A New England kid was the talk of the town in Houston.
University of Connecticut product George Springer, rated as the Astros’ No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, made his major league debut Wednesday night in an 11-inning loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Springer, playing right field and batting in the No. 2 slot, went 1-for-5 with a walk in the game, legging out an infield single in the third inning for his first career hit.
“I didn’t necessarily hit it hard, and now I can go play from there and develop and have fun,” Springer said, via MLB.com.
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The New Britain, Conn., native spent three years in Storrs before turning pro in 2011, batting .346 and averaging 15 home runs, 65 RBIs and 25 stolen bases per season. He quickly rose through the minors, reaching Double-A by the end of 2012 — his first full season — and spending the second half of last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With his latest promotion, Springer joins Chicago Cubs third baseman Mike Olt as the second ex-Husky currently in the major leagues. UConn also has several alumni in the minors, including highly touted Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Matt Barnes (currently with Triple-A Pawtucket).
