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Career Milestones Houston Astros Outfielders May Reach This Season
Have you ever wondered when Yordan Álvarez will reach 100 career home runs or just where Michael Brantley stands in MLB doubles production?
Following a World Series championship, the Astros look not only to repeat, but to continue progressing in their individual roles. Earlier this week, we took a look at career milestones in reach for Astros' infielders. Now let's take a look at some of the career milestones that are within reach in 2023 for Houston’s outfielders below.
Left field/Designated hitter: Michael Brantley
In perhaps the biggest sleeper move of the offseason, the Houston Astros came to terms to secure Michael Brantley for 2023. The 14-year-veteran's swing—though home run capable—has proved to be tailored for hitting doubles. In the history of Major League Baseball, Brantley ties for 318th place for most two-baggers. With 50 more doubles, the five-time All-Star will reach top-200 status for most doubles in MLB history.
Moreover, Brantley is only two hundredths shy of a career .300 batting average and is projected to reach 1,700 career hits this season. For a ballplayer to be so close to a career .300 average, there is no question—Brantley must be incredibly motivated to perform at a high level this season and earn that career .300 designation. Look for great things from the left-handed slugger.
Left field/Designated hitter: Yordan Álvarez
Coming off a monster season for the Astros in which he finished as high as third place in AL MVP voting, Yordan Álvarez is nearing several key milestones. Foremost, the 6-5 slugger rests just two homers short of 100 on his young career. Additionally, Álvarez stands a chance at securing his 500th career hit during the 2023 season.
Center field: Chas McCormick
A lot of question marks remain to be answered concerning the Astros long-term situation for center field following George Springer's 2021 departure. With Jose Siri now a Tampa Bay Ray, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers may still be racing neck-and-neck for regular playing time. Both outfielders are unique in that they throw left-handed yet bat from the right side. In this way, they offer the Astros a similar skill set. But neither player has contributed take-your-breath-away batting averages—at least yet.
Meyers, 26, turned in a slash line of .227/.269/.313 in 150 at-bats, while McCormick turned in a .250/.326/.425 in 643 at-bats. With McCormick's larger sample size and higher batting average, look for the 27-year-old to get the nod as the Astros' opening day center fielder. Also going for his candidacy as the team's starter, McCormick has established himself as a clutch performer with a miraculous catch that may live on in perpetuity. For McCormick, a key milestone will be reaching 100 career hits, which he is only 12 short of at present. And with six more runs scored, McCormick will have crossed the plate 100 times as a major leaguer.
Right field: Kyle Tucker
In a whirlwind span of about two years, Kyle Tucker has gone from being a slightly above average right fielder in terms of production to a World Series champion, the United States' choice to play for the national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and a 2022 All-Star. The Astros' 2015 first-round draft pick has snuck in to rank within the top-20 for AL MVP consideration over the last two seasons, also earning a Gold Glove for his play in right field during 2022.
Tucker hit 30 homers two seasons in a row, and sits at 73 over his career. Should Tucker repeat, he stands to reach the 100-home run milestone by season's end. Moreover, the right-handed slugger stands to reach 300 career RBIs by mid-season, and 500 career hits around late September. Tucker even has a shot to lead the majors in outfield assists; he finished last season tied for fifth with eight.
Looking for more? Check out key milestones Astros infielders may reach this season.