Yes. 7 guys still vying for 3 spots: Gamel, Singleton, Guillorme, Rodgers, Dezenzo, Whitcomb, Smith. The beat writers all seem to be assuming Singleton is going to make the team, but he is the most limited player in that group. Gamel is at a disadvantage because he carries an above minimum salary which is not full guaranteed, but he’s the most accomplished hitter in that group against RHP, which is Houston’s primary weakness. Smith is at a disadvantage because he’s so young and his service time so precious, but he’s had an insane spring that is putting him in the conversation. Dezenzo and Whitcomb offer versatility and upside, but both guys warrant a solid audition for an everyday role, and that may not be available. Rodgers has intriguing upside but aside from Singleton he’s the most defensively limited as he is pretty much a 2B only. Guillorme is a great fit for the roster as a lefthanded bat who can play 2B/SS/3B and doesn’t strike out, but he’s got the lowest upside in the group due to a complete lack of power. If I were GM, Dezenzo, Guillorme, and Rodgers would make the roster. If I’m handicapping, I think it’s Rodgers, Singleton, and Gamel.
I heard on Crush City that if Hunter wins the Cy Young this year the Astros get a comp pick after rd 1? Is that right? Teams get the pick if a qualifying player wins the award before they hit arbitration?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6194686/2025/03/11/cam-smith-audition-astros-right-field/ … Smith said he began working with the outfielders and position coach Jason Bell last week. To hear Bell describe Smith’s work so far, it’s clear this scenario is still very much in its infancy. Bell said Smith has only thrown to bases once since beginning his outfield crash course. Whether Smith can handle the intricacies of the position won’t be known until he gets game reps. “You can see the extreme athleticism that he has,” Bell said on Tuesday. “His ability to learn and retain information very quickly is key, especially for a young player learning a new position. You can see his speed, so it’s about him adjusting to the slice and the hook of certain balls. Just getting familiar with where the wall is, the sun and the other elements, to be able to un-tap his speed.” … Smith is 9 for 17 with five walks in his first eight Grapefruit League games, an absurd 1.636 OPS that requires proper perspective. Baseball-Reference can lend it. The site quantifies a position player’s spring training performance by the quality of pitcher they’ve faced, based upon the level. The pitchers Smith has faced during 18 Grapefruit League plate appearances accumulated a 6.7 opponent quality, according to Baseball-Reference. Major-league quality is 10. Triple A is 8 and Double A is 7. For reference, both Altuve and Yordan Alvarez have seen pitchers with an opponent quality higher than 8 in Grapefruit League play. Mauricio Dubón, who entered Tuesday with one hit in 19 at-bats, faced a 7.7 opponent quality. McCormick had a 7.1. Essentially, Smith has dominated pitchers who are a notch below Double A, which is what a prospect of his stature should do. Nothing else about Smith’s stint in major-league spring training has been standard. The next two weeks won’t be, either, for a player putting himself on the precipice of an almost unprecedented leap. “I’m going to try and do anything I can to be in that position,” Smith said, “but I really can’t control that.”
Of the 7 you named, if it was up to me I would go Gamel, Guillorme, and Dezenzo...but I think it will end up Gamel, Guillorme and Singleton, only because the rest can start the season in the minors (I believe Rodgers is on a minor league contract?). I think all of these guys are going to have to produce early to stay on the active roster (including Chas), even more so if Smith and Dezenzo slay in AAA. Singleton, Gamel, and Chas will be on DFA watch if they suck to start the season. Singleton is a bit lucky that Walker is injured as well.
I assume that Rodgers has an opt out in his minor league contract that lets him go back to free agency if he doesn’t make the opening day roster, so I don’t expect Houston to be able to hang on to him in the minors. I could be wrong though.
Hoping Rodgers makes the team. Most potential and great defense. Rather have him over Dubon if I'm being honest
And Rodgers would not want to play in the AAA PCL high altitude parks (which he disliked while in Denver). ETA: Rodgers could play on the Astros AA team, if he wants to rework his swing at sea level.
Can't post my picture b/c i'm incompetent when it comes to image URL's but placed a bet on Cam Smith to win ROTY because why not?
+10000 Threw down $100 so hoping cam looks get in RF tomorrow!! For what it’s the worth the odds went down to +5000 last night
This is a little sobering. I knew that in general ST pitchers were going to be, on average, worse than MLB and in many cases worse than AAA level. But it does seem like Cam has been "lucky" in that he's faced several pitchers that are far below MLB level. Might not mean anything, but it certainly helps to temper my expectations a bit.
I think every day longer that Cam is still in camp is a day closer to the opening roster. I Do not know when the Astros will do the next round of minor league reassignment. No Cam in the lineup yesterday. A day without Cam in the lineup is like a day without sunshine.
I think sometime next week will be hatchet day where a whole bunch of guys get sent down and a lot of minor leaguers get released.
