The Astros optioned outfielder Chas McCormick to Triple-A Sugar Land following final evening’s sport — presumably to clear an energetic roster spot for the pending arrival of newly signed outfielder Jason Heyward. The staff didn’t formally announce the transfer but, however McCormick took it upon himself to name the Astros beat over to his locker final evening and inform them of the information after he’d been advised (X hyperlinks through Chandler Rome of The Athletic). Houston nonetheless must clear a 40-man spot for Heyward.
It’s the primary time McCormick has been despatched to the minors since June 2022 — a visit that solely lasted sooner or later, as he was shortly recalled to the massive leagues after Michael Brantley landed on the injured record. Except that one-day journey to Sugar Land, this new optionally available task is the primary time McCormick has been despatched down since initially being referred to as to the majors. (He’s briefly performed within the minors previously two years whereas on harm rehab assignments however hasn’t really been optioned.)
The 2024 season has been a nightmare for the 29-year-old McCormick and a famous departure from the productive three-year stretch he loved from 2021-23. McCormick posted a strong .257/.319/.447 slash as a rookie in 2021, loved a extra productive yr in 2022 and broke out with a career-best .273/.353/.489 slash final yr. McCormick loved career-best marks in residence runs (22), doubles (17), stolen bases (19), plate appearances (457), strikeout price (25.6%), wRC+ (134) and wins above alternative (3.3 fWAR, 3.6 bWAR) throughout that standout 2023 marketing campaign.
Every part has trended within the incorrect course in 2024. The 2017 Twenty first-rounder has posted a disastrous .192/.256/.292 batting line in 243 plate appearances this season. McCormick’s 28.8% strikeout price isn’t a career-worst however is a big improve from final yr. His 6.6% stroll price is a career-low. McCormick has chased pitches off the plate on the highest price of his profession (33.1%) and made contact on pitches inside the strike zone on the lowest price of his profession (76%). The contact he’s made has typically been weak. Statcast pegs him with career-worst marks in common exit velocity (85.2 mph), barrel price (7.8%) and hard-hit price (31.4%). McCormick has hit extra infield flies (six) in a career-low 243 plate appearances this season than he has in any earlier marketing campaign.
Relying on the period of time McCormick spends in Sugar Land, there may very well be contractual implications. He entered the 2024 season with precisely three years of service, which means he’d want 172 days within the majors to hit 4 years of service. In the mean time, he’s accrued 154 days of main league service. McCormick nonetheless wants one other 18 days to cross 4 years of service and stay on observe at no cost company within the 2026-27 offseason. If he’s not recalled on or earlier than Sept. 12, his path to free company will probably be pushed again by a yr.
For now, the main target will probably be getting McCormick again on observe down in Triple-A, the place he can get on a regular basis at-bats that haven’t been accessible as a contending Astros membership appears to be like to remain atop a carefully contested AL West race. McCormick did pinch-hit in final evening’s sport and swat a two-run homer, although that was simply his fourth hit in 48 plate appearances for the reason that commerce deadline.
In the mean time, with Kyle Tucker nonetheless on the shelf, the Astros’ outfield combine contains Jake Meyers, Yordan Alvarez, utilityman Mauricio Dubon, journeyman Ben Gamel and (quickly) the aforementioned Heyward. With Alvarez working primarily as a chosen hitter (81 video games there versus 43 in left discipline) and three lefty-swinging choices within the outfield combine (Alvarez, Gamel, Heyward), there must be room for McCormick’s right-handed bat if a quick minor league reset can get him again on observe. That’s notably with rosters set to increase from 26 to twenty-eight gamers on Sept. 1. Whereas he’s struggled towards lefties and righties alike this season, McCormick remains to be a profession .286/.358/.508 hitter towards southpaws.
