Prospect Profile: Astros' George Springer

Astros fans will get their first glimpse at one of the central characters of their fledgling dynasty Wednesday night, when top prospect George Springer, 24 years old, makes his long-awaited - and, some would argue, long overdue - major-league debut against the Royals at Minute Maid Park.

A dynamic outfielder lauded for his enviable combination of power and speed, Springer was selected with the 11th pick of the 2011 draft out of the University of Connecticut, where his garish tools and propensity for the strikeout made him a polarizing figure among scouts.

Springer's impressive physical abilities - he's 6'3 and 205 pounds - were manifest immediately, as he hit .302/.383/.526 with 24 home runs and 32 stolen bases over his first full season as a professional, demonstrating an ability to get on base and hit for consistent power despite his unsightly 27 percent strikeout rate.

The Connecticut native continued to inflate his prospect stock with another dominant showing in 2013, when he hit .303/.411/.600 with 68 extra-base hits and 45 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. Houston's prudent - or, if you're so inclined, frugal - decision-making prevented him from making a brief big-league cameo in September.

On the verge of his major-league inauguration, evaluators remain torn over Springer's prospects, with many scouts skeptical that his contact abilities will allow him to actualize his potential. However, ESPN's Keith Law suggested (subscriber only) this offseason that Springer could be that rare breed whose physical gifts are so profound that his contact issues won't completely undermine his value.

Springer may be a mold-breaker, a player whose raw abilities are so outsized that he can overcome contact problems that would sink almost any lesser player.

He grades out highly in all five tools, with plus power already and 70 speed once he's underway. His swing has a ton of leverage in it, almost knocking him over at times, but his hands are so quick that he makes a lot of hard line-drive contact -- when he's not swinging and missing, which he does often, in large part because he makes no adjustment at all with two strikes.

Furthermore, Springer's defensive abilities and skill on the basepaths - he boasts a "plus arm and plus speed," according to Baseball Prospectus' Jason Parks - enable him to provide value in multiple ways, and should allow him to prove an asset even if his batting average isn't overwhelming.

There will be strikeouts, and they could be plentiful, but Springer nevertheless wields a tremendous complement of tools that will make him an exciting player to watch even if his approach at the plate - and especially his two-strike approach - inspires a few headaches. 

Astros fans have waited a long time for something to cheer for. He'll be wearing No. 4 on Wednesday night.