Astros Spring Training Standouts
Spring Training is finally under way and the opener is less than a month away. While Spring Training stats don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, its nice to see some prospects show what they can do while playing with the big league club. Here is two pitchers and two hitters who are doing well this spring.
HITTERS
Kemp is fighting for a roster spot this spring and has performed well so far. After posting a 108 OPS+ in 97 games last year, Kemp has followed that up hitting .385 with 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 5 BB/1 SO in 7 spring games. He has also added two stolen bases. Kemp is out of options so he will need to make the Opening Day roster or be designated for assignment, and subsequently picked up by another team. Either way, its a solid start for Kemp.
Stubbs has been in the Astros system since 2015 and played in AAA last season. He had a good season with a .836 OPS in 84 AAA games. The knock on Stubbs was lack of power but so far this spring he has 2 HR in just 15 at bats. Overall he is 5-for-15 with a .800 SLG. Stubbs seems like a good candidate to make his debut at some point in 2019.
PITCHERS
The Astros acquired Bostick in the trade that sent Corporan to the Rangers in 2015. While he hasn’t been great in the minors, 2018 was his best season. Between AA and AAA he struck out 105 in 98 innings. So far this spring he has pitched in 3 games totaling 4.2 innings and hasn’t allowed a run while striking out 3. Bostick should start the season in the AAA rotation.
Sneed was also acquired in a trade, this time for Villar. His best minor league season in the Astros system was 2018 when he posted a 3.83 ERA with 114 K in 127 innings. He has pitched in four games this spring and allowed 1 run in 4.1 innings while walking zero and striking out 4. He also should start the season in the AAA rotation.
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
