30 Games, 30 Astros

#29: Marwin González

The next Astro on my 30 Games, 30 Astros list, in preparation for Opening Day, is Marwin Gonzalez. The OG Swiss Army Knife for the Astros. Ever since Marwin finished 19th in MVP voting (still funny to me) after his productive 2017 season, the Astros routinely try to recreate the Marwin magic. I mean this with all due respect, Aledmys Diaz and Nick Allen would not have Major League roster spots if not for Marwin Gonzalez. Both are super talented defensively, but can’t really hit. Respectfully, of course, they are the Temu version of Marwin. Respectfully. They aren’t all Temu boys though. The Astros struck gold with the acquisition of Mauricio Dubon (who you might see later on in this list). When you think of Astros utilitymen you think of Marwin first and then you think of Dubon.

Sadly, Marwin never returned to this 2017 form. Say what you want about that season, trash can or not, the dude straight up balled. He finished 2017 batting .303 with 23 bombs and a 146 OPS+. With Marwin, the thing that always amazed you, wasn’t the bat, it was his ability to play elite defense at so many different positions. Over his 7 year career with the Astros he played: 191 games at 1B, 110 games at 2B, 93 games at 3B, 291 games at SS, and 159 games in the OF. I am truly shocked we never saw him at catcher - just for fun. Not even because I think he would be good. Literally just to let him say he caught a game. Who knows? He could’ve been decent. If he can be good-serviceable at every position on the field, I think surely he could catch.

I hope Marwin is enjoying retirement. One day he’ll be able to tell his kids about throwing out Greg Bird at the plate in the 2017 ALCS, hitting a 9th-inning game tying home run in a hostile Dodger Stadium in the World Series, and setting an unrealistic expectation for any team that signs a “do-it-all” kind of guy.