2015 TCB Astros March Madness: Conrad Gregor vs. Jose Altuve

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

Round Four, Match Four

Conrad Gregor, 1B

Drafted in the fourth round out of Vanderbilt in 2013, Gregor became one of the fastest movers in the system, beginning the 2014 season in Single-A Quad Cities, advancing through Lancaster, and ending the year in Double-A Corpus Christi. That’s a lot of adjustments to make in one season, and his batting line suffered once he hit the Texas League, but once he has time to make adjustments, he should be able to handle the high minors better. His swing is simple and uncomplicated, he has an advanced eye at the plate, and he has shown excellent pitch selection: In Lancaster, he drew more walks (27) than strikeouts (25). He doesn’t have ideal power for a first baseman, but is capable of muscling the occasional ball over the wall. -- Anthony Boyer

VS.

Jose Altuve, 2B

The Astros keystone man (in more than one way) had a breakout season that will be remembered for decades. Capturing the MLB batting title by hitting .341, Altuve positioned himself as the best player on the team, the face of the franchise and a legitimate All-Star talent. While some regression is to be expected, there's little doubt that he will still be one of the best, if not the best, players on the club for some time to come, and he has, after all, built his whole career atop the shattered expectations of naysayers. -- Brian Stevenson