Houston Astros Top Three Third Base Prospects For 2017
This week we continue the top three prospects at each position with a look at the third base position. This has been a solid position in the Astros system for a few years and there is still some very good upside at this position.
1. Colin Moran (MLB)
Moran was originally drafted by the Marlins with the 6th pick in the 2013 draft. At the time, Moran was seen as one of the best college hitters available and a guy expected to move fast. In the summer of 2014, Moran was traded to Houston as part of the Cosart trade. Moran spent the whole 2015 season with Corpus showing why he was a top pick hitting .306 with 25 2B, 9 HR, 67 RBI in 96 games. Moran started the 2016 season with Fresno. Unfortunately he didn’t have a great season hitting just .259 with 18 2B and 10 HR in AAA. Moran did get 23 at bats with Houston but had just 3 hits and 2 RBI. He has a nice stroke from the left hand side but K rate jump up to 24.3% in 2016. He will be just 24 in the 2017 season and still has a lot of upside left.
2016 Stats: 117 G, .259 BA/.329 OBP/.368 SLG, 18 2B, 10 HR, 69 RBI, 3 SB, 47 BB/124 SO (AAA)
2. J.D. Davis (AA)
Davis was drafted by the Astros in the 3rd round of the 2014 MLB draft. His first full season in the minors (2015) he put together a strong year hitting .289 with 26 HR. Davis played the entire 2016 season with the Corpus Christi Hooks and again proved his value at the plate. He finished hitting .268 and lead the Astros minor league system in HR (23) and RBI (81). He has some swing and miss in his game but when he makes contact he can do a lot of damage. Davis is an adequate defender with a very strong arm. He should start the season with AAA and has a chance to show off his power in the PCL.
2016 Stats: 126 G, .268 BA/.334 OBP/.485 SLG, 34 2B, 23 HR, 81 RBI, 45 BB/143 SO
3. Abraham Toro-Hernandez (Rookie)
Toro-Hernandez is a switch hitter who has also played catcher. Though he played at a small school in Oklahoma, he dominated hitting .439 with 20 HR, 86 RBI, 94 R in just 55 games. He played only at third base in the field in 2016 but reports indicate he could make a switch to catcher. One scout told me he has plus bat speed with a line drive approach. Also noted that he has more power to come and a great makeup. Interesting note, he is Canadian and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.
2016 Stats: 44 G, .254 BA/.301 OBP/.322 SLG, 6 2B, 3 3B, 19 RBI, 2 SB, 10 BB/31 SO
Other Notables:
Reiny Beltre (Rookie) – Beltre has been in the Astros system since 2014. He played in the DSL in both 2014 and 2015 before making his stateside debut late in 2015. Beltre put together a solid 2016 season hitting .310 with a .406 OBP and 20 RBI in 40 games. He will be just 20 years old in 2017.
Top Three Prospects By Position
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
