--With the absence of key veterans, the Astros have played more young prospects than usual in what is a longer spring training because of the World Baseball Classic. That might explain the club's 1-11-2 start to spring training.

"Therefore we've played some choppy, sloppy games," general manager Ed Wade said.

On the positive side: LHP Mike Hampton had remained healthy and pitched well. RHPs Russ Ortiz and Jose Capellan, two non-roster invitees, have given the Astros hope that they won't just have to hand the fifth spot to a starter out of default. Jason Smith has hit well enough to show that there is at least one pure shortstop capable of holding down the utility infield spot and serving as Miguel Tejada's primary backup. 3B Chris Johnson and OF Brian Bogusevic have shown they have the potential to contribute at a high level, and the Astros' catching depth isn't as weak as had been believed.

--INF Jason Smith is now leading the competition for the utility infield spot that will go to either him, Tommy Manzella, Edwin Maysonet or Matt Kata.

"If I had to pick a guy to say he'd started to make some headway, I'd say Smith is the one guy that's kind of stepped toward the front of the pack," Cecil Cooper said. "He's probably got the most experience out of them all, probably the most versatility out of them all."

--Some fans have wondered if the Astros are going to sign veteran free agents Pedro Martinez or Pudge Rodriguez, but those two future Hall of Famers aren't currently on the team's radar.

"We're not pursuing anything at this stage other than trying to get healthy and stay healthy and make a decision with guys we have here," GM Ed Wade said.

--No prospect has raised his stock more over the past month than OF Brian Bogusevic.

"When you come into a camp when the 25-man roster is pretty much set all you can hope for is maybe make an impression and show as much of who you are as a player as you can in a short period and kind of give the coaching staff an idea of what you can do," Bogusevic said. "If you get sent down, go get ready for the season and hope you've planted kind of a little bit of a seed."

That's exactly what he has done with superb speed on the bases, a great arm in center field and a solid bat that could develop top power in the future.

--In addition to Bogusevic, 3B Chris Johnson has stood out.

"Sooner rather than later," manager Cecil Cooper said of Johnson's arrival. "That's what we're hoping it's sooner rather than later, but he has been rather impressive in camp. Those two things probably stand out more. Well, I'm going to add Bogusevic to that because I think Bogusevic has shown me he can play, so it's just a matter of time.

"They've shown me that they can play and play at a really high level. It's just a matter of experience for those two guys."

--The catcher's position with the Astros appeared like one of the organization's weakest positions, from the majors with Humberto Quintero all the way down the farm system except for the potential of 2008 first-round pick Jason Castro. Yet, Lou Santangelo, Rule 5 selection Lou Palmisano, J.R. Towles and Brian Esposito have shown that Quintero and Castro aren't the only ones who seemed destined for the majors in the next few years.

"It's key because we thought we didn't have catching," manager Cecil Cooper said. "That was kind of the general consensus of people on the outside. ... But I had a chance to see five guys catch, and I'm very confident in all five guys."

--OFs Jason Michaels and Reggie Abercrombie returned to action March 13 against the Nationals, leaving INF Edwin Maysonet as the only position player unavailable because of injury.

Michaels had been in out with a strained left hamstring, while Abercrombie had a fractured left big toe.

"We've been kind of stressed a little bit with the outfield situation," manager Cecil Cooper said. "Carlos (Lee) was gone for a little bit, and these guys are laid up, so we were kind of a little bit stretched out. But now we got a little excess again, which is good."

--With LHP Wandy Rodriguez (strained left side) and RHP Chris Sampson (elbow) scheduled to pitch March 14, RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side) is the Astros' only injured pitcher.

--INF Edwin Maysonet, who has a sprained right ankle, has lost some ground in the race for the utility spot.

"He needs to get ready pretty soon here because there's kind of a competition going on that he's supposed to be a part of," manager Cecil Cooper said. "You can't be a part on the sidelines. He needs to get back pretty quickly."

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Victory over the Astros' first 14 Grapefruit League games, which included 11 losses and two ties.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It has to be some kind of record. We've played 11, 12 games. We haven't hit or pitched in any of them or fielded in any of them. All three phases we just stunk and keep stinking." -- Manager Cecil Cooper, on the Astros' poor start in Grapefruit League play.