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?

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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