Given yesterday’s news of George Springer’s hamstring injury, it seemed likely that one of the many outfielders thriving for Houston’s Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock would join the big league club shortly. Sure enough, Derek Fisher is getting the nod, per The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan (via Twitter).
Fisher gets the call over fellow prospects Kyle Tucker, Yordan Alvarez, and Myles Straw. Of the four, only Alvarez has yet to use an option this season as he is not on the 40-man roster. This will be Fisher’s second stint with the big league club in 2019, having appeared briefly in back-to-back games on May 4th and 5th. In both games he entered late as a defensive replacement, grounding out in his only at-bat. Fisher last made the Astros top prospects list in 2016 when MLB.com clocked him at #5. He has since been ineligible, as he gained rookie eligibility the year after, hitting .212/.307/.356 across 166 plate appearances for the eventual World Series champs.
There’s still lots to like about Fisher, 25, who has raked to the tune of .314/.379/.555 in 33 games for Round Rock this season, while he’s mostly provided good power and a measured approach throughout his minor league career. The hope is that Springer’s injury is a short-term one remedied with a couple weeks rest, which could play into Houston’s decision to tab Fisher over Tucker or Alvarez, as Fisher is best prepped for an up-and-down style call-up, given his experience in doing so. Even with Springer sidelined, Fisher will have to compete for outfield at-bats with Michael Brantley, Josh Reddick, Jake Marisnick and Tony Kemp. Of course, about half of Springer’s time this season has been in centerfield, where Fisher far outpaces either Tucker or Alvarez.
With that in mind, however, Marisnick likely has the most ground to gain while Springer heals. Marisnick, 28, has actually seen the bulk of the playing time in center this season, starting 26 games and appearing in 35 of 52 overall. Metrics peg him as quite good out there as well, with 4 DRS and 2.3 UZR thus far while posting consistently positive defensive numbers since his debut in 2013. Though he’s long been a toolsy and useful piece for the Astros, he is already enjoying a mini-breakout in 2019, punching well above his weight at .284/.340/.558 worth 1.2 fWAR – not too far off his season-high number of 1.8 fWAR (in 2015).
It’s certainly an embarrassment of riches for the Astros, who should have no trouble covering for Springer in his absence. Still, it’s unfortunate for the 29-year-old who is off to the best start of his career at 2.7 fWAR via a .308/.389/.643 slash line and power surge evidence by 17 home runs and a somewhat ridiculous .335 ISO. Fisher could certainly be auditioning for another big league ball club during this stint, though there’s room for everyone long-term should Houston hold onto their prospects, as Brantley, Springer, Reddick and Marisnick could all depart via free agency after the 2020 season.
yawn
He’s a bust waiting to bloom
If they are on the 40 man roster and in the minors, all of them have already had their options used this season. 40 man guys get optioned down before the season begins.
You are right. So long as they spend 20 days in the minors, the option is used, which qualifies here for Fisher, Tucker, and Straw. Just not Alvarez.
Head scratcher
What? Why? Call up Alvarez and PLAY HIM. He can alternate the DH spot with Brantley and when Springer comes back you have two choices. If Alvarez is raking, put White on waivers and stash him in AAA when no one claims him. Or if Alvarez struggles, send him back down for more ABs in AAA.
White could benefit from the lowly food spreads in AAA as he is obviously eating far too well on the big boy club.
I second this in its entirety. Unload Tyler White and Tony Kemp and give Yordan Alvarez a shot.
That’s not how Hinch is using the DH though? Yordan can only play corner outfield at best. He was a first baseman before we decided he shouldn’t be and play outfield two years ago. He won’t get the constant at bats and when Springer comes back in a couple of weeks Yordan will have almost zero. He’s not on the 40 man so we are not burning a option with him this year with him as is. It would be pointless to do so unless one of are starters where being traded.
3 problems with this!
Alvarez does not play CF which is where Springer was playing a lot. Fisher can handle CF.
Also Alvarez is not kn the 40 man roster. So most likely another move would have to be made to accommodate him. Why do that when Fisher, Tucker, and Straw are all on the 40 man already?
If you bring Tucker or Alvarez up I think it will be to get everyday at bats, not really to platoon with someone. Since Springer has been playing a lot of CF that doesn’t open everyday at bats for those guys.
Alvarez doesn’t need to play CF, the Astros have a top 3 defensive CFer sitting on their bench half the time in Marisnick. It’s a fair argument that HE could/should play CF most of the time with Springer in RF.
I understand your points completely and if one of Reddick, Brantley, or Alvarez could play an average to above average 1B this would all be a problem solved. I’ll take the depth problems this team had any day though!
You’re spot on, except the Astros have an 39 guys on the roster, so no need to designate anyone off of it.
