Astros Wild Card roster features surprise name that could shuffle Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve

In a season that started with a focus on the infield logjam the Houston Astros refused to solve last offseason, the Astros made a move with their Wild Card roster against the Chicago White Sox to create some versatility with their starting lineup. Rookie Raynel Delgado is on the roster, and it would seem Joe Espada has a creative plan involving Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve.

It would seem that the plan is for Delgado to serve as the starting second baseman for the Astros, while Alvarez plays left field, and Altuve serves as the team's designated hitter.

Astros Wild Card roster includes unexpected wrinkle for Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve

During the regular season, Alvarez spent 134 games as Houston's designated hitter, and only 25 games in left field Had the Astros been playing this series anywhere other than Daikin Park, chances are they would have avoided the risk of putting Alvarez in the outfield. There's still a risk, but Alvarez in left field can easily be masked.

After spending a bulk of the 2025 season in left field, the Astros returned Altuve to the infield this year, and it's been a reminder of his declining defensive ability. Altuve has never been considered ab above-average fielder at second base over the course of his career, but he's been especially bad over the last three years. Having him at second base for this series could have been considered a weakness.

While Delgado has also played shortstop and third base for the Astros this season, he's graded out the best at second base. Of course, it's only a nine-game sample size at the position. He posted a 85 wRC+ through 41 plate appearances, but has the speed to make a difference on the base paths. He had 31 steals in the minors this season, and that likely is an added benefit to his inclusion on Houston's Wild Card roster.

It solutions like this that the Astros have had to rely on for most of the season just to reach the playoffs. Now that they've reached the Wild Card round, there shouldn't be an expectation for that mindset to change. Figuring out what to do in the infield has always been one of the prominent storylines for the Astros this season, and it's only fitting that it a played a factor into the team's decision-making for their playoff roster.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow