Astros Prospects: Corpus Christi Player Spotlight: Ramon Laureano

Astros’ Prospect Ramon Laureano Spotlight

As the Corpus Christi Hooks start using their FauxBack jerseys this series, we can throwback to a little over a week ago when Ramon Laureano was called up to the squad. He is one of the many players so far this season that has gotten the call from Lancaster and immediately contributed to the team. Organizations need great depth like this, and the Astros have found it with players like Laureano.

A 16th round draft choice of the Houston Astros in 2014, Ramon Laureano has grinded his way up to Double-A. After a rough start to his career in the Rookie League (a .189 average), he greatly improved in 2015 and found his way to Class-A Advanced Lancaster this year. That’s where he really took off as a player. In 80 games for Lancaster this season, he hit .317 with 60 RBIs. He also found the power that has not been there before, hitting ten long balls on the year. This earned him a chance to go to Corpus Christi.

The new found power possessed by Laureano is a great asset in the Astros’ organization. That is one of the many strengths he has in his arsenal. Another is the ability to hit for average and have a high on-base percentage.

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Combined between Lancaster and Corpus Christi this season he has an on-base percentage of .426. He’s also a speedy outfielder who can play all three spots. This year he has 33 stolen bases in Lancaster and has not attempted one in Corpus Christi. He’s a great overall player with many tools.

Laureano is off to a hot start with the Hooks. He’s picked up right where he left off in Lancaster and is hitting .316 in his first six games. Though the sample size is small, he still hasn’t seemed to skip a beat between the two levels. He’s showed off his speed with a triple already and has shown off the power with a home run as well. He’s starting to lead off for the team has the talent to continue doing so at this level and beyond.

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Like all prospects, the choice the Astros can make with Laureano is between developing him into a major league player for the team or using him as a trade piece. I hope that the Astros develop him into a great player for their team because this kid is improving every day. Should other outfield prospects not pan out, Ramon Laureano should be given the chance to make the team.

*All stats via milb.com*