious with Urquidy’s innings count because he underwent Tommy John surgery two years ago. Now, Luhnow said, his usage is not as important to the team as having the best arms available for a postseason game, which could require the all-hands-ondeck approach to pitching that has become the norm in baseball.
“He’s done an unbelievable job,” Luhnow said. “If he’s the right guy to make our roster, he’ll make it — and hopefully get some big outs for us in the postseason.”
Urquidy and Abreu — a pair of international signings — have surprised owner Jim Crane.
“Just shows you how deep the organization is,” Crane said. “The guys that may not be drafted up at the top can turn out to be pretty good players.”
Following up his 1-for-12 September call-up in 2018, Tucker is pleased that he has contributed positively this time around. He is making contact on pitches out of the strike zone at a much higher rate while hitting .306 with an .864 OPS. He leads the Astros this month with a 92.2 mph exit velocity on batted balls.
He scored a run in Sunday’s 13-5 clincher against the Angels, but his favorite moment was when he and a group of young players who had come up through the system together conspired to unleash a storm of beer over Class AAA Round Rock Express manager Mickey Storey, whom Houston recently added to its coaching staff for the rest of the season.
Tucker is a better hitter than Toro, who is batting .239 with a .749 OPS. Toro, whose two-run ninth-inning homer accounted for all the scoring in Justin Verlander’s no-hitter at Toronto on Sept. 1, said he has been working on his plate discipline.
“Sometimes I can be a little anxious,” Toro said. “Just stay in my zone, and good things will happen.” On Sunday, Toro made his first error in 157 innings at third base. With the bases loaded, he bobbled a grounder that looked destined for a double play. The E-5 led to three unearned runs.
“It’s in the past,” he said, upbeat and inspired by the revelry around him. “My first time in the big leagues and being able to be a part of this is unreal.”
When asked what advice veterans have given them, each of the four candidates described the same thing.
“Don’t change just because you’re in the big leagues,” Toro said. “Stay yourself. Play your game.”
Said Devenski: “I’m very happy to see that group of young guys here. It’s like I’m looking at myself a couple years ago.”
Devenski, 28, in his fourth season, felt a similar thrill in 2016, when he made the Astros’ openingday roster. He emerged as a shutdown reliever with a masterful changeup. He would go on in 2017 to make the All-Star team, earn the win in Game 2 of the World Series, and convert a critical out in Houston’s Game 7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Devenski knows that making it to the playoffs can change a player’s life but also be “a once-in-alifetime opportunity.”
“The way these guys go about their business and the way they listen and they learn from everybody around them, they have every chance to seize that opportunity,” he said.
Devenski is a far less effective pitcher now than he was then — or than Abreu is now. Abreu leads the staff in whiff rate this month, with nearly one of every four of his pitches resulting in a swing-and-miss. He may be inexperienced, but aside from the back end of the bullpen, the Astros look like they need his explosive arsenal.
“His off-speed stuff is ridiculous,” Devenski said.
After they lit their cigars, Devenski wrapped an arm around Abreu. He told the rookie he was proud of him. Abreu smiled, revealing his braces.
Then Devenski bounded back into the splash zone, and Abreu learned a bit from watching him.
“Beautiful dancing,” Abreu said.