The Houston Astros have become what they are – the top team in the American League and arguably MLB as a whole – because of their ability to spot talent and develop it.
Through the years, they have had to replace players like George Springer, Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, and many others.
Of course, they have traded for, drafted, or developed Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Cristian Javier, and many, many more stars in recent years.
Their player factory appears to have produced yet another gem.
Justin Dirden is yet to make his MLB debut, so it’s unfair to call him a star.
But he is looking good in his current quest of making the big leagues and contributing this year.
He has started his spring training like a champion.
Justin Dirden dinger!
The @Astros prospect is now 3-for-3 with 2 homers in two Spring Training games. pic.twitter.com/1sJYVrZQ4y
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 27, 2023
Two home runs in three at-bats is as impressive as you will ever find, spring training or not.
Just look at that left-handed swing: he destroyed that ball, and it went out of the park in a hurry.
The most impressive part is how easy his power is: the swing doesn’t even take him high effort.
With a 6-foot-3 and 209-pound frame, Dirden’s top tool is his plus raw lefty power.
The ball just jumps off of his bat.
He does have a strikeout problem, but works his at-bats and knows what he is doing.
Last season, he hit 24 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, but struggled in the latter stop with a .703 OPS.
There is a chance he makes the team out of camp if he keeps this up, but will most likely start in Triple-A.
Once he masters that level, he could be primed to be an important contributor on the next Astros championship team.
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