HOUSTON — Looking back on the end of the 2022 season, David Hensley can sometimes hardly believe it. Called up from Triple-A in August, he swung the bat well in limited action with the Astros, made the postseason roster and got a pair of hits in the World Series.
A championship parade and a ring-sizing followed before Hensley turned his attention to 2023. He moved to Houston and began working out four or five times a week, while getting baseball drills in at Minute Maid Park with Astros bench coach Joe Espada, assistant hitting coach Jason Kanzler and Minor League hitting coach Aaron Westlake.
The goal for the 6-foot-6 Hensley is to make his first Opening Day roster in 2023, but the memories of the Astros’ 2022 run to the World Series title are still vivid in his mind.
“It was surreal for me,” he said. “It was like a dream. I didn’t even take the time to comprehend what was going on because it went so fast. Playing every day and traveling and ultimately ended up World Series champs. … That’s the dream every kid growing up wishes for. It happened for me. I’m so blessed and just grateful.”
Hensley, 26, was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land — where he posted an .898 OPS in 104 games — on Aug. 20 and slashed .345/.441/.586 in 29 at-bats for the Astros while playing second base, third base, shortstop and left field. He started at designated hitter in Games 3 and 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia and had a single in each game.
Hensley’s excellent strike zone discipline helped get him to the big leagues, along with his ability to play all four infield spots and left field.
“I’ve been doing the utility thing for a long time with these guys and got an opportunity to play last year and did well,” he said. “I hope I can keep it rolling [and] ultimately try to fill that role [this] year.”
The Astros didn’t bring back veteran utility man Aledmys Díaz, who signed with Oakland, and have all but closed the door on longtime first baseman Yuli Gurriel returning as a utility option off the bench. Gurriel’s starting spot at first base was taken by José Abreu, who signed a three-year deal in December.
With the starting nine position players and designated hitter seemingly set heading into camp, the Astros will have to decide who will be the backup catcher between prospects Yanier Díaz and Korey Lee, the fourth outfielder (likely Jake Meyers) and then two remaining roster spots for a fifth infielder/utility player. If Mauricio…
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