Astros Roster: Predicting the Astros 2018 Squad

A Look at the Possible 2018 Astros roster.

These are my predictions for who will be on the Astros roster for the 2018 season. Since I’m predicting a roster for the 2018 season, I’ll go ahead and say that this 2018 Astros roster will take them all the way to a World Series win. Things can change a lot, remember CTH editor’s Eric Huysman’s posts from last offseason, Astros 2017 World Series Roster Part II and Who Will be on Astros 2017 World Series Roster? Many of these players are no longer on the team.

It’s amazing how much things could change in one season, especially after a successful season as 2015 season. The one position that we don’t appear to have a solid option at, but here are my predictions for the 2018 Houston Astros roster.

Catchers

Starter: Tyler Heineman offers above average defense and solid offense.

Back Up: Max Stassi got forced into the backup role once again when Heineman began hitting for a higher average than him. Stassi offers a solid enough role as a backup with his great defense.

Infielders

First Base Starter: A.J. Reed

Reed makes his debut at first base in 2016 and wins the Rookie of the Year award. He brings a big power bat to the lineup and hits for a high average. Reed’s start at first base would allow them to trade Jon Singleton and allow him to get a new beginning somewhere else.

Second Base Starter: Jose Altuve

This may be a stretch, but I think the Astros aren’t going to want to part with Altuve after he hits free agency in 2017. He’s part of the heart and soul of this Astros team, and I could see him being re-signed. If for some reason, they don’t manage to re-sign him then Tony Kemp will take over the second base role. Managing to re-sign Altuve would probably make a trade of Kemp more than likely to occur.

Shortstop starter: Carlos Correa

By this point, the Astros will have managed to sign Correa to a long-term contract. He’s our long-term solution at the shortstop position.

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Third Base Starter: Alex Bregman

Bregman makes his MLB debut in 2017 at third base and by 2018, he is hitting for a high average and providing great defense.

Utility Man: Nolan Fontana

Fontana provides a high on-base percentage and good defense with the ability to play multiple positions. (I’m of the opinion that the Astros would have felt Marwin Gonzalez was getting too expensive and traded him for some minor leaguer that was cheaper and had a more manageable contract.)

In case of injury: Matt Duffy can play first or third base and hit for a high average. Colin Moran can also provide solid offense and defense at third base.

Outfielders

We’ll lose Carlos Gomez to free agency in 2017 as well as not bringing Rasmus back for the 2018 season.

Right Field Starter: George Springer is, of course, set to play right field. He wins the MVP award in the 2016 season and becomes an outstanding 20-20 player after that.

Left Field Starter: Preston Tucker becomes the regular left field starter in 2017 after Carlos Gomez leaves in free agency. His defense will have improved by 2018, and he gets better at hitting left handed hitting.

Center Field Starter: The spring training battle for center field is between Kyle Tucker and Daz Cameron. Kyle Tucker wins the battle and gets the opening day start in center field because he hits for a higher average.

Back Ups: Jake Marisnick is still on the team for his defense while Jon Kemmer makes appearances as a backup and hits for a high average.

Designated Hitter

Starter: Tyler White takes over the designated hitter spot with his high on-base percentage and ability to make contact with the ball.

Starting Pitchers

Keuchel is the #1 starter and provides stability at the number one spot. McCullers has taken over the #2 role and maintains a relatively low ERA each year. McHugh is thrust into the #3 role where he excels and gives the Astros a high amount of wins. Fiers is the #4 pitcher where he maintains a sub 3 ERA. Musgrove won the #5 role in 2017 after Fister and Feldman left in 2017.

Back Up Pitchers

Paulino, Rodgers, or Devenski would be solid contributors off the bench to rest one of the starters. While Brad Peacock or Asher Wojciechowski may not still be around at this point because other pitchers outplayed them.

Relievers

Courtesy of Baseball Savant /

I realize this is a lot of options. Obviously, they wouldn’t all make the active roster because that would be a ridiculous amount of relievers. Giles will be our dominant closer in 2018. Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek will have left in free agency before the 2018 season. Sipp and Harris remain solid relieving contributors. Fields could still be around making occasional relieving appearances. Feliz will be moved to the bullpen after failing to make substantial starts in the starting rotation. He’ll excel in his setup role before Giles. Hoyt, Gustave, McCurry, and Ferrell are just too talented to keep off this list. I feel they’ll have somehow made their way to the roster in 2018 after maintaining around a 2 ERA in 2015.

Next: Houston Astros’ Fans Talk Prospects, But Don’t Forget About Jose Altuve

Obviously, much can happen between now and 2018. Free agency, trades, and injuries are always things of interest that could change any of my predictions. As it stands right now, though, this 2018 team has all the makings to win a World Series, and I don’t think anyone can convince me that this team can’t go all the way. So what do you think of my predictions? Feel free to give your predictions in the comments below.

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