How latest Gold Glove signing could unlock new dimension to Astros lineup
ASTROS NEWS
19 February
Adding Brendan Rodgers is a low risk move that could provide solid upside. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
The Houston Astros have bolstered their infield by reportedly signing former Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers.
Sources: IF Brendan Rodgers and #Astros have agreed to a 1-year deal, pending physical. pic.twitter.com/ysZkLgMbYs
— Ari Alexander (@KPRC2Ari) February 19, 2025
The move adds both defensive stability and offensive upside to a team looking to maintain its dominance in the AL West.
Rodgers, a former first-round pick, spent the past six seasons with the Rockies, where he showcased his defensive prowess and developing bat. Known for his smooth glove work, he won a Gold Glove in 2022 and has been a steady presence at second base. Offensively, Rodgers has shown flashes of power and consistency, though injuries have occasionally slowed his progress.
Should he make the team, Rodgers is expected to slot into the infield mix, potentially taking over as the everyday second baseman or serving as a key utility option. His arrival makes the possibility of Jose Altuve playing a significant amount of time in left field seem more likely.
It also frees up Mauricio Dubon to remain in a utility role and not regularly penciled in at second base when Altuve starts in left.
Rodgers posted a .267 batting average over 135 games last season. He recorded a .314 on-base percentage, while slugging .407, with an OPS of .721. He also blasted 13 dingers in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.
You can watch his 2024 highlights below.
*ChatGPT assisted with this content.
Keyonte George scored 30 points and Lauri Markkanen added 23 points and 10 rebounds to rally the Utah Jazz to a 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Walker Kessler had 11 points and 17 rebounds, and Isaiah Collier added 12 points and 10 assists to help Utah snap a two-game skid.
Alperen Sengun led Houston with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Jalen Green added 25 points and 10 assists, and Amen Thompson had 23 points.
Aaron Holiday and Thompson made back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Rockets up 96-89. But the Jazz surged ahead for good behind a 21-5 run. Three straight baskets, capped by Cody Williams' layup, gave Utah a 110-101 lead with 5:59 left.
Sengun and Dillion Brooks each scored a pair of baskets to key an early 13-2 spurt that gave Houston a 45-40 lead midway through the second quarter.
Utah chipped away at the deficit, but did not retake a lead again until the third quarter when Markkanen bookended a string of four straight baskets that powered a 13-5 run. Kessler’s alley-oop dunk three possessions later punctuated that run and put the Jazz up 77-76.
Takeaways
Rockets: Houston committed only four turnovers over the first three quarters before coughing up the ball three times in the fourth.
Jazz: George propped up Utah’s struggling offense in the first half, scoring 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting before halftime.
Key moment
After falling behind by seven early in the fourth, the Jazz scored on six straight possessions and took the lead for good on a pull-up 3 from George.
Key stat
Utah outscored Houston 66-36 in the paint.
Up next
Houston hosts Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Utah hosts Portland on Monday night.
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