Chas McCormick

McCormick was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Robert and Nancy Jo McCormick.{{Cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=676801|title=Chas McCormick Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|website=MiLB.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://millersvilleathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/chas-mccormick/6029|title=Chas McCormick – Baseball|website=Millersvilleathletics.com}} At Henderson High School, he was four-time All-Ches-Mont League, and became the first player in school history to score 1,000 career points in basketball and record 100 career hits in baseball.

McCormick attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where he played college baseball for the Millersville Marauders in NCAA Division II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/prospects/astros/chas-mccormick-676801|title=Astros Top Prospects|website=MLB.com}} McCormick set Millersville career records in hits, runs, runs batted in (RBIs), and triples. He became the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's all-time hits leader, was named an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East player four times, was named the PSAC East Athlete of the Year, and was named an All-American.{{Cite web|url=https://millersvilleathletics.com/news/2017/6/14/baseball-chas-mccormick.aspx|title=Houston Astros select Millersville's Chas McCormick in 21st round of MLB Draft|website=Millersvilleathletics.com}}

The Houston Astros selected McCormick in the 21st round of the draft in 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=210012 |title=Chas McCormick player card |website=The Baseball Cube |access-date=September 4, 2022}} He signed with a bonus of $1,000. In 2019, he was named an MiLB.com Houston Organization All Star. Through 2019, his minor league performance in 1,126 plate appearances had him batting .276/.360/.400 with 20 home runs and 41 steals (in 53 attempts).{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2020-09-29 |title=Astros Designate Joe Biagini, Select Chas McCormick |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/astros-designate-joe-biagini-select-chas-mccormick.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

McCormick made the Astros' wild card playoff roster in 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/astros-chas-mccormick-included-on-wild-card-roster/ |title=Astros' Chas McCormick: included on Wild-Card roster |website=CBSSports.com |date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020}} However, he did not make an appearance in the playoffs and was left off the playoff roster after a sweep of the Minnesota Twins.{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Chas-McCormick-s-Astros-story-so-close-and-15980250.php |title=Chas McCormick's Astros story: so close ... and now close again |work=Houston Chronicle |date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}

On April 1, 2021, McCormick made his MLB debut against the Oakland Athletics{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccorch01.shtml |title=Chas McCormick stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 23, 2021}} as a defensive replacement for Michael Brantley.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-athletics/2021/04/01/634640#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=634640 |title=Gameday: Astros 8, Athletics 1 |work=MLB.com |date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=October 23, 2021}} He hit his first home run on April 4 against Yusmeiro Petit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK202104040.shtml|title=Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 4, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 9, 2021}} In 2021, he batted .257/.319/.447 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs in 284 at bats.

McCormick made the Astros' 2022 Opening Day roster.{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |title=Astros announce Opening Day roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-2022-opening-day-roster |date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On May 6, he hit a two-run home run in the second inning versus the Detroit Tigers, the go-ahead run in a 3–2 Astros win.{{cite news |title=McCormick, Maldonado homers propel Astros past Tigers 3–2 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401354629 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=May 6, 2022}} His double leading off the seventh inning on May 29 ended a perfect game bid by Texas Rangers' starter Martín Pérez. McCormick then scored the Astros' first run on a Yordan Alvarez single as the Astros won, 3–2.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401354529 |title=Tucker's pinch HR lifts Astros over Texas in starters' duel |work=ESPN.com |date=April 28, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |agency=Associated Press}} McCormick collected three hits versus the A's on May 31 to end a 2-for-23 slump, capped by a tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning versus Frankie Montas that resulted in a 3–1 Astros win. McCormick also hit an RBI single in the fifth inning.{{cite news |title=McCormick late HR, Astros bullpen crisp in 3–1 win over A's |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401354629 |work=ESPN.com |date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=August 27, 2022}}

On June 26, McCormick was optioned to the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401355323 |title=Yankees' Judge walks off Astros for 2nd time in 4 days |magazine=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022}} but was recalled two days later to replace an injured Michael Brantley.{{Cite web |last=Rome |first=Chandler |date=June 28, 2022 |title=Chas McCormick gets another chance to show Astros he belongs |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Chas-McCormick-gets-another-chance-to-show-Astros-17272643.php |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}} McCormick drove in five runs versus the Chicago White Sox on August 18, hitting a home run in a 21–5 win, tied for second-highest scoring output in team history.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401355986 |title=Bregman 2 HRs, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, Astros trample Chisox 21–5 |work=ESPN.com |date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2022 |agency=Associated Press}} On September 9, he hit a home run and drove in three runs versus the Los Angeles Angels to lead the Astros to a 4–3 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401356267 |title=Peña, McCormick homer to lead Astros over Angels 4–3 |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=September 9, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2022}}

In the 2022 regular season, he batted .245/.332/.407 in 359 at bats, with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccorch01.shtml|title=Chas McCormick Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He played 64 games in left field, 60 in center field, and 17 in right field.

In Game 1 of the 2022 American League Championship Series (ALCS) versus the New York Yankees, McCormick hit a home run off Clarke Schmidt for the first of his career in the postseason.{{cite news |last=Lerrner |first=Danielle |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-Yankees-ALCS-Chas-McCormick-17521223.php |title=Chas McCormick answers the call in center in ALCS opener |work=Houston Chronicle |date=October 20, 2022 |access-date=October 20, 2022}} McCormick would also hit a go-ahead 2-run home run off of Gerrit Cole in Game 3 of the ALCS en route to an Astros sweep.

