Astros' Former Superstar Prospect Seems To Have Edge For Bench Role
The Houston Astros thought they were getting a potential superstar when they acquired Jon Singleton in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He was taken in the eighth round of the MLB Draft out of high school and was projected to become one of the top first baseman in the game.
Singleton was rated as the Astros' No. 1 prospect in 2012 and 2013, ahead of Carlos Correa, George Springer, Lance McCullers Jr., and other prominent Major Leaguers.
Unfortunately, the talented slugger had some off-field issues those same years after he tested positive for marijuana. He was suspended for 50 games following a second failed test.
Still, he made his MLB debut in 2014, but floundered in his 95 games, posting a slash line of .168/.285/.335 and OPS+ of 76, yet he did hit 13 homers and drove in 44 runs.
Singleton's struggles really began after that, being optioned to Triple-A, placed on waivers and ultimately released in 2018 after getting suspended 100 games for another failed drug test.
However, Houston and the former superstar prospect reconnected last season and are hoping to put the past behind them.
He was used in bench role during 2023, appearing in 25 games.
There seems to be two reserve positions available on the Astros' roster for the upcoming season and Chandler Rome of The Athletic thinks Singleton should be penciled in for one of them.
"Singleton hits left-handed and is out of minor-league options, perhaps giving him a slight advantage over the others," he writes.
The lefty power hitting ability that the slugger presents certainly gives Houston more options. Jose Abreu is expected to perform much better this season, but they're looking to give him more days off to put less strain on his body.
That could benefit Singleton by getting more favorable pitching matchups.
It will be interesting to see how the Astros use their former top prospect, but it looks like this reunion could be continuing to start the 2024 season.
