The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros outfielder Trevor Crowe is working very hard this spring to clinch an Opening Day roster spot. Does the non-roster invitee have what it takes to secure a job on the 25-man roster?
Crowe is batting .304 with five RBIs, two doubles, two triples and three stolen bases in 23-at bats in Spring Training. He also has a perfect fielding percentage in 55 innings in the outfield so far this spring.
The 29-year old has spent three years in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians, with his most recent stint coming in 2011. The Astros are probably one of his last chances to appear in the big leagues, so he must continue to play with a now or never mentality.
Crowe understood that he was a long shot to break camp with the team, but his strong showing in Spring Training has given Houston reason to consider him for a starting outfield job or a reserve role. The fact that he is able to play all three outfield positions with ease certainly helps his cause. However, that does not guarantee he will be in the majors once Opening Day rolls around.
“That’s all just part of the process of going through Spring Training and getting ready for the regular season,” Crowe told Astros.com. “The only thing you can really do is focus on the things you have to do to be able to succeed every day. Baseball is a funny game, and it all has a way of working itself out over time.”
The fact that Crowe is not even on the official depth chart does not bode well for him. It also does not help that several outfielders have had more success than he has at the plate in camp.
I believe Crowe still has a legitimate shot at making the roster, but it is more likely that he will start the 2013 season in Triple-A. I still think that he will get another chance in the majors at some point this season, but it will be later in the year when he gets that opportunity.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
