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Astros: Top draft pick, Seth Beer, making his presence felt quickly

By Jake Schornick

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: A ball sits on the field as the St. Louis Cardinals take batting practice before a spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: A ball sits on the field as the St. Louis Cardinals take batting practice before a spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The Astros 2018 first round pick is establishing himself as a top-notch prospect early in his professional career.

The first few weeks of professional baseball for a player are a lot like their freshman year in college. While not being entirely indicative of future stardom, success early on sets a high bar for a career.  Such has been the case with Astros first-round pick Seth Beer.

Beer came into Clemson as the number two overall player in the nation. He proceeded to become the first freshman to win the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best player. In just a couple of years, Beer turned into a first-round draft pick. 

Early Success A Trademark for Beer

Beer stepped on to the field for the Tri-City ValleyCats for the first time on June 15th. He finished his game going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk and an RBI.  

He did not record a hit for the next three games but got on base via at least one walk per game.    Beer only played seven more games for the ValleyCats, compiling ten hits in that span, including a two home run game on June 23.  

In his short stint at the Short Season-A level, Beer hit 293/.431/.659 with four home runs while splitting time between the outfield and first base. It seems Beer has a knack for fast starts and sustained success.

Quality Play Earns a Promotion

Not surprisingly, Beer played his first game for the Quad Cities River Bandits on June 28 and went 2-for-4 with an RBI. In his first seven games at the Full Season A level, he is slashing  .440/.517/.520. So even though the power has not immediately followed him up, the overall hit tool is in full swing.

What remains to be seen is where Beer fits in with the long-term plans for the Astros. There are some quality players ahead of him in the system at first base (Yordan Alvarez, AJ Reed).  The same goes with the outfield, especially with Kyle Tucker making a case to be put on the big league roster.  

Next: Astros Minor League Spotlight: Garrett Stubbs

So again, early achievements do not guarantee long-term success. But Beer has created quite a bit of excitement during his first few weeks with the organization.