Photo: All-Pro Reels via Flickr — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Biggio name is back in Houston.
The Astros signed Cavan Biggio to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on Sunday, bringing the son of franchise legend Craig Biggio back to the organization where his father spent all 20 years of his Hall of Fame career.
Biggio, who turns 31 in April, reported to the Astros’ spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday for a physical and worked out with the club Monday as he competes for a bench spot on the roster.
A Full-Circle Moment
The signing represents a homecoming of sorts for the younger Biggio, who once served as a batboy alongside his brother Conor when their father recorded his 3,000th career hit in 2007 while wearing an Astros uniform.
Craig Biggio, 60, remains the Astros’ all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, runs, total bases, doubles, and extra-base hits. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 as the first player enshrined wearing a Houston cap. His No. 7 is retired by the franchise.
“Love the bat,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Cavan. “Lefty bat, can play multiple positions. Professional approach from the left side, gets on base. I’m looking forward to having him here and giving him opportunities to make the club.”
The Versatile Utility Man
Biggio’s primary asset is his defensive versatility. In his seven-year major league career, he has appeared at every position except pitcher and catcher, including 219 starts at second base and 104 combined starts across all three outfield positions.
The left-handed hitter also brings a valuable skill that’s difficult to find in bench players: the ability to draw walks. Biggio owns a career 13.5% walk rate that has never fallen below 10% in any season, providing a steady on-base floor even when his batting average dips.
A Career Searching for Consistency
A fifth-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, Biggio showed promise early. He made his MLB debut in 2019 and turned heads in his first two seasons, slashing .240/.368/.430 with a 118 wRC+ and 4.0 fWAR across 159 games between 2019 and 2020.
His rookie season in 2019 remains his most productive, recording 16 home runs and 48 RBIs over 100 games. At that point, he looked like a long-term piece of Toronto’s young core alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
However, while Guerrero and Bichette developed into stars, Biggio’s career has since stalled. He’s hit .223 over 561 career games with the Blue Jays (2019–24), Los Angeles Dodgers (2024), Atlanta Braves (2024), and Kansas City Royals (2025), with 52 home runs and 190 RBIs.
Recent Struggles
Last season with the Royals was particularly difficult. Biggio appeared in just 37 games with 83 plate appearances, hitting .174/.296/.246 with one home run in 69 at-bats. He saw time at first base, second base, third base, two outfield spots, and designated hitter before being released in July 2025.
Despite hitting well below the Mendoza Line, Biggio still managed a .296 OBP thanks to his discipline at the plate — a testament to his ability to draw walks even during offensive struggles.
Fitting the Astros’ Needs
The Astros haven’t made their desire for left-handed bats a secret this offseason. Their recent trade of Jesús Sánchez to the Blue Jays (ironically in exchange for Joey Loperfido) removed one of their few experienced left-handed options, making Biggio’s bat an intriguing fit.
Still, his odds of making the roster are uncertain. As a non-roster invitee, he’ll need a strong showing in Grapefruit League action — and possibly some injuries elsewhere — to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.
The Family Connection
The Astros noted that the Cruz family could soon have company with Biggio’s arrival, referencing the presence of José Altuve’s family and other familiar Astros connections within the organization.
For lifelong fans who still have Craig Biggio jerseys collecting dust in their closets, Cavan’s presence offers a reason to dust them off — though Cavan wore No. 8 during his time in Toronto, while Craig’s retired No. 7 hangs in the rafters at Daikin Park.
Pressure and Potential
Following in the footsteps of a Hall of Fame father is never easy, especially with the same franchise where that father became a legend. But the familiarity of Houston could provide the spark Biggio needs to rediscover his early-career form.
All eyes will be on him as spring training unfolds. Can he earn a spot and help the Astros push back toward October? Or will the weight of the family name prove too heavy?
The Astros open Grapefruit League play February 21 against the Washington Nationals, with Opening Day scheduled for March 26 against the Angels at Daikin Park.