Houston Astros' McCormick, Díaz Improving in Brantley's Absense

Michael Brantley's injury has opened two paths for the Houston Astros. His injured list placement has offered more starts in left field to Aledmys Díaz and Chas McCormick, but it also hints at a need of another bat at the trade deadline with Yordan Álvarez's lingering hand soreness. 

Through 16 games in July, McCormick is slashing .292/.424/.500 with an improved walk rate. The righty has reached 11 times via a free pass to his 11 strikeouts — his best strikeout-to-walk ratio of any month this season.

Given the early struggles of Jake Meyers, it would behoove the Astros to not option McCormick or package him in a trade if the team doesn't add an experienced center fielder. 

Díaz is also quietly providing fire power in July with a .302/.383/.585 slash line. The righty has slugged three home runs and six doubles through 53 at-bats while also walking seven times to his 12 strikeouts.

Both McCormick and Díaz are showing glimpses of everyday players in response to Brantley's absense with improved plate discipline. Down the stretch and into October, these two offer the most assurance off the bench based on recent success. 

Yordan Álvarez took Sunday off due to right hand soreness which placed him on injured list prior to the All-Star break. More off days will slip into Álvarez's schedule over the next month while the Astros are in position to add an offensive weapon at the trade deadline or continue to offer starts to McCormick and Díaz.

The lefty has been the best in baseball in terms of OPS (1.075), slugging percentage (.668) and hard hit percentage (62.1%), but as the Astros scored eight runs without him, an extra hard-hitting bat could still push them over come October.

First baseman Josh Bell has been linked to Houston already as the club could add a switch-hitting power bat who sits 14th in OPS in Major League Baseball. A darkhorse outfielder, Michael Conforto, also attempts a comeback after going unsigned this offseason due to injury concerns.

There are numerous levels to the Astros' plans, but in the shadow of Brantley's injury, Houston's bench has responded effectively.

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