The Houston Astros continue to count down the days leading up to the start of Spring Training, and continue to look to add depth to compete in West Palm.
Last week, they acquired acquired IF/OF Trey Cabbage from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP Carlos Espinosa, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced today. Cabbage does have two Minor League options remaining, so it gives the Astros some flexibility in sending him up or down, if he makes the club.
Cabbage, 26, spent his entire 2023 season in the Angels system, making the majority of his appearances with Triple A Salt Lake. The left-handed hitter batted .306 (128x418) with 25 doubles, 30 home runs, 89 RBI, 32 stolen bases and a .975 OPS in 107 games with Salt Lake, earning MiLB.com Organizational All-Star and Pacific Coast League Post-Season All-Star honors. With Salt Lake, Cabbage appeared at first base (58 games), right field (17 games), center field (4 games) and left field (4 games). He also made his Major League debut with the Angels last season and hit .208 (11x53) with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI in 22 games.
The Minnesota Twins originally selected Cabbage in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft from Grainger High School (Rutledge, Tenn.). He has batted .261 (532x2037) with 96 home runs, 345 RBI, 62 stolen bases and an .809 OPS through 567 games in parts of eight minor league seasons.
Espinosa, 22, appeared with Low A Fayetteville and the Astros Florida Complex League affiliate in 2023, going a combined 4-5 with a 4.29 ERA (27ER/56.2IP) in 15 games (seven starts). He was originally signed by the Astros as an international free agent from Cuba on January 15, 2022.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros designated RHP Declan Cronin for assignment.
Other names to keep an eye on in Spring Training for positional depth include prospects Jacob Melton, Joey Loperfido, and Will Wagner.
Pitchers and catchers report next week to West Palm. Keep it locked to SportsTalk790 for all of your Astros Spring Training coverage!