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

Trey Cabbage, an infielder who was on the active roster during the Mexico City series, was sent back down to Triple-A.
Monday, April 29, 2024
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Joey Loperfido tore through Triple-A pitchers to the tune of 13 home runs and 27 runs batted in for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

The highly-ranked prospect is now taking his talents to the majors after the Houston Astros announced on Monday that they're calling up the 24-year-old for the first time.
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News of the club recalling Loperfido trickled after Houston completed its two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City on Sunday.



The Astros (9-19) start a homestand on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Loperfido's dominance



Duke's Joey Loperfido (36) makes a throw during an NCAA college baseball game on Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

AP Photo/Ben McKeown



The Philadelphia native and Duke alumnus played in 25 games for Sugar Land, playing at first base, second, and centerfield.
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During that stretch, Loperfido posted an impressive stat line, including 29 hits and 1.106 on-base-percentage-plus-slugging (OPS) average.



Loperfido's first-base work is likely why Houston called up the former 2021 seventh-round draft pick. In 2024, manager Joe Espada's options at the position - Jose Abreu and Jon Singleton - combined for 17 hits in 113 at-bats. None of those hits were home runs, and only three were extra-base hits.

Regardless of where Espada will place him, the Astros hope Loperfido produces.

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