“He is ripped”: Manager Joe Espada gets impressed by Jon Singleton’s transformed physique in Astros camp

Jon Singleton's odyssey back to the Houston Astros in 2023 was nothing short of a roller coaster. His bat would show glimpses of power, but often his performances would leave fans and coaches wondering if he'd ever get to the place where he can flaunt his full potential. What we can certainly say going into the 2025 season is that Jon Singleton is in the best shape of his life. And not in a cliché sense; that's the word on the street in the Astros camp. "He is ripped," said a clearly impressed manager Joe Espada. But it is not just the manager who has noticed. "Right now, he looks like Dwayne Johnson in 'Pain and Gain,'" said utility player Mauricio Dubón, throwing in a chuckle. It is hard to ignore the change; Singleton's commitment to the gym appears to be showing off with his looks and should help him on the field.In reality, it is his performance that counts. Singleton has been putting in a lot of effort but does not seem to be producing those results at the plate as he had done in the years before. He struggled with his strikeouts and how to choose his pitches in 2024, hitting some pretty nice home runs even though it was inconsistent. This time, new beginnings and a completely new economy are going to weigh heavily on Singleton and how great he's going to impact this year.Singleton shared his excitement over the team's endeavor towards the future. It is to win a World Series, and if that has to entail him pitching with us, then I am all in.So far, spring training isn't finished yet. Everyone's watching Singleton to show that he's not just ripped on the outside. If he's capable of stepping up to the plate like his new brawn, the offensively starved Astros just might find their answer.