The Houston Astros released six prospects between Tuesday and Wednesday, as the 2023 Minor League Baseball seasons begins this weekend. Outfielder Anderson Sanchez, catcher Carlos Arcila and right-handed pitchers Hector Cuevas, Johangel Ramirez, Johan Figuereo and Jose Andujar were released.
Sanchez signed with Houston in 2021, playing two seasons in the Dominican Summer League. The outfielder saw offensive improvements in his second year, but he still struck out nearly 33 percent of his plate appearances. Arcila, a member of the same signing class as Sanchez, also posted a better offensive output in 2022, sporting a .704 OPS through 47 games with strikeouts woes, too.
Cuevas signed later in September 2021, making just two appearances in his first season. The righty struggled mightily last year with a 10.95 ERA and 31 walks in 24.2 innings pitched. Ramirez, the longest tenured of the group, signed with Houston in 2018, but never made it higher than the Florida Complex League in three seasons, finishing with a 4.07 ERA across 26 total outings.
The Astros looked to develop Figuereo and Andujar quickly, promoting the two hurlers stateside following the 2021 DSL season. The duo struggled in their promotions to the Florida Complex League, as their respective ERAs sat north of 6.50.
Astros Designate Numbers to Julks, Salazar
Corey Julks and César Salazar officially joined the Astros’ 26-man roster Thursday. Julks was assigned No. 9, which was last worn in 2022 by catcher Christian Vázquez. Houston assigned No. 18 — last worn by catcher Jason Castro in 2022 — to Salazar.
