Astros Crawfish Boil: December 19, 2022

Houston Astros News

Astros retain key member of championship core with one-year deal (chron.com)

Houston Astros’ 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Re-Signing Michael Brantley (si.com)

Houston Astros Release 2018 Second-Round Pick, Four Other Prospects (si.com)

Alex Bregman reveals perfect reason why Rockets are on their way to becoming NBA’s Astros (clutchpoints.com)

MLB News

MLB free agency: Red Sox land Justin Turner with two-year contract, per report (cbssports.com)

MLB free agency tracker: Dansby Swanson heads to Chicago Cubs; Carlos Rodón fills out Yankees rotation (cbssports.com)

Every MLB Team’s Largest Free-Agent Contract in Franchise History (bleacherreport.com_)

Aaron Judge, the home-run mashing new face of baseball: Our MLB Person of the Year (theathletic.com)

Mariners sat out MLB’s free-agent frenzy, and now must deal with fallout (seattletimes.com)

Angels News: LA Has Been Preparing for the New MLB Rules for Years (si.com)

MLB, NBA and NHL unlikely to save struggling TV regional sports networks: sources (nypost.com)

Oops! All Astros: Daniel Familia

Daniel Familia is a six-foot, 203 lb. outfielder and pitcher from Boca Chica, DR. Born on September 5, 2002, he signed his first professional contract with the Astros on June 18, 2021. In 28 games for the DSL Astros after signing, he hit .206 with four homers and 10 RBI. Of particular note was his home/road splits, with 41 plate appearances each, he totaled a .254 OPS at home and 1.276 on the road.

This season, Familia was extremely limited in action for the DSL Astros Blue. He appeared in four games as an outfielder, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and one walk. On July 9, he made his debut as a pitcher, facing one batter and inducing a ground out in the ninth inning of a 10-3 loss to the DSL Angels.

Familia pitched in a total of four games, allowing opponents three hits and three walks in 15 plate appearances. He struck out one batter, totaling 3 ¹⁄₃ innings of work. On July 26, he went on the injured list for the balance of the season. He was reactivated on November 8, well after the close of the season. Look for Familia back with the rookie squad to start next season, as he tries to nail down pitching.