Astros Depth Chart: 3 Players Moving Up and 2 Players Moving Down

19 games into the season, the Astros still have some position battles being decided. For every lineup lock like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, there are some still up in the air. Some unproven role players are making their case for more playing time while some players with high expectations have underachieved.

Three Astros have made the case for more playing time or increased roles, while two have gotten out of the gates slowly and may see their roles diminish. Let's take a look at who needs to see the field more and who needs to see the field less.

Role increase: Corey Julks

Corey Julks was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, and luckily for the Astros, went unselected after hitting 31 bombs in AAA. Due to Michael Brantley's shoulder rehab, Julks made the Opening Day roster and hasn't looked back.

The rookie has made 11 starts this season, and Houston is 8-3 across those starts. They are 1-7 in games Julks has not started. He currently holds a .277 average with a .739 OPS third highest on the team.

While Uncle Mike is on his rehab stint in Sugar Land this weekend, even upon his return, Julks deserves to stay with the big league club and receive consistent at-bats.

Role decrease: Ryne Stanek

Ryne Stanek set the franchise ERA record last year, but barely played in October. While that seems like a head-scratcher, a deep dive shows it may have been the right call.

He finished last season in the 1st percentile in walk rate and had an expected ERA of 3.19, over two runs higher than his actual performance. Walks don't play in October. This year, Stanek is making it hard to be trusted in a leverage role.

He holds a 3.86 ERA with a 4.52 xERA. His 5.62 FIP shows he's lucky to hold the numbers that he does. I think Stanek is a prime trade candidate, and while he isn't likely to be moved, there is another reliever that should step into his role.

Role increase: Phil Maton

Phil Maton once again looks like the unhittable reliever of the 2021 postseason push. Maton's Statcast page is a thing of beauty: 100th percentile in hard hit rate, 99th percentile in average exit velocity, 97th percentile in xBA and xSLG, 96th percentile in xwOBA/xERA, 93rd percentile in whiff rate, 90th percentile in strikeout rate and 89th in walk rate.

His counting stats are just as nice: 8.1 innings, 10 strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.36 WHIP. His 2.02 FIP is almost impossibly good to believe, and shows that he isn't just getting lucky, but has been truly elite.

Maton has been more of an innings eater the last two years than a leverage arm. It't time for he and Stanek to switch roles.

Role increase: Mauricio Dubón

Mauricio Dubón is the Astros everyday second baseman until Jose Altuve returns, but his performance has earned him a spot in the everyday lineup, something I never would have imagined writing two months ago.

Dubón is hitting .323 and is even leading off for the Astros. His 100 OPS+ is all Houston can ask for out of a utility bat. David Hensley was supposed to be the better hitter of the two, but the time Dubón spent with Yordan Alvarez and the weight he packed on this offseason have turned the tide in his favor.

Even with Altuve returning, Dubón deserves starts all across the field, whether it be spelling Jeremy Peña at short, Jose at second, or even Chas in center.