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Houston Astros: Grading the 25-Man Roster
By Eric Huysman
Grading The Infield
Infield
Tyler White
Matt Duffy
While the infield has two of the best in the games in Altuve and Correa, but it appears to me a semi-platoon at first base to begin the season, with Valbuena possibly losing some playing time versus left-handed pitchers. There are some whispers out there that Correa could win the AL MVP, and you know what to expect with Altuve with a little-added home run power with his performance last year. You can’t get a better up the middle combination in baseball with those two potential perennial All-Stars.
As I wrote yesterday, Gonzalez and White will mostly man first base with Valbuena and Duffy covering third base, depending on the matchups. Until someone takes over those two positions, there will be several players covering them until A.J. Reed and/or Collin Moran are ready. White could be darkhorse to win the AL ROY in 2016, with Reed also contributing with the Astros at some point.
Fan Quote: “Correa and Altuve are dynamic, but I’d prefer at least one of 1B or 3B be an everyday starter.” @SteveinLC
Grade: (A-)
Next: Grading The Outfield