Possible 1B Log Jam

by H-town Fanatic on Aug 1, 2011 2:36 PM CDT

I'm hoping Brett Wallace comes around and gets his hitting stroke corrected. He and Villar must pan out in order for the Oswalt trade to have return value. However, I'm a little worried about the possible first base log jam that Wade has created with the draft and current trades. If (and this is a big if), Hinze, Nash, and Singleton represent the power in the organization and they all continue to produce, then what are the Astros faced with? I'm thinking a little Moneyball philosophy will have to come into the mix, right?

Given a hypotheitical, I think Hinze is in the big leauges by mid 2012 while Nash and Singleton continue to polish; however, what do you do if both these guys are ready in 2013 and Hinze and/or Wallace are playing well? Can any of these guys play outfield? I would hate for the Astros to keep guys in AA and AAA for a considerably long time just because the position they play already has a producing player at the major league level. If all three prospects end up mashing it and are putting up .300/30/90 type power numbers at Corpus and OKC next season, then the Astros can't just sit by and let a possible 3-4-5 hitting order tandem waste away in the minors because of position conflict. It's a good problem to have, but it could also turn out to be disasterous.

Thoughts?

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I don't think it is a major problem.

Singleton is a little ways away. He might be able to play OF. Wallace is more of a place holder than long term solution in my opinion. And Hinze could be good, but can’t be counted on at this point.

by auclairkeithbc on Aug 1, 2011 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

Singleton really struggles

both at the plate and in the field when in the OF… or has to this point anyway.

by Crzycjunx76 on Aug 1, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Nash could play LF

and I actually think he may be better off there.

by Crzycjunx76 on Aug 1, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Worry about it if/when it becomes a problem

Singleton is 19, Nash is 20, both are in the lower minors and aren’t currently blocked from moving along at a natural pace through the system. Hinze does not currently profile as a top prospect, although his stock is rising. Anyway, he’s barely spent any time at AA ball; plenty of time to give Wallace an extended look, and if he doesn’t seem like he’s working out and Hinze continues to mash, at that point (probably sometime around mid-2012) you can give Hinze a shot in the majors.

Regardless, I would simply say “don’t borrow trouble”. If we find a good first baseman between Wallace and Hinze, then trades can be made to free up the logjam. We’re not at the point of actually having such a logjam yet, though.

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by OremLK on Aug 1, 2011 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

I'd like to see...

…Wallace treated like Travis Snider was for the Jays this season. Send him down and get somebody to work on his swing. Shorten it a little bit, work on recognizing breaking pitches, and for god’s sake, put some loft on the ball. Dude that big should be hitting them out of the park.

by CRPerry13 on Aug 1, 2011 3:04 PM CDT reply actions

Simple

you hope your front office can determine who has the better expected upside, if is the guy currently starting you move the guy in the minors for a MLB piece or more minors pieces… if it is the guy ready to come up then you deal your MLB starter for more prospects to strengthen the system. It is the best way to build a long term contender. The good systems have “log jams” at multiple positions, it is a good problem to have.

by Crzycjunx76 on Aug 1, 2011 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

This is far from a problem.

If, by some chance, Nash and Hinze turn out to be legit, we can trade them.

As far as I’m concerned, Singleton is our future at 1B. He has the highest ceiling, and he’s the most likely 1B in our system to pan out. Nash is looking really good in Lexington right now, and Hinze is lighting up Double A, but their ceilings aren’t as high. Nash does have great potential though. Still, it’s not quite on Signleton’s level.

"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.

by bone31crusher on Aug 1, 2011 3:40 PM CDT reply actions

I know the old adage is you can never have enough pitching but you never have enough good

bats either.

by StrosSouth on Aug 1, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

If they all work out

you use them has trade chips to acquire prospects in other areas where you are weaker, or use them to acquire MLB talent for a playoff push.

You want the kind of system where you have depth throughout from AAA to Rookie ball at a lot of different positions. It looks like the Astros may have that the corner outfield and 1B positions.

This allows includes DeLome, Shuck, Goebbert, Ovando, and Bailey.

by Neil Leininger on Aug 1, 2011 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

Problem is,

None of the guys you mention are considered to be good prospects except Ovando, and he’s 17 years old.

by CRPerry13 on Aug 1, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

They still give your system depth.

by Neil Leininger on Aug 1, 2011 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

My point was

How do you determine this if Wallace happens to give you a .300/13/75 season next year whilst Nash, Singleton, and Hinze are putting up bigger numbers in the minors. How do you know who is THE guy and you are forced to make a trade? Like I said, its a good problem to have, but the wrong choice could be made when trying to trade a piece to fill another position need.

Additionally, I don’t like the terminology of “higher ceiling”. If a guy is producing way above his potential; it doesn’t matter. You have to give him a chance. I can’t justify pushing a guy through if his ceiling is much higher but continues to play at an average level in the minors. I don’t care if he was the #1 pick in the draft. If the guy who was the 23rd round pick is mashing, then call him up.

"There's two kinds of coaches, them that's fired and them that's gonna be fired." ~ Bum Phillips

by H-town Fanatic on Aug 1, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Too much talent at 1B would be a nice thing in my opinion(Thumbs up).

by PeteyNhtown on Aug 1, 2011 11:41 PM CDT reply actions

I hope that they use Hinze as trade bait later if he gets good, we need more lefties not less.

by blazemule on Aug 2, 2011 10:52 AM CDT reply actions

So let me get this straight.....

…..we can now start worrying about too much talent at a position?? Wow…I’ve been wondering what it would be like to be a real baseball team.

by AstrosBill on Aug 2, 2011 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

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