Meyers seeks to prove worthy of starting job
This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jake Meyers was one of the first position players to report to Astros camp this year, arriving about a week before the position players’ report date. The fact that he was anointed the team’s starting center fielder a month earlier did nothing to change Meyers’ mindset entering 2024.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said. “I feel like I’ve put in the work, not even over the season but in the course of my career, for this. I’m just excited they are giving me the opportunity and I’m ready to go.”
The decision to name Meyers as the starter stemmed from the Astros directing their offseason focus on finding a backup catcher and relief pitching instead of adding an outfielder. Plus, Meyers is a terrific defensive outfielder, possessing great range and a strong arm. Houston’s hope is his erratic bat can come around with consistent playing time.
With Meyers in center and Kyle Tucker in right, Chas McCormick will start in left field. He’ll also play center when designated hitter Yordan Alvarez starts in left. McCormick said the commitment the club made to Meyers and himself was appreciated.
“They should believe in [us],” McCormick said.
Astros general manager Dana Brown announced at the Winter Meetings that Meyers was going to get a chance to show what he can do in center field. The Astros have star players at nearly every spot on the field, with Tucker, Alvarez, Alex Bregman at third, Jose Altuve at second, José Abreu at first and 2022 World Series MVP Jeremy Peña at shortstop. Catcher Yainer Diaz was fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting last year and could be a breakout star in ’24.
