5 Astros players that are primed for a much improved 2024 season

The Astros had another strong 2023 season. They took home yet another AL West title and went back to the ALCS for the seventh straight season.

For many teams, that's a success, but for Houston, it's title or bust. Had the Astros received the production they expected from multiple key pieces, or been able to avoid the rookie wall, maybe they'd have gotten over the hump and taken home a third World Series in seven years.

If Houston is to make it back on top, they'll need to fire on all cylinders. Look for these five Astros to improve on their 2023 production and put together a strong 2024.

5 Astros primed for a much improved 2024 season

From aging veterans to second year starters, let's take a look at which Astros will be better in 2024.

#1 José Abreu

José Abreu was signed to bolster the Astros lineup and ensure they would be the top team in the American League. Instead, he was a liability for much of the season.

It remains unclear how much he was hampered by injury, but for much of the season, Abreu was a black hole in the lineup. After a late season stint on the IL, Abreu returned rested and put together a strong final month of the regular season and a solid postseason.

He hit only .237 with a .680 OPS and 87 OPS+ on the year, but in September/October Abreu hit seven home runs and managed an .835 OPS. In 11 playoff games, Abreu hit .295 with four home runs and a .945 OPS.

He's unlikely to return to 2020 MVP form, but barring another injury, he won't be the guaranteed out he was for much of 2023. The signing of Victor Caratini will give the Astros some flexibility at first base and allow for more off-days for the aging veteran, helping to keep him healthy and fresh.

While Dusty penciled Abreu in the lineup every day, Joe Espada will give the first baseman more off days. Expect his body to respond and the persistent work the first baseman always puts in to result in a much better 2024.

#2 Cristian Javier

If the Astros are to seriously contend for a World Series in 2024, no player needs to regain form more than Cristian Javier. Javier was untouchable in 2022, recording a 2.54 ERA and 11.7 SO/9 before an even more dominant postseason. Javier started two combined no-hitters.

His efforts resulted in a contract extension that, needless to say, Javier didn't live up to.

In 31 starts, Javier posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and only 8.8 SO/9. He battled some serious mechanical flaws that resulted in his previously unhittable fastball getting touched up quite a bit. With an off-season of rest and now a full season under his belt as a starter, expect Javier to bounce back.

It's easy to forget he'd never spent a full season as a starter, and with injuries to Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy, Javier was forced into a much bigger workload than he'd ever taken on.

Javier showed signs of regaining form in his final four regular season starts, posting a 3.05 ERA before making two great starts to begin the playoffs. His start in Game 7 was a nightmare to forget about, but it did appear Javier turned a corner down the stretch.

Look for a much better 2024 from the 2022 breakout star.

#3 Hunter Brown

It's hard to criticize Hunter Brown for anything he did in 2023. Because of the aforementioned injuries to the rotation, Brown was thrust into a workload unlike any he'd ever experienced at the professional level.

His 5.09 ERA left some to be desired, but a 6.57 second-half ERA as he battled fatigue and Dusty Baker inexplicably forcing Brown to work with Martîn Maldonado after he'd had such success with Yainer Diaz made his numbers much worse.

His 4.37 FIP and 4.27 xERA were much better than his actual results. Brown did have his fair share of bad luck, and the law of averages say he'll fair better moving forward.

Many young pitchers wear down as the year goes on while adjusting to the big leagues, and Brown was no different. Nonetheless, 29 starts and 155.2 innings were a win for Houston.

With Baker and Maldonado moved on, Brown will get to work with Diaz throughout the year, and now accustomed to taking the ball every fifth/sixth day over the course of 162, he's set up for success. Look for Brown to hone his command moving forward as many promising young arms do, and post an ERA somewhere in the mid 3.00's.

#5 Rafael Montero

It's safe to say the Rafael Montero contract won't age well in Houston. Let's be clear--expecting Montero to repeat his 2022 season would be silly, but there are signs that Montero was a better pitcher than the numbers showed in 2023.

His 5.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP simply cannot happen again in 2024. If he's going to get paid closer money, he needs to perform. His 4.46 FIP and 4.61 xERA say he was slightly better than his performance.

He showed signs of regaining form in the second half. After a nightmare 6.57 first half ERA, he posted a much more tolerable 3.10 ERA in the second half.

Although Montero has always been an erratic performer and probably shouldn't have gotten the crazy contract he did, it was an uncharacteristically high 9.7% walk rate that did him in. If Montero can get his BB/9 back to around the 3.0/3.1 number he'd sat at from 2019-2022, he'll perform much better in 2024.

It's unlikely he puts together a dominant year and justifies the big contract he signed, but look for his numbers to more closely mirror those of Ryne Stanek last year. With the Astros needing to rebuild their bullpen, an uptick in Montero's performance is an absolute must.