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

Defense

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros right fielder

(4) runs to the dugout between innings against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The defense should get a boost this year by adding Luis Valbuena, Colby Rasmus, and Jed Lowrie at their respective positions. However, new Astros slugger Evan Gattis could be a defensive liability in left field. The best defensive outfield lineup would be George Springer, Jake Marisnick, and Colby Rasmus. That would be the best option for the Astros, but unfortunately they have to fit Chris Carter, Evan Gattis, and Jon Singleton into two positions.

Singleton has shown some lapse in concentration at times playing first base, so errors could be an concern for him. Even though Chris Carter has received playing time at first base this spring, I don’t see that the Astros are confident with him at first base. While the Astros have improved certain aspects of the defense, other positions might be a liability.

I would give the Astros defense a B –

Next: Hitting

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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