Now that the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2023 season. This week we will look at the third base position.
Previous Positions:
TOP PERFORMERS
Zach Dezenzo
Dezenzo was a 12th round pick in 2022 and has proven to be an absolute steal. He started the season in High-A and was great hitting .407 with an OPS over 1.100 in 31 games. He earned a promotion to Double-A where he hit .257 with 14 HR and posted some awesome exit velocity numbers. Overall he had a .914 OPS with 18 HR, 22 SB in 94 games.
2023 Stats: 94 G, .305 BA/.383 OBP/.531 SLG, 23 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 22 SB
Waner Luciano
The Astros signed Luciano out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He made his stateside debut this season playing in the Florida Complex League. In 45 games, the 18-year-old hit 10 homers and posted a .821 OPS despite young for the level. He should play for Fayetteville in 2024 and will get a chance to show his abilities in full-season ball.
2023 Stats: 45 G, .247 BA/.345 OBP/.476 SLG, 8 2B, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 5 SB
THE REST OF THE PACK
Tim Borden
Borden was a 16th round pick in 2022. The 24-year-old played in 100 games for the Tourists in High-A posting a .715 OPS. While he had some strikeouts issues, 148, he also had 17 doubles and 11 homers.
2023 Stats: 100 G, .245 BA/.328 OBP/.387 SLG, 17 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 7 SB
Tyler Whitaker
Whitaker started off in Single-A after spending all 2022 there. He was hitting better but struggled with some injuries. He was promoted to High-A after 57 games in Single-A where he had a .699 OPS. He finished with a .716 OPS overall with 7 homers and 16 stolen bases.
2023 Stats: 77 G, .233 BA/.363 OBP/.353 SLG, 10 2B, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 16 SB
Narbe Cruz
Cruz kind of came out of nowhere this year playing in 62 games for Fayetteville. The Cuban native hit .263 with 14 doubles. While he didn’t add a lot of power, he was a constant in the middle of the Woodpeckers lineup.
2023 Stats: 62 G, .263 BA/.331 OBP/.373 SLG, 14 2B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 2 SB
2024 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
Like second base, the Astros haven’t had to worry about third base in a long time too. With Alex Bregman continuing to perform at a high level, they are set in 2024. He is a free agent following the season so things could get interesting. Zach Dezenzo is a really good prospect and should force the Astros hand in 2024, just like Will Wagner.
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.
