Houston Astros: Why the bench needs to be utilized more

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jake Marisnick

Current Stat Line: .250/.337/.513/.850

Advanced Stats: 131 wRC+, .325 BABIP, 1.0 WAR

Much like Gonzalez, Marisnick is a wizard with the glove. Having an eye popping 58 DRS (defensive runs saved) across his 4 previous seasons, he is an important guy to have out on the field. Most assuredly, as a late inning substitution.

Also like Marwin, his bat has needed some upkeep over the years. Marisnick has never hit for a .250 average with either his first major league team, the Miami Marlins, or with the Astros since he came over in a trade in 2014.

That is, until now!

More from House of Houston

Granted, Jake does have the fewest plate appearances and at-bats of any player on the roster. Most of his games have actually come by way of late innings. As a player, this can be a little bit frustrating.

But with numbers like that ones he has above so far in 2017, perhaps he is taking out his frustration on the pitches he sees. To be honest, he is seeing them very well!

His slugging and power numbers have been incredibly juicy, averaging a home run every 13 AB’s with an ISO of .265. That’s elite levels so far in 2017! Not to mention, he’s also still finding ways to get on base and score runs.

If he can do this kind of damage in just 86 PA’s and 76 AB’s, just think of what will happen after at least 300 of each for the season. Somehow someway, it needs to happen for Jake the Snake!