TCB's Astros Fan Favorite March Madness Tournament is underway. From now until the end of Spring Training 64 players will spend the next several weeks facing off in a head to head public vote to determine who advances to the next round and who will eventually be crowned the communities favorite Astros player. For more details check out the tournament introductory post.
The rules are simple, determine which player you want to advance to the next round and then vote. Vote subjectively, objectively, using your trusty magic eight ball or any other set of criteria. It's totally up to you how you want to vote! Votes for this round will last exactly 24 hours.
In this match-up
5 - Matt Albers
Matt Albers returns to the organization that drafted him in the 23rd round of the 2001 draft. Since we last saw Albers, he's posted a 4.03 ERA, 105 ERA+, in 379 2/3 innings for the Orioles, Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Indians. Last year, Albers had 63.8% groundball rate, which is beyond elite. I doubt he gets that many groundballs next season, however, his 52.3% career groundball rate is still really good.
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12 - LJ Hoes
Hoes joined the Astros organization via the Bud Norris trade last year on July 31, 2013. Other than exemplifying great Twitter use (which is rather refreshing), Hoes is also in the middle of the outfield battle. Although, he does not have the power you would expect from a prototypical corner outfielder (only 1 HR in 184 total plate appearances last year), he does have a nice hit tool and approach at the plate. If he can add a power element to his game while maintaining his average, the 23 year old Hoes can fit in nicely in the outfield next to Fowler and, eventually, Springer. -Idrees