Houston Astros Position Review: Third Base
By Jimmy Price
Houston Astros Position Review: Third Base
Coming into the 2014 season the Houston Astros had a 24-year old third baseman by the name of Matt Dominguez. In 2013 Dominguez hit .241 with 21 HR and 77 RBI. If one had to guess, you would think that the arrow was pointing up for the third base position. Let’s take a look at how the third base position was for the Astros in 2014.
Click here for our review on the catcher position
Click here for our review on the first base position
Click here for our review on the second base position
Matt Dominguez
Unfortunately Matt Dominguez was unable repeat his season from 2013. Dominguez got worse in nearly every category in 2014. Just about any stats you look at point to Dominguez being a well below-average third baseman in 2014. His batting average went down from .241 to .215. His OPS+ went down from 89 to 65. His walk rate went down from 5.1% to 4.8%. His strikeout rate went up from 16.3% to 20.6%. In 2013 he compiled 2.4 WAR, in 2014 he compiled -1.6 WAR.
While this was not a good season I don’t think it is time to give up on Dominguez yet. Third baseman who can hit home runs aren’t necessarily easy to come by. He just turned 25-years old at the end of the season and is only 23 days older than George Springer. I expect Dominguez to rebound from this down season and hopefully put together a better 2015.
2014 Stats: 157 G, .215 BA/.256 OBP/.330 SLG, 17 2B, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 29 BB/125 SO
Fortunately for the Houston Astros and their fans, third base is a position that has a lot of depth in the minors.
ON THE FARM (Minor Leagues)
Matt Duffy (AAA) – Duffy played 71 games at first base and 70 games at third base this season. He is older than typical prospects at 25 but put together a pretty nice season. Between AA and AAA he hit .288 BA with 22 2B, 18 HR, 84 RBI. He doesn’t walk much (28 BBs) but his strikeout rate is manageable (106 in 136 games).
More from Houston Astros
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Astros: Playoffs require stronger finish
- Houston Astros: Three reasons why team should trade Josh Reddick now
- Houston Astros: Assessing the lineup without Yordan Álvarez
- Houston Astros: Why the pitching rotation is coming together at right time
Colin Moran (AA) – Moran was acquired in the trade that sent Jarred Cosart to the Marlins. After coming to the Astros organization he was promoted straight to AA due to his advanced college pedigree. With Corpus, Moran hit .304 with 6 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI in 28 games. His power has yet to really show but he has an advanced hit tool that could make him a fast riser through the system.
Rio Ruiz (A+) – Ruiz was drafted by the Astros out of high school in 2012. Ruiz started and finished the season in Lancaster and showed the tools that made him a high draft pick. He displayed great on base ability and plenty of doubles power. On the season he hit .293 with 37 2B, 11 HR, 77 RBI, 82 BB/91 SO in 131 games.
J.D. Davis (A) – Another high pick by the Astros, Davis was touted as a power hitting third baseman. He displayed some of those tools in his short time playing the season after being drafted. Between Tri-City and Quad Cities he hit .293 with 16 2B, 13 HR, 52 RBI in 73 games.
Hopefully Matt Dominguez can turn things around next season but the Astros system is stacked right now with third base prospect.
Stick with House Of Houston for more on the Astros and the Astros off season.