Astros options for utility players 2023

HOUSTON — Marwin Gonzalez will be remembered as one of the best utility players in Astros history, and not just because of his clutch game-tying homer in Game 2 of the 2017 World Series. Aledmys Díaz took over after Gonzalez in 2019 and, though often injured, proved to be a steady hand in that role and gave the Astros stability there.

With Díaz signing with the Oakland A’s in the offseason, the Astros will have to identify his successor at some point before the start of the regular season. It’s a key role considering how much manager Dusty Baker prefers to give his starters consistent days off during the regular season to keep them fresh for October.

So, who will assume that role this year? Let’s examine some options:

Internal candidates
David Hensley
Hensley, who had plenty of experience at all four infield positions in the Minor Leagues, made his Major League debut last year and swung a strong bat in limited action. He was 10-for-29 with two doubles, a triple and a homer and was on the postseason roster, getting a couple of hits in the World Series. He started two games at shortstop, one at third base and four at designated hitter.

At 6-foot-6, Hensley doesn’t look the part of your typical utility player, but he’s an adequate defender, and he has the ability to put the bat on the ball. The utility role is typically handled by a veteran, and if there’s a knock against Hensley it’s his lack of experience. He only has 20 big league games under his belt, including playoffs, but Baker likes his bat.

Mauricio Dubón
Traded to Houston last season from the Giants, Dubón started games in all three outfield positions, shortstop and second base while with the Astros. He was the starting center fielder when Justin Verlander was on the mound in the second half of the season. Dubón slashed .208/.254/.294 with a 56 OPS+, so can he provide enough offense to be a regular contributor at the utility spot? He would be the most experienced of Houston’s current internal candidates.

Pedro Leon
Leon, the team’s No. 4-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, will come to camp trying to latch onto a spot in center field, where Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers are both back. Last year in the Minors, Leon played second base, center field and right field, as well as some shortstop, so there’s some versatility there. The Astros have cooled on him as a shortstop after inconsistent results at Double-A in 2021, but he’s an elite center fielder with a great arm. Can he refine his approach enough to take advantage of his raw power and stick as a Major Leaguer?

Possible free-agent options
Yuli Gurriel
Perhaps the most popular move the Astros can make in the weeks leading up to Spring Training would be to bring back Gurriel, who lost his job as starting first baseman when Houston signed José Abreu late last year. One of three starting position players on the 2017 and ’22 World Series championship teams, Gurriel played third base and second base in Cuba and a little bit in the big leagues, but he’s been primarily a first baseman since signing with the Astros in 2016. He’ll turn 39 next year, so age is an issue.

Jurickson Profar
A free agent, the 29-year-old Profar declined an $8.33 million player option for 2023 to hit the open market. He played mostly left field for the Padres last season, slashing .243/.331/.391 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs, but he can play all over the infield. The Astros have Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez in left field this year and a veteran infield, which may not provide him enough at-bats to want to come to Houston.

Jonathan Villar
The former Astros shortstop, who spent the second half of the season at shortstop as a rookie during the 111-loss campaign in 2013, has carved out a pretty good career for himself and is still only 31 years old. He’s worn seven uniforms since leaving the Astros, posting a .255/.322/.397 career slash line with extensive time at second, third and shortstop.