OKC RedHawks: Elite prospect George Springer gets the call from the Astros

Diposkan oleh silent aja 3:21 AM Post a Comment

While the competition will be stiff, George Springer will at least have the opportunity to contend for American League Rookie of the Year.

The Houston Astros promoted Springer after the RedHawks 11-9 win Tuesday night in Colorado Springs, a game in which Springer hit a grand slam.

Oklahoma City's George Springer (4) catches a ball during the Oklahoma City Redhawks game agains the New Orleans Zephyrs at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ball Park. Friday, April 11, 2014. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Springer being called up roughly two weeks into the season gives him an opportunity to showcase his skills the final 150 games in Houston. Some already are saying Springer will be the new face of the Astros.

'This game can humble you quickly,' Springer said at RedHawks media day. 'That's something I hold on to. My focus is to improve in all areas I didn't have success last season. It's not just offense or defense. It has to be both.'

A superb center fielder with great speed, Springer cuts down balls in gaps, turning potential doubles into outs. But he'll probably play right field for Houston after the Astros acquired Dexter Fowler in the off-season which is why Springer primarily was playing right field for the RedHawks.

'The angles are different,' Springer said. 'In this game you always have to adjust. If I end up playing somewhere other than center I'll do everything I can to adjust.'

The timing assists the Astros. Some teams wait until mid-June to push back a player's arbitration clock one year.

In Springer's case, if Houston waited until after April 11 to promote Springer he couldn't be a free agent until after the 2020 season. If he made the Opening Day roster, and remained in Houston all season, he would have become a free agent after the 2019 season.