Houston Astros Notes: 2016 FanFest Will Lack Two Astros Stars

The upcoming 2016 Houston Astros FanFest should be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Considering the team’s success in 2015, expect a large turnout for the January 23rd event. This event will give the fans a chance to see some of their favorite Astros players up close and personal and is free. You know guys like George Springer, Collin McHugh, Evan Gattis, Luke Gregerson, Carlos Gomez, Jose Altuve, and many others.

Numerous top prospects should be on hand as well. But that doesn’t mean every Astro we hold near and dear to our heart will be able to attend.

Per a report from Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, there are two players, perhaps two best players that the Astros currently have, that will most likely won’t be able to attend this year’s festivities: Dallas Keuchel and Carlos Correa.

Their absence is due to Keuchel and Correa being presented with their respective awards, the AL Cy Young and the AL Rookie of the Year award, by the Baseball Writers Association of America in New York that is scheduled to take place the same day as FanFest.

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While this is disappointing for the fans in the regard that they will be unable to see two of the Astros most popular players on January 23rd, the fact that Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA/2.91 FIP) and Correa (.279/.345/.512, 22 HR, 68 RBI, 133 wRC+) are being rewarded for their terrific 2015 seasons is pretty special.

Editor’s note: The good thing about FanFest is that you get to interact with the players and get to meet the Astros legends. It’s a family atmosphere there with plenty of activities and autographs to be had. The way the autograph session happens is a little chaotic, but effective. There will be most likely to be four autographs sessions including a different group of old and current Astros there. You must have a ticket, you wait in line, and then you can get up to three autographs per player per ticket. I am looking forward the Bloggers Roundtable, where we get to meet Jeff Luhnow, Reid Ryan, and A.J. Hinch with our sister and cousin blogs in Houston.

Here are some posts that steamed from the roundtable last year:

An Inside Look at Astros Offseason Through Luhnow’s Eyes

Luhnow: Astros Guideline for Signing Premium Free-Agent

Reid Ryan’s Hand in the Rebuilding of the Houston Astros

Next: The Houston Astros Should Absolutely Not Deal for Freddie Freeman

But rest assured I bet that both Keuchel and Correa will both be at FanFest in spirit. And considering this latest tidbit of information, maybe a trip to Florida in February or March to see them up close is more warranted than ever now.

**Statistics are provided by Fangraphs.com**

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