Houston Astros Giving Young Center Fielder Last Chance to Own Position

The Houston Astros are looking for their former star center fielder to take over the position once again.

When thinking about the Houston Astros, the usual star names always stick out first.

Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and their elite pitchers have dominated the game on their dynastic run.

Outside of right field where Tucker is the everyday player, the Astros have rotated players across the other positions depending on pitching matchups and built in rest days.

Despite having a deteriorating pipeline, Houston has still done a great job at developing prospects into becoming Major League contributors when they reach the bigs.

They thought Jake Meyers was one of those players when he debuted in 2021.

Even though he only appeared in 49 games his rookie season, he slashed .260/.323/.438 with six home runs, 28 RBI and an OPS+ of 107, while also recording four defensive runs saved.

This earned him a spot on their playoff roster, but he suffered a shoulder injury in the ALDS that required surgery to repair his torn labrum.

He was out until June of 2022 and really hasn't looked the same since.

Early on last year it looked liked Meyers was returning to his rookie form, but his play deteriorated and he got fewer playing time late in the season. He didn't see the field in the playoffs and was completely left off their ALCS roster.

The Astros actually placed him on the trade block this winter before general manager Dana Brown said they're excited to see how he performs in 2024.

This is seemingly the last shot for Meyers to take control of the everyday center field role.

With Chas McCormick exploding onto the scene in 2023, Alvarez saying he wants more time in left field and Tucker continuing to dominate right field, Meyers has become expendable.

He'll need to perform if he wants to be part of this franchise moving forward.