Chris Carter (Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports)
Spring Training games are still more than a week away and then we have another month until Opening Day. But that shouldn’t stop the speculation and excitement of who we will see on the field when the games begin.
In that vain, earlier today, the Houston Astros Twitter account posted a lineup card of what I would presume to be the current variation of the lineup Bo Porter would send out on the field if the season would start today.
To those who have followed the Astros closely over the last year, this should not come as much of a surprise. The top three is solid and will be the strength of the team. Chris Carter is not the ideal cleanup hitter, but 25-30 home runs are very possible. Carter and Matt Dominguez could both eclipse 80 RBI’s this season, but their batting averages leave a lot to be desired.
And after those five players, the question marks begin. Ultimately by the end of the season, the plan is for George Springer and Jonathan Singleton to occupy two of those spots.
Jesus Guzman and L.J. Hoes have the potential to be solid hitters, but both likely don’t offer much in the way of power. There is the hope that Robbie Grossman builds on some of the success he had last year and Jonathan Villar is an X-Factor.
This also tells us that Chad Qualls is currently the favorite for the closer’s job which should not be a surprise. All in all, nothing on this lineup card should come as a surprise.