3 paths for Astros first baseman Taylor Jones

Keep Taylor Jones as a bench option.

You can never have too many solid bats with positional flexibility, so having Jones available only helps the Astros. The Astros are loaded in the outfield, while Jones’ only real path is getting time at first base or as a designated hitter.

He could continue to play first base, when Gurriel has off days and perhaps even DH if guys like Alvarez and Brantley need rest. However, it’s hard for me to see Jones appearing in more than 40 games throughout the season in this scenario.

And, I’m not sure a guy can continue developing if he only sees 100 at-bats in a season.

Groom Jones for a specialized spot at first base.

Much like Jeremy Peña has been prepping to take over shortstop duties for Carlos Correa, perhaps Jones will just need to prepare to be the full-time Gurriel replacement. Gurriel is going to be turning 39 next year, and there is uncertainty with where Gurriel and Brantley will be playing beyond 2022.

If Jones spends the majority of the season playing first base in Triple-A with some call-ups in-between, I think the organization would feel comfortable making him an everyday player in 2023, assuming there are significant roster changes.

But, Jones has already spent a lot of time in Triple-A mashing, and it looks like he might be ready to play this year which leads me to my next option.

Trade Jones.

I believe Jones, much like what we saw from Chas McCormick and Myles Straw last year, has the ability to be an everyday starter in this league. He’s a power bat that can hit lefties, and he’s patient at the plate to go along with his abilities to play multiple positions all over the field.

But with a logjam of talent likely ahead of them this year, Jones seems like prototypical trade bait. Houston will be in-need of upgrades at the trade deadline, and a guy like Jones, who has demonstrated Triple-A production and the need for an opportunity, might be an appealing option for a team in a rebuild.

Houston certainly has quite a good track record of developing players who end up producing for other teams — Bryan de la Cruz, Abraham Toro and Myles Straw — while it wouldn’t be surprising if this will be Jones’ fate.

A few years back, I went and saw the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate play a weekend series in Las Vegas. It was awesome, as I got to see Alvarez and Tucker mash the ball up close. They looked the part of future All-Stars; it was impressive.

But I got to admit, Jones was the most impressive future Astro I saw that weekend. He hit a 400-foot bomb that made my mouth drop. He barreled the ball over and over again against AJ Puk. His blend of bat speed, power and athleticism was on full display. I was sold on him that day, and I haven’t wavered.

I hope Astros leadership will prioritize the first two options this year. Getting Jones back on track off the shelf and then getting him more opportunities in the bigs to showcase his stuff while with the franchise would be my choice.

Jones may not reach the heights of Alex Bregman and Tucker, but I think Jones has a ceiling of being a very good everyday player. And, I hope the Astros don’t trade him this year for a one-year rental.