TCB March Madness 2013: Josh Fields Vs Lance McCullers

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:

29 - Josh Fields

The Rule 5 selection, Josh Fields, is a late inning reliever in the making. In 2012 between AAA and AA in the Boston Red Sox farm system, he posted a 2.01 ERA in 58.1 innings with a 12 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate, and a 2.8 walks-per-nine-innings rate. Previously, his control issue had kept him from making it to the big leagues, but if he's managed to fix those issues, he could be a very valuable piece for the Astros in 2013.

Vs

36 - Lance McCullers

Drafted in the supplemental first round (thanks, Clint Barmes!), McCullers instantly became one of the top arms in Houston's system. Pegged as a reliever by national scouts who didn't watch much of his senior season at a Tampa high school, McCullers has top-of-the-rotation stuff. He debuted in the minors to the tune of a 3.46 ERA in 26 innings between two levels of the minors. McCullers struck out 29 and walked 12 in that time, giving him big-time K/9 rates, but equally bad walk rates. He should start the season in Lexington. -David