Astros MiLB Position Review: First Base
Now that the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system. This week we move on to the first base position.
Here are the previous position reviews:
TOP PERFORMERS
Tyler White
Most know White’s story by now but he spent about half of the season in AAA. While he was there, he dominated the PCL. He hit .333 with 1.013 OPS and 14 HR, 53 RBI in 70 games. He also walked more than he struck out (46 BB/39 SO). He ended up going up to Houston and earned a spot on the post season roster with his hitting during the regular season.
2018 Stats: 70 G, .333 BA/.444 OBP/.569 SLG, 18 2B, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 46 BB/39 SO
Taylor Jones
Jones was drafted by the Astros in the 19th round of the 2016 draft. He really didn’t do much during his first two seasons in the minors hitting just .231 with 15 HR in 175 games. He had a breakout 2018 season though. He started the year in Corpus Christi and hit .323 with 21 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI in 69 games before moving to AAA. He only hit .210 in AAA but did have 5 HR and 17 RBI in 39 games. Overall he hit .281 with 32 2B, 18 HR, 80 RBI with a 130 wRC+.
2018 Stats: 123 G, .281 BA/.374 OBP/.480 SLG, 32 2B, 18 HR, 80 RBI, 2 SB, 61 BB/124 SO
A.J. Reed
Reed had another Reed like season in 2018. He was a 2nd round pick in 2014 and has made his way through the system repeating in AAA this year. He spent the majority of the year in the minors and hit .255 with 28 HR, 108 RBI with a 117 wRC+ in 123 AAA games. He did play in one game in Houston. Solid season in terms of run production but he really didn’t make much improvements from 2017.
2018 Stats: 123 G, .255 BA/.344 OBP/.506 SLG, 24 2B, 28 HR, 108 RBI, 64 BB/128 SO
THE REST OF THE PACK
Jake Adams
Adams was the Astros 6th round pick in the 2017 draft. Adams started the 2018 season with Quad Cities and .277 with .864 OPS and 21 XBH in 48 games. He was promoted to Buies Creek where he hit just .222. Overall he batted .247 and had 15 HR. He still has upside left and cut down on his strikeouts big time, which is a good sign moving forward.
2018 Stats: 111 G, .247 BA/.322 OBP/.430 SLG, 23 2B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 41 BB/113 SO
2019 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
White looks to have locked up a spot with the Astros for next season, most likely. The Astros have some depth with AJ Reed and Taylor Jones but don’t have much in terms of high-upside guys for first base. I imagine the 2019 will look similar to the 2018 season at first base in the Astros system.
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**Photo Credit: Kiel Maddox**
