http:// www.baseballamerica.com/minors/what-to-expect-astros-1b-jonathan-singleton/ The Houston Astros are in dire need of offensive help. The Astros have earned their 6-14 start thanks to a lineup that is dead last in the majors in batting average (.196), on-base percentage (.266) and on-base+plus slugging (.615). Only catcher Jason Castro has posted even a league-average OPS+ (101). The biggest problem among the many issues in the Astros’ lineup has been the club’s lack of production at first base and designated hitter. Marc Krauss (.167/.239/.333), Chris Carter (.123/.250/.211) and Jesus Guzman (.194/.237/.389) have shared the jobs, but all three have been entirely replaceable. Fortunately for the Astros, first base is one position where Houston has a better replacement ready and waiting in Triple-A. Jonathan Singleton, one of the key acquisitions in the 2011 Hunter Pence trade, is hitting .329/.430/.726 for Triple-A Oklahoma City. SCOUTING REPORT Ever since he was selected as a high-upside eighth-round find by the Phillies in 2009, Singleton has shown an ability to get on base and hit for power. He has plus bat speed, plus power and can cover the whole plate. The home runs will come with plenty of strikeouts as well, but Singleton’s ability to draw walks and hit doubles and home runs should more than make up for some swing-and-miss tendencies. Singleton’s on-base ability is his best skill. He has a .388 career minor league on-base percentage with an ability to draw walks in part because he has enough power to keep pitchers cautious. At 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, Singleton has to watch his weight. He was overweight last year, and it showed at the plate, where it seemed to slow his swing, and in the field. He showed up in significantly better shape this season, which has also been reflected in his performance. Singleton’s scouting report also has to include a note about his battles with addiction. He was suspended for 50 games last year after a second positive test for marijuana. The Astros added him to the 40-man roster earlier than needed last year. As soon as that happened, he was no longer subject to tests for marijuana because of his newfound status as a member of the Major League Baseball Players Association. But Singleton told reporters this spring that he began substituting alcohol for pot last year, which did him no favors, on or off the field. Singleton appears to have his addictions under control this season and has shown excellent work habits this April, but it is an issue he’ll have to continue to deal with once he reaches the big leagues. WHAT TO EXPECT He’s not at George Springer’s level as a prospect either in real life or for fantasy purposes but Singleton is, like Springer, a prospect who should arrive in plenty of time to post significant help to a fantasy team this year. Like Springer, Singleton has a pull-heavy approach right now that he will need tweak over the long term. He’s susceptible to seeing his batting average dip in the face of infield shifts, because almost everything he hits on the ground is hit to the right side of the infield. Singleton does not run well enough to do anything more than stay out of his own way. He will not produce stolen bases, but he should score runs to go with home runs and RBIs. He’s more valuable in on-base percentage leagues than leagues that use batting average. Don’t get too enamored with Singleton’s outstanding start to the season in Oklahoma City. He’s been prone to hot streaks before, and this level of production is beyond anything he’s maintained over the course of a few months. But Singleton should be able to produce 20-25 home runs, .350+ on-base percentages and 80+ runs scored over a full season, albeit it with strikeouts and middling batting averages. --

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