The Houston Astros have brought back first baseman Jon Singleton on a minor league deal, according to The Athletic‘s Chandler Rome. Singleton was recently released from a minor league contract with the Mets, making him a free agent before Houston picked him up—marking his third stint with the organization.
Once one of the Astros’ most hyped prospects, Singleton was originally acquired from the Phillies in a 2011 trade and signed a five-year, $10 million extension before making his MLB debut. Unfortunately, his early promise didn’t translate at the major league level. Between 2014 and 2015, he hit just .171/.290/.331 across 420 plate appearances.
After several years away from the majors—including a 100-game suspension and a battle with substance abuse—Singleton revived his career in the Mexican League in 2021 and re-entered affiliated ball with the Brewers in 2022.
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Now 32, he returns to Houston looking for one more shot. While it’s a long way back to the big league roster, Singleton’s power and familiarity with the organization make him a potential depth piece at first base or DH if the need arises.
Jon Singleton made his return to the majors with the Brewers in 2023 but was released midseason, leading to another opportunity with the Astros. Over the next two years in Houston, he found meaningful playing time—particularly in 2024, when he stepped in at first base following José Abreu’s struggles and eventual release.
In that 2024 campaign, Singleton posted a solid .234/.321/.386 slash line with 13 home runs across 405 plate appearances, resulting in a 105 wRC+—a mark that indicates he was slightly above league average offensively. However, his overall value was limited, as he graded out to just -0.1 fWAR, largely due to below-average defense and minimal baserunning impact.
While not a game-changer, Singleton showed he can still provide serviceable power and plate discipline. His latest minor league deal gives the Astros some familiar and experienced depth, should they need another stopgap at first base or DH.
The Astros’ decision to sign Christian Walker to a multi-year deal effectively solidified first base in Houston through at least the 2027 season, making Jon Singleton expendable. As a result, the Astros released Singleton at the end of Spring Training, and he quickly signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.
Singleton later triggered an upward mobility clause in his contract this May, which required the Mets to either promote him to the majors or grant his release. New York opted for the latter, having never called him up despite his veteran presence and decent Triple-A production.
Now back in Houston for a third stint, Singleton returns as insurance—but with Walker entrenched at first base, his path to the majors is once again uncertain.
While Christian Walker hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at the plate so far, there’s little indication the Astros are ready to move away from him as their everyday first baseman. That said, with seven position players currently on the injured list, Houston is dealing with a severe depth crunch—and that’s where Jon Singleton re-enters the picture.
Though not likely to step into a regular role, Singleton brings experience, familiarity, and a left-handed bat to Triple-A Sugar Land. With the Astros’ lineup heavily skewed toward right-handed hitters, Singleton could find himself back in the majors sooner than expected, particularly if the club needs a lefty bat to balance the bench or serve as a short-term DH or first base option.
