Astros Player of the Day: Bligh Madris

Welcome to Gallery Sports’ Houston Astros Spring Training player spotlight: Astros Player of the Day. We will look at a different Astros player each day throughout the spring.

Today’s Astros Player of the Day is first baseman/outfielder Bligh Madris.

The Astros acquired the 26-year-old Madris on Jan. 3, 2023, from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Madris made his MLB debut on June 20, 2022, for the team that drafted him, the Pittsburgh Pirates. He recorded three hits in his debut, becoming the first Pirate rookie to do so since Jason Kendall in 1996.

Madris has experience playing all three outfield positions and first base, although most of his outfield experience comes in the corners. At the Triple-A level, Bligh has been a .284 hitter with a .358 OBP and .828 OPS over 719 plate appearances, lending credence that his numbers are legitimate and not skewed by a small sample size.

Madris didn’t get much playing time with the Pirates in 2022, batting .177 with 1 HR and 7 doubles in 113 AB over 39 games. After being designated for assignment by the Pirates on Sep. 13, he was claimed by the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept 16. The Rays DFA’d Madris on Nov. 15, and he was claimed by the Detroit Tigers on Nov. 18.

Madris will almost assuredly begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land and serve as organizational depth for the Astros. He would be a prime candidate to be called up in the event of an injury since he is already on the 40-man roster, has a major league contract, and can play all three outfield positions. He is also the only outfielder on the 40-man roster not expected to make the Opening Day roster.