Predicting Astros Opening Day Roster

Starting Pitchers: Framber Valdez, Jake Odorizzi, Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia

While in rotational order above, the breakdown of where starters pitch won’t matter to open the year. Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t in the first two games last season in Oakland, and the right-hander was the best Astros pitcher by October.

A six-man rotation would behoove the Astros, if the team looks for more rest days for recovering pitchers like Verlander or for those who aren’t fully stretched out. Cristian Javier, Brandon Bielak and minor-league rostered arms could be spot-start candidates.

Relievers: Cristian Javier, Phil Maton, Héctor Neris, Ryan Pressly, Blake Taylor, Ryne Stanek, Rafel Montero, Pedro Báez, Zac Rosscup

Manager Dusty Baker believes in having two lefties in his bullpen, which sparked a left-handed battle between non-roster invitees, Rosscup and Adam Morgan, this spring. Based on standard metrics alone, Rosscup is having the better March.

The addition of Rosscup would require a corresponding 40-man move. McCullers has not pitched in a spring training game, making the righty a likely 60-day injured list patient to make room for a healthy arm. Neither Rosscup nor Morgan have strong track records, making the left-handed seats even more fringe.

Montero was late to camp due to visa issues, and Báez continues to face velocity concerns, leaving both of these two pitchers as candidates for extended spring training. Bryan Abreu and Seth Martinez are two options that could fill that void, while the possible addition of Ronel Blanco to the 40-man is not a bad option either.

Catchers: Martin Maldonado and Jason Castro

Castro experienced ailments this spring with only two starts under his belt. The 34-year-old suffered knee troubles last season, and if injuries linger into 2022, Michael Papierski should be the first option out of the minors.

Major-league pitchers raved about Papierski’s work on rehab assignments, and although Korey Lee is the future, Papierski is in-line for the opportunity now and could be a 40-man addition with there only being two rostered catchers, following Garrett Stubbs’ trade.

Infielders: Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Jeremy Peña, Aledmys Diaz, Niko Goodrum and Taylor Jones

Peña seems to be the consensus starting shortstop. Behind him, the infield depth would likely be Diaz and Goodrum — two infielders with experience at all positions around the diamond and innings in left field.

Jones adds depth at the corner infield positions, while another option for left field. If Houston needs another utility infielder, then Franklin Barreto, a non-roster invite, is the next-man up, providing major-league experience in a third utility man role similar to the journey of Robel Garcia in 2021.

Disclaimer: Jones’ injury report was announced after the publication of this article.

Outfielders: Michael Brantley, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Chas McCormick and Jose Siri

The centerfield job also looks to be a fringe case with Jake Meyers on the shelf, possibly on the 60-day. Lewis Brinson displayed some blunders on the base paths but turned heads with his ceiling this spring. The non-roster invite starts the season in Triple-A for my prediction, leaving the Astros with a McCormick and Siri platoon.

Astros Orbit:

According to multiple reports, the Astros reassigned David Hensley and Korey Lee to minor-league camp Friday. Among other releases, the team let go minor-league outfielder Carmen Benedetti.