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Astros Acquire Bligh Madris

By Darragh McDonald | January 3, 2023 at 3:35pm CDT

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.

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Detroit Tigers Houston Astros Transactions Bligh Madris

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The Astros Still Need To Add Behind The Plate
View Comments (30)
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30 Comments

  1. Rsox

    3 years ago

    LH hitter who can play the Outfield corners and 1B. Might have a decent shot at a bench job for the Astros

    3
    Reply
    • GASoxFan

      3 years ago

      What he needs to become is team captain. Who would mess with the Astros when they’ve got captain bligh?

      3
      Reply
      • stroh

        3 years ago

        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.

        1
        Reply
        • Surly_03

          3 years ago

          Yeah probably, stroh. Interesting comparison though between Bligh and Varsho…

          Bligh Madris – 2022 | B/T: L/R

          milb.com/player/bligh-madris-676632

          SEPTEMBER AAA:

          81AB, .333/.387/.617, 5HR, 24RBI

          …-

          Daulton Varsho – 2021 | B/T: L/R

          milb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139

          RNO – AAA:

          80 AB, .313/.368/.750, 9 HR, 25 RBI

          Reply
        • stroh

          3 years ago

          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.

          1
          Reply
        • Surly_03

          3 years ago

          Maybe. The bench candidates?…

          Rylan Bannon, Dubon, Dixon Machado, Madris, Meyers and Hensley.

          Reply
  2. fre5hwind

    3 years ago

    I miss you Bligh.

    3
    Reply
    • Gwynning's Anal Lover

      3 years ago

      Ditto

      2
      Reply
    • bucsfan0004

      3 years ago

      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.

      2
      Reply
      • Robertowannabe

        3 years ago

        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.

        2
        Reply
  3. CarverAndrews

    3 years ago

    I hear that he has already been appointed as team Captain…

    …

    9
    Reply
  4. The Fiend

    3 years ago

    If Madris cleared waivers, the Braves were going to sign him 9 years, 16 mil, with 20% to Braves charity.

    4
    Reply
  5. Fletcher Christian

    3 years ago

    He won’t be a team captain for long

    2
    Reply
  6. Hello, Newman

    3 years ago

    I got a new song for y’all.
    And this time.. we’re gonna get, funky.
    Clap-clap-clap-clap your hands.

    Reply
  7. mike127

    3 years ago

    Rumble Mavs!!! Keep on chugging, Bligh!

    Reply
  8. nottinghamforest13

    3 years ago

    Originally from the planet Dantooine.

    1
    Reply
    • Ichirosasaki

      3 years ago

      I think he found work in the Catina band.

      1
      Reply
  9. R.D.

    3 years ago

    Sounds like a pirate that hasn’t been heard from in 20 years

    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      3 years ago

      Well, he once was a Pirate…

      3
      Reply
  10. Monkey’s Uncle

    3 years ago

    Madris. Rhymes with “swing and a miss”.

    1
    Reply
  11. Matthew Spanakos

    3 years ago

    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…

    1
    Reply
  12. Motor City Beach Bum

    3 years ago

    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!

    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      3 years ago

      Gotta control that strike zone.

      Reply
  13. Thomas E Snyder

    3 years ago

    This may end all fan hope of a return for Yuli.

    4
    Reply
  14. jorge78

    3 years ago

    Captain Bligh has left the pirate ship for good.
    No word on what happened
    to the parrot…..

    4
    Reply
  15. Surly_03

    3 years ago

    twitter.com/big_killa_/status/1610466656140107776

    Reply
  16. Astrosfn1979

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  17. Colavito

    3 years ago

    “Bligh Madris”…sounds like a name George Costanza would invent in an emergency.

    2
    Reply
  18. Surly_03

    3 years ago

    Please leave your best Bligh Madris memories as a Tiger below:

    1
    Reply
  19. ❤️ MuteButton

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply

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