Altuve and the Astros’ Spring Training Experiments: Matthews’ Potential in Left Field
Spring training is a time for experimentation, and the Houston Astros are no strangers to trying new things. Just ask Jose Altuve. Last year, the Astros briefly experimented with moving Altuve to left field, hoping to keep his powerful bat in the lineup while addressing defensive concerns at second base – a position where his range has diminished. While that experiment proved less than ideal, Altuve is now firmly back at his familiar spot.
Now, the Astros are turning their attention to another infielder, albeit a much younger one: top prospect Brice Matthews. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic on X (formerly Twitter), Matthews is getting a look in left field during Saturday’s spring training game.
A New Opportunity for Brice Matthews
This presents an intriguing opportunity for Matthews. A review of his player profile on Baseball-Reference.com reveals he has some limited experience in the outfield, having played nine games in center field last season with Triple-A Sugar Land. The majority of his playing time, however, has been at shortstop and third base.
So far this spring, Matthews is batting .222/.323/.296 with seven RBI, but no home runs. This move could simply be a chance for the Astros’ MLB coaching staff to evaluate his capabilities in the outfield. He appeared in 14 Major League games last season, primarily at second base.
Addressing a Logjam and Exploring Options
Alternatively, the Astros might be re-evaluating their options in left field. The team currently lists Altuve, Joey Loperfido, Yordan Alvarez, Taylor Trammell, Zach Dezenzo, and Zach Cole as potential left fielders. Of this group, only Alvarez is a lock for a roster spot, and the team prefers to utilize him as a designated hitter to maximize his offensive impact.
Houston also faces a significant infield logjam. Even if Matthews were ready to start at an infield position, the abundance of Major League talent would likely prevent him from securing a starting role. Nick Allen is expected to be the utility infielder. The Astros are likely seeking a versatile bench player capable of playing both infield and outfield, and Matthews could potentially fill that role – but time is of the essence. Opening Day is scheduled for March 26th against the Los Angeles Angels.
Matthews’ Potential: A Glimpse of Power
During his limited time in the Majors last season, Matthews slashed .167/.222/.452. Despite only 42 at-bats, he showcased his power by hitting four home runs and driving in nine RBI. His lack of doubles and triples kept his slugging percentage down, but he demonstrated a promising bat.
His performance at Triple-A Sugar Land was even more impressive. In 112 games, he slashed .260/.371/.458 with 17 home runs and 64 RBI, earning him a promotion to the Majors on July 11th. This full season with the Astros’ top affiliate highlighted his potential.
The Astros’ spring training experiments with both Altuve and Matthews demonstrate their commitment to exploring all possibilities as they prepare for the upcoming season. Whether Matthews can capitalize on this opportunity in left field remains to be seen, but it’s a chance to prove his versatility and value to the team.
