Do the Astros Have an All-Around Even Team?

Mar 2, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter

(left) speaks with former major league player

during morning work outs at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With spring training approaching the halfway mark, the Astros seem to be a better team this year. In recent years, it has appeared that the Astros have had some holes on the team that led to losses. With an very active offseason, it seems that the Jeff Luhnow and the Astros have patched up those hole for the 2015 season.

In order to play .500 baseball for the year, the Astros would need to have a good team in multiple areas, not just one. If we break the Astros team into four categories, how do they rank in rotation, bullpen, hitting, and defense? For them to have a good year, everything needs to click right for the young team.

Next: Rotation

Rotation

As of Saturday March 21, it looks like the rotation will consist of the following.

LHP-Dallas Keuchel

RHP – Scott Feldman

RHP – Collin McHugh

LHP – Brett Oberholtzer

RHP – Dan Straily or Asher Wojciechowski or Roberto Hernandez

While the Astros don’t have a Clayton Kershaw or Madison Bumgarner type of ace, Keuchel and McHugh made a huge leap in 2014. The ace of the Astros is Dallas Keuchel, because he was a great breakout player in 2014. He is the ace based on his numbers from last year.

At his best, Scott Feldman is an average but dependable pitcher based on his resume. He will end up with a mid three ERA with an even 11-11 won-loss record. Nothing exciting, just will get the job done most of the time.

Collin McHugh may still be unproven, but should be the pitching staff’s leader in strikeouts. He has pitched well so far this spring.

Brett Oberholtzer has the potential to be an above average starting pitcher, he just needs to learn how to be more efficient with his pitches to pitch deeper into games.

Asher Wojciechowski has out-pitched the competition so far in the spring, only giving up one run in 12 innings. He is a strike thrower. Dan Straily offers the veteran experience for the rotation, and Mark Appel’s time is coming, but not opening day.

I would give the starting rotation a B –

Next: Bullpen

Bullpen

Mar 7, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher

(44) pitches during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros improved this aspect of the game, that cost them many wins in 2014 with players who weren’t ready to pitch in the major leagues. Jeff Luhnow realized this, and added talent to the existing bullpen talent.

Closer: Luke Gregerson

Setup Man: Chad Qualls

Setup Man: Pat Neshek

Josh Fields

Tony Sipp

Joe Thatcher

Will Harris

The bullpen may still lack a dominate closer, the group as a whole should be pretty good. Luhnow brought some veterans in to stabilize the bullpen, to prevent losing those close games. With a decent rotation, and pitchers going deeper into games, it should keep the bullpen fresh down the stretch.

I would give the Astros bullpen a B+

Next: Defense

Hitting

Mar 9, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) reacts as he flies out during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Chicks dig the long ball, and the Astros are primed to hit many home runs this year. They are also primed to strikeout a lot. Because of the high strikeout totals, this normally also leads to low batting averages. The strikeouts will also leave many of runners on-base. If the Astros “Generation K” don’t lead the majors in strikeouts, they would probably have lost that title to the free swinging Cubs.

But what will the Astros hitters do when they don’t strikeout? My guess is hit for power, with four hitters capable of hitting 30+ home runs. What is not decided yet is who is will be in the starting lineup between Jon Singleton or Jake Marisnick? Both hitters offer different abilities, one hits for average and speed, while the other has 20+ homer potential. Below is potential lineup.

Jose Altuve

George Springer

Luis Valbuena

Chris Carter

Evan Gattis

Jed Lowrie

Colby Rasmus

Jason Castro

Jon Singleton

While the batting order is still up in the air, it looks like Altuve, Springer, Valbuena, and Carter will be at the top of the order. The rest of the batting lineup is still being settled, but look for an improved Singleton to move his way up. They like Jed Lowrie batting sixth, so Gattis when healthy should be hitting fifth. Besides Jose Altuve, all the other hitters have hit 10+ home runs at some point in their career. The lineup should be a improved version of the 2014 lineup by far.

I give the hitting a B grade

Next: Summary

Summary

Mar 16, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, the Astros seem to be an improved team on paper. What record would this team produce? That is yet to be decided. Is it possible for the Astros to finish at .500 for the season? Yes, but there are still many doubters out there. Last night I received the ESPN the magazine MLB preview issue. They do have the Astros as an improved team, but they are still slated to finish last in the American League West. ESPN projects them to increase their win total by six games, 70 to 76 wins.

This would not put them at an even 81-81 record.  I still project the Astros to finish even, but they have to beat a lot of good teams to do that. They don’t seem to have holes on their team, with depth on the roster. If someone gets hurt, there will be a replacement on the team or in the minors.

Overall I will give them a B grade, which is not good enough to have a winning record.

Buckle up boys and girls, the 2015 season will be a roller coaster ride of improvement. I can’t wait for opening day, I have my tickets. Do you?

Next: Astros Lineup: Evan Gattis

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