Houston Astros Top Three Center Field Prospects

Houston Astros Top Center Field Prospects

Next up on our list of Houston Astros top prospects at each position is the top three center field prospects. As it has seemed with every position so far, the Astros are in pretty good shape in center field too. Right now at the big league level the Astros have George Springer, Jake Marisnick, and Colby Rasmus who can all play CF. The center field position in the minor leagues might be the one with the most upside out of all of them. Let’s get to the rankings.

Other Top Three Prospect Lists:

Houston Astros Top 3 Catching Prospects
Houston Astros Top 3 First Base Prospects
Houston Astros Top 3 Second Base Prospects
Houston Astros Top 3 Third Base Prospects
Houston Astros Top 3 Shortstop Prospects
Houston Astros Top 3 Left Field Prospects

1. Brett Phillips (DOB:05/30/94)

Phillips was drafted in the 6th round out of high school in 2012. He played in rookie ball in 2012, hitting just .251 in 54 games. In 2013 Phillips started the season with Greeneville rookie level hitting .247 in 29 games before getting a small taste of full season ball with Quad Cities (12 games). In all of these games he hit zero HRs.

Phillips really broke out in 2014 putting together a phenomenal season. The reports on Phillips is strong defense in CF with a cannon for an arm. The left handed hitting Phillips started with Quad Cities in 2014 and hit .302 with 21 2B, 12 3B, 13 HR, 148 wRC+ and led the Midwest League in slugging percentage. He was then promoted to Lancaster and propelled them to the California League championship with a .980 OPS and 156 wRC+. This phenomenal season really put him on the map even drawing some top 100 prospect rankings.

2014 Stats: .310 BA/.375 OBP/.529 SLG, 87 R, 29 2B, 14 3B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 23 SB, 50 BB/96 SO in 130 games.

2. Teoscar Hernandez (DOB:10/15/92)

Hernandez is a right-handed hitting outfielder out of the Dominican Republic. Hernandez was signed as an international free agent in 2011 for $20,000. Teoscar has all the tools to become an above average major leaguer which includes speed, power, and defense in center field. Hernandez put together a decent season in 2013 finally tapping into to his power. In 2013 he hit .271 with 25 2B, 9 3B, 23 HR for Class A Quad Cities.

Everyone knows he has the tools but this season he really broke out. He hit .294 with 33 2B, 17 HR in Class A+ Lancaster before earning a promotion to AA. He struggled there a bit with strikeouts but still managed to hit .284 with 4 HR in 28 games. The concerns with Hernandez would be the strikeouts and 2015 in AA will be a huge test for him.

2014 Stats: .292 BA/.362 OBP/.535 SLG, 37 2B, 9 3B, 21 HR, 85 RBI, 33 SB, 51 BB/153 SO in 119 games.

3. Andrew Aplin (DOB: 03/21/91)

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Aplin is one of those guys who is hard not to like. He was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2012 draft. Coming out of college Andrew showed the ability to make contact and draw walks. This is exactly what he has done in the Astros system. Aplin does everything well. He draws walks, limits strikeouts, plays good outfield defense, and can steal bases.

After the draft Aplin was assigned to Tri-City where he hit .313 earning a promotion to A+ Lancaster. In 2013 is where he really broke out. That season Aplin hit .278 with 32 2B, 9 HR, 107 RBI, 24 SB, 83 BB to only 63 strikeouts. He started off 2014 in Corpus and was eventually promoted AAA Oklahoma City.

2014 Stats: .265 BA/.372 OBP/.345 SLG, 14 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 65 RBI, 26 SB, 80 BB/71 SO in 126 games.

On The Radar:

Jason Martin (A-): Martin was drafted out of high school in 2013. Martin has plus speed and great plate discipline. In 2014 he split time between rookie level Greeneville and Tri-City. In 63 games he compiled 14 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 13 SB, 31 BB/43 SO all at 18 years old, which was way below the league average.

At this point it seems like a very good chance one of these guys make a major league roster. I think Andrew Aplin has a chance to play with the Astros at some point this season. Once again, another position in the Houston Astros system with very nice depth. Next up on the list will be the top three right field prospects.