WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sort through some semantics, and Chas McCormick is technically a major leaguer. The Astros added him to their active roster for two Wild Card games against the Minnesota Twins last October. McCormick stood along the third-base line during the pregame introduction, soaking in the pageantry of playoff baseball. He marveled at his first dugout view of a major league game, with matchups dictating the day and drama hanging on each pitch.
Team officials told McCormick to be “ready to run,” either as a pinch runner or late-game defensive replacement. The call never came. Houston’s two-game sweep of the Twins did not require McCormick’s services. He was left off the rosters in the five-game American League Division Series and seven-game AL Championship Series in favor of more pitching.
McCormick still made the road trips to Los Angeles and San Diego as part of the taxi squad, but his brief big league life ended without a statistic or inning played. If he never plays another inning of professional baseball, McCormick can always call himself a major leaguer, but there’s an obvious desire for something more meaningful.
“It is weird. I definitely have some unfinished business,” McCormick said Thursday. “This year, obviously, I’m ready to make my debut. I would be upset if I didn’t end up making my debut this year. I had a good offseason and good training. I was obviously really motivated getting called up last year and not making my debut. I went into the offseason with a good mind.
“I do feel like I have a legitimate chance to make the roster. I just have to keep playing how I play. I can’t change my mindset or can’t change what I do. I just have to listen and keep playing as hard as I possibly can and any way I can find to contribute to this team.”
Three weeks after the Astros’ Game 7 ALCS loss to Tampa Bay, McCormick left the country. He joined Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League and noticed something familiar. Managers treated the games much like major league teams treat regular-season competition. McCormick was there for extra work. Other players had far greater emphasis on the outcome.
“It was like every game was super close — 3-2 or 2-1. Coaches played matchups every single inning with pitchers or hitters,” McCormick said. “It was kind of more of a big league winning atmosphere.
“Some of those guys in the DR, winning those games each day was like their thing. It was huge. It was kind of fun to compete and have a winning atmosphere every day.”
Before a grade two quad strain forced him to leave the team, McCormick took 30 plate appearances and posted a .718 OPS. His teammates included Rays infielder Nate Lowe and Angels infielder Luis Rengifo. Touted Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrived midseason, but McCormick’s injury prevented the two from meeting.
McCormick picked the brains of the big leaguers with whom he did share the dugout. Their experiences made him long for more than his minute as a major leaguer.
This spring offers McCormick a pristine chance. The Astros are in dire need of outfield depth. George Springer’s departure created a gaping hole in center field. Josh Reddick is gone, too, taking with him the ability to play above-average defense at both corners and provide a professional plate appearance.
“Let’s face it: George left a big hole in our outfield and in our offense,” manager Dusty Baker said this week. “We’re going to miss him. But life goes on, and that gives someone else an opportunity to hopefully fill that spot or a combination of guys to fill that spot. That’s a big spot George left. I’ve heard good reports (about guys), but reports go as far as my eyes go, so we’ll see.”
McCormick’s game is defined by his speed and defense. Myles Straw is the fastest man in the organization, but McCormick can compare favorably. McCormick acknowledged Thursday he’s most comfortable in either corner outfield spot but will continue to work in center field throughout camp to get comfortable.
In an organization without much outfield depth at the upper minor leagues, McCormick made an impression with an offensive overhaul. A former 21st-round pick who signed for $1,000 in 2017, McCormick raised his minor league OPS by more than 100 points from .711 in 2018 to .818 during 2019.
McCormick worked 67 walks and struck out just 62 times during the 2019 minor league season, displaying the sort of advanced plate discipline and contact rate required for a man with his speed.
“What keeps you in this league and what keeps you in the big leagues is obviously the offensive part,” McCormick said. “I was constantly working on my swing (this winter).”
A conversation with hitting coach Troy Snitker in October left McCormick more aware of his role as an offensive player within the Astros lineup. Snitker urged him to make each plate appearance one of quality. Aggression is fine, but knowing your place in the lineup matters, too.
“Basically just trying to get the pitcher to throw as many pitches (as possible),” McCormick said. “I’m not saying be passive up there and just look at pitches, but it’s more of asking yourself how much you can work up there in an at-bat: tire out the pitcher, tire out a defense, and even if you don’t get on base or don’t do what you want to do, it may help one of our All-Star hitters the next at-bat.”
Because he is already on the 40-man roster, McCormick has an inherent advantage over two non-roster invitees — Steven Souza Jr. and Jose Siri — for a spot on the club. Siri is a true center fielder, and Souza has 482 games of major league experience. McCormick, meanwhile, has the eyes of the organization.
“He’s on our radar and my radar,” Baker said. “He looked good. ... He’s elevated himself. Depends on how he plays, but he has a good chance of making this club. But it depends on him.”
chandler.rome@chron.com
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