HOUSTON — Houston Astros prospect Jon Singleton was some 880 miles away in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday night, yet everyone at Minute Maid Park couldn’t help but to take notice of what he had accomplished.
In a 17-6 win over the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, the 23-year-old first baseman finished 4-for-6 with two home runs and 10 RBIs for Triple-A Fresno. Singleton entered Thursday leading the minor leagues with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs, and given the Astros’ ongoing struggles at first base and designated hitter, the conversation for what happens next suddenly includes Singleton.
“He’s making a case for consideration,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’re very aware of what’s going on below us in the minors. We know what’s going on here with our guys. There’s no doubt Singleton is making a push to factor back into the major league roster.”
After signing a five-year, $10 million contract upon his major league debut last June 3, Singleton struggled mightily with the Astros, closing his rookie season with a .168/.285/.335 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs in 95 games. He struck out a whopping 134 times in 362 plate appearances, and with the offseason acquisitions of Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus, Singleton was squeezed out of the picture in spring training.
But with Gattis and Carter both hitting below the Mendoza Line, Singleton remains a viable option for a promotion to offer production at first base or as the designated hitter. That reality would seem to be in play sooner rather than later should Singleton keep on slugging.
“The final adjustment has to be at this level,” Hinch said. “Using the whole field, particularly for Jon Singleton, is the key to evaluating him.
“It’s always a tough balance. Not every transition to the big leagues is easy the first time. There’s a lot of players that go up and down. We feel like Singleton can help us at some point. It’s just a matter of when and how the roster can fit him.”