Astros promote 24-year-old slugger Joey Loperfido amid homer-less woes at first base

In a standout performance for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Joey Loperfido demonstrated his prowess by hitting 13 home runs and driving in 27 runs against Triple-A pitchers.

Now, the 24-year-old prospect is making the leap to the majors, as the Houston Astros have announced his call-up for the first time.

News of Loperfido’s promotion surfaced following the conclusion of Houston’s two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City on Sunday.

As the Astros (9-19) prepare to begin a homestand against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, Loperfido’s arrival adds a new dimension to the team.

Throughout his stint with Sugar Land, the Philadelphia native and Duke University graduate showcased his versatility by playing at first base, second base, and center field. His impressive performance included 29 hits and an outstanding on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) average of 1.106 over 25 games.

Given his proficiency at first base, Loperfido’s call-up fills a potential gap in the Astros’ lineup. In 2024, the team’s options at the position struggled, with Jose Abreu and Jon Singleton combining for just 17 hits in 113 at-bats, none of which were home runs.

Manager Joe Espada will likely deploy Loperfido strategically, aiming for him to make a significant impact wherever he plays. The Astros are counting on Loperfido to deliver solid performances and bolster their roster.