Predicting the Astros Opening Day Roster: Outfield Edition

Opening Day is officially less than two weeks away, and we’re ready to make some predictions on the Astros Opening Day roster. Some position battles are yet to be decided, but we’ll give it a shot at predicting who comes out on top. 

Houston brings a loaded lineup and pitching staff into the 2023 season, but they will be down Lance McCullers Jr. and likely Michael Brantley when the season begins. A few players will make the Opening Day roster that likely won’t be on it once LMJ and Uncle Mike return. 

Of course, some names may not make it that deserve to, either because a less talented player is kept for contractual/option purposes, or so an arm can be stretched out as a depth starter in AAA. 

We already took a look at which infielders will make the roster. Next up, let's take a look at what outfielders will crack the Opening Day roster.

Left Field: Yordan Alvarez & Justin Dirden

Yordan Alvarez suffered some setbacks this Spring with his hand injury, but he plans to be ready for Opening Day. If he is, the playoff hero and quite possibly, best hitter in baseball is a lock to make the Opening Day roster.

Though the initial plan was for Alvarez to be the every day outfielder, it's likely he opens the season as the primary DH. Michael Brantley has still been recovering from his shoulder injury and has missed time this Spring away from the team dealing with a personal matter, leaving his status for Opening Day up in the air.

Brantley will be needed come October. It's likely Houston doesn't rush him back, but allows him to settle in, leaving an outfield spot open. Enter Justin Dirden.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I listed Dirden as a player that won't make the Opening Day roster, but will contribute to the big league club in 2023. With Brantley's status still undetermined, the door is open for Dirden to step in.

All Dirden has done in his career is hit, and Spring Training has been no different. He is hitting .333 with a 1.300 OPS, two home runs and a double this Spring. He can also play all three outfield spots, but mostly projects as a corner outfielder. As long as Brantley is out, Dirden has earned a shot with the MLB team based on his performance this Spring.

Center Field: Chas McCormick & Jake Meyers

Chas McCormick had an up and down 2022 season, one that even included a demotion to AAA. McCormick finished the year on a high note, posting a .772 OPS in the second half and functioning as the Astros everyday center fielder in October, where he made one of the best plays in Astros history.

I'm a believer Chas breaks out in a big way in 2023.

Joining Chas in center will be Jake Meyers. Meyers was great upon his big league debut in 2021, but suffered a shoulder injury in the 2021 ALDS. He returned in 2022, but wasn't close to the same, hitting .227 with a .582 OPS.

Jake ended up finishing the season in AAA, where he showed signs of regaining form.

His Spring Training stats aren't great, but the small sample size stats don't reflect the quality of contact he has made. His arm has also looked great, a concern Houston had with Meyers rehabbing last year.

McCormick will enter as the incumbent starter, but a health Jake Meyers gives Houston depth they just didn't have last season. If Yordan suffers a hand setback, or just needs a routine day off, the Astros will have plenty of games this season in which Meyers starts in center while McCormick mans left.