The Crawfish Boxes - Astros call up top prospect Jon Singleton and give him 5-year extension Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2014-06-03T07:00:16-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/55369332014-06-03T07:00:16-05:002014-06-03T07:00:16-05:00Daily Boil: Singleton is Ready
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<figcaption>David Manning-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>For Tuesday's Daily Boil, we take a look at Jeff Sullivan's piece on Jon Singleton from Fangraphs yesterday.</p> <p>Fangraphs' Jeff Sullivan posted yesterday with a piece entitled <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jon-singletons-understandable-leap/" target="_blank">Jon Singleton's Understandable Leap</a> following the news broke of Singleton's promotion and long contract extension. You should click it at least for the cool pictures from <a href="http://mlbfarm.com/" target="_blank">MLB Farm</a> and Sullivan's own tables.</p>
<p>As <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> fans know now, following a month of <span>George Springer</span>, expectations can not be set too high, too early. Even Springer, who took time to adjust to MLB pitching, hit the ball with amazing success more quickly than most prospects do.</p>
<p>But, with that being said, Sullivan makes a very obvious point to begin his piece</p>
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<p><span>For the Astros, </span><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa501596&position=1B" style="color: #000000; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">Jon Singleton</a><span> can be bad, and better than what the team has been running out there. To date, Astros first basemen have combined to be worth -1.0 WAR, worst in baseball by most of a win.</span></p>
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<p>Well, at least we hope he isn't as bad as <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0" target="_blank">it has been.</a></p>
<p>Sullivan then lightly touches on Singleton's marijuana problem and also later discusses the drinking last year briefly. But for the sake of this post, let's look at Sullivan's talk about Singleton's on-field performance.</p>
<p>First point: Singleton has been much better against lefties. Sullivan's table points out that Singleton has a career-high .383 wOBA vs. southpaws this season. To further illustrate that point, the left-handed hitting Singleton is slashing .309/.390/.529 with four home runs and three doubles in 68 at-bats. Yes, please!</p>
<p>Sullivan's second piece of information isn't as much persuasion for or against Singleton's promotion, but certainly is interesting. Singleton is pulling the ball and hitting it in the air much more than any other time in his career. And as a result, he was on-pace to obliterate his MiLB career-high 21 home runs at AA Corpus Christi in 2012.</p>
<p>Alert: Moving on from Sullivan's points to my own. Singleton's .240 batting average in the month of May could make the timing of the promotion somewhat head scratching. But the key to showing that Singleton is ready is the fact that although his batting average dropped from .293 in April to .240 in May, Singleton's on-base percentage stayed almost exactly the same - 398 to .397.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Singleton walked 18 times and struck out 31 times in April. In May, it became 24 walks and and 21 Ks. He's making adjustments and was likely not seeing many good pitches after slugging .636 in April.</p>
<p>He will, however, see a lot of pitches as a part of what is becoming a solid Houston lineup. At the very least, he will be on base a lot no matter how much he struggles to drive the ball. That can't be said for the Guzman/Krauss platoon.</p>
<p>Houston had a winning month of May and just made its team better. That's exciting.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/3/5773796/tuesdays-daily-boil-moar-singletonPerry Mattern2014-06-03T00:16:33-05:002014-06-03T00:16:33-05:00Jon Singleton promotion: What are they saying?
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jeff Luhnow, Bo Porter, and players talk about Jon Singleton's call up and deal. </p> <p>The two phases of the news cycle are complete. The arrival of Jon Singleton has been rumored and reported. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> have confirmed said reports, and announced the call up of the top first baseman prospect in baseball. Now it's time to hear from the men that called up and will use him in the lineup -</p>
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<p>Jeff Luhnow said the Singleton deal had been in the works since April.</p>
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/473634648946647040">June 3, 2014</a>
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<p>Porter on Jon Singleton: “Going to play every day, that's a given...He'll probably start out in the sixth spot and then we'll go from there"</p>
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/473635349160144897">June 3, 2014</a>
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<p>Porter on Singleton: "I told him last year, I said you get, 'Jonathan the man right, the baseball part of it will take care of itself’"</p>
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/473635810881724418">June 3, 2014</a>
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<p>MLB.com's Brian McTaggart has more information about the transaction from Astros' general manager Jeff Luhnow -</p>
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<p>I think it really began with the desire to have the deal be good for both sides, good for the player in that the player is given some security and the player knows how important he is to the organization. And good for the organization in that we now have cost control over a player that has a chance to be pretty special and that we believe is going to be a good big league player and potentially a great big league player.</p>
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<p>Read more of McTaggart's article <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/hou/astros-prospect-jon-singleton-to-join-astros-agrees-on-extension?ymd=20140602&content_id=77872300&vkey=news_hou">here</a>, he goes into a full breakdown of Singleton, the deal, and more from Luhnow.</p>
<p>Now one more tweet that might leave you asking "Bud, tell us how you really feel?" -</p>
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<p>Sorry but this Singleton deal is terrible. Wish the Jon listened to the union and not his agent.</p>
— <span>Bud Norris</span> (@BudNorris25) <a href="https://twitter.com/BudNorris25/statuses/473681750216806400">June 3, 2014</a>
