Astros of the Future: Third Base (Round 1) Colin Moran versus Tyler White
By Eric Huysman

Colin Moran
Colin Moran at bat – Photo Credit to Tammy Tucker @HooksFanTammy
Moran was once considered for the top overall pick in the Houston Astros in the 2013 draft, but Jeff Luhnow went with Mark Appel instead. Moran was drafted sixth overall by the Florida Marlins, four picks after the Cubs young slugger Kris Bryant. Not only did Luhnow consider drafting Moran over Appel, but he would also have done so over Bryant as well. So you can imagine why Luhnow jumped all over Moran during the 2014 season in the Cosart trade.
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I recently went to a Hooks game prior to Brett Phillips being traded, and Jed Lowrie was still rehabbing. I did not get a chance to see Moran play defense because he was the designated hitter with Lowrie playing third. What I did see from Moran that day was gap power. However, he did strikeout that game three times. Before that game, he was in the midst of a power streak, he has not disappointed since then.
Last ten games:
.390/ 2 HR/ 9 RBI/ 4 BB.
2015 Season with Hooks (Double-A):
.315/ 5 HR/ 54 RBI/ 27 BB.
Some splits for Moran
Versus left-handers: .211
Versus right-handers: .356
Home games: .294
Away games: .331
Moran shows a solid slash line of .315/ .376/ .467/ .843. What type of player will he profile as in the majors? I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, Matt Carpenter is a good comparison for him. I am working on an interview with him, I met him at Corpus, thanks to Phillips introducing us.
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