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

Eric Huysman

Colin Moran at third – Photo Credit to Tammy Tucker @HooksFanTammy

The Houston Astros currently have a platoon of Luis Valbuena and Jed Lowrie covering third base for the 2015 season. However, neither of these players are in the plans for the long term solutions for the Astros. Lowrie is in the first year of a three-year deal that will expire following the 2017 season. Contrary to Lowrie’s contract, Valbuena’s last year of arbitration will be the 2016 season. The Astros need to have options for third base for the 2018 season and beyond, so who do we have on-deck in the minors?

For round one of this three-part series, we will start looking at those players who have the best shot of being the number one guy at third base. While there are other candidates besides the four players I will look at, we will just focus on these because they stand out so far. Following this post, there will be a spot for fans to vote for their favorite third baseman of the future of the two from today. The same procedure for round two, then for round three, we will match the winners of round one versus round two.

For round one, we will match up Fresno Grizzly Tyler White and Corpus Christi Hooks’ Colin Moran. At first glance, the bigger name is Moran, who came to the Astros in the Jarred Cosart trade last year. However, with the play of White this year may make him a sleeper.

Next: Colin Moran

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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Tyler White

Tyler White at third – Photo Credit to Tammy Tucker @HooksFanTammy

White has gone unnoticed by some Astros fan because he is not a top Astros prospect. White was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2013 MLB draft like Moran was. However, White rode a Double-A All-Star choice and champion of the home run derby to a Triple-A promotion. Since his promotion to Triple-A, White has not slowed down in Fresno. This was clear last night as he hit a two-run homer to break up a pitchers’ duel.

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Astros fans have clamored for him to come up and replace Chris Carter on the roster and play first base. I know what you are thinking, this is a post about the third baseman of the future, not first base. White can play first, but he has played third base in his minor league career mostly. You can find out more about White through my interview here: Keeping up with the Astros Prospects: 1B-3B Tyler White.

Last ten games:

.219/ 1 HR/ 6 RBI/ 8 BB.

2015 Season with Hooks (Double-A) and Fresno (Triple-A):

.311/ 10 HR/ 64 RBI/ 61 BB.

Some splits for White

Versus left-handers: .381

Versus right-handers: .343

Home games: .316

Away games: .380

Hooks: .284

Grizzles: .358

White’s slash line is a little better than Moran’s, .311/ .429/ .468/ .897. White hits very well against both righties and lefties, doesn’t strikeout a lot, and hits for power. He has also improved his batting average after his promotion to Fresno. He might be ahead of Moran in terms of when he makes his debut that could come soon if the Astros are done with Chris Carter. Even if White plays first this year, he could still be in the third base discussion.

Now it’s your turn to have your voice heard. You have heard the argument, which one of these two do you want as your third baseman of the future?

Astros of the future.

Next: Astros Through 2/3 of Season: What MUST Happen in Final Third to Make Playoffs

Eric Huysman

My name is pronounced like the Heisman Trophy. I am a contributor at Climbing Tal's Hill, a Fansided site and part of the Sports Illustrated family. Have been covering the Astros since the 2014 offseason. Now, I am the co-host of Talking Stros on SportsTalk 790, an iHeart channel. When I'm not talking Astros, I am a teacher, father, and husband.