HOUSTON -- There is no doubt in Christian Roa’s mind. The greatest baseball game ever played was Game 5 of the 2017 World Series. That’s when Alex Bregman ended a 10-inning thriller with a walk-off single to beat the Dodgers, 13-12, and put the Astros within a game of winning their first championship, which they did a few days later.
Roa, who was 18 at the time, was in the stands at Daikin Park and lived and died with every pitch, just like the other 40,000-plus Astros fans who were in attendance. From a distance, he cheered on Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa -- two players with whom he will now share a clubhouse within a month when the Astros report to Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Roa, a second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Reds out of Texas A&M, is one of 10 non-roster players who have been invited to Spring Training to compete for a spot with the Astros.
“It was one of those things growing up in high school and in college watching those guys play and obviously have so much success and be great pillars of the community in Houston and have such a great impact on the city,” said Roa, a product of Houston’s Memorial High School. “I'm excited to meet those guys in Spring Training, get to know them a little bit and hopefully compete with them someday.”
The right-hander will provide some bullpen depth at Triple-A after coming off a solid season at Triple-A Jacksonville (Marlins) in which he posted a 2.98 ERA in 60 1/3 innings, with 64 strikeouts, 28 walks and 38 hits allowed.
Roa, 26, made his Major League debut on Sept. 6 and threw two scoreless innings against the Phillies. He threw one scoreless against the Tigers a week later, giving him three big league innings under his belt entering '26. Roa throws a four-seam fastball that can touch 97 mph, along with a sinker, slider and changeup.
“Last year, I had a great year with Miami,” Roa said. “I was able to lead the [International] League in appearances for most of the year and be a reliable arm out of the bullpen for them, and I was able to go up to the big leagues and throw well when I was given the opportunity.”
Here’s more on the Astros’ non-roster players who are new to the organization in 2026.
IF Jax Biggers: The left-handed-hitting utility man has played all over the diamond in his career, posting a .623 OPS in 79 combined games at three levels in the Rangers’ organization last year. Of his 585 career Minor League games, 145 have been at Triple-A.
RHP Sam Carlson: Carlson spent all of last year at Triple-A Oklahoma City of the Dodgers organization and posted a 4.22 ERA, striking out 78 hitters in 59 2/3 innings. He’s also spent time in the Brewers and Mariners organizations.
RHP Peter Lambert: A former second-round pick (2015), Lambert has 74 career games (35 starts) in his career with the Rockies. He pitched in 28 games in ’24 and had a 5.72 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. He spent last year pitching with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan.
RHP Anthony Maldonado: He has appeared in 22 Major League games in the past two seasons with the A’s and Marlins, posting a 7.20 ERA in 25 innings. He has a 3.53 ERA in 247 career Minor League innings.
C Carlos Pérez: The veteran backstop will provide depth at Triple-A. He has appeared in 278 career Major League games with the Angels, Braves, Rangers and A’s, but hasn’t been in the big leagues since 2023. He has a career .592 OPS.
OF Kellen Strahm: A former fifth-round pick of the Rangers (2019), Strahm can play all three outfield spots. Known for his strong contact skills, he appeared in 108 games at Triple-A Round Rock last year and slashed .242/.347/.344 with 32 steals.
IF Riley Unroe: A former second-round pick of the Rays (2013), Unroe has appeared in 1,063 career Minor Leagues games. He spent last season at Triple-A Toledo (Tigers) and slashed .278/.397/.409 with four homers and 12 steals.
RHP Amos Willingham: He made 19 Major League relief appearances in 2023-24 with the Nationals, posting a 7.11 ERA. He pitched at four Minor League levels with the Braves last year, finishing with a 5.17 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings.