Fansided

10 MLB comeback candidates to watch in 2018

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Noah Syndergaard
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Noah Syndergaard /
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TAMPA, FL – MAR 15: Colin Moran (19) of the Pirates hustles down to first base during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees on March 15, 2018, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MAR 15: Colin Moran (19) of the Pirates hustles down to first base during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees on March 15, 2018, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

7. player. 4. . 3B. Pittsburgh Pirates. Colin Moran

While playing for the Houston Astros last summer, third baseman Colin Moran suffered one of the most gruesome injuries of the MLB season when he fouled a Darren O’Day sidearm frisbee off his face. He suffered a facial fracture and did not return to the big leagues after the injury and subsequent surgery. Blocked at third base by Alex Bregman, Moran gets a completely fresh start this year after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates passed on higher-upside prospects when trading away Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, preferring to take players already ready to stick at the MLB level. Moran will take over at third base in a young infield that has the potential to turn some heads.

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, Moran has hit .285/.350/.430 in the minor leagues. He excelled at Triple-A last year, hitting .308/.373/.543 with 18 home runs in 79 games for Fresno. If the changes Moran made to his swing last year stick, his power numbers should stay elevated.

Moran had always shown a good hit tool with the ability to maintain a high average. The development of a power stroke makes him a potential impact player, and the Pirates need those now after losing McCutchen.

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