Hitters
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Catcher
Probable Starter: Tyler Heineman
Back-up: Roberto Pena
Back-up: Brett Booth
Heineman broke out in 2013 with the Lacaster batting .286/ 13 HR/ 71 RBI. He was a 8th round pick in 2012, but he struggled in 2014 in AA batting .242/ 1 HR/ 25 RBI. If he can equal his 2013 numbers, he should earn his way up to AAA. Pena is known for his defensive abilities.
First Base
Probable Starter: Conrad Gregor
Back-up: Telvin Nash
Gregor was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He and Kemp were drafted out of Vanderbilt. In 2014 between three teams, he batted .311/ 16 HR/ 86 RBI.
Click here for Gregors’s Interview with CTH.
Second Base
Probable Starter: Tony Kemp (#14 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Nolan Fontana (#17 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Like Gregor, Kemp was drafted in the 5th round of the 2013 draft by the Astros. Between two minor league teams last year, Kemp batted .316/ 8 HR/ 58 RBI/ 41 SB. Do those numbers look familiar? Jose Altuve part II maybe?
Click here for Kemp’s Interview with CTH.
More from Prospects
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- Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
- Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
- Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
- First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A
Third Base
Probable Starter: Colin Moran (#6 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Nolan Fontana (#17 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Moran was obtained in the Jarred Cosart deal in 2014, along with current center fielder Jake Marisnick. Depending on how Moran develops could decide who won that trade. Moran is a contact hitter, who won’t hit for much power. The first round pick in 2013 by the Marlins, hit .294/ 7 HR/ 55 RBI between two teams in 2014.
Shortstop
Probable Starter: Carlos Correa (#6 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Jiovanni Mier
Correa’s stay in Corpus Christi might be a short one, but it could be legendary. The 2013 number one pick is top five prospects in all of baseball. Before being sent to minor league camp, Correa was on fire for the Astros during spring games.
Outfield
Right Fielder – Jon Kemmer
Center Fielder – Teoscar Hernandez (#8 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Left Field – Leo Heras
Backup – Brandon Meredith
The biggest name here is Teoscar Hernandez, who signed a deal out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. He offers a rare power-speed combination. In 2014, Hernandez hit .292/ 21 HR/ 85 RBI/ 33 SB.
Designated Hitter – Tyler White
White was drafted in 2013, and in 2014 he hit .290/ 15 HR/ 64 RBI.
Next: Rotation