Player Profile: Jimmy Paredes

Jimmy Paredes is a switch hitting third baseman who was acquired by the Astros, along with closer, Mark Melancon, from the Yankees at last year’s trade deadline in exchange for Lance Berkman. When he was acquired, Paredes had been playing second base and shortstop for the Yankees High A affiliate, the Charleston Riverdogs. The Astros minor league affiliates played him at those two position in 2010, after the trade, but this past year, they moved him over to third base and he was a surprise call up by the big league team. Paredes held his own hitting .286 with 2 home runs and 18 rbi to go along with 5 steals in 9 attempts in 179 plate appearances. Now I am a huge Paredes fan and believe he should have a permanent spot on our big league club, the problem is, I do not see him as a third baseman.

Paredes has played second, third and short during his minor league career and in my opinion, he fits better as a second baseman and shortstop (in that order) than he does a third baseman. The problem with this, is that Jonathan Villar seems to be the shortstop of the future in management’s eyes with Jed Lowrie the shortstop of right now and Jose Altuve stormed onto the big league clubbing while tearing up minor league pitching and seems to be the second baseman for the foreseeable future. Paredes was likely moved to third base due to the aforementioned players being thought of highly within our organization, which is fine, however, we now have a new front office with new people calling the shots.  Paredes seems to be locked in at third base by default as the other two positions he has played, are each manned by another teammate.  In my opinion, Paredes will start the year as the Astros third baseman, but how long he will last there is up for debate as his numbers will have to improve and remain steady for him to keep his spot long term. Our gifted, young players should all be given a full year at the major league level to see what they have and what they can do, Paredes is no exception.