Do the Astros Have an All-Around Even Team?

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

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