BREAKING: Astros Seem Determined To Repeat Outfield Mistake.-EH

The Houston Astros have found themselves in quite the pickle this spring. The decision to trade Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs may have made sense on paper, but it’s left an undeniable gap in their outfield that’s proving hard to fill.

With Tucker gone, the Astros have been scrambling to find a replacement, and their solution so far has been less than ideal—shifting Jose Altuve from his familiar territory on the infield dirt to the unfamiliar terrain of the outfield grass. It’s a bold move, and the results have been a mixed bag.

Looking At The Astros' Outfield - The Crawfish Boxes

Amidst the swirl of attention on Altuve’s transition, Chas McCormick’s spring performance is starting to raise eyebrows. In the 12 games he’s played, McCormick has managed only four hits in 24 at-bats, which leaves him with a Grapefruit League batting average sitting at an uncomfortable .167. On the bright side, his plate discipline has been impressive, earning him a .429 on-base percentage, largely thanks to nine walks.

Astros manager Joe Espada, however, isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. Speaking to The Athletic, Espada displayed a calm demeanor despite McCormick’s struggles.

“I’m looking beyond the stats when it comes to Mac,” he noted. “He’s swinging at strikes.

Justin Verlander's nine-strikeout start | 05/29/2024 | Houston Astros

He’s walking. He’s hit some balls hard.

That counts for me because if you do that through the course of the season, the results will be there. I’m pleased with the quality of his at-bats.”

While Espada’s words might suggest patience, McCormick’s track record doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Last year, after a mid-May return from a hamstring injury, McCormick’s numbers plummeted to a .170 batting average over 66 games, and eventually, he was sent down to the minors in late August. It was a decision that perhaps should have come earlier, given his struggles.

His descent began after the All-Star break with a .174/.208/.326 line, and it spiraled further post-Midsummer Classic to a meager .164/.235/.262 until the Astros finally optioned him to Triple-A. Although he returned to the majors, an injury quickly sidelined him.

The Astros and the long history of sign-stealing in baseball - Royals Review

So, as we look towards 2025, McCormick’s less than stellar spring stats aren’t exactly reassuring. It’s just spring training, but for a player like McCormick, delivering these types of numbers isn’t a luxury he can afford. With Cam Smith getting a look in right field, the Astros are clearly surveying their options to address this outfield conundrum.

Related Posts

DEAL ACCEPTED: Bills make bold move in signing Tyreek Hill to $125M..ANHTRUC.

“Tyreek Hill to the Bills: A $100M Gamble or a Championship Catalyst?” In a shocking turn of events, the Buffalo Bills have reportedly signed Tyreek Hill to…

Saquon Barkley suddenly made an important announcement in the night that surprised Philadelphia Eagles fans: “The 2025 season will be my last season because…”. vannguyen

Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has sent shockwaves through the NFL with a stunning late-night revelation. In a statement that no one saw coming, Barkley…

Celtics News: NBC Sports Boston to Hold Historic Broadcast For Game vs Nets -ANHTRUC.

Celtics News: NBC Sports Boston to Hold Historic Broadcast For Game vs Nets The Boston Celtics are used to being a part of key moments in basketball…

Royals’ $10M Prospect Turns Heads With Jaw-Dropping Spring Breakout Performance.-EH

BREAKING: Royals’ $10M Prospect Stuns with Spring Breakout Performance – Is He Ready for the Big Leagues? In a season filled with anticipation and change, a $10…

St. Patrick’s Day has become a reminder of what we’ve lost as Celtics fans -ANHTRUC.

Sometimes, you just don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Maybe it’s an old relationship, a worn-out pair of sneakers that aren’t in production anymore, or…

Touching: Jordan Love surprised fans with a beautiful act, donating a huge amount of money to a homeless black child he encountered on the street. The noble act touched fans’ hearts because of the story behind it… vannguyen

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has once again shown why he’s admired not only for his talent on the field but also for his character off…