Amid call-up reports, Springer hits slam

If this was his last game before a big league callup, George Springer left the Pacific Coast League something to remember him by. As if PCL pitchers could forget him.

Amid reports he was headed to Houston, the Astros' third-ranked prospect slugged a grand slam and scored four times on Tuesday night to power Triple-A Oklahoma City to an 11-9 victory at Colorado Springs.

Springer collected three hits, then walked and scored in the top of the ninth inning before leaving for a defensive replacement.

The Houston Chronicle and other media outlets began reporting on Springer's upcoming promotion shortly after the RedHawks' sixth straight road win.

Source tells the Chronicle that George Springer is on his way to the majors tomorrow.

- Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) April 16, 2014

The 24-year-old outfielder raced up top prospect lists last season, showing a rare combination of power and speed that resulted in 37 homers and 45 stolen bases between Double-A Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City. He didn't miss a beat this year, hitting .353 with three homers, nine RBIs, 17 runs scored and a 1.106 OPS in 13 games.

By starting Springer at Triple-A and keeping him there beyond April 11, the Astros keep him under team control through 2020.

Tuesday's homer was the second in as many games for Springer, who hit his third grand slam since the Astros selected him 11th overall in the 2011 Draft out of the University of Connecticut.

MLB.com's No. 21 overall prospect started his night with a single and scored a run in the first inning, then got the better of Sky Sox starter Christian Friedrich again in the second. With nobody out and the bases loaded, Springer hammered a 1-1 offering over the left-field fence.

In his first three at-bats, which included a fly ball in the fourth, Springer saw nine pitches.

Colorado Springs climbed within 9-8 in the eighth, but Springer battled through an eight-pitch at-bat and drew a one-out walk in the ninth. Max Stassi -- Houston's 12th-ranked prospect -- followed with a two-run double, helping the RedHawks held on for their longest road winning streak since May 29-June 12, 2006.

Mike Foltynewicz (1-1), the Astros' No. 6 prospect, held the Sky Sox to a run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings. He hadn't gone deeper than 3 1/3 innings this season as he lowered his ERA to 7.50.

Sixth-ranked Rockies prospect Kyle Parker tripled and homered for Colorado Springs, while Ben Paulsen went yard twice.