Lancaster JetHawks Update

Lancaster JetHawks Update

The Houston Astros organization boasts one of the best minor league systems in all of baseball. While the Low-A Quad City Rapids might be the hottest team on the planet right now, it is the Lancaster Jethawks of the High-A California League that we focus on today. Led by some of the organization’s most coveted prospects, the JetHawks are an entertaining team to watch.

Big left-handed hitting first baseman, A.J. Reed, is usually the first to get attention. He has nine home runs on the season – just one off the league lead. His .934 OPS is another indicator that the former Golden Spikes Award winner is for real. He could certainly figure into the Astros future plans at first base if Jonathan Singleton struggles to succeed at the Major League level.

A.J. Reed (Photo by Brett Coomer-Houston Chronicle)

Lead off hitter, Brett Phillips, is batting .313 with 5 homers. He may be the most exciting and talented player on the team. Playing outfield at a high level and bringing the combination of speed and power to the table, it is easy to see why so many people are high on him.

The third big bat in the lineup is third baseman, J.D. Davis. He’s hitting .303 with five homers while providing protection for Reed in the heart of the order. If he can cut down on the strike out rate and continue his production, he could figure into the hot corner plans for Houston in the next couple of years.

The team has gone 3-3 over the last week, struggling to score runs. In the California League, two runs a game for four straight is a recipe for a losing streak.

As the season progresses, and players get promoted to the next rung of the ladder, these three players will be ones to watch. With an already crowded team in Corpus Christi, it’s possible that they all remain JetHawks for most or all of 2015. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brett Phillips in a Hooks uniform before the end of the year.

Climbing Tal’s Hill’s editor Eric Huysman recently checked in with Brett Phillips here, A.J. Reed is up next.

Next: Former Jet Hawk McCullers Makes His Debut

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