Astros 2019 Spring Training Standouts
With Spring Training essentially over (well the Florida part, there is still two games left in Houston), I figured this would be a good time to look at the prospects that really made an impact and stood out this Spring. I decided to stick to players who saw significant time this Spring.
HITTERS
Straw really broke onto the scene in 2016 hitting .358 in 87 games. Since then, he has continued his rise in the system showing his ability to hit for average, draw walks, and steal bases at an incredible rate (70 in 131 games in 2018). This spring he appeared in 18 games and showed his value hitting .364 with .404 OBP. He also struck just 14.8% of the time. Yes, the sample size is small, but its nice to see Straw start 2019 with a great spring training performance.
Toro was an under the radar draft pick in 2016 out of Seminole State College. He had a solid 2018 season making it to AA and posting a .779 OPS in 133 games. He hit the ball really well this spring collecting 5 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI in 23 games. He also slashed .349/.391/.605. Like Straw, he also cut down on the strikeouts with only 7 of them in 46 plate appearances (15.2%). Hopefully he can build on this spring in 2019.
Tanielu made his name know this spring as he was a constant run producer. The 14th round pick from 2014 has steadily made his way through the system, proving he could hit at every level (.295 BA in 409 minor league games). Tanielu played in 19 games this spring and hit .340 with 1.149 OPS, 5 2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI and 4 BB/5 SO. He will start back in AAA where he hit .289 last season.
PITCHERS
Bukauskas was the Astros first round pick in 2017 and he pitched like such last year and this spring. After posting a 2.14 ERA and 71 K in 59 innings, he followed that up with with 18 K in 12 innings this spring. He allowed just 6 hits and 1 earned run in those 12 innings. Bukauskas should start in AA and I expect his stock to really rise in 2019. He is scheduled to pitch the last exhibition game on Tuesday.
Whitley has been the Astros top prospect for the last two years, and while he didn’t pitch much in 2018 due to injuries/suspension, he showed why he is the top prospect with his fall and spring performance. He struck out 36 batters in 26 innings in the AFL and followed that up with 15 K in 12 innings this spring. He allowed 5 hits and just 2 earned runs. He is scheduled to start the exhibition game on Monday night. Whitley should make his MLB debut sometime this season.
Guduan seems to be the forgotten reliever down on the farm, mainly due to his back and forth seasons over the last few years. Walks have been an issue for him but he did well in spring walking only two while striking out 13 in just 9.2 innings. While he didn’t make the Opening Day roster, he will be back up at some season and can hopefully carve out a role in the bullpen as a flame-throwing lefty.
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
