MLB Preview 2015: Houston Astros

Houston Astros 2014 Record: 70-92

Team Overview:

When looking into the 2015 Astros it is tough to get away from the fact that this team will probably continue rebuilding. I know Astros fans don’t want to hear that but there may be a light coming to this tunnel. The team did make moves to fill the lineup this off-season but there are two big bright spots that came up on this team. Second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer both bring a high upside of defense and speed. Altuve, who is more proven of the two, can be a lead off hitter and average guy. Springer brings upside power but a lot of strike outs to deal with as he goes into his second full season. The two have promise, but with Altuve being 24, and Springer 25 they both feel about two years away from leading a truly promising club. If things go well Jon Singleton will be joining the list of young big leaguers with high promise. Singleton is only 23 but he got some MLB time at first base and flashed some power to go with his flaws as well. He could not produce a steady average and stroke out at a higher rate than Springer did. That may be the extent of the big league potential that they would expect in the MLB for at least the majority of this season. The team has another power bat in Chris Carter who is still only 28, and while he may strike out a lot he can hit any given pitch out of the park. There is a theme going with potential power hitters with high strike out rates and Evan Gattis is acquired to boost them in both categories. Other additions include one more high K rate in Colby Rasmus who is a potential bust candidate at 28, Jed Lowrie a defensive short stop, and Luis Valbuena who can be a utility man and will probably start everyday at third base or the outfield. The team has the power but will certainly have the ability to have men left on base.

The pitching staff has a few young faces but I would suspect they use this season to find out what they really have. Colin McHugh had the best season of the staff but he mainly projected as a 3-4 pitcher. Dallas Kuechel is another young pitcher that showed promise but, he is a pitch-to-contact groundball pitcher and again I think he would pitch best as maybe a 2 but probably a 3-4. The two are both only 27 and this will be a big season to learn what they have with these two as they have other pitchers in the minors who could fill the top half of a rotation in about two years and these two would hold down a strong bottom. The team has a veteran in Scott Feldman to help these two inexperienced pitchers, and they round it with 3 younger guys trying to fill the final 2 spots.

What to watch for?

This whole team is basically a to watch for so and it was tough to narrow it to just one. I think Altuve has been seen so Springer is the biggest player I need to see to be confident in the Astros future. If he can get his average up he is a threat to be a high quality MLB outfielder. Springer went on a streak of 7 straight games with a home run as a rookie so the ceiling is set high for the kid and it remains to be seen what he can do to adjust to MLB pitching.

The bull pen is also very rarely a must watch but the team made moves in signing Pat Neshek and Luke Gregorson this season to show that they mean business. They had a below average pen last year and also added some lower arms to provide depth but a team with such questionable pitching will need these guys a lot if contending in 2015 is possible.

Lastly it is impossible to not to mention the farm system. While we are looking at 2015 only, watch what the Astros are doing because they have a plethora of talent in the system with names like Colin Moran, Carlos Correa, Brett Phillips, Mark Appel, and Vince Valesquez just to name a few. It is only a matter of time until a veteran Springer and Altuve team up with a young core, and a deep rotation to take the AL West.

Where Do They Rank?

It is nice to think about what the Astros can be but it just doesn’t seem possible for this season. I think next year they make noise and the year after they are contenders but until then they are just a team to watch. I don’t expect regression from a 4th place finish but I cannot guarantee a progression in the rankings, although they could win more than 70, I see them finishing in 4th place again.

#MLB #2015 #baseball #sports #Texas #Houston #Astros