The Astros are contemplating a while in heart discipline for Cam Smith, experiences Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Rome factors out that nothing is imminent and that the membership isn’t planning on making Smith an on a regular basis heart fielder. It’s extra about including some further versatility, giving the membership the power to maybe put somebody like Zach Dezenzo in proper now and again.
The membership has already been aggressive with Smith. A 3rd base prospect, the Astros moved him to proper discipline throughout spring coaching since they’ve Isaac Paredes on the scorching nook. Smith carried out properly sufficient to crack the Opening Day roster because the on a regular basis proper fielder, regardless of having nearly no expertise there. He was additionally simply brief on skilled expertise on the whole. He was solely simply drafted by the Cubs final summer time earlier than moving into 32 minor league video games within the second half of 2024. Solely 5 of these had been on the Double-A degree and none at Triple-A. He and Paredes each got here to the Astros within the offseason commerce that despatched Kyle Tucker to the Cubs.
All issues thought of, Smith has taken properly to all of the aggression. He has a .226/.304/.403 line to start out his huge league profession. His 29% strikeout fee is on the excessive aspect however he has three house runs, serving to him to a 109 wRC+. It’s laborious to learn a lot right into a small pattern of glovework however each Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Common take into account Smith to be above par within the discipline to date.
The Astros are clearly proud of the outcomes and really feel assured sufficient in his skills that they’re given him one more check. Per Rome, they’ve began getting him some heart discipline reps in pre-game exercises. “If you break down what makes heart fielder, you’re going to see reactions, routes, pace and an arm. To this point, he’s proven the power to do all these issues,” outfield coach Jason Bell tells Rome. “I do know it’s early, however from the early indicators, you may see the prospect that he must do this if that was a risk.”
Rome mentions that this might be a method so as to add some further offense from time to time. Houston’s common heart fielder is Jake Meyers, who’s a powerful defender however has a profession batting line of .230/.293/.368 in 1,250 plate appearances, which interprets to an 87 wRC+.
Often transferring Smith over to heart would permit the Astros to bench Meyers and get a unique bat into the lineup. Rome mentions Dezenzo as one such risk. He has principally performed first base within the huge leagues however has additionally seen some temporary time at second, third and within the outfield corners. His .238/.282/.363 batting line isn’t higher than Meyers’ however he’s solely obtained 85 huge league plate appearances. Over 2023 and 2024, he stepped to the plate 636 instances within the minors with a .303/.384/.517 line and 139 wRC+.
Getting Dezenzo into the outfield for Meyers may maybe add a bit extra offense however could be a notable gamble defensively. The membership is utilizing former second baseman Jose Altuve in left discipline, so an outfield alignment of Altuve/Smith/Dezenzo would successfully contain three transformed infielders. Meyers, however, has tallied 22 Defensive Runs Saved and 38 Outs Above Common in his profession. Having two of these infielders on the market with a superb defender like Meyers is already a little bit of a raffle however this new consideration could be pushing that even farther.
It’s a plan that’s all nonetheless experimental and Rome notes it’s completely attainable Smith by no means performs in heart, however it’s notable that the membership is tinkering as guys like Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz and Yordan Alvarez are all scuffling on the plate.