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<p>Seems a bit much, but what's your take?</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/3/5774882/jon-singleton-promotion-what-are-they-sayingRyan Dunsmore2014-06-02T18:47:59-05:002014-06-02T18:47:59-05:00Astros make Singleton move official; Option Krauss
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<p>The Astros have announced the Jon Singleton deal, and it's corresponding move to send Marc Krauss to Triple-A Oklahoma City. </p> <p>The contract extension and call up of Jon Singleton has been news since lunch time today. The <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> have made it official, announced the corresponding move to get Singleton on to the 25-man roster. <span>Marc Krauss</span> has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> officially sign 1B Jon Singleton to a 5-year contract (2014-18) with 3 club option years (2019-21). He will be in uniform tomorrow.</p>
— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/473588767375126528">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>To make room for Singleton on the active roster, the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> have optioned IF Marc Krauss to Triple A OKC.</p>
— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/473588801286066177">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>Krauss was platooned with <span>Jesus Guzman</span> at first throughout the season, he was batting .179 (19-110) with seven extra-base hits, 14 RBIs, 14 walk, and 35 strike outs. Krauss faced right-handed pitching in 107 of his 110 at-bats this season, he is batting .168 (18-107). In the month of May, he was batting .214 (12-56) with two home runs and nine RBIs. This season Krauss has posted a 66 wRC+* and a -0.8 WAR*.</p>
<p>The biggest strike against Krauss wasn't necssarly his bat, because it's only May after all. His fielding wasn't up to snuff, Bo Porter rarely kept Krauss at first through nine innnings. Porter would switch to Guzman soon after Krauss' last at-bat of the game.</p>
<p>It's now Singleton's time at first base, long may he reign.</p>
<p>(*Stats courtesy of Fangraphs)</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/2/5773474/jon-singleton-promoted-astors-make-singleton-move-official-optionRyan Dunsmore2014-06-02T16:42:26-05:002014-06-02T16:42:26-05:00Reaction to Singleton's call up and extension
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<p>The internet reacts to the call up of Jon Singleton and the historic contract extension. </p> <p>The propsects are coming. First it was Springer, now it's Singleton. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>' firstbase prospect getting called up would be news in itself, the contract he signed before a single at-bat in the majors turned heads. Let's take a look at what the internet was saying about the move -</p>
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<p><a href="http://houseofhouston.com/2014/06/02/report-jonathan-singleton-called-houston-astros-near-future/">Jonathan Singleton Called Up By Houston Astros, Signs Long-Term Deal</a><br>
The Houston Astros have called up <span>Jonathan Singleton</span> and he signs a long-term extension before taking his first pitch.</p>
<p><a href="http://climbingtalshill.com/2014/06/02/jon-singleton-signs-5-year-contract-houston-astros/">Jon Singleton signs 5-year contract with Houston Astros</a><br>
The Houston Astros have signed Jon Singleton to a 5-year contract with 3 option years</p>
<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fantasy-roto-arcade/power-play--jon-singleton-gets-the-call-to-houston-180814420.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Power play: Jon Singleton gets the call to Houston | Roto Arcade - Yahoo Sports</a><br>
From Yahoo Sports: Yup, another prospect is on the way. This one brings a new contract and a power bat.</p>
<p><a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/02/astros-call-up-top-prospect-jon-singleton-and-sign-him-to-long-term-contract-worth-up-to-35-million/">Report: Astros call up top prospect Jon Singleton and sign him to long-term contract worth up to $35 million</a>Six weeks after calling up <span>George Springer</span> from Triple-A the Astros are set to promote another stud hitting prospect to the big leagues, as Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports that first baseman Jon Singleton is on his way up from Triple-A.</p>
<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11021397/jon-singleton-signs-long-term-deal-houston-astros">Jon Singleton signs long-term deal with Houston Astros - ESPN</a><br>
The Houston Astros have reached agreement on a five-year, $10 million guaranteed contract with first base prospect Jon Singleton and are promoting him to the big league club from Triple-A Oklahoma City, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source--astros-sign-minor-leaguer-jon-singleton-to-historic-contract-174347093.html">Source: Astros sign minor leaguer Jon Singleton to historic contract - Yahoo Sports</a><br>
Source: Astros sign minor leaguer Jon Singleton to historic contract</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.si.com/2014/06/02/astros-sign-jon-singleton-to-five-year-deal/">Astros sign first-base prospect Jon Singleton to five-year deal, call him up to majors | The Strike Zone - SI.com</a><br>
A new frontier in contract extensions was breached on Monday when Astros first base prospect Jon Singleton became the first player to sign a multi-year, multi-million-dollar extension in advance of his major league debut.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2014/06/02/singleton-on-his-way-up-to-astros/#22102103=0&23907101=0">Jon Singleton on his way up to Astros - Ultimate Astros</a><br>
Prospect Jon Singleton will be joining the Astros on Tuesday, a person familiar with the move said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/6/2/5773594/astros-jon-singleton-contract" style="text-decoration: underline;">Astros reportedly lock up Jon Singleton, make a fantastic deal - SBNation.com</a><br>
It's a fantastic deal for them. Probably not for Singleton.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/springleton-has-arrived.html">Astros County: Your Neighborhood Astros Blog & Grill: #SPRINGLETON HAS ARRIVED</a><br>
Breaking from Evan Drellich at the Chronicle: Jonathan Singleton is set to be promoted from OKC to Houston for tomorrow night's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/astros-agree-to-extension-with-jon-singleton.html">Astros Extend Jon Singleton – MLB Trade Rumors</a><br>
The Astros have signed first baseman Jon Singleton to a five-year extension that will pay him $10MM in guaranteed money, Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reports.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/2/5773832/reaction-to-singletons-call-up-and-extensionRyan Dunsmore2014-06-02T12:45:34-05:002014-06-02T12:45:34-05:00Jon Singleton Called Up- Is He Ready?
