#43 Jonathan Singleton (First Baseman[L/L])

Houston Astros

Date of Birth: September 18, 1991 (age 21)
Origin: 8th Round Pick in 2009 out of Millikan HS (Long Beach, CA)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 235

Steve Fiorindo: While Singleton is a very good prospect, there’s a huge shadow looming over him right now: his 50-game drug suspension for popping positive for marijuana. The suspension doesn’t hurt his prospect status from an on-field perspective, but it is extremely disappointing from a decision making standpoint, and that’s an under-ratedly huge factor in the game.  The Astros are doing some really positive things, and they really didn’t need this from one of their top prospects right now.

On the field, Singleton is a sweet swinging lefty that can put a big jolt in the ball.  The swing has everything you look for in a slugger: balance, leverage, and bat speed. He can also get every ounce of leverage he can out of mistake pitches, which always helps.

Singleton is already a big kid, and I think any conversation of him in the outfield is a thought that has now passed.  His overall footspeed is just is just too slow, though he moves around the bag at first pretty well. With the Astros now in the AL West, I envision Singleton as a first base/designated hitter type for years to come.

Michael Schwartze: The suspension was a big disappointment to hear about. Like Steve mentioned above, it does not really hurt his prospect status but the suspension will put a bit of a delay in his development.

I completely agree with Steve on his comments about Singleton’s swing. He is a natural hitter has an advanced approach at the plate. I could see him putting up big time offensive numbers at either first base or as a DH at for years to come at the next level. He’ll open the year at AAA but it shouldn’t be long until he is ready to make an impact at the big league level.

Al Skorupa: I don’t want to diminish the seriousness of using of marijuana or recreational drugs, but the suspension didn’t really change my outlook for Singleton either. What I do find troubling is that a young man who was so close to playing in the big leagues would do something so silly and to potentially damage to his career and life aspirations.

Singleton can definitely mash. He’s a big, powerful kid with a leveraged swing that see the ball flying off his bat. He’s a tough out, too. I think cynical baseball writers everywhere are probably waiting eagerly for Singleton to debut and out-hit Ryan Howard so they can trash that huge contract extension again. They’re probably not going to have to wait long. Singleton is not without his questions marks and I do have a hard time getting excited about first base prospects.

Fantasy Outlook by Michael Curtis:
Singleton is one of the only high-end first base prospects in baseball and has a clear path to the first base job in Houston, but his 50-game suspension to start the year will slow his ascension to making an impact at the highest level. When he does reach the majors, possibly at some point late in the 2013 season, his power should be felt immediately, and it has the long term ability to grow into 30+ homer ability.

One Comment on "Jonathan Singleton #43 – 2013 Top 100"