[BA] What To Expect: Jonathan Singleton
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www.baseballamerica.com/minors/what-to-expect-astros-1b-jonathan-singleton/
The Houston Astros are in dire need of offensive help. The Astros have earned
their 6-14 start thanks to a lineup that is dead last in the majors in
batting average (.196), on-base percentage (.266) and on-base+plus slugging
(.615). Only catcher Jason Castro has posted even a league-average OPS+ (101).
The biggest problem among the many issues in the Astros’ lineup has been the
club’s lack of production at first base and designated hitter. Marc Krauss
(.167/.239/.333), Chris Carter (.123/.250/.211) and Jesus Guzman
(.194/.237/.389) have shared the jobs, but all three have been entirely
replaceable.
Fortunately for the Astros, first base is one position where Houston has a
better replacement ready and waiting in Triple-A. Jonathan Singleton, one of
the key acquisitions in the 2011 Hunter Pence trade, is hitting
.329/.430/.726 for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
SCOUTING REPORT
Ever since he was selected as a high-upside eighth-round find by the Phillies
in 2009, Singleton has shown an ability to get on base and hit for power. He
has plus bat speed, plus power and can cover the whole plate. The home runs
will come with plenty of strikeouts as well, but Singleton’s ability to draw
walks and hit doubles and home runs should more than make up for some
swing-and-miss tendencies.
Singleton’s on-base ability is his best skill. He has a .388 career minor
league on-base percentage with an ability to draw walks in part because he
has enough power to keep pitchers cautious.
At 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, Singleton has to watch his weight. He was overweight
last year, and it showed at the plate, where it seemed to slow his swing, and
in the field. He showed up in significantly better shape this season, which
has also been reflected in his performance.
Singleton’s scouting report also has to include a note about his battles
with addiction. He was suspended for 50 games last year after a second
positive test for marijuana. The Astros added him to the 40-man roster
earlier than needed last year. As soon as that happened, he was no longer
subject to tests for marijuana because of his newfound status as a member of
the Major League Baseball Players Association. But Singleton told reporters
this spring that he began substituting alcohol for pot last year, which did
him no favors, on or off the field.
Singleton appears to have his addictions under control this season and has
shown excellent work habits this April, but it is an issue he’ll have to
continue to deal with once he reaches the big leagues.
WHAT TO EXPECT
He’s not at George Springer’s level as a prospect either in real life or
for fantasy purposes but Singleton is, like Springer, a prospect who should
arrive in plenty of time to post significant help to a fantasy team this
year. Like Springer, Singleton has a pull-heavy approach right now that he
will need tweak over the long term. He’s susceptible to seeing his batting
average dip in the face of infield shifts, because almost everything he hits
on the ground is hit to the right side of the infield.
Singleton does not run well enough to do anything more than stay out of his
own way. He will not produce stolen bases, but he should score runs to go
with home runs and RBIs. He’s more valuable in on-base percentage leagues
than leagues that use batting average.
Don’t get too enamored with Singleton’s outstanding start to the season in
Oklahoma City. He’s been prone to hot streaks before, and this level of
production is beyond anything he’s maintained over the course of a few
months. But Singleton should be able to produce 20-25 home runs, .350+
on-base percentages and 80+ runs scored over a full season, albeit it with
strikeouts and middling batting averages.
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※ 編輯: FreeFly (220.142.3.242), 04/23/2014 01:40:06
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