Astros Season Preview: Predicting Top Award Candidates

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Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; A view of the Houston Astros logo on a Majestic Athletic jersey at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Astros players will be the top contenders for baseball’s most prestigious year-end awards?

As Opening Day nears, it’s fun to look ahead and think of what might be. Optimism abounds to start the season, and there’s plenty of reason for that in Houston. The Astros are primed to be playoff contenders, and a number of them could be in the running for some hardware at season’s end.

These predictions represent which Astro is most likely to win the award or who will come the closest to it. I’m only considering awards that multiple Astros could receive votes for, which eliminates Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers and Manager of the Year. With that, let’s take a look at the possibilities.

Mar 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Puerto Rico infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Netherlands during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Puerto Rico advances to the finals. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Most Valuable Player — Carlos Correa

Jose Altuve is a popular choice here after finishing third in last year’s voting, but I’m giving it to his double play partner. Correa is primed to break out in his second full season in the majors. He’ll hit cleanup in a deeper, stronger Astros lineup and will have plenty of RBI opportunities.

Finishing the year with 30-plus homers, 100-plus RBIs, 90-plus runs scored and roughly 20 stolen bases is well within Correa’s range. It’s possible he goes even farther than that. Though Altuve should be in the running as well, I give the edge to Correa.

Mar 19, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers (43) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Cy Young — Lance McCullers

Again I eschew the popular choice. Despite Dallas Keuchel claiming the award in 2015, I’m putting McCullers here because his upside is so great. Still just 23, McCullers owns a 3.22 ERA across his first 36 starts while striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings.

The biggest impediment to this coming true is, of course, McCullers’ health. He’s yet to pitch a full season in the majors, so we don’t yet know how his body will fare down the stretch. If he makes 30-plus starts, however, he could put together a monster season.

Mar 16, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Venezuela infielder Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base to force out Dominican Republic infielder Carlos Santana (not pictured) in the fourth inning during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Batting Title — Jose Altuve

Not exactly a surprising choice here. Altuve won the batting title in two of the past three seasons and he’s in prime position to do it again. He’s got more protection behind him and is still just 26 years old. This is the easiest pick of all.

As Altuve has proven to us in the past, it isn’t wise to bet against him. While he may not top last year’s incredible season where he posted a154 OPS+, it may be possible for him to surpass a .338 batting average. After all, he did it in 2014 at .341, which was the first of his batting titles.

Mar 25, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) throws Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) out at first base during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Platinum Glove — Alex Bregman

Though I’m not considering Gold Glove Awards, I will give out a Platinum Glove prediction, which is given to the single best defender regardless of position. Anyone who’s seen Bregman play defense knows he’s special. Heck, he is already on the highlight reel in 2017.

https://twitter.com/astros/status/847892190865108992

Bregman brings the range and arm of a shortstop to the hot corner and has already made his share of dazzling plays. With due respect to George Springer and three-time Gold Glove winner Keuchel, Bregman is simply a wizard.

Mar 12, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Comeback Player of the Year — Dallas Keuchel

It helps that Keuchel is set up perfectly for this award. He had two great years, capped off by a Cy Young Award in 2015, then a bad 2016. A full healthy season and a return to form would easily make Keuchel one of the frontrunners. He may already be the odds-on favorite.

Regardless, he will not need to match his 2015 results (157 ERA+) to win the award. All he has to do is post similar statistics to his 2014 season (132 ERA+).

Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes (79) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year — Francis Martes

Bregman and Joe Musgrove would be easy choices if not for the fact that they exhausted their rookie statuses last season. A.J. Reed exhausted his rookie status last year as well. That leaves Francis Martes as the clear choice.

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Martes’ chances here depend on how quickly he gets to the majors. If he gets called up no later than early June, he’s got a good shot to merit consideration. With his talent, he certainly has the ability to take the league by storm when he gets here.

***Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference***

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