Stop embarrassing Astros fans. Think logically. Easiest call to make here, being it’s May
Climb down off of your soapbox, no one is “embarrassing Astros fans.” It’s called dialogue and opinion. Logic is a variable term, and if you read through all of this… the masses would say YOU are being illogical. I wont, because everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I get the whole it’s early theory, however you also need to play the hot hand and put the best team on the field every day. Any lineup that includes White and/or Stassi is absolutely not the best lineup, but Stassi is a whole different conversation. You can also argue that Kemp is a significant liability this year as well.
I understand how Hinch likes to rotate his DH so it would be tough to slot Alvarez there solely, but Hinch has also played Diaz in LF this year a couple of times and he was atrocious out there. Alvarez has a steaming hot bat and he can play an adequate LF and 1B, so I feel they need to give the kid a shot.
White will probably have to be DFA’d and I’m not convinced that he will be unclaimed off waivers… Kemp should be traded. He’s a solid baseball player and deserves a shot at everyday playing time. Tucker and Alvarez should be on the big league roster. It will come eventually. And it will be this year… Marisnick should play CF until Springer comes back. He’s an amazing defender and is showing capable at the plate this season. Not unreasonable to ask him to get on base 30% of the time from the 9 hole.
I initially felt that way about Kemp, but as a left hander with speed he can help you in so many ways offensively and is good defensively.. Who cares if White gets claimed, then maybe we trade him for a younger minor leaguer. I’ve changed on Jake also.. He is great defensively, hitting better with power this year. He swings hard and sometimes hits a homer BUT striiking out 38% of the time especially with runners on base is killing the team lately.
How is the 9 hole hitter striking out 38% with men in scoring position “killing” the team? They are running away w the division and just came off another 10 game win streak.
Also, Kemp is not very good defensively. Astros have superior players and since Kemp is out of options, he should be traded since he holds some value.
I’m fine with Kemp and White gone. I don’t feel that either offer much value at the plate and neither has much defensive value either. Gurriel can play an adequate 1B, 2B, or 3B, and he could probably play a serviceable LF. No need for White or Kemp on this team as both are essentially negative value players.
This Super 2 thing hurts a team. Give your best AAA hitter a chance now.. If he does not suceed send him back when Altuve comes back. White has no future with the team. His power is gone , he strikes out too much and is overweight.. Fisher has had his chances too, Why would he be different now?
I second all of this. I like Fisher but he’s a 5th outfielder at best.
Not an Astros fan … but I think they (along with NYY and Dodgers) have the smartest FO in baseball.
Amen – Lotta the Astros fans in this thread are all like FO idiotic for running Kemp and White out there. I totally trust Astros brain-trust to know how to win the most games.
“This will be Fisher’s second stint with the big league club in 2019, having appeared briefly in back-to-back games on May 4th and 5th – thus they’ve already used his option this season.”
Um, the Astros haven’t already “used Fisher’s option” because he played in the majors a couple games. They “used his option” because he played in the minors for all his other games. If he was also in the minors May 4-5, an option would still have been consumed.
When Fisher was sent down at Spring Training, that was an Option. An Option is good as “one” all year no matter how many times he is called up or sent down that year.
Honestly astros have one of the best outfields in baseball and have a a farm stacked with them as well. My guess is that fisher, straw and possibly tucker get delt for pitching in offseason. I think alvarez will be there 1st basemen of the future as gurriel is getting older and will be projected to earn another contract based on his play.
0% chance Tucker will be traded. More likely Fisher and Kemp are traded. Astros probably want Straw to replace Marisnick once he’s gone as the 4th OF and defensive replacement… the only SP that I can think of that would have Tucker in a trade package would be Scherzer. But the Astros can’t pay that huge salary and deferred money
I think there is little chance the Astros let Marisnick go anywhere. Additionally, Tucker isn’t as untouchable as everyone thinks, they just won’t sell for anything short of a coup from their trade partner. I’m not a fan of his, but I can certainly see the trade coming back to bite the team just the same.
Astros have 39 on the 40 man. McCullers in on the 10 day IL and can easily be moved to the 60 and create another spot on the 40. This is about service time, especially for Tucker. Alvarez has to become competent in the field for the time being so they won’t call him up now. Springer will probably DH a good bit whenever he gets back, especially if Marisnick keeps playing well. Jake is also a Gold Glove caliber CF and he’s making huge plays saving runs like last night. Brantley and Altuve will probably DH some as well, making it tough to use Alvarez right now, as much as I’d like to see him. Hopefully Fisher can do something and maybe fetch another good bullpen arm or something here in a few months.
well I think it stinks.
Alvarez has earned the shot. His numbers aren’t just good
they are above extraordinary. And heartless front office types
put their profits ahead of a man whose whole family could
actually could benefit immensely from a major league paycheck