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Astros of the Future: Third Base (Round 2) J.D. Davis versus Alex Bregman
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 two 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. Last week we looked at Tyler White and Colin Moran. While there are options for third base, we will just focus on these four for right now. 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 three, where we will match the winners of round one versus round two.
For round two, we will match up Lancaster JetHawks’ J.D. Davis and Quad Cities River Bandits’ Alex Bregman. At first glance, the bigger name is Bregman because he was the second overall pick in 2015 by the Astros. However, will he be able to play third base with the presence of Carlos Correa in the near future. We will talk more about the position change later, but let’s compare the two players.
Missed round 1? Astros of the Future: Third Base (Round 1) Colin Moran versus Tyler White
Next: J.D. Davis
J.D. Davis
Third baseman J.D. Davis – photo credit to Rich Guill (@QCBanditPhotog)
The Astros did a good job drafting A.J. Reed and Davis in the 2014 draft. They are making Astros fans forget the failure to sign number one pick Brady Aiken with these later signings. While Reed has been promoted to Double-A, Davis is still doing his thing in Lancaster. He is showing the makings of a good player, but we have all been warned on the impact of the California League on offensive stats. Is Davis’ offensive output a representation of who he is as a player or is he a player getting a homefield advantage?
More from Climbing Tal's Hill
- Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
When Davis makes his debut with the Hooks, maybe it will be time for another trip to see him play. However, with the minor league regular season drawing to a close, I don’t see too many roster moves with a few weeks left. Davis was drafted in the third-round of the 2014 draft and had a great start to his professional career. He, like Reed, was a two-way player at Cal State Fullerton. Like Reed, the Astros liked Davis’ ability as a hitter more than as a pitcher.
Earlier in the season, I was able to interview him here: Keeping up with the Houston Astros Prospects: J.D. Davis. One thing that Davis needs to work on is his defense with 17 errors on the season at third base. This could be the reason he is still at Lancaster while Reed is at Corpus because he needs to work on his defense. The Astros want to take their time with Davis like they did with former farmhand Brett Phillips, to make sure he is successful.
To say that Davis is hot at the plate is being a little like Captain Obvious. Before last night’s game, Davis had hit a home run in six-straight games for the JetHawks.
Last 10 Games via MiLB.com
.378/ 7 HR/ 17 RBI/ 5 walks
2015 Season with JetHawks (Class-A):
.285/ 22 HR/ 88 RBI/ 45 BB.
Some splits for Davis
Versus left-handers: .308
Versus right-handers: .280
Home games: .333
Away games: .246
Davis shows a solid slash line of .285/ .364/ .516/ .879. What type of player will he profile as in the majors? Maybe a Chase Headley type player at his peak with Padres. A few things to point out is that he has 133 strikeouts in 417 at-bats and that his original position in college was first base and reliever. He is learning how to play third base, so expect some growing pains along the way.
Next: Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman -Mandatory Credit: Rich Gill-@QCBanditPhotog
Shortstop Bregman, was the second overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft. The plan is for him to play at shortstop for now with Correa playing there with the Astros right now. Luhnow said earlier that they will decide where to put Bregman when the time comes. Many feel like Correa will still be moved to third base eventually, but in an interview with me: Keeping up with the Houston Astros Carlos Correa, Correa told me he wants to stay at shortstop for entire career. So, will Bregman have to make the move to third when ready, because second base is blocked as well.
More from Astros News
- Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
Bregman was drafted out of LSU, and I asked Chander Rome (MLB.com) and Josh Criswell (DeathValleyVoice.com) what they thought of Bregman after the draft. They both covered the LSU Tigers for a while and got to watch him play in his time there. You can see what they say below.
Inside look as to what Alex Bregman offers the Astros
Alex Bregman set to sign with the Houston Astros
Bregman is ranked the number one Astros prospect and the 26th overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. While he has not gotten off to a hot start in professional ball after his College World Series appearance, he has heated up recently. Bregman has spent time with Quad Cities and Lancaster already in his 43 game career. Despite a .260 ish batting average so far, he shows a good eye for walks and on-base percentage. He may not offer the power that Davis can, but should be able to hit 15-20 in his prime.
Bregman has had 11 errors between the two teams in his short career, but still profiles as a good defensive player.
Last ten games:
.318/ 1 HR/ 2 RBI/ 0 BB.
2015 Season with River Bandits (-A) and Lancaster (+A):
.262/ 2 HR/ 15 RBI/ 19 BB.
Some splits for Bregman
Versus left-handers: .167
Versus right-handers: .296
Home games: .302
Away games: .235
River Bandits: .259
JetHawks: .268
Bregman is just starting his career, so he doesn’t have as good a slash line as Davis does. Bregman’s slash line is .262/ .346/ .345/ .691. Both Davis and Bregman have struggled in road games in their career to this point, which is not a good sign with the current Astros’ players struggles on the road.
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?
If you missed it, here is round one: Astros of the Future: Third Base (Round 1) Colin Moran versus Tyler White
Astros of the future.
Next: Astros Prospects: The Best Outside the Top 30, Part Two