Astros Sign Jason Heyward To Bolster Outfield Depth

It is no secret that the Astros’ outfield has been a problem recently, especially with Kyle Tucker’s prolonged absence on the IL due to a shin “contusion.” Since Tucker’s last game on June 3, only the Blue Jays in terms of wRC+ (75) have a less productive outfield offensively than the Astros (77). And that number includes Yordan Alvarez’s 113 plate appearances and 168 wRC+ as a left fielder this season. Only Ben Gamel and his 24 plate appearances entering Tuesday had a wRC+ (204) higher than Alvarez and, again, that is based on an extremely small sample. No other Houston outfielder has a wRC+ higher than Jake Meyers’ 72 since Tucker’s injury.

In order to help bolster the outfield depth chart, the Astros pivoted to Gamel earlier in August, who has provided a spark since his signing. But Brown wasn’t done, now officially adding another veteran outfielder, Jason Heyward, to the mix.

In turn, the Astros sent Chas McCormick to Sugar Land to open a spot in the outfield for Heyward. The club also designated Janson Junk for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Released by the Dodgers earlier in the month, Heyward looks to bolster Houston’s corner outfield depth. But following a bounceback season in Los Angeles in 2023, when he hit 15 home runs and a 120 wRC+ across 124 games, Heyward’s numbers have regressed again in 2024 (a 90 wRC+ in only 63 games). The big change? More groundballs (up by around 10%) and decreasing production against higher velocity pitches. For example, against four-seam fastballs, he dropped from a .472 wOBA last season to only .303 this season. Against pitches thrown 95 mph or higher, Heyward’s production has dropped like a rock compared to 2023.

2023:
.353/.431/.569, .428 wOBA, 11.6% Whiff%

2024:
.222/.283/.370, .285 wOBA, 18.6% Whiff%

But the sobering reality for the Astros isn’t much about how Heyward hit in 2023, although I am sure that played a small role in the decision to sign him. It is more about how Heyward’s 90 wRC+ this season in limited playing time and his arm in the outfield still represents an upgrade over the internal options at this point of the season. Also, with Joe Espada’s hesistancy to play Alvarez in left field more than needed, Brown didn’t have the luxury to wait any longer on Houston’s outfield to improve. Gamel, fresh off his release from the Mets, has inserted himself quickly into a prominent role. Heyward, even if he hits closer to league average, will also play himself into a similar role.

For the other otufielders on the roster, it will only get murkier once Tucker returns from his injury. Well, hopefully returns. Mauricio Dubón’s role likely shifts more to the infield if that happens. Jake Meyers role as the primary center fielder is likely safe for the present. But make no mistake that Gamel and now Heyward were brought to shore up one of the worst outfields in baseball this summer. With the AL West on the line, the Astros are willing to try something different in order to bring that group up to par, or at least closer to passable.