The Astros informed reporters of a handful of roster decision this afternoon (relayed by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com and Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). Most notably, outfielder/third baseman Corey Julks and catcher/first baseman César Salazar are making the Opening Day roster. Neither player is yet on the 40-man roster, so the club will have to formally select their contracts in the next few days.
Houston will carry three catchers to start the season, as backstop Yainer Diaz is also breaking camp behind veteran starter Martín Maldonado. Díaz is already on the 40-man after making his MLB debut late last season. Catcher Korey Lee, outfielder Bligh Madris, infielder/outfielder J.J. Matijevic and infielder Rylan Bannon were all optioned, while non-roster invitees Dixon Machado, Justin Dirden, Austin Davis and Ty Buttrey were reassigned to the minor leagues.
Julks is a Texas native who attended the University of Houston. An eighth-round pick by his hometown club in 2017, he’s played five minor league seasons. The 27-year-old had a strong season with Triple-A Sugar Land last year, hitting .270/.351/.503 with 31 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 27 attempts. Baseball America slotted him as the #27 prospect in the Houston system this offseason as a result, the first time he’d placed among the organization’s top 30 farmhands. The outlet credits him with roughly average tools across the board and suggests he could step immediately step in as a fourth outfielder. He’ll earn that opportunity after a .275/.318/.550 showing in 40 plate appearances this spring.
Salazar, also 27, was a seventh-round pick in 2018 out of the University of Arizona. The 5’9″ backstop spent the majority of last season with Double-A Corpus Christi. He posted a solid .277/.350/.489 line while connecting on 16 longballs in 85 games. Salazar only walked at a 6.8% clip but kept his strikeouts down to a modest 16.5% rate. While he only has 18 games of Triple-A experience, the Astros are confident he’ll be able to handle the jump to take on big league arms. He’ll add a left-handed bat to the bench and give skipper Dusty Baker some added flexibility to sub out Maldonado for a pinch-hitter as long as Houston carries three catchers.
Diaz is one of the organization’s best offensive prospects. The 24-year-old only got into six MLB contests last year but combined for a .306/.356/.542, 25-homer showing in the minors. He adds a bat-first complement to Maldonado behind the dish and could also see occasional starts at first base or designated hitter.
Houston will need to create a pair of spots on the 40-man roster. Placing second baseman Jose Altuve on the 60-day injured list feels like an inevitability, as he won’t begin baseball activities for two months after fracturing his thumb. Starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. could be another 60-day IL candidate as he’s slowed by a forearm strain, though general manager Dana Brown was noncommittal on that possibility today (via Rome).
Not a good look for Lee
Lee needs to play everyday.
my $8 investment in Rylan Bannon cards this off-season went to hell
Really surprised to see Julks chosen over Dirden.
Yes, but Dirden needs some more at bats at AAA. If he continues to rake there and McCormick and/or Myers struggle, he will get his chance.
I heard Dana doesn’t believe Dirden is ready. The shocker is a catcher not named yainer diaz beating out korey lee. That’s definitely not good dark side
Brown was pretty clear that they view Lee as a big time prospect who needs to play everyday. They rate him well above Salazar, who is viewed as a backup only. Lee sitting on the bench in Houston doesn’t help his future. Playing everyday in AAA does.
Watch these guys outperform Altuve from 2022. Why? Because it’s the Astros
Even though they don’t play 2nd base necessarily, they should outperform whichever injured player they are replacing since Houston turns even garbage into gold.
I do not know why myself Dierden did not make it. But Salazar did open eyes and Yanier with their hitting. I feel for Korey. But with 3 catchers who will see the time. I think Diaz can play other spots. ST started out I thought perhaps JJ would make it. But we shall see with Julks as well. Guess he had more readiness in Dana’s eyes over Dierden. Could he see time with the big boys as season goes. Will have to see on Chas and Meyers do for center. Plus with Brantley out LF and Center wish everyone luck getting the look now. It was tough am sure to choose.
From mlb.com
“ As for why Julks made the team over another non-roster invitee to Spring Training, outfielder Justin Dirden (No. 9 Astros prospect), general manager Dana Brown believed that Dirden needed more at-bats at Triple-A, where he played just 32 games last season. Dirden had a very good spring, batting .324 (11-for-34) with two home runs.
“Julks had performed a lot in Triple-A,” said Brown. “They both are very talented outfielders who we feel like will be a big part of this moving forward. We felt like Julks had more Minor League experience and put up big numbers in Triple-A.”
Strange that Dirden needs more at bats at AAA, but Salazar (who’s had 59 ABs there) did not. Brown’s quote that Salazar was an ‘experienced backup’ is bizarre considering he’s never played in majors and has almost zero experience at AAA.
Dirden and Lee weren’t chosen because it’s more important to have them play everyday. It’s really that simple. Julks and Salazar are just there for insurance purposes.
You are correct takeitback but Lee has to be extremely hurt. He showed out this spring
He shouldn’t be. They explained their reasoning. He’ll be up at some point this year.
I think Julks and Salazar both being older had a little bearing on the decision too. They’re both getting old enough that the org needs to see what they have.
Can the Astros really carry 4 catchers on the 40 man all year? Díaz seems like more a swing man and Salazar may be very cuttable. It will be interesting to see. If this group performs, the team will definitely move on from Maldy next year.
I read that the Astros had to talk Maldy into returning in 2023. This will be his final season, no question.
His body is simply breaking down and can’t take the toll of catching everyday.
At the same time the starting pitchers all want him in the lineup for their starts and he is very competitive and prideful and does not want to ever take a day off.
Korey Lee will be recalled to be the starter if he has to go on the injured list and will be the starter in 2024 if he does well in AAA this year.
With Diaz, think of Carlos Santana. His future is at DH and 1B. He may well catch many games this year and next but they will be fewer and fewer over the next few years.
Salazar has back up profile who will jump around and be a AAAA catcher for the next 5-10 years.
The Astros are resigned to the fact that Kyle Tucker is going to test FA regardless of their extension offers.
Dirden projects as a guy who can step into that spot but Julks doesn’t. He also has specific things to work on with his hitting and needs regular ABs per Brown.
There is not much playing time for the 5th outfielder in Houston.
Whoever the OF was going to be he was ticketed back to AAA when Brantley is ready in 2-4 weeks so why start Dirden’s clock?
Tucker is gone after 2025. By keeping Dirden in AAA they get to keep him -2029 instead on 2028.
I think it’s more that Julks is older with more AAA experience. It’s a long season. Dirden will get chances.