Zach Dezenzo has reportedly been called up. Composite Getty Image.
After an ugly loss to the Rangers on Monday night, Astros manager Joe Espada made his weekly appearance on the club's flagship station and addressed the team's issues on offense.
Astros GM Dana Brown said over the weekend that he may look to the farm system to give the offense a spark.
When asked about the possibility of promoting Zach Dezenzo and/or Shay Whitcomb, Espada said on Tuesday that the organization is “strongly considering bringing those guys up.”
Just an hour or so later, we began seeing reports that the Astros are indeed promoting Dezenzo.
The Astros are calling up Zach Dezenzo, sources tell @TheAthletic. He's played just 11 games above Double-A, but slashed .391/.472/.739 with eight extra-base hits in his brief stint at Triple-A Sugar Land. Now, he'll try to give the major-league team a spark.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 6, 2024
We've also seen reports indicating Dezenzo is already with the team in Arlington.
I am hearing the that Astros #4 prospect, 1B/3B Zach Dezenzo, is in Arlington with the team, per sources.
No word on what the corresponding move will be.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 6, 2024
Dezenzo has only played 11 games for Sugar Land since being promoted from Double A. He's hitting .391, slugging .739, with a 1.211 OPS. He already has four home runs since being promoted to the Space Cowboys.
Hopefully he can give the team a boost they desperately need on offense.
It's official.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES:
The Astros selected IF Zach Dezenzo (#9) to the Major League roster. To make room for Dezenzo on the active roster, the Astros optioned OF Trey Cabbage to Triple A Sugar Land. To make room for Dezenzo on the 40-man roster, the Astros designated RHP Dylan…
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 6, 2024
How new wrinkles in Astros playoff aspirations open up opportunities, challenges
Sep 9, 2024, 5:01 pm
With 19 games left in the regular season, the Astros sit 4 1/2 games up on the Mariners as they get ready to host the Athletics on Tuesday.
One factor that's stayed consistent for the Astros in recent years, is their ability to step up their game against tough competition, and to play down to lesser teams like the Reds, who swept them last week.
Which is why we're not ready to say the 'Stros have punched their playoff ticket. Missing the postseason however would require a both a surge from the Mariners and a collapse from Houston.
But based on how the Astros have been pitching over the last month (Top 3 in ERA), you have to like their chances to finish strong and secure the division once again.
One of the big news items from the Diamondback series was the return of Kyle Tucker. Tucker didn't do a whole lot in the two games he played in, but having him back does give the Astros lineup a different feel.
With Tucker and Bregman both in the lineup, the Astros have a formidable Top 5. It will be interesting to see how Joe Espada juggles the lineup moving forward, and if he drops Tucker to the five spot in games they are facing a left-handed starter.
Speaking of Tucker and Bregman, we've had countless discussions about whether they will sign extensions with the Astros. In Bregman's case, the new contract Matt Chapman signed with the Giants will likely serve as a measuring stick (6-year, $151 million) for Bregman's next deal.
Don't miss the video above as we preview the playoff push, breakdown Tucker's return, and weigh the pros and cons of signing Bregman to a deal comparable to Chapman's.
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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