Houston Astros Predictions For the 2015 Season

May 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) is congratulated by second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

For me, the MVP will be Jose Altuve. Last season he showed that he has the tools to be not only one of the best players on the Astros, but one of the best players in baseball. While it’s highly doubtful that he’ll hit .341 again in 2015, something between .300 and .315 could be manageable. Altuve is also a threat on the basepaths, which will help the sluggers hitting behind him to get more pitches to drive out of the park. If the team is to be successful this season, it will all start with Altuve.

Andrew: I’m torn between the safe pick of Altuve on the back of a slightly-less-impressive season than last year and Springer on the basis of a slightly-better-than-is-safe-to-assume season. Let’s go with Altuve, who I can see still getting up around the 200 hit mark and even if he does become our Ichiro (my all-time fav player) in terms of a high average and low power-hitting stats, I still think that steadying presence is exactly what the offense needs. Particularly with the number of strikeouts we are likely to accumulate this season.

Issa: Luis Valbuena. He will continue on his tear from Spring Training and prove to be a significant upgrade at third base. This is a bold prediction, but I really like what he has been doing in an Astros uniform so far. If he can keep his average in the .290 range and hit around 20 home runs, he will be the difference for the Astros this season.

Andy P: George Springer. While the predictions for what type of production George can offer vary greatly, I’m in the ultra positive camp. Springer’s tools and potential rival those at the top of the game. Will he hit for a high average? It’s hard to say, but even at a .270 clip, the power, speed, defensive ability, and early signs of leadership point to team MVP. For the Astros to be successful, his production may the most important cog in the offense.

Brandon: The Houston Astros MVP this year will be George Springer. With a full healthy year, he will not only be the Astros MVP but will garner some AL MVP votes as well. George Springer will play great defense, provide at least 35 home runs, 100 runs and 100 RBI while stealing 20 bases. He will strike out alot but his average won’t be as bad as you think. By year’s end, he will end up between .250-.260 and establish himself as one of the great young players in baseball.

Guess who was picked next?

Ryan: George Springer. I know this is the top pick for most people, but the Summer of Springer is about to be real. He gave us a taste of what we can expect from him last year, and that was with errors in the outfield and not much stealing. Expect him to show why he is a true five-tool player.

Eric: George Springer is a five tool player who could break out in a mini Mike Trout way. He might not have as good of a batting average as Trout has, but he could match him in most other categories. He also could have a Richard Hildalgo-like arm in right field. My prediction is that he will hit .265/ 37 HR/ 85 RBI/ 25 SB.

Thomas: I think it will be Altuve again. It will be hard for him to duplicate 2014, but he’s going to set the table and put pressure on the pitching and defense, which will help Springer and the other guys behind him. He may be overlooked because of the gaudy HR numbers everyone else will get, but that won’t make him any less important.

Brian: I think it has to be George Springer. If the Houston Astros are really going to be a consistently good offense, Springer is the kind of talent that will be the cornerstone.

Kennon: I know the common response would be George Springer. Why not Chris Carter? He made great strides between 2013 and 2014. His strikeouts went down, his batting average went up and he hit more home runs. I expect that his second half was no fluke and his batting average sits in the .250 range with 40 home runs and 110 RBI. This will be a fun season to watch with Carter and Gattis matching each others’ home run pace, but Carter is going to enjoy the best production.

The staff, as I’m guessing most Astros fans have, picked Springer to be the MVP of the team this season. We’re all excited to see what he can do over the course of a full season.

Next: Houston Astros Cy Young