L.J.

Hoes

Hoes, a third-round pick back in 2008, has a .283/.358/.375 batting line over parts of five seasons in the minors. The 22-year-old doesn’t have much pop in his bat, but can run a little bit and has solid plate discipline, as evidenced by his 226/331 K/BB ratio. He could sneak his way into some playing time down the stretch.

Hoes will report to Triple-A Norfolk when the regular season begins. The talented 23-year-old outfielder hit .320/.320/.400 this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Hoes, who was acquired from the Orioles last month in the Bud Norris trade, is batting .283/.327/.387 with seven extra-base hits (one home run), five RBI, seven stolen bases and 18 runs scored through his first 113 plate appearances in the majors. Astros manager Bo Porter appears content to use the 23-year-old as his primary No. 2 hitter and right fielder, so while he doesn’t offer much in the way of power, he should be a useful option in AL-only leagues the rest of the way.

Hoes is starting in right field and batting second for the Astros on Wednesday. A former third-round pick, Hoes hit .304/.406/.403 with three homers, seven steals and 40 RBI in 99 games this season at Triple-A Norfolk this season. He can play all three outfield spots. There should be ample playing time available in Houston to make Hoes worth picking up in AL-formats.

He’ll have to hold off numerous competitors, including top prospect George Springer, as well as J.D. Martinez, Marc Krauss, Jesus Guzman and Adron Chambers. Krauss and Guzman are also in the mix to start at first base. Hoes hit a decent .287/.337/.371 last year in 46 games for the Astros and offers some speed, but he really shouldn’t be more than a fourth outfielder over the long haul for the ‘Stros.

Not the best start to the spring for Hoes. The 25-year-old saw just 15 major league at-bats in 2015 and none in 2016. He does not currently have a contract with a major league team. The suspension will not kick in until he signs with a club.

Hoes has been one of the best hitters in Triple-A, batting .327 with 47 RBI in 70 games for Fresno. This will be his second stint with Houston this year after playing two games with the Astros in late April.

Hoes was off to a sizzling .418/.458/.618 start at Fresno. He’ll back up at all three outfield positions for the Astros.

Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reported previously that the Orioles are interested in not only Hoes but also Alex Presley. Hoes, who came up in the Baltimore organization, has spent almost all of the season at Triple-A, hitting .335/.417/.466 with three homers and 11 steals.

Hoes hit the solo shot against Fernando Abad. He is slashing just .178/.235/.308 on the season, but it’s always nice to see random heroics as we enter the dog days of summer.