Houston Astros Prospect Dirden Over Deserving of Triple-A Promotion

Outfielder Justin Dirden is crushing every pitch he sees in Double-A, a promotion should follow this past week's performance.

Lucas Boland/Caller Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

As an undrafted free agent in 2020, Justin Dirden would've heard his name called in unabbreviated draft. The now 25-year-old is proving that more and more with each passing week in Double-A. 

The Houston Astros prospect is slashing .323/.409/.601 in his second minor league season, his first with the Corpus Christi Hooks. But for the month of July, Dirden posted a 1.241 OPS which may put him in line for Texas League Player of the Month.

In July, the righty slapped 35 hits, 15 for extra bases. Dirden also walked 10 times to his 22 strikeouts — a somewhat pedestrian ratio compared to his three previous months of play. Since the end of April, Dirden has a 1.076 OPS, the highest among active Texas League players.

His .579 batting average, two doubles, two home runs and four RBI were enough to win Texas League Player of the Week honors for July 26-31.

And with continued success at the Double-A level, Dirden's system-leading 30 doubles and new-tapped power warrant a promotion to the elevated stadiums of the Pacific Coast League.

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys roster five outfielders — José Siri, Lewis Brinson, Corey Julks, Marty Costes and Pedro León. The club also flexes versatility with multiple infielders who can stretch to left field, but as every roster will fluctuate with the influx of draftees at the lower levels, Dirden has no business continuing his play in Corpus Christi.

Siri has been discussed in trade rumors, and given the recent success of Julks and León, the Astros are playing into depth options for the 2023 season. But for every week Dirden proves his case to be promoted, he is also building trade value like every other farmhand.

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