The wait is finally over for Astros fans.
Highly-touted top outfield prospect George Springer has officially been called up to Houston, the Astros announced on Wednesday morning.
Springer established his prospect status in 2013 with a near 40-40 season in the minors, tallying 37 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 135 games between Double- and Triple-A.
In 13 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Springer hit .353 with four doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and four stolen bases.
Despite the eye-popping numbers in 2013, the Astros did not reward him with a September call-up.
But by delaying Springer’s big-league debut, the Astros will have control over him through the 2020 season. If they had called him up any earlier, he would have been a free agent after the 2019 season.
If Springer started year with Astros, would hit free agency in 2019. Two-week delay keeps him under team control until after 2020 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 16, 2014
The 24-year-old is a center fielder, but will likely play right field for the Astros. Robbie Grossman has been optioned to Triple-A to make room for Springer on the big league roster.
With the short porch in left field at Minute Maid Park in Houston, expect Springer to put up impressive power numbers. But also be ready for a lot of strikeouts. In 284 career games in the minors, Springer has amassed 334 strikeouts.
