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
7 - Max Stassi
The 23 year old catcher's Major League career got off to a start that was similar to his minor league career; plagued with injuries. In just his eighth Big League plate appearance, Stassi was struck in the face by a pitch and his season was over. Fortunately there was no perminant damage, and with Jason Castro's history of knee injuries, there will be plenty of playing time for whomever is named his backup this year. Stassi has real upside; his defense, game calling and pitch framing all recieve high marks, and while there's some question as to just how effective of a hitter he'll be at the Major League level, there's no denying that he has tremendous raw power, and could very well hit 20 homers if given sufficient playing time. -Ashitaka
vs
10 - Andrew Thurman
Anteaters forever! Poor, poor Andrew Thurman, who I will forever picture as an anthropomorphic anteater (his college mascot) and never as an actual person. But, that anteater can play. Though he was overshadowed by fellow 2013 draftee Mark Appel, the second-round pick had a nice debut after signing with the Astros. In nearly 40 innings, Thurman struck out 43 and posted an ERA of 3.86. Expect that ERA to drop (unless he goes to Lancaster) and his combination of strikeout stuff and good command to get him more notice in the next few months. -David