Astros MiLB Position Review: Right Field
Now that the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system. This week we move on to the right field position. For these list I am using the position the player played most in 2018.
Here are the previous position reviews:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
TOP PERFORMERS
Kyle Tucker
Tucker came into the season as the Astros top position player prospect and the #15 prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America. He did not disappoint in 2018. He started the season in AAA as just a 21 year old and dominated the Pacific Coast League. In 100 games he had a .990 OPS, 24 HR, 93 RBI and a 155 wRC+. He posted respectable walk (10.3 BB%) and strikeout (18.1 K%) numbers as well. He spent a little time in Houston but not enough to really gauge him as a player yet. He is still one of the top outfield prospects in all of baseball.
2018 Stats: 100 G, .332 BA/.400 OBP/.590 SLG, 27 2B, 3 3B, 24 HR, 93 RBI, 20 SB, 48 BB/84 SO
Bryan De La Cruz
De La Cruz is an interesting prospect. He has been in the system since 2014 and has moved through the system. He played all three outfield positions and first base this year. He started the year with Quad Cities and hit .283 with .728 OPS in 65 games. He was promoted to Buies Creek where he hit .297 with .758 OPS. He didn’t show much power but hit for average and posted a solid walk rate. He played the 2018 season at 21 years old.
2018 Stats: 119 G, .289 BA/.367 OBP/.375 SLG, 22 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 62 RBI, 10 SB, 51 BB/97 SO
Chas McCormick
McCormick was drafted by the Astros in the 21st round of the 2017 draft. He hit .298 in his first season following the draft and followed that up with a solid 2018. He started the season with Buies Creek and hit .264 in 51 games before being promoted to AA. He finished the season playing in 69 games for Corpus Christi hitting .280 and posted solid walk (8.5 BB%) and strikeout (11.3 K%) rates. Overall he had a .711 OPS between both levels.
2018 Stats: 120 G, .273 BA/.339 OBP/.373 SLG, 23 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 55 RBI, 19 SB, 43 BB/66 SO
THE REST OF THE PACK
Stephen Wrenn
Wrenn was a 6th round pick in 2016 and looked like a steal early on. He struggled a bit in 2017 and unfortunately it continued in 2018. He played the entire season in AA playing in 121 games. He did steal 44 bases but also struck out 138 times. He has a lot of raw tools but has yet to put it together for a full season.
2018 Stats: 121 G, .248 BA/.319 OBP/.371 SLG, 23 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 44 SB, 44 BB/138 SO
Chandler Taylor
Taylor was drafted by the Astros in the 10th round this summer. Following the draft he was assigned to Quad Cities. He showed off some power though hitting 9 2B and 9 HR in 63 games. He had a .751 OPS but will need to cut down on the strikeouts moving forward.
2018 Stats: 63 G, .214 BA/.351 OBP/.400 SLG, 9 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 46 BB/92 SO
2019 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
Tucker is the cream of the crop here. I think its safe to expect big things from him in 2019, if he gets the opportunity to play consistently. The Astros don’t have much else in RF, though some of the center fielders and left fielders could be moved him in the future. The outfield at the MLB level is in pretty good shape moving forward though.
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**Photo Credit: Fresno Grizzlies**
