Yesterday, the Astros added yet another outfielder to the 2026 team, and like so many times before this year, it’s probably a name most fans aren’t familiar with: Jorge Barrosa.
Jake Meyers was sent back down to AAA. Jake was pretty much the only position player in Sugar Land who I thought made any sense to call up in September. Although he hasn’t performed in 2026 the way he did in 2025, the way the team was probably was counting on, he still had things he could bring to the table as a September call-up. He’s a right-handed hitter, and Nelson Velazquez, another right handed outfielder claimed on waivers, hadn’t been hitting. Velazquez still really hasn’t been hitting, he has just 2 hits, but they were consequential hits so they stick out more. Jake has above average defense, so he could be used as a late inning defensive replacement, even in center, letting Dalton Varsho move to left. And he’s reasonably fast if you need someone off the bench to pinch run.
Most of the outfield additions this year have made sense, even if they weren’t particularly exciting or if they didn’t pan out. Lamont Wade, Jr. was added because the Astros needed left-handed hitting, and Wade had a good track record in San Francisco before 2025. Dustin Harris and Daniel Johnson were added because the team was dangerously low on outfielders and specifically center fielders. Daulton Varsho was added because the Astros still needed a left-handed bat and still needed center field help; Varsho was arguably the best center fielder available at the deadline. Nelson Velazquez was added because the Astros needed a right-handed bat in the outfield to platoon with Wade and Taylor Trammell, and for all of Velazquez’ deficiencies, he hits the ball hard with upper tier bat speed, and has had success against lefties. These additions didn’t all necessarily go according to plan, but there was logic to them. 2026 Jake Meyers also wasn’t an exciting September call-up, but it made sense.
They pinch ran Jake a few times, used him as a defensive replacement, and a week into September, I guess the Astros wanted to try something different. Even though they never really tried Jake in his call-up; he got no at-bats.
The Astros are desperate for anything from their outfield. The Astros rank dead last in wRC+ from their outfielders in the AL in 2026 at 85.
But is 5’6″ Jorge Barrosa the answer, who has a 75 wRC+ himself? Sure he’s a switch hitter, and he’s been better against lefties as a right-hander (which is how Jake bats), with a .786 OPS against LHP, but that’s just across 45 ABs.
He doesn’t swing hard, he doesn’t make contact well, he doesn’t draw walks, and he strikes out. On top of that, his already poor BA of .201 and SLG of .343 are actually overperformances for him. His xBA and xSLG are actually even lower at .164 and .253.
Even that .786 OPS against lefties is an illusion, his .244/.364/.422 slash line against lefties by xStats drops to .158/.295/.249. That’s a pitiful xOPS of .545 against lefty pitchers, which supposedly is his strong side.
He’s fast and pretty good at defense, okay, but Jake was already that. I’m not sure I see the point of getting Jorge Barrosa, when we already have Jorge Barrosa at home. But welcome Jorge, to the 2026 Astros outfield. I can only wonder if perhaps Meyers is battling an undisclosed injury compromising not just his batting, but his defensive ability too.
I see the value of grabbing darts off the ground and throwing them, hoping one sticks, but at least pick up something kind of pointy.
Astros @ Phillies Games Information and Gamethread Details
The Astros (74-71) play Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies (81-64) tonight. The Phillies, curiously enough are one of only 2 teams who have gotten less production than the Astros out of their outfield (also 85 wRC+. The Rockies are last at 82.) The Astros still in first place by just 2 games; the Rangers also won yesterday against the Mariners.
Astros ace Hunter Brown starts for the Astros, who looks to be turning a corner. He threw a quality start in his last outing, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings off 6 hits, 2 walks, while striking out 7. It could have been better; he was victimized by a lot of soft contact combined with infield hits and poor defense. It also could have been worse; he was falling behind in counts regularly. 2026 Brown continues in his search to find 2025 Brown.
For the Phillies, their ace also takes the mound: Cristopher Sanchez. Unlike Brown, he has been pitching like a true ace this season, and if not for Jacob Misiorowski, there would be more talk of him possibly getting a Cy Young award.
Sanchez is 16-5 in 29 starts, pitching 181.1 innings and recording 207 strikeouts to just 42 walks. His ERA is 2.58 and WHIP is 1.20.
Brown and Sanzhez went toe to toe last year when the Astros and Phillies played each other. Sanchez struck out 11 and walked none in 6 innings, giving up just 1 run on 5 hits. Brown struck out 9 and also walked none in 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits. Neither got a decision as the bullpens decided the game, with the Astros winning 2-1.
The game will be broadcast at 5:40 p.m. CT on SCHN with radio coverage on KBME 790 AM.
This post will be updated with starting lineup as they are made available.
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So I only had access to one photo of Jorge barrosa and it just happens to be his impression of Chris Farley in the Schmitt’s Gay SNL commercial
Loperfido, Dezenzo, Cole, and Spence.
It’s pathetic that we don’t trust our talent. Straight up dumpster diving for turds.
Of the DFA/FA in season signees, Lamonte Wade Jr. was probably the best at meeting the Astros’ modest objectives. As I said at the time, LWJ was added to bring a better approach at the plate, in terms of walk rate and taking pitches.(His contact rate was also an improvement on most of the OFers.) I don’t think anyone was under the impression he would add a big bat. He has the Astros’ highest walk rate and he is right up there with Paredes in terms of pitches/PA.
I’m not sure why Velasquez was selected as a lefty-killer bat. Perhaps the coaches had seen him when we play the Cardinals in the spring. Maybe Omar Lopez or Joe Espada knew him from the Carribean League or WBC games. (At the time, an article mentioned that the Astros like him from his play for Puerto Rico.) I’m not excited about Velaquez but I understand why they signed him.
Why the Astros were interested in Barrosa is harder to figure out. My guess is that someone in Astros’ scouting must like him and think he has more to offer. At least, we can hope he can show more than we expect. The one thing that comes to mind is that he is fairly young (25) and can provide a defensive outfielder who is cheaper than Meyers in future years.
I think you hit the nail on the head here. Its not just about the right now, it’s a potential future move with Meyers likely getting non-tendered this up coming off season. We are now really left handed heavy-Cole,Loperfido, Spence, and Sullivan rounding out the most ML ready left handed options but we really only have Matthews as the OF platoon option. Velazquez gives you a “bat first option” and Barrosa gives you a glove first option.
I also kind of theorize that Rome’s front office source doesn’t like Meyers and now the DB is gone he has a bit more say in the construction so he took a shot to move on from Meyers ASAP. I do wonder if we would have ended up with Luis Roberts if Baltimore didn’t claim him.
Sorry meant to quote you on your sentence but I didn’t do it right.
I got you. fixed it.
Where am I? Other teams’ rejects are better than our prospects? Or cheaper? And we are building our future with this material?
What did I just read? Help me here, Baba!
So Barrosa made the starting lineup because we are facing perhaps the best LHP in the game this year. Velasquez did not–though he may be better than Barrosa vs. LHP. Most likely there is concern with Velasquez fielding LF in a park with a larger space than Daikin.