Astros’ Pascanel Ferreras Proves He Is No Mr. Irrelevant
It’s fair to say that 22-year-old shortstop Pascanel Ferreras is not Mr. Irrelevant.
The Astros drafted the 5-foot-7 infielder from Western Carolina with the 614th and final pick in the 20th round of the 2023 draft.
Ferreras hit .339 in three seasons in the Southern Conference but managed just a .573 OPS in 29 games with Low-A Fayetteville last summer while making his pro debut.
But Ferraras came out swinging with High-A Asheville this season. He hit .309/.411/.457 with three home runs in 21 games to earn a rapid promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi.
Astros senior director of player development Jacob Buffa notes that Ferreras hasn’t changed much of his approach at the plate this season.
“I think (Ferreras is) just adjusting to the change in competition level after a short stint last year,” Buffa said. “He’s getting to pitches middle-away much better as a result.
“He is certainly improving his athleticism, though, which is exciting for his ability to play shortstop.”
Ferreras was flashing the power that helped him hit grand slams in three consecutive games last year at Western Carolina. To emphasize the point, he homered in his first Double-A game.
“He has a flat swing and good bat speed,” Buffa said, “and (he) limits chases out of the zone, which puts him in advantage counts.”
Ferreras was selected as the Astros’ low-level minor league player of the month for April after finishing the month ranking sixth in the South Atlantic League with a .911 OPS.
“Right now I think he just has to keep at his current performance,” Buffa said. “Good defense, limiting chase and (hitting) lots of line drives. If he continues that, he’ll be on pace to reach the next level.”
