Astros make unprecedented move in bringing young player up

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's big news for Astros fans. The team is making an unprecedented move to call up some fresh talent and it comes at a time when fans finally have a few reasons to be excited.

The way the Astros are doing business has never been done in Major League Baseball. Reports Monday tell us the Astros new contract with Jonathan Singleton will pay the top prospect millions before he makes his Major League debut.

Astros General Manager Jeff Lunow didn't have any comment on the call-up of Singleton or his new multi-million dollar contract when we reached out to him.

Yahoo! Sports was the first to report that Singleton will join the Astros from Oklahoma City and that Singleton and the Astros have agreed to a contract with $10 million guaranteed

What makes this a big deal is that Singleton has had problems in the past with marijuana and alcohol. Last year, he served a 50-game suspension for a second failed drugs test.

The Astros say they've been working closely with Singleton on his substance abuse problem, providing him with the support he needs.

By giving Singleton the big contract, the Astros believe he'll focus on his play on the field.

Singleton is batting .267 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs at Triple-A this season.

The Astros need help at first base and Singleton will give them that.

What makes this deal so unique is that typically players that young are given minimal salaries until around the 6-year mark, when they cash in on the bigger deals. The Astros, by giving Singleton the $10 million on the front end, may expect a bit of a bargain on the back end of the deal. Singleton could also earn more if he does perform.

Meanwhile, the Astros get the first pick in Thursday's MLB draft.