Skip to content

Astros' Singleton not a lock for Opening Day roster

Troy Taormina / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Jon Singleton may be forced to watch the Houston Astros from his couch when they play host to the Cleveland Indians on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow admitted Thursday that the young first baseman hasn't locked up a spot on the Opening Day roster and could start the season in the minor leagues.

"Still to be determined," Luhnow told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "He is working on specific things with his swing."

Singleton started 86 games at first base for the Astros in 2014 following his promotion from Triple-A in June, but the club's busy offseason may have left the youngster without a position. With newcomer Evan Gattis poised to receive plenty of at-bats at designated hitter and Colby Rasmus expected to handle left field on a regular basis, Chris Carter could displace Singleton as Houston's everyday first baseman.

Singleton, an eighth-round pick in the 2009 draft, struggled to make consistent contact last season, striking out more frequently than all 15 of his fellow rookies who received at least 350 plate appearances in 2014

The 23-year-old didn't prove especially vulnerable to chasing pitches outside the strike zone - and showed off solid power when he was able to put the ball in play - but whiffed with alarming frequency on pitches inside the zone last season.

Player K% (Rookie Rank) ISO O-Swing% Z-Contact%
Jon Singleton 37% (16th) .168 (4th) 27.1% (3rd) 70.3% (16th)

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox