Jon Singleton Takes Over At First Base & Takes Off
Since becoming the starting first baseman for the struggling Houston Astros, Jon Singleton is red hot with the bat.
MLBbro Jon Singleton Is Motivated By Seven-Game Series Loss To Texas Rangers
ARLINGTON, Tx. — Jon Singleton had a relatively short offseason after Houston reached the 2023 American League Championship Series but made the most of his limited time off.
Whenever he found a break from spending time with his kids, gym workouts and batting cage sessions consumed the Long Beach native’s spare time.
“I went back home to California where I live,” Singleton told MLBbro.com.
“I spent a lot of time hanging out with the kids and taking them to school. Aside from that, I was just preparing for this season.”
Fueled by last year’s seven-game championship series loss to the Rangers, the lefty slugger spent the offseason molding his craft.
Eager for a chance to help the Astros clinch another World Series title, Singleton was not shy about his feelings toward Texas.
Singleton Motivated By Loss To Texas Rangers
Singleton admitted that it motivates him when asked if the rivalry between the two Lone Star teams was intensified by their historic ALCS battle, in which the road team won all seven playoff matchups.
“The ALCS [loss] kinda put a sour taste in our mouths,” Singleton said. “We definitely want to come out here and beat [the Rangers].”
Over their last 50 games against Texas, the Astros are 33-17, but just 14-11 over their last 25 matchups against the Rangers. This year, they hope to beat Texas when it matters–during the postseason.
For Singleton, aside from championship aspirations, his biggest goal this season is centered around his approach at the plate.
Welcome Back To The Show Jon Singleton | Houston Astros Make Another Brilliant MLBbro Maneuver
“Just being consistent,” Singleton said. “Just having quality at-bats every chance I get. That’s the biggest goal for me.”
Singleton drew 10 walks and drove in 10 runs in 25 games with the Astros following a mid-season trade from the Brewers.
This season, the talented first baseman could have an expanded role with the Astros, especially if former AL MVP Jose Abreu’s woes continue at the plate.
Marcus Semien Reached Base Safely In Four Of His Five Game 6 At Bats | Texas Rangers Push Dusty Baker’s Astros To ALCS Game 7
Marcus Semien reached base safely in four of his five Game 6 at-bats, knocking in two singles, walking twice and scoring a run in the Rangers 9-2 win over the Astros. Now, just one game stands between him and his first career World Series appearance.
Semien Game 6
Desperation was the word of the day for the Texas Rangers and specifically Marcus Semien who has struggled all postseason long as faced elimination Sunday night. He came into the game with urgency to do whatever it took to get on base safely and showed great patience by drawing a four pitch walk in his first at-bat.
In his final at-bat of the night, Semien would single as the Rangers would end up loading the bases and hitting a grand slam to put a bow on top of their pivotal Game Six win and set their sights on the biggest game of the season and for Semien the biggest of his career.
“This will be my first career Game Seven,” Semien told reporters postgame.
“We had our backs against the wall tonight and I think we should come out with the same mentality.”
Astros could not shut the door
Dusty Baker and his Astros had their chances to knock out the Rangers early in the game but failed to do so despite getting a run on the board in the first inning. He had to pull his starting pitcher after only five innings of work.
In the 8th inning with the bases loaded and two outs, Baker decided to pinch hit Jon Singleton for last season’s World Series MVP with his team down by two runs. Singleton, who was an unsung hero for his walk in Game Five that preceded Altuve’s game-winning home run, had another great at-bat but would end up striking out with a full count.
“He is a really good pitcher with really good stuff,” Singleton told reporters when discussing his final at-bat.
“I fouled off some decent pitches, but ended up chasing a ball up.”
Outfielder Michael Brantley got the start in left field for Houston and would finish 0-for-3 with two walks and added another web gem to his highlight reel with a sliding catch in the top of the eighth.
“We need to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow,” was the message Brantley gave to his teammates ahead of the greatest thing we get in sports, Game Seven.
We will see if these MLBbros can become a part of baseball history Monday night at 7 PM. central.
Being Away From Baseball Ignited An Even Bigger Fire Fueling Jon Singleton’s MLB Return
Welcome Back To The Show Jon Singleton | Houston Astros Make Another Brilliant MLBbro Maneuver
BOSTON – Welcome back to the show, Jon Singleton.
After almost eight years away from the MLB, including several seasons in the minors and a stint in the Mexican League, Singleton didn’t give up his hope of returning to the big leagues.
Singleton Had Shaky Stint With Brewers
He originally had been called up on June 3rd by the Milwaukee Brewers to help fill a void because some key players were injured. It was his first MLB game since October 2nd, 2015, when he made the start at first base against the Cincinnati Reds and batted sixth. He played in 11 total games for them and ended up going 3-for-29 with two RBI, before being designated for assignment.
That poor start was not enough to discourage him as he kept on fighting, and it was the Houston Astros who gave him his next opportunity. He signed a minor league contract with them on June 24th and ended up playing 33 games for their Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, where he had a .333/.446/.692 slashline, including 12 home runs.
Singleton Gets The Call & Responds
On August 8th, Singleton was called back up to the majors to see if his luck could turn around with the defending champs. His first two games were quiet, but on August 11th against the Anaheim Angels, he finally made some noise.
He ended up going 3-for-4 that day and had two home runs and five RBI. It was his first ever multi-home run game and was the most runs batted in he ever had for a single game as well.
So far with Houston, he’s played a total of five games, where he’s batting .167, with a .318 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage.
The MLB Saga Of John “Smoke” Singleton
Being raised in Long Beach, California, Singleton originally committed to playing baseball for his local college, the Cal State Long Beach Dirtbags. That all changed when he was taken by the Phillies in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft.
He ended up being a part of that organization for two years and was then part of a haul of prospects sent to Houston in a blockbuster trade for outfielder Hunter Pence. After the trade and at the end of the 2011 season, Singleton was viewed as the Astros’ top prospect according to Baseball America, as he would get the nod to play in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.
He would spend the next two and a half seasons in the minors before being placed on the Astros 40-man roster at the end of the 2013 season. On June 2nd, 2014, just a day before he would make his major league debut, he signed a five-year contract worth up to $35 million, with $10 million guaranteed, which was the first contract extension signed by a prospect with no major league experience.
After the 2014 season, Singleton bounced around between the minors and majors, had a few failed drug tests that kept him from playing baseball, and just could overall never find his footing in the bigs.
He’s been given a second chance by the Astros.
With Michael “The Professional” Brantley still hurt, and now Jose Abreu being placed on the 10-day injured list, Singleton doesn’t have a better opportunity to prove himself than now. The question now will be if the 31-year-old can muster up some hits in key moments to help the defending World champs defend the title. If he can, he would be rewriting his career narrative with a perfect ending.
Recent Comments