KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Astros made their first roster cuts of the spring on Friday, reassigning infielders Alex Bregman and J.D. Davis and outfielders Derek Fisher and Jon Kemmer to Minor League camp. The team has 58 players in camp.
"Our Minor League games are going to start in a few days, and these are four prospects we believe are going to help our team -- maybe this year, maybe next year, but certainly in the near future," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "They benefited greatly from being in camp as long as they were. It's nice to have depth in the organization. That's what a day like today reminds us of. These guys aren't ready to be in the big leagues right now, but they're all future guys that could help us quite a bit."
Bregman, the No. 2 pick in last year's Draft, Houston's No. 1 prospect and No. 22 overall as ranked by MLBPipeline.com, appeared in six games at shortstop for the Astros in Grapefruit League play and was 1-for-10 at the plate. Like the rest of the players who left Major League camp on Friday, Bregman wasn't vying for a spot on the big league team, but was instead in camp to get experience and so the big league staff could see him up close.
Luhnow said Bregman would likely start the season with Double-A Corpus Christi and could get his feet wet in Triple-A Frenso by the end of 2016.
"He did a nice job both offensively and defensively," Luhnow said. "He's moving very swiftly through the system and he's a guy that will be here in short order."
Davis, a third baseman ranked No. 12 in Houston's system, was a third-round pick in 2014 who belted 26 homers and drove in 101 runs last year for Class A Lancaster. He went 2-for-5 this spring and said the expectations in Major League camp were high.
"They know you're going to make mistakes, but they expect you to know everything and be ready to play," Davis said. "I loved it up here and I was just happy for the opportunity."
Fisher, a left-handed-hitting outfielder who is ranked No. 9, split last season between Lancaster and Class A Quad Cities, hitting .275 with 22 homers, 87 RBIs and 31 steals. He homered for his only hit in seven at-bats this spring.
"He has a unique speed/power combination that's really going to play well," Luhnow said. "He just needs more time in the Minor Leagues. Just being around the staff and players benefits these young kids tremendously."
Kemmer, a left-handed-hitting outfielder who is ranked No. 21, won the Texas League batting title last year with Double-A Corpus Christi, hitting .327 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs. He singled Thursday night against the Nationals for his only hit in 11 at-bats this spring.
"I learned this game is quick," Kemmer said. "It's a lot faster at every level you go to, and the quicker you find to slow it down, the better off you're going to be. It was nice getting the experience and just seeing what this level is all about and seeing how the big league guys handle themselves. It was a good experience watching them and playing with them and learning from them at the same time."