KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros catching prospect Max Stassi, the slugger who made his major league debut last August straight from Double-A, made a solid impression in camp this spring.
However, it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster. Stassi was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, as were right-hander David Martinez, outfielder Domingo Santana and left-hander Luis Cruz.
Stassi’s first major league stint was soured in his second game in late August when he was beaned in the face. He suffered a concussion that kept him on the disabled list until the final week of the season.
In six Grapefruit League games this spring, Stassi went 2-for-9 with a double.
“I think we definitely got a good enough look to where we see him as a guy who can be an everyday catcher,” manager Bo Porter said. “Again, that was kind of reiterated to him. That’s why we want him to get down there (to the minors) and get on a regular turn and catching every day and calling games.
“We didn’t want him to be here in major league camp where (Jason) Castro and (backup Carlos) Corporan are going to do the bulk of the catching and now he’s catching two innings a day here and there where he could be starting and catching games and working on his craft.”
Stassi is motivated to return soon.
“I’ll continue to work hard,” Stassi said. “That’s all you can do. Decisions are out of your power. I’ll just go out and work hard. They just told me to keep getting repetitions. That’s the main thing for me.”
Stassi, Martinez, Santana and Cruz could be in the majors at some point in 2014.
“I think all four of them really showed that they have the potential to be consistent major league contributors,” Astros assistant general manager David Stearns said.
NOTES, QUOTES
–RHP Scott Feldman, who is likely to be the Astros’ Opening Day starter, will report to Osceola County Stadium on Tuesday to pitch in an intrasquad minor league game on what otherwise is a day off for the minor league club. Feldman, 30, pitched two scoreless innings in his lone Grapefruit League outing to date.
–LHP Luis Cruz, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, definitely left a great impression during his first major league camp. “There is absolutely no fear whatsoever,” manager Bo Porter said of Cruz’s mound presence. “It doesn’t matter who is in the box, he’s a confident kid. And if I had his stuff, I’d be confident, too. It’s a fastball with late life.”
–C Jason Castro, who earned his first All-Star bid last year, hit his first home run of spring training March 9 against the Toronto Blue Jays. “It’s always good to get the first one kind of off your back,” he said.
–RHP Mike Foltynewicz, the top prospect who routinely hits 100 mph on his fastball, trimmed his long hair short after it was gently recommended by the organization. “In my mind, I was like, ‘OK, I’ll get it cleaned up a little bit,’” he said. “But it was kind of my personality at the time, long hair, goatee and all that stuff. But they told me to clean it up because they want me to look professional.”
–Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan will report to camp on Tuesday in his first visit to spring training since rejoining the Astros organization as a special adviser last month. Ryan reports to Astros owner Jim Crane, team president and the eldest Ryan son Reid Ryan, and general manager Jeff Luhnow.
QUOTE OF NOTE: “It’s exciting to be part of this organization. I’m going to continue to work hard and hopefully be back before I know it.” — C Max Stassi said after he was optioned to minor league camp.