Astros Bold Prediction: Colin Moran will be Starting 3B in June

Colin Moran will be the Astros’ third baseman in June

There has been a buzz around the Houston Astros organization about some of the top prospects including Alex Bregman, A.J. Reed, and Kyle Tucker. However, one of the prospects that doesn’t get much run will probably make it to the big leagues first. Most Astros fans have not been high on this player since he was acquired because of his perceived lack of power as a corner infield spot. This player is Colin Moran, who is tearing up down in Triple-A Fresno.

Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow considered taking Moran with the first overall pick in 2013, instead of drafting Mark Appel with that pick. Kris Bryant was selected with the second overall pick, followed shortly after by Moran being selected sixth overall by the Miami Marlins. Luhnow still wanted to get his hands on Moran, so he used a big piece of the Astros future in Jarred Cosart to get Moran in a package deal.

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The Astros also got Francis Martes and Jake Marisnick and the pick that turned into Daz Cameron in that deal. The acquisition of Moran lightens the blow of the failed pick of Appel with the number one overall pick. Moran, who is also an early round draft pick like Reed, will fall under the Super Two deadline. The Astros have options at third base including Matt Duffy and J.D. Davis, but Moran could be the one that is most ready and likely to stick.

With Luis Valbuena off to a horrible start to the 2016 season, he could start to lose playing time on this Astros team that is struggling to score runs on a consistent basis. Moran has been very impressive this spring and at the beginning of the season at Triple-A. I predict that Moran will take over as the everyday third baseman following the Super Two deadline, and will stick around for many years to come.

We talked Moran on Talking Stros

He will have to fend off last year’s top draft pick Bregman, who might change positions with the presence of Carlos Correa at shortstop. Bregman may be the third baseman of the future, but Moran could have a say into this. Moran is a contact hitter who has gap power but is quickly developing some home run power.

Next: Astros’ Matt Duffy is Playing Left-Field at Triple-A Fresno

Luhnow might have found his guy in Moran, but he has to hit to stay at third base. Valbuena was brought in to bridge the gap until a third baseman is ready, I think that will be in July. Moran is currently hitting .323/ one homer/ 8 runs batted in this season.

***Stats from MiLB***

Colin Moran will be the Astros’ third baseman in June

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