Astros Crawfish Boil: December 17, 2022

A Crawfish Boil!

Houston Astros News

Report: Houston Astros Targeting Two Veteran Catchers (si.com)

Have Astros been caught by the Yankees after the Rodón signing? (chron.com)

MLB Rumors: Rangers, Mets, Astros, Marlins Interested in Michael Conforto (bleacherreport.com)

Astros free agency tracker: Who from the 2022 World Series team has departed Houston? (abc13.com)

RUMOR: Astros facing competition from these 2 teams for Michael Brantley (clutchpoints.com)

Houston Astros Sign Three International Free Agents to Minor League Contracts (si.com)

Astros Rumors: Houston Linked to Tucker Barnhart and Jorge Alfaro (climbingtalshill.com)

MLB News

Twins turn page on Correa, begin roster building for next season (startribune.com)

The Red Sox Shouldn’t Be Living This Indiana Pacers Life (blogs.fangraphs.com)

Latest On Dansby Swanson’s Market (mlbtraderumors.com)

The Yankees Still Need More After Signing Carlos Rodón (si.com)

MLB Rumors: Red Sox Contacted Marlins About Miguel Rojas (nesn.com)

Red Sox DFA Hosmer to make room for new hurler (mlb.com)

Will You Still Need Them, Will You Still Play Them, When They’re 41? (nytimes.com)

Former MLB slugger’s deferred payments revealed, putting Bobby Bonilla to shame (foxnews.com)

Los Angeles Dodgers and Teams with the Most Work to Do in MLB Free Agency (bleacherreport.com)

Dodgers News: Prospect Jeren Kendall Retires from Baseball (dodgersnation.com)

One Hitter, Two Hitter, Red Hitter, Blue Hitter (fantasy.fangraphs.com)

Oops! All Astros: Justin Williams

Justin Williams is a six-foot-three, 215 lb. corner infielder from Harrisburg, PA. Born on June 26, 2000, he was Houston’s 17th-round choice in 2021, with the 508th overall choice out of Penn State. Three players picked at that spot have reached the majors, but only David Williams (2.3) has a WAR over zero. Williams signed for a contract that included a $125,000 bonus.

Williams’ first assignment was to the Low-A level with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. In 36 games to finish out the 2021 playing season, he slashed .213/.310/.386 with five home runs and 16 RBI. He opened the 2022 season still with the Woodpeckers, and hit a single and a double with a run scored in his first appearance of the season, a 3-0 win over the Fredericksburg Nationals on June 3. In his second game, he hit two singles and a double with an RBI in a 6-5 win against the Nats on June 5.

In 12 of Williams’ 43 appearances with the Woodpeckers in 2022, he finished with multiple hits, including three where he got three. He put together a .244/.320/.350 slashline with three homers and 20 RBI. On August 8, he got his first promotion as a professional, joining the High-A Asheville Tourists at home for a six-game set against the Rome Braves. On August 13, he hit a double and a three-run homer in a 6-5 loss to them.

In 26 games for the Tourists, Williams’ slashline dipped to .216/.266/.352 as he adjusted to the higher level. He had two homers and 11 RBI. Defensively between the two affiliates, he played 251 innings at third base, putting up a .924 fielding percentage. He added 246 frames at first base, with a mark of .985. Still part of Asheville’s roster, Williams should start the 2023 season back with Asheville.