Luhnow: “More Than One Guy Will Have Breakout Year”

Astros GM, Jeff Luhnow, recently appeared on MAD Radio on Sports Radio 610 with hosts Brad Davies and Mike Meltzer. Of course the main topic of the conversation was the Astros and their current team as well as the future of the club. It was a nice interview as most that Luhnow has given have been a breath of fresh air to listen to. He made the comment on the show that he believes more than one player will have a breakout year this coming season.

Now, of course Luhnow will say something like that as I highly doubt he would say, “We just hope one guy can produce this year”. Luhnow seemed to really believe what he was saying as he said in a very matter of fact way. On a team that finished with a franchise record 106 losses, just one bright spot (outside of our veterans such as Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Lee and Brett Myers) would be a huge plus. One guy I truly hope has a breakout year is Jason Castro.

Castro, as many of you know was our first round pick in 2008. He was the first pick of a new era. An era that did not go so smoothly, but a new era nonetheless. His selection was viewed by some as a reach and more of a sign-ability decision rather than a selection of the best player available. Regardless of the situation, Castro is a talented baseball player who was worthy of a first round selection. He moved quickly through our minor league system and did not seem to struggle. He was finally called up in 2010 for the second half of the year. His defense was good but his offensive was almost non existent, but that can happen with rookies. Last year he tore his ACL during spring training and missed the entire year. He then played in the Arizona Fall League and broke his foot.  He should still be on track to start opening day, if he wins the starting catcher spot, but he is in danger of being labeled not only injury prone but a bust. Here’s hoping that one of the guys with a breakout year is Jason Castro. Who do you think will have a breakout year this season?