Astros Prospects Turning Heads With Spring Training Performances
For many of the Houston Astros prospects, they know there is limited opportunity to play their way onto the Major League roster to start the season.
With so many established players in the lineup and in the field already, it will be hard for someone to break through to the point that they'll get immediately called up.
Outside of pitching prospects like Spencer Arrighetti, who might be used early, this is one of the toughest rosters to crack.
Still, this is a great opportunity to showcase what they can do against Major League competition for the Astros' coaching staff and front office.
Three in particular had a good showing in their Spring Training game on March 1, and have largely turned heads throughout the exhibition period with their play.
Now, it's definitely a stretch to say Jacob Melton is putting together anything substantial so far since that home run was his only hit in nine at-bats across four games.
But, ranked as Houston's No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, he's gotten rave reviews so far, flashing major power in his first full season of professional baseball in 2023.
Him blasting a deep shot, something only one other player on the team has done so far, is a great sign for him moving forward.
Joey Loperfido, on the other hand, is truly putting together an impressive showing over his four games of work.
In nine at-bats, he's recorded four hits with an RBI, and almost added his name to the list of people with homers according to Brian McTaggart.
The No. 6 rated prospect in their farm system has been a fast riser, making it to the Triple-A level in his second full season. He could be a prime call-up candidate to join the Astros late in the year.
The most impressive out of all is Shay Whitcomb, the much less-known player who is listed as their 25th-best minor leaguer.
He's coming off a season where he played 87 games at Triple-A and is performing extremely well so far in Spring Training.
Whitcomb has four hits in his eight at-bats with two doubles. He's tied for the lead in RBI with three.
Houston is getting a really good look at some players who could factor into their future plans and might be on the shortlist to join the team at some point in 2024.
