The Astros are planning to pick out Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A, reviews Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston. He has performed all around the diamond for the Sugar Land House Cowboys this season, seeing the majority of his time at second base, third base, and shortstop. Nevertheless, his finest path to taking part in time with the Astros might be as a primary baseman and occasional nook outfielder and DH. The group might want to make a corresponding transfer to unlock house for Whitcomb on the 40-man roster.
Whitcomb, now 25, joined the Astros group as the ultimate decide within the shortened 2020 draft. Solely a shortstop throughout his time at UC San Diego, he has additionally performed loads of second and third base at each stage within the minors. In 2024, he started seeing extra taking part in time at first base and the outfield corners, presumably as a result of second base (Jose Altuve), third base (Alex Bregman), and shortstop (Jeremy Peña) are all presently blocked on the large league stage. Whereas Whitcomb’s glove is likely to be extra helpful at second, third, or brief, he has carried out nicely sufficient at Triple-A this yr (25 HR, 26 SB, 122 wRC+) that it’s price seeing if he can group up with Jon Singleton to make a productive first base platoon. Singleton has performed 77 video games at first base for the Astros this yr, and whereas he has a 113 wRC+ in opposition to right-handed pitching, he’s all however unplayable in opposition to southpaws (32 wRC+ in 71 PA). The righty-batting Whitcomb has comparatively impartial platoon splits at Sugar Land this yr, with an .890 OPS in opposition to righties and a .979 OPS in opposition to lefties.
Earlier this month, Astros GM Dana Brown advised the group would name up both Zach Dezenzo or Whitcomb to assist out at first base. Simply two days later, Denzenzo made his MLB debut. Whereas Dezenzo, 24, is a extra extremely regarded prospect than Whitcomb, the previous has had a tough go of it to this point with Houston, going simply 5-for-25 with a .591 OPS and 64 wRC+. But, though Whitcomb’s promotion comes on the heels of Dezenzo’s struggles, supervisor Joe Espada may nonetheless discover taking part in time for each, contemplating how badly the Astros may use a productive right-handed bat at first and within the outfield.
