Spring Training Leaders: 3/20

Checking in on the Spring Training stats for a few of the Astros who aren't a lock* to make the opening day roster ...

Framber Valdez - July 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Let's take a look at the pitchers first. Of those pitchers having thrown a minimum of five innings so far this season, these are your leaders:

LHP Framber Valdez
4G 5.0IP 0.00ERA 1.000WHIP 2BB 5SO .176AVG

RHP James Hoyt
5G 5.0IP 1.80ERA 1.200WHIP 3BB 4SO .176AVG

RHP Joe Musgrove
4G/4ST 12.0IP 2.25ERA 1.083WHIP 4BB 9SO .209AVG

RHP Jandel Gustave
7G 6.2IP 2.70ERA 1.050WHIP 4BB 7SO .136AVG

RHP Michael Feliz
7G 8.2IP 3.12ERA 0.808WHIP 1BB 6SO .200AVG

RHP David Paulino (reported 3/19 that Paulino will start season on DL)
3G 7.0IP 3.86ERA 1.143WHIP 1BB 4SO .250AVG

News came out yesterday that Paulino has a bone bruise on his pitching elbow and will start the season on the DL. Joe Musgrove is continuing to make a good case for a starting spot on the opening day roster, particularly with Collin McHugh lagging behind in readiness. And righties Jandel Gustave, James Hoyt and Michael Feliz are jockeying for position with strong springs as the Astros determine their bullpen needs.

With Tony Sipp the only bullpen lefty likely to make the opening day roster, Framber Valdez's stock has been rising. He is an older prospect with no experience at AA or AAA and it is highly unlikely that he will get a shot at the opening day roster. However, with strong results at the upper levels of the system this season, he could very well be someone to watch for in the not-so-distant future.

A.J. Reed - May 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

And now for the position players who are leading the pack (minimum 20 AB) ...

3B Colin Moran
33AB .394/.432/.636 2-2B 2HR 10RBI

OF Alejandro Garcia
23AB .348/.423/.348 2RBI 1SB:2CS

3B Reid Brignac
32AB .344/.400/.563 2-2B 1-3B 1HR 8RBI

3B J.D. Davis
30AB .333/.417/.400 2-2B 5RBI

1B A.J. Reed
35AB .315/.415/.686 1-2B 4HR 11RBI

2B/LF Tony Kemp (reassigned to minor league camp on Sunday)
35AB .286/.306/.343 2-2B 3RBI 1SB:2CS

OF Derek Fisher
26AB .269/.394/.385 3-2B 7RBI 7SB

OF Jon Kemmer
23AB .261/.452/.435 1-2B 1HR 4RBI

1B Tyler White
36AB .250/.308/.333 1HR 2RBI

Some of these players have fallen off a bit since last week's review, but Reid Brignac has gone 7-for-15 in his last seven games and A.J. Reed and Colin Moran have been holding fairly steady. Because of the current crop of MLB talent, it will be tough for these players to earn an opening day roster spot. With good minor league seasons, though, Reed and Moran will likely force the issue and will either be invited back to Houston or included in a trade to nab that elusive ace starting pitcher that so many are clamoring for.

*It's highly likely that some of these players will be on the opening day roster, but since those on this list who are on the 40-man roster all have options remaining, they will be the easiest to send to AAA to start the season.