Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros Minors: Triple A Fresno looks to be loaded with MLB Talent

By Reed Graff

Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros first baseman A.J. Reed (23) hits a rbi single during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros first baseman A.J. Reed (23) hits a rbi single during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Corner Infield

Mar 14, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (19) fields a ground ball against the New York Mets during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (19) fields a ground ball against the New York Mets during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Colin Moran has looked fantastic in Spring Training for the Astros and may make the opening day roster, but he will more than likely start the year in Fresno. The former 6th overall pick has had an interesting career so far. After being a part of the Jarred Cosart trade that brought Jake Marisnick and Colin Moran to Houston, Moran has fallen under the radar as he has been overshadowed by the emergence of superstar prospects Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman.

The 24-year-old Moran still has a very high ceiling and has shown the ability to be a solid player. Fielding has never been a problem for the former Tar Heel. It’s his bat that has kept him from being a staple major leaguer. His lack of real power limits him to being a high average, gap to gap hitter, and his average numbers haven’t been quite what you expect from that type of player.

Moran spent most of 2016 at Fresno, other than a short stint in Houston, and hit .259 with ten home runs and an On-Base Percentage of .329.

Who’s on first?

First base looks to be the home of Top first base prospect A.J. Reed. The left-handed slugger struggled to get it going in the majors in 2016 and spent the majority of his year in Fresno. He has hit better to this point in spring training, and looks to be poised to make the opening day roster, but could also start the year at Fresno. Reed will look to tear up AAA pitching and return to the Astros a better player than what we saw in 2016.

Fellow first basemen Tyler White will also be at Triple-A Fresno and may see time all over the field. The versatile 26-year-old can play third, first, second, and maybe even the corner outfield spots. The Great White will look to find the stroke he had in early 2016, where he won AL player of the week in the first week of the 2016 season.

If he can do so, he will be a big part of the major league roster, but until then, he will be a fun player to watch at Fresno. Slugger J.D Davis, who has looked solid in spring training, will also get time at first and second in Fresno.