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Houston Astros Set Their 25-Man Roster: Who Made It?

By Eric Huysman

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Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch said on Monday that he hopes to have the opening day roster set up before the Astros break camp in Florida on Wednesday. This was no April fools joke, because they made true on their promise. There were some surprises and some no brainer moves as well. Here is a list of the Astros who did not make the opening day roster.

The Spring Cuts to the Minor Leagues

Jon Singleton – Singleton will get to rebuild his confidence at AAA, where he was successful prior to his promotion last year. He is still 22, and hit 13 home runs while batting .168, so the power is there. He has to cut back out his strikeouts, and make the solid contact he has shown in the past. The Astros will give him time to develop, but it all depends on how Carter plays at first base.

L.J. Hoes – Hoes heated up a little at the end of spring training, but it wasn’t enough to beat out a red-hot Grossman.

Kevin Chapman – Not really a surprise, with the Astros already having two lefties in the bullpen, that Chapman got sent down to the minors. He has got to find a way to get lefties out more consistently. He will be back on the team at some point this season, and needs to use AAA as a way to build his stock back up.

Put on the 15-day DL

Brett Oberholtzer – Oberholtzer’s stint on the DL might be a formality, but he didn’t look ready in the last game he pitched. His DL status is retroactive to Tuesday, according to Brian McTaggart. He has dealt with a lat problem, and will be ready when needed once healthy.

Josh Fields – Fields was sidelined with a groin injury, so this was not really a surprise. His DL status is retroactive to last Friday, according to Brian McTaggart. He will be called up when ready, because he is an important part of the bullpen.

Brad Peacock – Recovering from offseason hip surgery has slowed down Peacock’s development this spring, but could be and important factor later in the rotation if others struggle. His DL status is retroactive to Monday, according to Brian McTaggart.

Designated for Assignment

Alex Presley – Presley has been one of the most notoriously disliked Astro players by the fans. Not because of anything he has done, but they don’t see him as part of the future with the Astros. Also, many of the fans were rooting for Grossman to make the roster. The Astros will look to trade him, but want him to clear waivers so that they can keep him. The next few days should be interesting on the Presley front, because he has no control of where he is to play.

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The 25-Man Roster

Catchers

Jason Castro – Castro looks to have rediscovered his swing this spring, and could be a massive impact on the 2015 lineup.

Hank Conger – The Astros traded two prospects for Conger, so he will be the backup catcher. With their interaction in Tuesday’s game, I could see Conger becoming Wojciechowski’s personal catcher.

Infield

Chris Carter – He will be a designated hitter playing first base.

Marwin Gonzalez – Gonzalez will play all over the infield, but will serve as the primary back-up to Carter at first base.

Jose Altuve – The sun came up today, Altuve is the second baseman.

Jed Lowrie – With a three-year contract signed, he will serve as the seat warmer until Carlos Correa is ready. Most likely hit sixth in the order.

Jonathan Villar – He will be the super utility-player, playing all infield positions (except first) as well as playing in the outfield.

Luis Valbuena – He will be the starting third baseman and hit third in the batting order.

Outfield

George Springer – This slugging Astro will be the primary right fielder this year, some say he will be in the MVP hunt, but it is too early for that yet.

Jake Marisnick – His elite defensive skills won him the job, but will his bat be able to justify him being an everyday player?

Colby Rasmus – He will be the starting left fielder. His defensive capabilities are a plus, and he offers great power potential. However, he could struggle in other aspects of hitting.

Robbie Grossman – Astros fans, you got your man. He will serve as the fourth outfielder to start the season, and his success will be measured in pinch hits and spot starts. Could reclaim left field job if Rasmus struggles.

Designated Hitter

Evan Gattis – Even though he probably doesn’t want this, he should be the primary designated hitter to start the season off. He will get some spot starts in left field and maybe a spot (as in one) start at catcher just to make him happy about playing the field. But most likely, his catching days are over with the Astros.

Starting Pitchers

Dallas Keuchel – The lefty pitcher earned the starting nod with a breakout 2014.

Scott Feldman – The veteran pitcher has proved to be one of the literally most average pitchers out there, that is not a bad thing. He will consistently win about 50% of his games with a mid-three ERA.

Asher Wojciechowski – Well color me surprised, not because he made the team, because he will be the third man to take the bump for the Astros.

Collin McHugh – Shows what I know, I predicted that McHugh would be the ace pitcher for the Astros. He is slated to be the fourth pitcher now, but has the best strikeout ability in the rotation now.

Roberto Hernandez – Hernandez was added to the 40-man roster at the expense of Presley, but could be an innings eater to help the bullpen. If he struggles, the Astros have other options ready after a few starts.

Bullpen

Luke Gregerson – Gregerson will serve as the closer until he proves he can’t handle the job. The Astros hope he is the answer, until maybe Michael Feliz is ready.

Chad Qualls – He will serve as the eighth inning guy, unless Neshek pitches better.

Pat Neshek – The side-arming reliever will be brought in the seventh or eighth inning to give hitters a different angle.

Tony Sipp – More than just a lefty specialist, he will look to build on his career resurgence in 2014.

Joe Thatcher – The veteran will serve as the lefty specialist, but offer veteran experience to the pitching staff.

Will Harris – The waiver claim reliever found a spot on the 25-man roster, but will he keep it once Josh Fields is healthy?

Samuel Deduno – Deduno will serve as the designated long-relief pitcher, for when the starter makes an early exit. Don’t look at his ERA as an indicator, because he will be doing mop up duty against a confident offense that just shelled the starting pitcher.

Next: Jon Singleton Needs More Time in AAA

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