Houston Astros Spring Training Battles: First Base

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Baseball season is almost upon us. Pitchers and catchers report on February 18th, and the Houston Astros’ first Spring Training game is on March 3rd against the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the next few weeks, we will be profiling and predicting the Astros’ Spring Training battles.

Late last night breaking news broke that Evan Gattis was having hernia surgery, he would be missing four to six weeks. Editor Eric Huysman wrote an article last night that could have an impact on the first base job. His suggestion was that the extra at-bats would help one player in particular. You can read it here: Evan Gattis is Having Surgery, Out for 4-6 Weeks, Next Man Up.

We begin our series with first base. The departure of Chris Carter allows for a slew of Astros youngsters to make their case this spring. We’ll start with a certain former top-100 prospect who is currently penciled in to take over duties at first.

Next: Jon Singleton

JON SINGLETON

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An important reminder: Jon Singleton is still only 24 years old and has only played in 114 games at the Major League level. Many Astros fans have given up on Singleton due to A.J. Reed all but becoming the first baseman of the future, but Singleton himself was a top 1B prospect less than three years ago.

On the Baseball America Top 100 lists, Singleton ranked 39th for 2011, 34th for 2012, 27th for 2013, and 82nd for 2014. His 2014 debut season saw an alarming 134 strikeouts to go with his 13 home runs. wOBA is a bit more forgiving to Singleton, who finished both 2014 and 2015 with an average under .200.

Astros fans should proceed with caution when criticizing Singleton, as 114 total games is not exactly a fair sample size to give up on a player. But it is hard to see him holding down 1B throughout 2016 if he continues to trend downward and Reed continues to skyrocket.

TYLER WHITE

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Tyler White is a triumph for the Astros’ scouting team. Taken 977th overall in the 33rd round of the 2013 draft, White mashed the Texas League to the tune of a .325 average, .442 OBP, .496 SLG, and 0.939 OPS with 14 home runs. He thrived when he was called up to Triple-A Fresno and won the Dominican League MVP this winter.

White drew an impressive 84 walks to only 73 strikeouts, and his exceptional plate discipline is a considerable breath of fresh air for the Astros. His pull-hitting tendencies should couple well with his patience at Minute Maid Park.

He, like Matt Duffy, can play both 1B and 3B, which gives the Astros a number of platoon combinations. But unlike Matt Duffy, White’s defense is in question, and it could be the difference maker at a crowded position. One season may be a small sample size, but if he carries his offensive momentum into the 2016 season, he can force his way into the Astros’ roster.

Next: Matt Duffy

MATT DUFFY
(written by Colin Gay)

As the new generation of Astros continue to come into the major league clubhouse, another option at third base is Duffy. Duffy has had a consistent bat throughout his five seasons in the Astros organization and his 2015 in AAA Fresno proves just that. Duffy hit .294 with 20 home runs and drove in 104 RBIs. Duffy was rewarded for his consistency with a September call-up last season. In his limited amount of playing time, Duffy had 3 hits in 8 at bats in which he drove in 3 RBIs. Now, Duffy comes into Spring Training as a candidate for either the third base or first base starting job.

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Duffy’s advantage in this potential position will be his consistency. Not only has his offensive presence been consistent, averaging over 20 home runs per season and 75 RBIs, his on-base plus slugging percentage has been stellar too. He has a career OPS of .838 and consistently has an on-base percentage over .330. Duffy, coming into his age 27 season, has earned his big league shot. Yes, minor league statistics do not always convert to big league success.

However, Duffy deserves a shot more than anyone. He may not get the starting spot on Opening Day, but if he performs well this spring, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a spot on that bench in New York come April 4th.

Next: A.J. Reed

A.J. REED

What is there to say about A.J. Reed that has not been said already? The reigning MiLB Player of the Year and number one 1B prospect in all of baseball has a chance to win the starting 1B job out of Spring Training. But even if he goes on a Kris Bryant-like tear this spring, it would be a surprise to see Reed before the Super Two date in June. Some combination of Singleton, White, and Duffy will keep the seat warm for Reed. It won’t be Carlos Correa-level, but expect a sizable boost to the team when Reed is eventually called up this summer.

PREDICTION

The position is Singleton’s to lose. Another left-handed power bat is certainly welcome in this lineup, and if he struggles substantially, the Astros have plenty of other in-house options. Expect a shorter leash and a possible platoon until the organization decides to jump headfirst into the A.J. Reed era.

Next: Evan Gattis is Having Surgery, Out for 4-6 Weeks, Next Man Up

You’ll just have to wait until the Super Two date in June.

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Who will be the Astros’ Opening Day first baseman?

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