Astros to promote George Springer to majors

The Houston Astros will promote top prospect George Springer to the major leagues on Wednesday, as first reported by Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston. To make room, the team optioned Robbie Grossman to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated right-hander Lucas Harrell for assignment, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.

Springer, a 24-year old outfielder, was recently ranked by Baseball America as the second-best prospect in the Astros' organization and the 18th best prospect in all of baseball after hitting .303 with 37 HR and 108 RBI in 135 games split between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City last season. He also stole 45 bases while committing only one error, showing that he is a five-tool player who is ready to make an impact on a major league roster.

The Astros decided against promoting Springer at the beginning of the season in order to delay his service clock, and will now have him under team control through the 2020 season. He has played center field throughout his career, but the Astros' recent addition of Dexter Fowler may force Springer to play right field for his first few major league seasons.

Springer, who was selected by the Astros with the eleventh overall pick in the 2011 draft, is a lifetime .300 hitter with 64 HR, 203 RBI and 85 stolen bases in 283 games over three-plus minor league seasons. He is the first of many blue-chip prospects to make their debuts with the Astros, and will likely be followed by players like Carlos Correa, Mark Appel, Mike Foltynewicz, Lance McCullers and Jonathan Singleton.