In the ninth inning of Game 5 of the World Series, McCormick's catch of a J. T. Realmuto fly ball at the wall at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia helped preserve a 3–2 lead for an eventual Astros win. After colliding with the fence,{{cite news |last=Lerner |first=Danielle |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Chas-McCormick-Astros-World-Series-17557679.php |title=Chas McCormick's leaping catch has World Series within reach for Astros |work=Houston Chronicle |date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022}} his landing left a starfish-shaped imprint on the warning track dirt on which the outline of his jersey number 20 was visible. The Astros defeated the Phillies the following game for their fourth win in the best-of-seven to give McCormick his first career World Series title.{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/No-doubt-about-it-Astros-topple-Phillies-to-win-17561906.php#photo-23131272 |title=Undisputed: 'It proves we're the best team in baseball ... They have nothing to say now.' |work=Houston Chronicle |date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 6, 2022}}

McCormick made the Astros’ 2023 Opening Day roster.{{cite web | last=McTaggart | first=Brian | title=Astros 2023 Opening Day roster | website=MLB.com | date=2023-03-30 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-2023-opening-day-roster | access-date=2024-10-26}} On April 18, 2023, McCormick was placed on the 10-day injured list for lower back tightness.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/astros/roster/transactions/2023/04 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On April 29, 2023, McCormick was sent on a rehab assignment with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. On May 8, 2023, McCormick was activated by the Astros from the 10-day injured list.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/astros/roster/transactions/2023/05 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

McCormick put together the best month of his career in July, slashing .351/.440/.688 with six home runs and 23 RBIs while posting a 1.128 OPS in 22 games.{{cite web |title=Chas McCormick Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/chas-mccormick-676801?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=baseballsavant.mlb.com |language=en}} Following a weekend series after the All-Star break, July 14–16, 2023, McCormick was named American League (AL) Player of the Week for the first time. He went 7-for-11, batting .636, hitting an OPS of 2.188, three home runs, drove in five runs, scored seven times and drew three walks.{{cite news |last=Schaeffer |first=Steve |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/chas-mccormick-astros-player-of-the-week-18205258.php |title=Astros' Chas McCormick rewarded for huge weekend vs. Angels with AL Player of the Week honor |work=Houston Chronicle |date=July 17, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023}} On July 24, McCormick homered, doubled, and drove in a career-best six RBI to lead the Astros to a 10–9 win over the Rangers.{{cite news |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/houston-astros-texas-rangers-takeaways-18257304.php |title=Astros 10, Rangers 9: Yainer Diaz's walk-off hit, Chas McCormick's 6 RBIs lift Houston to wild win |work=Houston Chronicle |date=July 24, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023}}

He followed up his career month with his second multi-homer game of the season on August 2 against the Cleveland Guardians, driving in all three Astros runs in a tight 3–2 victory.{{cite web |title=How two fixes have turned McCormick's career around |last=Han |first=Nathan |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chas-mccormick-hits-two-home-runs-in-astros-win-over-guardians |website=MLB.com |date=August 2, 2023 |access-date=August 3, 2023}}

For the 2023 regular season, McCormick played in 115 games and batted careers-highs of .273/.353/.489/.842. Other career-highs established were 457 plate appearances, 110 hits, 59 runs scored, 17 doubles, 22 home runs, 70 RBI, 19 stolen bases and 197 total bases. He ranked sixth in the AL in both win probability added (WPA, 3.4) and championship WPA (2.4), and tenth in base out runs added (25.97, RE/24). On defense he ranked fifth in the AL with 14 total zone runs. He played 59 games in left field, 55 in center field, and 24 in right field.

The Astros placed McCormick on the 10-day injured list on May 1, 2024, due to a right hamstring injury,{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40066046/astros-put-chas-mccormick-injured-list-hamstring-injury |title=Astros put Chas McCormick on injured list with hamstring injury |work=ESPN.com |author=Field Level Media |date=May 1, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}} and reinstated him on May 22.{{cite newspaper |last=Vann |first=Leah |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/astros-outfield-chas-mccormick-19471060.php |title=Astros' Chas McCormick returns, but spot not guaranteed |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}} On August 28, the Astros optioned McCormick to Sugar Land,{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Steve |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/astros-option-chas-mccormick.html |title=Astros option Chas McCormick |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}} and recalled him on September 2.{{cite news |last=Klein |first=Randy |url=https://www.khou.com/article/sports/mlb/astros/chas-mccormick-jake-meyers-astros-paternity-list/285-758e1677-a3d8-417e-b0de-6e15604ea649 |title=Astros recall Chas McCormick from Triple-A Sugar Land |work=KHOU-11 Houston |date=September 2, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}} After sustaining a fracture in his right hand running out a fly ball versus the Oakland Athletics, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on September 12.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41233410/astros-chas-mccormick-fractured-hand-goes-10-day-il |title=Astros' Chas McCormick has fractured hand, goes on 10-day IL |work=ESPN.com |author=Field Level Media |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}} McCormick appeared in 94 games in 2024, batting a career-low .211/.271/.306 with 5 home runs, 27 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.

On January 9, 2025, the Astros signed McCormick to a $3.4 million contract for the season, avoiding arbitration.{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-avoid-arbitration-all-eligible-players-2025 |title=Astros avoid arbitration with Valdez, all 7 other eligible players |work=MLB.com |date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025}}

As a right-handed batter and left-handed thrower, McCormick was one of two position players with this characteristic to play in the major leagues in 2023. Teammate Jake Meyers was the other. From 2000 to 2022, twenty-nine different seasons with at least 100 games were logged by position players in the major leagues with this combination of batting and throwing handedness, and McCormick logged two.{{cite news |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/houston-astros-chas-mccormick-jake-meyers-18255097.php |title=Righty at the plate, lefty in the field: Astros' Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and the Rickey Henderson Anomaly |work=Houston Chronicle |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023}}

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