3 Astros Who Won't Make the Team Out of Spring Training But Should

Amidst all of the chaos of the MLB offseason, the Astros do actually still have to play baseball in 2020. Like any other team, there are roster moves upcoming, and Dusty Baker, along with the rest of the Astros front office, will have some difficult decisions to make in order to get down to the maximum of 26 players allowed on the Major League roster. While they may have had an excellent Spring Training, here are three Astros who won't make the team, but probably should.

3. Drew Ferguson

#Astros: Drew Ferguson a prospect lost in the crowd (via @phin_tx) https://t.co/x9LS5YMOP9
— Climbing Tal's Hill (@astrosCTH) February 27, 2020

It is understandable why Ferguson won't immediately get the nod out of camp, as the Astros simply don't have room in an outfield that includes Josh Reddick and George Springer. However, that doesn't discredit the impact the 27-year-old could have at the big league level. Hitting .263 this spring, and showing a knack for extra bases with three doubles, Ferguson could be a late-season call up should any of the core outfielders go down with injury.

2. Brandon Bielak

The Astros' 23-year-old Brandon Bielak, who was at AA Corpus and AAA Round Rock last season, just had a 1-2-3 first inning against the Cardinals' regular lineup. Struck out Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter and got Paul Goldschmidt to ground out.
— Matt Young (@Chron_MattYoung) March 7, 2020

If there is anything that an MLB team never has enough of, it is bullpen help. As a result, pitchers that don't immediately make the roster often find themselves playing in the majors later in the year. However, it will still be disappointing if the talented Brandon Bielak doesn't make the team out of camp. The right-hander has seven strikeouts in just six innings pitched this spring, and has impressed against tough big-league hitters. After reaching Triple-A, it may not be long at all before Bielak applies his trade during the regular season for the Astros.

1. Lorenzo Quintana

Sources: Astros nearing deal on catcher Lorenzo Quintana, 28, from Cuba on deal in $200K range. Bat first with good glove. Backup profile.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 6, 2017

While it isn't typical for a 31-year-old catcher to be seen as a "prospect" heading in to Spring Training, the Astros must have seen some opportunity for growth when they acquired his services back in 2017. After the departure of Robinson Chirinos to the Texas Rangers, the Astros have a void at the catcher position that Quintana could be ready to fill, at least as a backup. He is having a big enough spring to make the Astros think twice about sending him to the minors, hitting .308 in 14 plate appearances, and has looked ready to handle big-league pitching (and pitchers). He doesn't have to be a world beater; he just has to be enough to give Martin Maldonado a day off. It would be disappointing if the Astros don't at least take a chance on someone they invested in.