Astros Trade Carlos Lee to Marlins for Prospects Matt Dominguez and Rob Rasmussen

Houston Astros Trade Carlos Lee to Miami Marlins for Matt Dominguez and Rob Rasmussen.

The Astros and the Marlins pulled off an Independence Day trade today, Houston shipping veteran slugger Carlos Lee over to Miami in exchange for third base prospect Matt Dominguez and pitcher Rob Rasmussen. Here is a scouting report on the prospects involved.

Matt Dominguez, 3B: Dominguez was drafted by the Marlins in the first round in 2007, from high school in Chatsworth, California. Age 22, he is renowned for his excellent defensive ability at third base, where he has the range, hands, and arm strength to be a Gold Glove winner. Unfortunately, he has been disappointing with the bat, hitting just .247/.302/.396 in 165 games of Triple-A over the last year and a half, showing power at times, but frustrating scouts with his inability to make adjustments. He is still young enough to improve and perhaps the change of scenery will unlock his ability.

Rob Rasmussen, LHP: Rasmussen was drafted in the second round in 2010, out of UCLA. He is pitching in the High-A Florida State League this year at age 23, posting a 3.90 ERA with a 75/36 K/BB in 88 innings with 83 hits allowed. Rasmussen is undersized at 5-9, 160, but he has good arm strength and works in the low-90s, mixing in a curve, slider, and changeup. Rasmussen threw strikes in college but has had mixed results as a pro, and has not dominated the lower levels of the farm system. He could be a fifth starter but is more probably a reliever in the long run.