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<p>Jon Singleton has had an up and down ride to the big leagues, but the latest up feels like it might be one that lasts a long time. </p> <p>Once a budding phenom in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> organization, then the crown jewel of the <span>Hunter Pence</span> trade and the consensus top first base prospect in baseball, Jon Singleton had a rough go of it in 2013. The now-22 year old was suspended 50 games for a drug test failed due to marijuana use, and he was never able to get things going despite a barrage of power in spring training. Later, we learned that Singleton had heavily abused marijuana, and later alcohol, to the point that he entered a rehabilitation program for a spell. Things were looking a bit bleak for a short time for Singleton, but he nipped his issues in the bud and returned with a vengeance in 2014. The stats say Singleton is a force in the making, but is he truly ready for big league ball?</p>
<p>One skill that most in the scouting community agree translates all the way up the ladder is plate discipline- something that Singleton has in spades going back to his early days in the Phillies' organization. He has never posted a walk rate south of 13% for a full season, including a career high 17.6% mark this season. Singleton is also sitting on a career low 22% K rate. Walks are a great buoy for any hitter as they tend to come at more regular intervals than hits, and will be a big part of Singleton's major league value.</p>
<p>The world is also well aware of his prodigious power, which took some time to manifest but is out in full force now. Singleton is still largely a pull hitter with just one opposite field bomb this season and a large majority of his hits going to the right side of the field. Going the other way more often is the last facet of Singleton's game that needs fixing, and pitchers will likely try to attack him on the outside part of the plate early on. However, Singleton's eye will help him in this department, as he'll force pitchers to locate as they seek to exploit his weaknesses.</p>
<p>Singleton is not an all-or-nothing hitter. He has a willingness to go to the gap rather than swing for the fences, and he employs a simple swing that allows him to catch up to velocity. However, his line drive rates are lagging and it'd be good to see him focus less on lofting the ball 100% of the time. He loads his hands quickly and quietly and explodes into the ball using his powerful frame. There are elements of Singleton's game that need to be developed in terms of becoming a true hitter rather than a masher, but he has the potential to become just that in the long run, and his mashing ability is already well developed. He's not going to have the best seasons of his career in his early 20s, but he has the potential to impact the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>' roster with power and patience right away.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/2/5772758/jonathan-singleton-called-up-is-he-readySpencer Morris2014-06-02T12:15:31-05:002014-06-02T12:15:31-05:00Jon Singleton Called Up and Extended!
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a series of tweets, it has broke that Jon Singleton has not only been called up for tomorrow's game, but he has also been extended.</p> <p>News broke just minutes ago that Jon Singleton had been called up from AAA Oklahoma City.</p>
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<p>Source: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> have informed Jon Singleton he will be promoted from Class AAA Oklahoma City for tomorrow's game.</p>
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/473507434762215424">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>Crazy thing is, not only was he called up, but he has also been extended.</p>
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<p>Source: Astros, minor league 1B Jon Singleton agree on historic long-term deal. $10M guaranteed, up to $35M. News coming on Yahoo Sports.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/473508443890790400">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>Historic!</p>
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<p>Jon Singleton deal covers five guaranteed seasons and includes three club options for the Astros. He will be called up immediately from AAA.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/473509262421811200">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>This deal immediately screams being very team friendly if Jon Singleton produces like we all think he can.</p>
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<p>Singleton is first player with zero ML service time to sign such an extension. Astros have tried with other players. This time, it worked.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/473509856347832322">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>Singleton gives up one year of FA with this deal. If Astros pick up all three options, he’s still on the market at 30 years old.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/473510072446775296">June 2, 2014</a>
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<p>We always know off days can lead to some interesting moves, but this one takes the cake. Jeff Luhnow is still redefining what it means to run a baseball franchise. The future continues to be now.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/6/2/5772714/jon-singleton-called-up-and-extendedIrish Pete