Today: HOU Prospect Joseph Austin
Joseph 'Jay' Austin is a fleet, talented outfield prospect with the Houston Astros system. Selected in the second round of the 2008 draft, Austin is a toolsy prospect with high upside and the sort of line-drive and speed combination that could play well in the big alleys of Minute Maid Park one day.
Before he gets there, of course, the 18-year old has a lot of work to put in. A centerfielder as well as a pitcher at North Atlanta High School (not to mention one of the city's best high-school football players), Austin has fleet feet and exceptional arm strength. As a pitcher he flirted with 90mph on the radar gun, but the Astros will be developing him as an offensive threat. In his senior year, he hit .568 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases.
Widely regarded as the fastest player available in the 2008 draft (with a 6.2 second 60 yard dash), Austin will be known as Houston's Leadoff Hitter of the Future for many years to come. Austin's speed has to be rated plus-plus, and it's that game-changing talent that the Astros are banking on.
Defensively, Austin has the glove and arm to stick in center field. Combined with his speed, he should be a superior defender.
At the plate, Austin's a bit of a free swinger who will need to be reined in, but he's never really been challenged, so the minor league ladder should be a good workout for him.
Assuming the Astros can squeeze some discipline from his bat, Austin could be in the majors as early as 2011.
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