Houston Astros: What Can the Astros Do About Third Base?

What to Do About the Houston Astros Third Base Job?

The 2016 version of the Houston Astros has some warts, which doesn’t come as too much of a surprise given their less than stellar record. Among the more glaring problems has been, the worse than mediocre play coming from third base. Whether it’s Luis Valbuena, Marwin Gonzalez, or Colin Moran, the production just hasn’t been there.

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Through 46 games the Astros slash line at 3rd is .173/.254/.314. Four home runs and 14 RBIs both rank 21st in the major leagues. Among all other third base groups, no one has a lower OPS than the folks manning the hot corner for the Astros. Nowhere to go but up right? Fortunately for Houston, they aren’t short of potential solutions internally – or externally.

Gonzalez continues to be serviceable, but the club needs his versatility at the other infield positions keeping him out of the competition for the everyday job at third. Colin Moran’s call-up was a bit puzzling for many fans, and he is stilling looking for his first big league hit after going 0-7 in three contests. Barring a two week Tyler White-esque stretch, he’s on the outside looking in as well.

Next: Potential Solution #1

Potential Solution #2 – Matt Duffy

Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, that seems to be the story of current Pacific Coast League MVP Matt Duffy.  Duffy and his teammate Jon Singleton have been proverbially dubbed quadruple-A players. Singleton has had his fair shot and has failed to live up to expectations. Duffy, on the other hand, hasn’t received a fair shot. In two partial seasons with the big league club, he’s only seen 12 plate appearances, in which he’s gone 3 for 11 with a double.

Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, that seems to be the story of current Pacific Coast League MVP Matt Duffy.

The inability to get into a groove has been part of the challenge that the current third basemen on the roster are facing. Duffy hasn’t been given that chance to be the Astros every day third baseman. In six minor league seasons, he’s proven his consistency at the plate, hitting .288 with a .363 on-base percentage. Remember, the current third base platoon has a .173 average and .254 OBP.

If Duffy were the long-term answer at third base or even the short-term solution, he would have been the one called up last week. Instead, he’s manning the infield in Fresno and his teammate Colin Moran is taking swings in Houston. (Update, Duffy hit two homers in yesterday’s Fresno win.)

Chances he’s the answer: 40 to 1

Next: Potential Solution #3

Potential Solution #3 – Danny Valencia

He’s not on the roster, but that doesn’t mean the Astros aren’t keeping tabs on him. In 61 at-bats against the Astros in his seven-year career, Valencia is hitting .410 and slugging .803 – his best marks against any team he’s played more than six times.

The career journeyman has been traded twice in his career and hasn’t finished two consecutive seasons in the same city. He was selected off waivers in August 2015 by the Athletics and has continued to be reliable. With the A’s dealing with injuries and not expected to compete for a playoff spot, Billy Bean might just jump at the chance to flip Valencia for a decent profit. It’s possible that Duffy might be part of a package that gets the veteran to Houston.

Other than Valencia the trade market at third looks to be pretty thin this year, unless Houston is interested in Brett Wallace or Trevor Plouffe and both would be unlikely.

Chances he’s the answer: 30 to 1

Next: Potential Solution #4

Potential Solution #4 – Alex Bregman

Sure, Bregman only has a handful of career starts at third base in his career, but can you imagine an infield of Bregman, Correa, Altuve, and possibly AAA prospect A.J. Reed? The Astros didn’t select Bregman with the intention of watching him dominate minor league pitching forever, so why not call him up sooner rather than later?

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The 22-year-old leads the Texas League in home runs after hitting his 12th long ball of the season last night at Whataburger Field. He now has as many home runs as strikeouts. For the big league club to match those numbers from their third baseman, they would need to hit 42 more home runs. That ratio is unsustainable, but the rate at which he makes contact can and likely will translate to the big leagues. The greatest differentiating factor for Bregman is his ability to hit for power without swinging out of his shoes.

His minor league career has been impressive, but his lack of experience at third base will probably keep him in the minors at least through July. There is an outside shot he makes some spot starts down the stretch for Houston, but ultimately he’s looking like a 2017 arrival – and he’ll be here to stay.

Chances he’s the answer: 15 to 1

Next: Potential Solution #5

Potential Solution #5 – Luis Valbuena

Astros faithful will remember Chris Carter‘s swoon in the middle of last season. Carter had just 12 hits in July and August, averaging .137 during his two-month slump. In September he woke up, blasting six home runs with an OPS of 1.222. He had the highest batting average on the team during that span and was arguably one of the biggest reasons that the Astros were able to maintain a playoff spot. We’re not talking about Chris Carter, but he did set a precedent for struggling corner infielders in Houston.

Valbuena has been a streaky player in the past, in fact, his current average (.197) is right in line with this point in the 2015 season. Last year Valbuena played his best baseball after July so it’s not inconceivable that a late-season surge might be in his future again this year. The bat will come around. In the meantime, he’s a fairly reliable defender and a left-handed bat at the back of the order.

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It’s not the sexy choice, but it does seem to be the most Astro-like option in the mix. While he struggles you’ll see Colin Moran and Marwin Gonzalez spelling him, but the third base job is probably going to remain Valbuena’s this year, and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Chances he’s the answer: 2 to 1

**Stats from Baseball-Reference and MILB.com**