Latest Astros Waiver Claim Addresses Platoon Need in Outfield

The biggest focus for the Houston Astros as of late to increase their winning chances has been to address the hole in the outfield. The Astros have not been able to get enough offensive production from that group the entire season.

Their offensive numbers as a whole rank the worst in baseball according to Fangraphs. While the Astros traded for Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho at the trade deadline, that has not been enough to fix this issue.

The Astros have plenty of left-handed options now that Varsho has been added, and him being a 2024 Gold Glove winner helps shore up the somewhat shaky outfield defense. Houston needs more from the outfield bats.

Platoon matchups are a key way that Astros manager Joe Espada likes to build out his lineup and make pinch-hitting decisions. At this point, it doesn't really matter whether someone is a righty or lefty as long as they can produce with the bat. However, the Astros did need another right-handed outfielder to address the concerns against left-handed pitching.

It seems like the Astros may have made that move on Monday. Houston claimed outfielder Nelson Velázquez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. The 27-year-old Velázquez is right-handed and primarily played left field for the Cardinals this season.

Could Velázquez Be the Right Platoon Hitter?

Nelson Velazquez hits a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He was designated for assignment by the Cardinals this past weekend. Velázquez played 34 games for St. Louis this season and posted a .721 OPS along with a .216 average. He had four home runs and 12 RBI along with 16 hits in 74 at-bats.

The Astros have got Velázquez specifically to face left-handed pitching and he has a .759 OPS against it in 2026, which is higher than the rest of Houston's options. While he has just a .200 average, his slugging is .473. Velázquez has gotten the majority of his plate appearances versus lefties and hit all four of his homers against them, along with 10 out of his 12 RBI.

Of his 73 at-bats this year, 55 came against left-handed pitching, and the Astros will likely use him similarly.

Infielder Shay Whitcomb was designated for assignment in the corresponding move. Whitcomb played 57 games total for the Astros over the past three years and had a .508 OPS while spending most of his time at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Velázquez's best season came in 2023 when he was with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals where he posted an .888 OPS in 53 games along with 17 homers and 34 RBI. He did not play in the major leagues in 2025. The Puerto Rican has generally fared better against lefties throughout his career and has a career .758 OPS against them.

He's currently a left fielder but has seen time at all three outfield positions, with the most at right field. The Astros will likely deploy him in left field whenever there's a lefty on the mound against him.

Cam Smith is the only true right-handed option available to the Astros with a .732 OPS against lefties this year and a .939 OPS overall in his last 15 games. Jake Meyers was called up from Triple-A to be another option and he hasn't had a great year. That's why he was sent down in the first place.

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