Astros MiLB Position Review: Shortstop
Now that the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system. This week we move on to the shortstop position.
Here are the previous position reviews:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
TOP PERFORMERS
Alex De Goti
De Goti was a 15th round pick in 2016 and put together his best season as a pro in 2018. He played 92 games at shortstop and 17 at each second and third base. He started the year with Corpus Christ and hit .282 with 21 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBI in 98 games. He was promoted to AAA where he hit .287 with .759 OPS in 27 games. Overall he had a 109 wRC+ with a 16.2 K% in 125 games.
2018 Stats: 125 G, .283 BA/.335 OBP/.440 SLG, 29 2B, 12 HR, 62 RBI, 28 BB/80 SO
Freudis Nova
Nova is one of the highest potential guys in the Astros system. He was signed for $1.2 million in 2016 and made his stateside debut this year. He played in 41 games and hit .308 with 6 HR and 9 SB. Overall he had a 120 wRC+ at just 18 years old. He should make his full-season debut in 2019.
2018 Stats: 41 G, .308 BA/.331 OBP/.466 SLG, 3 2B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 9 SB, 6 BB/21 SO
THE REST OF THE PACK
Jonathan Arauz
Arauz got off to a great start in 2018 as he hit .299 with .863 OPS and 147 wRC+ in 54 games for Quad Cities. That also came with 11 2B, 6 3B, and 4 HR. Unfortunately it didn’t continue with Buies Creek. In High-A he hit just .167 with .511 OPS in 71 games. He was just 19 this season though.
2018 Stats: 125 G, .229 BA/.305 OBP/.373 SLG, 21 2B, 9 3B, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 8 SB, 46 BB/74 SO
Miguelangel Sierra
Sierra was a pretty high profile international signing but he hasn’t really lived up to the hype yet. He played this season at 20 years old and played all 100 games for the Quad Cities River Bandits. Overall he hit just .230 with 143 K in 100 games. This was good for only a 83 wRC+.
2018 Stats: 100 G, .230 BA/.278 OBP/.371 SLG, 16 2B, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 26 BB/143 SO
Jeremy Pena
Pena was the Astros third round pick during this year’s draft. He played in 36 games for Tri-City hitting .250 with .340 OBP. He had 18 BB/19 SO in those 36 games and a 100 wRC+.
2018 Stats: 36 G, .250 BA/.340 OBP/.309 SLG, 5 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 18 BB/19 SO
2019 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
The Astros have some very intriguing prospects at the shortstop positions. Nova is a high potential prospect and has performed well so far. Arauz and Sierra are young but have yet to put together a good season. De Goti provided solid depth for the MLB club as well. 2019 could be a big year for Nova.
Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
**Photo Credit: Jayne Hansen**
