TCB March Madness 2013: Jake Elmore vs Rio Ruiz

TCB's Astros Fan Favorite March Madness Tournament is underway. From now until the end of Spring Training, 64 players will face off in a head-to-head public vote to determine who advances to the next round, and who will eventually be crowned the community's favorite Astros player. For more details, click here for the introductory post.

The rules are simple: Determine which player you think should advance to the next round by voting for that player. Arguments made for an advancing player in the comments section below may be used in that player's description for the next round. Vote subjectively, objectively or by using your trusty magic eight ball. Votes will last exactly 24 hours.

25 - Jake Elmore

If this were March Madness, Elmore would be George Mason or Butler. He's the unknown quantity that people will doubt and doubt until he ends up in the finals or, in this case, the starting lineup. The former Diamondbacks prospect is the definition of unheralded, but he also reminds me a little of J.D. Martinez and Jose Altuve. Everyone has reasons why they don't like Elmore. His defense isn't good. He doesn't hit for power. And yet, he consistently gets it done at every level. Doubt all you want, but Elmore could easily be a bracket buster this year. -David

Vs

40 - Rio Ruiz

Third basemen Rio Ruiz dropped to the fourth round of the 2012 MLB draft due to a blood clot injury his senior year of high school. Fully recovered from the injury, Ruiz put up solid numbers between two levels of rookie league ball. He finished the year with a .252 batting average, a .336 on base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage in 152 plate appearances. His defense is expected to be good enough that he can stay at the hot corner, and might turnout to be above average. Next year will be a key year for for us in our evaluation of Ruiz. He will be one more year removed from injury and he should face tougher competition.