With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2024 season. This week we will look at the third base position. I will focus on players who played majority of their games at this position, though they could end up on multiple lists.
Previous Position Reviews:
TOP PERFORMERS
Shay Whitcomb
Whitcomb put together a phenomenal 2023 leading minor league baseball in home runs but had the most home runs in baseball but followed that up with an even better year in 2024. In 108 games in Triple-A, Whitcomb hit .293 with 25 home runs, 91 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. He posted a 123 wRC+ and took home the Triple-A Championship MVP as well. This was also his third straight 20/20 season.
2024 Stats: 108 G, .293 BA/.378 OBP/.530 SLG, 19 2B, 2 3B, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 26 SB, 123 wRC+
Zach Dezenzo
Dezenzo was a favorite to have a big year but dealt with an injury early that held him out until June. Once he finally made it to Corpus Christi, he got rolling. He had a .678 OPS in but earned a promotion to Sugar Land where he hit .333 with 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 20 runs batted in and a .998 OPS. He got a promotion to Houston too where he hit .242 with 2 home runs in 62 at-bats. Overall, a good season for Dezenzo.
2024 Stats: 52 G, .300 BA/.385 OBP/.492 SLG, 17 2B, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 5 SB
Austin Deming
Deming signed for just $7,500 in 2023, but has clearly outperformed his draft status. The 24-year-old hit .264 in High-A before a promotion to Double-A where he had a .857 OPS to finish off the year. Overall, he hit .262 with 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 63 runs batted in across 113 games in 2024. He is another college hitter that has performed well in the system.
2024 Stats: 113 G, .262 BA/.348 OBP/.464 SLG, 24 2B, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 13 SB, 131 wRC+
THE REST OF THE PACK
Waner Luciano
Luciano got some hype coming into the year after a season where he had 10 home runs in 45 games in rookie ball. He struggled in full season ball though. In 72 games, the 19-year-old hit just .187 with a .569 OPS. The walk (12.1%) and strikeout (20.8%) rates were solid, so hopefully that will correct in 2025.
2024 Stats: 72 G, .187 BA/.299 OBP/.270 SLG, 12 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI
Camilo Diaz
Diaz signed for $2.25 million, so of course he came with some huge expectations. While just 18-years-old in 2024, he struggled in rookie ball. In 43 games in the FCL, he hit just .188 with 8 extra base hits in 43 games. He struck out 69 times in 43 games but still has big upside and is still very young.
2024 Stats: 109 G, .188 BA/.333 OBP/.304 SLG, 2 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 16 SB
2025 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
Third base is the major question mark heading into 2025. After having Bregman hold it down for years, there is now a concern that he may not be back. The Astros have some in house options like Shay Whitcomb and Zach Dezenzo. Down a little lower, the Astros have some guys like Austin Deming and potentially Brice Matthews if he moves off of shortstop. One guy to keep and eye on will be Caden Powell, who was the Astros 5th round pick in 2024 and could end up at third base long term.
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