Very Early Ranking of the Astros Bench Options for 2024.
With Spring Training games now starting, we now get our chance to check out not just the Astros regulars, but a number of guys hoping to make the final 26-man team for Opening Day. In terms of position players, the Astros are set with their starters and two of their bench guys, leaving two positions up for grabs.
Here’s a quick glimpse of the known assets we know (barring injury) will be on the Opening Day roster:
Yainer Diaz – C
Jose Abreu – 1B
Jose Altuve – 2B
Jeremy Peña – SS
Alex Bregman – 3B
Chas McCormick – LF
Jake Meyers – CF
Kyler Tucker – RF
Yordan Alvarez – DH
Maurico Dubon – Utility
Victor Caratini – C (back up)
That leaves quite a few men as choices for filling the two extra seats on the bench. Let’s conduct a very early ranking of who might crack the roster.
Cabbage, who the Astros acquired from the Angels, has the inside track given the fact that he can play many positions and is a left handed bat. With only Caratini (a switch hitter) as a lefty off the bench, there is no question the Astros will want at least one more southpaw in the arsenal.
Corey Julks – OF
Julks came out of nowhere to make the squad last year and stick for much of the season. He struggled late in the year and was eventually sent back to the minors, but his experience and strong fielding in the outfield as well as speed might be a difference maker.
David Hensley – IF
Hensley not only has good experience with the Astros and some major pop from the right side of the plate, but he’s even received time in the playoffs, which has to count for something. It might be down to Hensley versus Julks in the ultimate choice.
Grae Kessinger – IF
Kessinger is a versatile infielder with decent plate discipline. He won’t crush baseballs, but he does offer a great defensive replacement.
Pedro León – OF/2B
From one of the Astros most highly ranked prospects to out of the top 30, León has had a bumpy trip despite his five-tool talents. He still has a chance to make an impact in the big leagues, but the Astros need to commit on him as an outfielder and let him settle into the position. He showcased his power on Tuesday with a late-innings jack.
After starting his career in Houston and revitalizing it in Milwaukee, Singleton returned to the Astros last year with mixed results. The lefty power hitter had a two-homer game, but mostly was a failure at the plate. Given his limitations in terms of position playing (combined with the fact that Caratini can play some first base), it’s tough to see him back on the roster, although he does hit from the left side…so…
Kenedy Corona – OF
Corona may be a name that is unfamiliar to you, but he is on the 40-man roster as the Astros elected to protect him from the Rule V draft last year. Corona split his time between High A and Double A last year and is likely heading to Sugar Land this season, but his great glove work in the outfield and surprising power does make him an attractive possibility.
Joey Loperfido – OF/IF
Preferring the outfield to the middle infield, Loperfido joins a crowded bunch hoping to make a speedy leap up the ladder to the major league team. The smooth swinging lefty is just slightly ahead of his outfield counterpart (see next) and could factor in as part of the team’s outfield of the future, but definitely not in 2024.
Jacob Melton – OF
Melton was purposely held out of the trade for Justin Verlander in 2023 because GM Dana Brown had high hopes for the young center fielder. He possesses terrific range and strong power from the left side of the plate. He is a guy that might be the heir apparent to Kyle Tucker if the latter decides to walk on in free agency in a couple years.
Ceasar Salazar – C
One thing that Salazar seems to do pretty well is call games. With a rookie catcher starting this season, that skill isn’t lost on the Astros. While it is unlikely they carry three catchers on the roster, Salazar is a man who might make a cameo or two at Minute Maid this year depending on injuries.
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