The Houston Astros continued trimming their spring training roster this week, and while the latest moves were expected, they still carried some significance.
On Tuesday, Houston announced that catching prospect Walker Janek and outfield prospect Lucas Spence were reassigned to minor league camp as the organization continues shaping its Opening Day roster.
Neither player was realistically expected to make the major league roster this spring, but both gained valuable experience during big league camp.
Walker Janek impresses during spring training
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Among the two prospects, Walker Janek made the strongest impression.
The Astros’ No. 5-ranked prospect showcased his offensive potential in limited opportunities, putting together an eye-catching stat line during spring games.
Across 11 at-bats, Janek produced:
- .455 batting average
- .571 on-base percentage
- .909 slugging percentage
He also recorded two doubles, one home run, four walks, and four stolen bases, demonstrating a well-rounded offensive skill set.
The 2024 first-round draft pick has spent the past two seasons with High-A Asheville, where he began to develop the power-speed combination that was on display this spring.
Last year, Janek hit 12 home runs while stealing 30 bases, showing a level of baserunning aggressiveness that wasn’t as prominent earlier in his career.
Even during his college days at Sam Houston State, Janek flashed some speed — stealing 13 bases in his final season before entering the MLB Draft.
One of his most impressive spring performances came in his third appearance, when he went 1-for-1 with two walks, three stolen bases, and three runs scored. Just a few games later, he added a two-run home run.
While his reassignment was inevitable, Janek’s spring performance turned heads within the organization.
Lucas Spence continuing his development
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Outfielder Lucas Spence, the Astros’ No. 12-ranked prospect, also received valuable exposure in major league camp.
Spence appeared in nine spring games, recording 19 at-bats. He finished with a .176/.222/.235 slash line, numbers that didn’t match Janek’s breakout performance but still provided useful experience against major league pitching.
The 23-year-old had a productive 2025 season across three minor league levels, finishing with:
- .244 batting average
- 10 home runs
- 27 stolen bases
He also reached Double-A for the final 30 games of the season, marking a significant milestone in his development.
One of the biggest areas Spence will need to improve is strikeout rate. Last year, he struck out 122 times in 116 games, highlighting a challenge that many young hitters face while adjusting to higher levels of pitching.
Undrafted path to the Astros system
Spence’s journey to professional baseball has been unique.
The Astros signed him as an undrafted free agent after a standout 2024 season at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, where he captured the Ohio Valley Conference batting title.
His rapid climb through the minors during his first full professional season demonstrates the potential Houston sees in his skill set.
Looking ahead to the minor league season
With their spring training appearances now complete, both Janek and Spence will shift their focus to the minor league season.
For Janek, continued offensive growth and defensive development behind the plate could put him on track for a future major league opportunity.
Spence, meanwhile, will aim to refine his approach at the plate and reduce strikeouts as he continues progressing through the Astros’ system.
Neither prospect is expected to reach the majors immediately, but both remain intriguing pieces of Houston’s long-term plans.
And if their development continues on the current trajectory, Astros fans may not have to wait too long before seeing them make their big league debuts.
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