The Major League Baseball All-New England team
By Conor Duffy
Jul 9, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Springer (4) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Designated hitter
- George Springer (Houston Astros)– New Britain, CT
Springer gained recognition in the prospect world last season by blasting 37 home runs and stealing 45 bases while slashing .303/.411/.600 between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City. While he hasn’t set the world on fire in his Major League debut season, he has been impressive for the Astros, slashing .231/.336/.468 and displaying the excellent power-speed combination that made him such an intriguing prospect. There are concerns over Springer’s high strikeout rate (33% this season) but he has been successful even with an average BABIP of .294 and he has one of the highest ceilings in baseball due to that power and speed.