Houston Astros Reassign Wagner Despite Strong Showing

The Houston Astros reassign legendary closer Billy Wagner's son, Will, on Saturday following a solid Grapefruit League campaign.

Will Wagner had a solid spring training but was reassigned on Saturday.

The son of former Houston Astros closer Billy Wagner, Will went 4-for-10 with two doubles and three RBI.

“He’s an aggressive hitter on that fastball and he has a good future,” manager Dusty Baker said. “This guy goes up there to hit. There are some things he has to work on defensively, but he’s working on them and getting better.”

Wagner’s locker was sandwiched between Alex Bregman and Jeremy Pena, so he couldn’t help but come away with extra knowledge following his stint in spring training.

“Honestly, I was just learning from the big leaguers the whole time,” Will told reporters. “It was just cool to have that experience to be up here. Those guys are champions for a reason, so you want to watch every step. That was my main focus, just learning.”

Will was selected in the 18th round of the 2021 draft from Liberty University.

While Will admitted that he was jittery in the beginning, those nerves calmed down soon after.

“I felt after that first game, ‘OK, I’m here now,’” he said. “I showed well and feel comfortable now.”

Will, a left-handed-hitting infielder, slashed .261/.374/.394 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI in 117 Minor League games between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi last season.

He finished second in the Arizona Fall League in OPS (1.145) slashing .346/.433/.712 with three homers and 15 RBI in 52 at-bats.

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