Top 50 Prospects: #29 – Jonathan Singleton | The Golden Sombrero Baseball Blog | MLB, Fantasy, College & High School Baseball News

Top 50 Prospects: #29 – Jonathan Singleton

#29 Jonathan Singleton

Houston Astros

DOB: 9/18/1991

Previous Rank: 37

ETA: 2014

Singleton was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia.  Prior to the trade, Singleton spent time at both first and left.  This ranking is based on the premise that Singleton, despite possessing a grading of 30-40 in the speed tool and a 40-50 arm, ends up playing at least several seasons in the outfield.  Houston seems to prefer him at first, but with new ownership there is some hope that the Astros begin to make better decisions in how they handle their player development.

His bat is outstanding, and he already gets 60s in terms of discipline and hit tool.  The power grade is still just average, but there is enough loft in his cut that he will grow into more bombs as he matures.  As just a 19-year-old, Singleton slashed .298/.392/.441 with 13 dingers and 70 walks in around 520 plate appearances across two stops, finishing up the year in the California League.  He had pretty noticeable splits in favor of his appearances against right-handers as should be expected, but he hangs on well against secondary stuff and is almost always down with his front early enough to stay back with his legs.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2009 17 Phillies GULF Rk PHI 31 119 100 12 9 0 2 12 1 0 .290
2010 18 Lakewood SALL A PHI 104 450 376 64 25 2 14 77 9 7 .290
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+ PHI,HOU 128 530 449 68 23 1 13 63 3 3 .298
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI 93 382 320 48 14 0 9 47 3 3 .284
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU 35 148 129 20 9 1 4 16 0 0 .333
3 Seasons 263 1099 925 144 57 3 29 152 13 10 .294
A+ (1 season) A+ 128 530 449 68 23 1 13 63 3 3 .298
A (1 season) A 104 450 376 64 25 2 14 77 9 7 .290
Rk (1 season) Rk 31 119 100 12 9 0 2 12 1 0 .290
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/9/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2009 17 Phillies GULF Rk PHI 31 119 100 2 12 18 13 .290 .395 .440 .835 44
2010 18 Lakewood SALL A PHI 104 450 376 14 77 62 74 .290 .393 .479 .872 180
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+ PHI,HOU 128 530 449 13 63 70 123 .298 .392 .441 .833 198
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI 93 382 320 9 47 56 83 .284 .387 .413 .800 132
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU 35 148 129 4 16 14 40 .333 .405 .512 .917 66
3 Seasons 263 1099 925 29 152 150 210 .294 .393 .456 .849 422
A+ (1 season) A+ 128 530 449 13 63 70 123 .298 .392 .441 .833 198
A (1 season) A 104 450 376 14 77 62 74 .290 .393 .479 .872 180
Rk (1 season) Rk 31 119 100 2 12 18 13 .290 .395 .440 .835 44
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/9/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G
2009 17 Phillies GULF Rk PHI 1B 25 233 214 17 2 17 .991 9.24
2010 18 Lakewood SALL A PHI 1B 95 885 816 65 4 63 .995 9.27
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+ PHI,HOU 1B 79 637 578 48 11 57 .983 7.92
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+ PHI,HOU DH 18 0.00
2011 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+ PHI,HOU OF 31 52 46 3 3 0 .942 1.58
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU 1B 33 268 241 22 5 30 .981 7.97
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI 1B 46 369 337 26 6 27 .984 7.89
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI LF 30 52 46 3 3 0 .942 1.63
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU RF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU DH 2 0.00
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI DH 16 0.00
2011 19 Lancaster CALL A+ HOU OF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
2011 19 Clearwater FLOR A+ PHI OF 30 52 46 3 3 0 .942 1.63
3 Seasons 248 1807 1654 133 20 137 .989 7.21
1B (3 seasons) 1B 199 1755 1608 130 17 137 .990 8.73
DH (1 season) DH 18 0.00
OF (1 season) OF 31 52 46 3 3 0 .942 1.58
RF (1 season) RF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
LF (1 season) LF 30 52 46 3 3 0 .942 1.63
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/9/2011.

He takes a direct approach to contact and generates terrific carry with good thump.  Singleton should begin the year in Double-A since his numbers improved in the California League.  A full season there could probably do him some good especially if used in the outfield, but he has the bat and maturity to earn a promotion if his numbers at the dish justify it.  It is highly possible that Singleton reaches Houston by 2013, and he even has an outside shot at a cup this September.  We think Opening Day in 2014 sounds best, though.

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