ASTROS HAVE PROSPECTS

If You are Paying Attention, Astros Do Have Something Going for Them

It has been all too common to hear nothing but negatives from the fans who have followed the Houston Astros this off season. While it is true the club had the worst season in Houston history in 2011 and the new ownership is not spending money willy nilly this off season both the criticism of the past and premature complaints about the future are mis guided.


For the vast majority of the Drayton McLane Jr. ownership years the Astros were one of the best teams in baseball. Sure, they never won a World Series and only made it that far once. At the same time they were competitive and that is really all fans can ask for. You will note that the big spenders in New York and Boston did not win the World Series every year. Spending money is not the answer. Being smart about how you spend it is.


Players don’t last forever or at their peak skill level. There will always be some ups and downs especially in this silly money era. Teams don’t develop super star players or even all star players every year. Clubs have to hope they have enough prospects so that someone will come to the front and pay off. Hopefully, it will be more than one.


Since that is the Astros current plan, it is encouraging that three percent of the top 100 prospects work in the farm system. And it is also encouraging that two of those prospects were acquired in trades by Ed Wade last season. Jonathan Singleton may be the most intriguing. A year earlier the Phillies would not trade him when they wanted Roy Oswalt. He was being given a shot to play the outfield on the hope that he could play that spot while Ryan Howard continued to hold down first base. In 2011 after a season of playing mediocre outfield the Phils were willing to part with him to Houston in the Hunter Pence trade.


Singleton is only 20 years old but will likely start the 2012 in Corpus Christi. He combines an ability to hit for power and average. A good season in 2012 could put him in the hunt for a regular job at first base for Houston in 2013. Everything points to the possibility of Singleton developing into a real star. Of course, he has to do it and he has not had that chance yet.


Another player in the same Pence trade with the Phils is also on the top 100 list. That is pitcher Jarred Cosart. Only 21 years old he has electric stuff they say and only needs to be more consistent with where he delivers those pitches to be a star. He will open in Corpus Christi in 2012 but could advance quickly.


The third top 100 prospect according to MLB.com is last year’s top draft pick, George Springer. The centerfielder from Connecticut signed late and only appeared in eight minor league games last season. Still, his five tool package of skills intrigues scouts who felt the Astros really found a gem in the draft. Springer is 22 years old and likely will begin the season in A ball, but if he earns it will be moved quickly.


It is very important to emphasize, however, that while being ranked in the top 100 of MLB is a great honor it guarantees absolutely nothing. J.D. Martinez who appears to be the leading candidate to play left field with the Astros in 2012 was not a highly regarded prospect early on. Only after he continued to show an ability to hit on every level he was assigned did the 20th round draft choice climb on the prospect charts. It is the same with likely second baseman Jose Altuve. Who thought the (listed at 5’7, but really about 5’5 tall) infielder would be a major leaguer? By hitting about .310 for his career on the farm he earned his shot. He may never give it up. But who could have known that was coming?


It is watching the development of players like Singleton, Cosart, Martinez, Altuve-- and don’t forget Jordan Lyles and others-- that will make following the Astros in 2012 more enjoyable than just the win-loss record.


There IS a positive future ahead. Don’t fill the blog comment sections with wisecracks that are supposed to be funny or just to rile true fans. If the Astros are not a contender in 2012 so what? Wait awhile, but don’t give up on them. Don’t wait to be a bandwagon jumper who hardly knows anything about the men in the Astro colors when they start to win. Follow the club and the prospects on the farm this season. That is part of the fun.