Two Houston Astros prospects drew early attention to the Florida Complex League this summer: Luis Baez and Kenni Gomez. The outfielders missed time last month, as Gomez went a stretch of 11 days without playing due to an undisclosed injury. Baez also missed over a week of play until he returned to the FCL Astros’ lineup Saturday.
Yet these two aren’t the only hitters impressing player development early on in West Palm Beach, Florida. Waner Luciano, a 2022 Dominican Summer League All-Star, started the season 0-for-17 through his first five games in the Florida Complex League. Over his following 13, he broke out, slashing .333/.407/.500 with two home runs, two doubles and two stolen bases. In his first 17 games, he walked nine times to his 14 strikeouts.
“With extended spring training, these guys have been playing for awhile, and he’s played pretty well,” FCL Astros hitting coach Andrew Cresci said. “So I think it’s more to do with nerves and some internal pressure that happens with younger players once that ‘official’ season starts.”
Alejandro Nunez is another infielder displaying impressive on-base skills as a teenager. The 18 year old is slashing .290/.421/.355 with four doubles and seven stolen bases. He walked 12 times to his 10 strikeouts in his first 18 games.
“Nunez has done a great job in his swing decision development,” Cresci said. “I think it’s a testament to the maturity of a lot of our guys this year. We are a very young team, but the focus and work ethic has been fantastic. We challenge these guys a ton in practice, and they always show up ready to work.”
From extended spring training through the first 19 games of the season, Cresci saw a “ton of growth across the board.”
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