Astros MiLB Position Review: Right Field
Now that the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2019 season. This week we will look at the right field position. I will focusing on guys who played the majority of their games at this position.
Previous Position Reviews:
TOP PERFORMERS
Kyle Tucker
Tucker made his MLB debut in 2018 but had just a .439 OPS in 72 at bats. Some were down on him, but after a slow start in AAA he went on to post a 30 HR/30 SB season for the Express. From April 24th to August 30th, Tucker slashed .290/.381/.605 (131 wRC+). Tucker was eventually called up to the Astros where he played in 22 games and posted a .857 OPS and 118 OPS+. Hopefully Tucker can take over full time in RF next year and really cement himself as a core player for the Astros.
2019 Stats: 125 G, .266 BA/.354 OBP/.555 SLG, 26 2B, 3 3B, 34 HR, 97 RBI, 30 SB, 113 wRC+ (AAA)
Bryan De La Cruz
De La Cruz has been in the Astros system since 2014. In 2019, he played in A+ and AA putting together a nice season. He started with Fayetteville and hit .276 with .799 OPS in 41 games. He was promoted to AA where he posted a .749 OPS with14 2B, 4 HR in 64 games. Overall he finished with a 117 wRC+ and 28 doubles in 105 games. While he doesn’t have power of the traditional RF, he still has some upside to him.
2019 Stats: 105 G, .280 BA/.340 OBP/.428 SLG, 28 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 12 SB, 117 wRC+
Chandler Taylor
Taylor was a 10th round pick by the Astros in the 2018 draft. He was 23 in 2019 and played in High-A. While he was a bit older than the league average, he was solid with the bat posting a 127 wRC+ and .783 OPS in 80 games. On the downside, he struck out 39.1% of the time. He is a lefty hitting outfielder with power, but is going to have to cut down on the strikeouts to really breakout.
2019 Stats: 80 G, .223 BA/.345 OBP/.438 SLG, 13 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 8 SB, 127 wRC+
THE REST OF THE PACK
Stephen Wrenn
Wrenn was a 6th round pick by the Astros in 2016. He came in right away and hit well for Tri-City. He has steadily made his way through the system but has been more tools than results. In 2019, he finally made it to AAA. He played in 105 games between AA and AAA and posted a 110 wRC+. He also had 39 XBH and 25 SB. He will be 25 in 2020 and still has the tools to make it to the MLB.
2019 Stats: 105 G, .249 BA/.337 OBP/.413 SLG, 22 2B, 9 3B, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 25 SB, 110 wRC+
2020 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
Tucker is the future for right field with the Astros right now. There is a little depth there with De La Cruz, Wrenn, and possibly Taylor. The recent draft class brought in Matthew Barefoot and Jordan Brewer, who could both make strides and become legit prospects.
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**Photo Credit: Round Rock Express**
