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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.
In this match-up:
31 - Jonathan Singleton
Fifty is the magic number for Singleton. In 2011 and 2012, he was among the top 50 prospects in baseball, according to Baseball America. Fifty is also the number of games he'll be suspended at the beginning of the 2013 season for violating the league drug policy. The lefty, considered by many to be the top first base prospect in all of baseball, posted a 15.9% walk rate, .284 average, and .213 ISO in Corpus Christi in 2012, and remains one of the Astros' top prospects and a key part of their future. -Anthony
Vs- Delino Deshields
2012 was a breakout year for Delino DeShields, the Astros 19-year-old second base prospect. Repeating A ball at Lexington, DeShields showed why the Astros had spent a first-round selection, eighth overall, on him. Having spent 2011 transitioning from center field to second base DeShields was finally able to focus on the offensive side of baseball. In 637 plate appearances, DeShields posted a .287 batting average, .389 on-base percentage and a .428 slugging percentage. He also shattered record for most stolen bases by an Astros minor league player, setting the new record at 101 steals. It has been rumored that DeShields will start the year at AA, but don't be surprised if he starts at Lancaster. Either way, he'll be one of the more exciting players in the system to watch.