:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10259987/marchmadness2.0.jpg)
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:
9 - Jason Castro
Jason Castro having something to prove after missing all of 2011 with a knee injury posted a .320 wOBA in 295 plate appearances. He struggled to stay on the field and his defense, when he was on the field, in 2012. The time spent on the disabled list was mostly for resting his knee and his defense may have suffered because of that. The positive is that when he was on the field he provided above average offensively. Catchers in 2012 posted a .312 wOBA putting Castro right at average offensively for a catcher if not slightly above. Another year removed from his knee injury can only mean good things for the former first round selection.
Vs.
52 - Aaron West
Drafted in the 17th round in the 2012 MLB draft, Aaron West quickly made any team in the New York Pennsylvannia League pay for not drafting him sooner than the Astros did. In 61.2 innings West posted a 2.04 ERA with 8.6 strikeouts per nine (SO/9) and 1.3 walks per nine (BB/9). If West continues to develop and put up outstanding numbers like these he could be the steal of the 2012 draft.