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The upcoming 2019 season is an important one for the Astros as the club aims for another World Series run.
Although the Astros fell short of their collective goal in 2018, the 2019 iteration is prime for another round of postseason glory. Sure, there are some notable departures to account for, but the overall talent on this roster is still one of the deepest in baseball. The AL West likely runs through Houston for at least one more season, especially in light of the Mariners’ recent rebuilding effort. The A’s remain as the Astros toughest competition in the division, but the Angels and Rangers should also improve.
There are multiple players on the Astros right now who will impact the club’s immediate future in 2019 along with its long-term direction starting in 2020. Let’s break down who I figure holds the most influence going forward.