The Astros have acquired first baseman/outfielder Bligh Madris in a trade with the Tigers, per announcements from both clubs. The Tigers, who recently designated Madris for assignment, will receive cash considerations in exchange. Houston’s 40-man roster in now at 39.
Madris, 27 in February, was selected by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2017 draft. He worked his way up the minor league ladder with a solid eye at the plate, not providing much power but generally posting healthy walk rates without striking out too much. In 2021, he got his first taste of Triple-A, walking in 10.4 percent of his trips to the plate while going down on strikes in just 18.2 percent of them.
In 2022, he continued that good work in the minors and was selected to Pittsburgh’s roster in July. He got into 39 big league games but hit just .177/.244/.265 in that sample. He was designated for assignment in September, getting claimed by the Rays, though the latter club kept him in the minors to finish the year. They then sent him back into DFA limbo in September, with the Tigers putting in a claim, though they then gave him his third DFA of the year in December.
Though Madris didn’t show much in the majors this year, he did well in 81 Triple-A games between the Pirates’ and the Rays’ systems. He posted a 9.9 percent walk rate against a 22.2 percent strikeout rate, leading to a combined batting line of .297/.366/.510 and a wRC+ of 130.
For the Astros, they had a couple of open roster spots and have decided to use one of them to grab Madris.He has limited experience at first base and in center field but has primarily been a corner outfielder. The Astros should have Kyle Tucker in one corner while Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley will likely be sharing another corner and the designated hitter slot. Alvarez dealt with some nagging injuries in 2022 while Brantley underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in August. Madris still has a couple of option years remaining and can give the club an extra layer of cover for an injury but could also be sent to the minors if he’s not needed in the big leagues.
LH hitter who can play the Outfield corners and 1B. Might have a decent shot at a bench job for the Astros
What he needs to become is team captain. Who would mess with the Astros when they’ve got captain bligh?
The name itself deserves a roster spot. I have no idea why they picked him up, other than they must like his at-bats and his versatility. More than likely will end up in AAA as a depth piece.
Yeah probably, stroh. Interesting comparison though between Bligh and Varsho…
Bligh Madris – 2022 | B/T: L/R
https://www.milb.com/player/bligh-madris-676632
SEPTEMBER AAA:
81AB, .333/.387/.617, 5HR, 24RBI
…-
Daulton Varsho – 2021 | B/T: L/R
https://www.milb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139
RNO – AAA:
80 AB, .313/.368/.750, 9 HR, 25 RBI
That is interesting. His build and clips I’ve seen reminds me of Aledmys Diaz with better speed. Of course Aledmys could play all over the diamond but was primarily used at OF and IB this past year. Maybe they think Bligh could be the new Aledmys.
Maybe. The bench candidates?…
Rylan Bannon, Dubon, Dixon Machado, Madris, Meyers and Hensley.
I miss you Bligh.
Ditto
The Tigers got cash for him. Poor Nutting gave up on Madris a little too soon…. the Pirates front office bonuses this year could have been one full lump of coal instead of the usual half if they had just held onto Bligh a little longer until Houston came calling.
Why didn’t you add the Rays to your rant? They tried to pass Bligh through waivers too and Detroit claimed him. Appears both the Bucs and the Rays wanted to keep him but did not want to waste the 40 man spot.
I hear that he has already been appointed as team Captain…
…
If Madris cleared waivers, the Braves were going to sign him 9 years, 16 mil, with 20% to Braves charity.
He won’t be a team captain for long
I got a new song for y’all.
And this time.. we’re gonna get, funky.
Clap-clap-clap-clap your hands.
Rumble Mavs!!! Keep on chugging, Bligh!
Originally from the planet Dantooine.
I think he found work in the Catina band.
Sounds like a pirate that hasn’t been heard from in 20 years
Well, he once was a Pirate…
Madris. Rhymes with “swing and a miss”.
Could be a replacement for Dubon on the big league roster. We don’t have a backup for Abreu at first base at the moment besides hoping Hensley learns in time…
Harris is continuing to do his thing to build depth in Detroit’s AAA system by trying to claim and pass everyone and their dog who is even halfway interesting through waivers. Feliciano is an example of someone who recently had a decent pedigree attached to him. Madris was interesting too. If even one of them works out it is worth it. Hope Madris sticks this time with Houston. Coolest name on a lineup card!
Gotta control that strike zone.
This may end all fan hope of a return for Yuli.
Captain Bligh has left the pirate ship for good.
No word on what happened
to the parrot…..
https://twitter.com/big_killa_/status/1610466656140107776
Organizational depth. He’s a project that the Astros have identified a swing adjustment could help.
Maybe he accepts the Astros adjustment suggestions and becomes a AAAA type of player for 3-6 years until he gets too expensive
Still better than most.
“Bligh Madris”…sounds like a name George Costanza would invent in an emergency.
Please leave your best Bligh Madris memories as a Tiger below:
There are several people already on the Astros 40 man roster who will see playing time before this guy does. If he does see playing time, that is not a good sign – someone got hurt.