Houston Astros: How does this team look now?

1 of 4

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2016 season coming closer every day, Luhnow and the Houston Astros front office are putting the final touches on one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory. Starting with Colby Rasmus accepting his $15.8 million offer in November, Luhnow has made deals to make both Ken Giles and Doug Fister part of the Astros roster

During the press conference that introduced Fister, Luhnow talked about how he feels positive with how the team is made up. “I feel good about the team we have now and not necessarily looking to do anything else at this point.” So with Spring Training just around the corner, this team is starting to turn heads to show that they are a force to be reckoned with in the AL West.

Next: 2016 Starting Rotation

2016 Starting Rotation (2015 stats)

Jun 18, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Doug Fister (58) throws a pitch in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 1.02 WHIP, 2.48 ERA)

Collin McHugh (19-7, 1.28 WHIP, 3.89 ERA)

Doug Fister (5-7, 1.40 WHIP, 4.19 ERA)

Lance McCullers (6-7, 1.19 WHIP, 3.22 ERA)

Mike Fiers (7-10, 1.25 WHIP, 3.69 ERA)

The Astros have something they haven’t had going into a regular season in a long time; they have to starting pitching depth. At the top of the rotation, Keuchel, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner comes in as the ace of the staff for the second year in a row. The ace role, occupied in years past by multiple pitchers including Bud Norris and Scott Feldman, now has stability.

That is not what is impressive about this rotation, though. McHugh, Fister, and McCullers have the potential to put up the numbers of a number two guy. McHugh, who has gone a combined 30-16 with a 3.39 ERA in his two seasons as an Astro, has been not only a solid part of this rotation but one of the most underrated and undervalue pitchers in all of baseball.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

McCullers, who will be on an innings limit next season according to Luhnow, is a young arm impressed many Houstonians last season with his strikeout ability and fastball velocity. Fister, who signed with the Astros on January 28^th for a one-year, $7 million dollar deal, is looking for a bounce back season after struggling with injuries in 2015. If Fister ends up putting up stats like he did with the Nationals in 2014 (16-6 2.41 ERA), the Astros will have one of the most complete starting rotations in baseball.

Next: 2016 Bullpen (2015 Stats)

2016 Bullpen (2015 Stats)

Josh Fields (4-1, 1.14 WHIP, 3.55 ERA)

Will Harris (5-5, 0.90 WHIP, 1.90 ERA)

Pat Neshek (3-6, 1.12 WHIP, 3.62 ERA)

Tony Sipp (3-4, 1.03 WHIP, 1.99 ERA)

Luke Gregerson (7-3, 0.95 WHIP, 3.10 ERA)

Ken Giles (6-3, 1.20 WHIP, 1.80 ERA)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

With the trend of “Super Bullpens” sweeping the baseball world, the Astros seemed to have gotten on board with the signing of Ken Giles this offseason. This multiple year project of revamping the bullpen, with the seemingly underwhelming acquiring of both Sipp in May of 2014 and Harris in November of 2014 to the signings of Neshek and Gregerson before the 2015 season, is looking like its going to pay off for being the worst bullpen in baseball two short years ago.

Now again with the Astros answering the question of who is going to be closer with the signing of Giles, they have the stability needed at the back-end of the bullpen to trust these pitchers in big and close games next season. You have seen from multiple teams in the playoffs that their bullpen is their secret weapon for why they are so successful. The Astros, on paper, have the ability to have that advantage going into 2016.

Next: 2016 Infield (2015 Stats)

2016 Infield (2015 Stats)

Aug 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Correa (left) and second baseman Altuve against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

C- Jason Castro (11 HR, 31 RBI, .211 BA, .648 OPS)

Max Stassi (1 HR, 2 RBI, .400 BA, 1.308 OPS)

1B- Jon Singleton (1 HR, 6 RBI, .191 BA, .625 OPS)

2B- Jose Altuve (15 HR, 66 RBI, .313 BA, .812 OPS)

SS- Carlos Correa (22 HR, 68 RBI, .278 BA, .857 OPS)

Marwin Gonzalez (12 HR, 34 RBI, .279 BA, .759 OPS)

3B- Luis Valbuena (25 HR, 56 RBI, .224 BA, .748 OPS)

Matt Duffy (0 HR, 3 RBI, .375 BA, .944 OPS)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

The infield for 2016 holds the offensive core of this team in Correa and Altuve. Both of these guys projected to be in the top half of the lineup on Opening Day. This shows how important offensive production is for these two players. Correa has a lot to live up to in 2016. The 2015 AL Rookie of the Year led AL shortstops in home runs and OPS when he played only 99 games. Correa has a lot of expectations from fans for his first full season as a big leaguer. It also holds the big question marks offensively at first base and third base. There are answers to these questions in the minors.

However, the Astros will most likely start 2016 with the home run hitting and low batting average hitting Singleton and Valbuena. However, the answers are already starting to come up. For example, Matt Duffy, who had only nine plate appearances for the Astros last season, absolutely dominated in AAA Fresno hitting 20 home runs and driving in 104 RBIs with an OPS of .850.

Next: 2016 Outfield and Designated Hitter (2015 Stats)

2016 Outfield and Designated Hitter (2015 Stats)

Sep 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Gomez (30) celebrates with left fielder Marisnick (6) and right fielder Springer (4) after making an outfield assist for a double play to end a 7-6 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

LF- Colby Rasmus (25 HR, 61 RBI, .238 BA, .789 OPS)

Preston Tucker (13 HR, 33 RBI, .243 BA, .734 OPS)

CF- Carlos Gomez (12 HR, 56 RBI, .255 BA, .724 OPS)

Jake Marisnick (9 HR, 36 RBI, .236 BA, .665 OPS)

RF- George Springer (16 HR, 41 RBI, .276 BA, .826 OPS)

DH- Evan Gattis (27 HR, 88 RBI, .246 BA, .748 OPS)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

The potential for offensive production in the outfield and at DH is plentiful. With Rasmus, Gomez, Springer, and Gattis in the middle of the lineup, runs should not be an issue. The issue with these guys is staying on the field. Springer only played in 102 games last season. When he was on the field, he was a great asset both defensively and offensively.

If Springer stays healthy and Gomez can go back to his All-Star ways when he hit over 20 home runs with a .284 average in 2013 and 2014, this outfield should be the most stable part of the offense outside Altuve and Correa. The question is how many outfielders are they actually going to keep on the active roster? With his job in jeopardy, Tucker will have to show the Astros in spring training that he deserves a spot based on his offensive ability.

Next: 2016 Houston Astros: 3 Bold Predictions for the New Season

A.J Hinch has a lot of choices to make before we hear “play ball” on April 4th at Yankee Stadium. However, the potential for this team seems to be higher than ever before.

**Stats from Baseball-Reference**

Home / Astros News

Houston Astros: How does this team look now?

The Houston Astros roster is filling out.

2016 Starting Rotation (2015 stats)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

2016 Bullpen (2015 Stats)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

2016 Infield (2015 Stats)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

2016 Outfield and Designated Hitter (2015 Stats)

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

Schedule