Houston Astros Release Initial Spring Training Roster
The Houston Astros have released their preliminary Major League Spring Training roster, which will include its 40-man roster and 22 non-roster invitees, including six of their Top 10 prospects.
The Astros are coming off a 90-win season in which they won the AL West on the final day of the season, tying the Texas Rangers and taking the division on a tiebreaker. The Astros ended up losing to the Rangers in the AL Championship Series in seven games.
After the season, manager Dusty Baker retired and his bench coach, Joe Espada, replaced him. Baker has taken a special assistant job with the San Francisco Giants, where he started his managerial career in 1992.
The Astros also made their biggest signing of the offseason to date, inking closer Josh Hader to a five-year deal.
Spring Training is usually a chance for top prospects to get time with the Major League coaching staff and learn from veterans, and this February will be no exception. The Top 10 prospects invited, with their MLB.com rankings, are outfielder Jacob Melton (No. 1), right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (No. 3), infielder Zach Dezenzo (No. 5), outfielder Joey Loperfido (No. 6), left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon (No. 7) and right-handed pitcher Rhett Kouba (No. 9).
Pitchers and catchers will work out for the first time on Feb. 19 and the first full workout will be Feb. 19 at the Astros’ Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Houston Astros Spring Training Roster
40-Man Roster
Pitchers: Bryan Abreu, Brandon Bielak, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, Dylan Coleman, Declan Cronin, Shawn Dubin, J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Kendall Graveman, Josh Hader, Cristian Javier, Seth Martinez, Lance McCullers Jr., Rafael Montero, Parker Mushinski, Oliver Ortega, Ryan Pressly, Bennett Sousa, José Urquidy, Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Forrest Whitley
Catchers: Victor Caratini, Yainer Diaz, César Salazar
Infielders: José Abreu, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Mauricio Dubón, David Hensley, Grae Kessinger, Jeremy Peña, Jon Singleton
Outfielders: Yordan Alvarez, Kenedy Corona, Corey Julks, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, Kyle Tucker
Non-Roster Invitees
Pitchers: Spencer Arrighetti, A.J. Blubaugh, Luis Contreras, Ray Gaither, Colton Gordon, Rhett Kouba, Cole McDonald, Tayler Scott, Wander Suero, Misael Tamarez
Catchers: Luke Berryhill, Miguel Palma, C.J. Stubbs
Infielders: Zach Dezenzo, Chris Gittens, Dixon Machado, Will Wagner, Shay Whitcomb
Outfielders: Quincy Hamilton, Pedro León, Joey Loperfido, Jacob Melton
