2015 TCB Astros March Madness: Marwin Gonzalez vs. Evan Gattis

Just a reminder; voting will stay open for 24 hours for each of these match-ups, and there will be two match-ups per day. For a complete breakdown, check out the introductory post if you haven't already. Get those votes in while you can!

Round One, Match Nine

Marwin Gonzalez, SS

In a season full of surprise performances, Gonzalez fit right in, though his year got a lot less attention than guys like Keuchel and McHugh. But it can't be denied that he impressed; the Darvish Killer batted .277/.327/.400 with a 108 wRC+, far better production than anyone could have anticipated the Astros getting from shortstop. It likely wasn't sustainable, even if Houston hadn't gone out and nabbed Jed Lowrie, but MarGo has certainly shown a level of skill that should help him find jobs as a solid utility man, now and in the future. -- Brian Stevenson

VS.

Evan Gattis, C/1B/LF/DH?

The Astros have been tied, via rumor, to any number of wild signings and trade targets in the past few years, so when Gattis came up early in the off-season, it was easy to dismiss as more of the same; after all, he doesn't walk much, isn't an elite contact hitter, doesn't provide any real defensive value, and isn't even that young. And then, suddenly, the Astros actually did trade for him. In hindsight, it makes sense; they dealt from minor league depth, and they, in true form, picked up a guy with one elite tool. Gattis' power is very, very real; among batters with at least 750 PA over the last two seasons, Gattis is 12th in ISO. -- Brian Stevenson