Earlier today we learned that Travis Ishikawa elected free agency, so now here is the latest round of players to hit the free agent market…
- Brian Bogusevic, Jorge De Leon, and J.B. Shuck all elected free agency after being outrighted by the Astros, the team announced. Bogusevic, 28, hit .203/.297/.299 in 404 plate appearances this year while neither De Leon nor Shuck saw time in the show.
Not surprised the Astros released Bogusevic and DeLeon, but surprised they released Shuck. He’s hit in the .300 range in AAA each of the last two years, and when called up hit .270 and played a solid center field in 2011. Also has a good eye and walks a lot. Only minus is lack of power, but I thought he would be a good 5th outfielder/pinch hitter. Maybe they thought there was no room on their roster with the move to the AL.
The .301 career average and .382 OBP in the minors are good, but the .381 slugging pct. isn’t what the Astros are looking for right now. The deciding factor in taking Shuck off the 40-man roster was to clear space for players who will be added to avoid being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. Although the Astros are barren at the major league level, the farm system has been restocked. Older prospects who have yet to excel will become casualties with the recent addition of younger, higher ceiling prospects.
I understand. I think they could have taken some other player off the roster such as a Hector Ambriz. But then again Shuck was not claimed on waivers by anyone so maybe from an overall value standpoint other major league teams also feel that Shuck is not worth a roster spot.