MLB Season Preview: Houston Astros

Houston Astros


Last Season's standings: The Houston Astros went 82-80 last season, including 8-2 in their final 10 games; good for second in the NL Central.

In: 2B Craig Biggio; LF Carlos Lee (prev. team: Texas Rangers); 2B Mark Loretta (prev. team: Boston Red Sox); C Eric Munson; SP Woody Williams (prev. team: SD Padres); SP Jason Jennings (via trade w/ Colorado Rockies); SP Miguel Asencio (via trade w/ Colorado Rockies)

Out: CF Willy Tavares (via trade w/ Colorado Rockies); SP Jason Hirsh (via trade w/ Colorado Rockies); SP Taylor Buchholz (via trade w/ Colorado Rockies); 1B Jeff Bagwell (retirement); SP Andy Pettite (new team: NY Yankees); RP Russ Springer (new team: St. Louis Cardinals); 2B Joe McEwing (new team: Boston Red Sox); 3B Aubrey Huff (new team: Baltimore Orioles); RP Mike Gallo (new team: Colorado Rockies)

Starting Pitching: The Houston Astros have lost one and possibly two pitchers to free agency (Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens). That means that Roy Oswalt is the ace of the starting staff. He'll be out to prove that he can be completely healthy for a whole season. Oswalt missed thirteen games last season because of a sore back. When healthy though, he's very effective proven by his 15-8 record and solid 2.98 ERA. He'll pitch a lot of innings, look for him to accumulate 210-230 innings pitched next season. Acquired in a trade this off-season, Jason Jennings will likely be the #2 starter in the Astros rotation. Jennings is coming off somewhat of a comeback season after fracturing a finger on his pitching hand in the '05 campaign. Jennings went 9-13 with a decent 3.78 ERA last season in 32 starts. He'll be looking to pitch .500 or better next season. Third starter Woody Williams missed a good chunk of last season with a calf injury. He still went 12-5 in 24 starts. He'll need to repeat that performance if the Astros want to have success next season. Third-year player Wandy Rodriguez should stick to the majors full-time this season. However, he needs to proe he can get through 6 innings at least relatively unscathed. This southpaw can't seem to establish a first-strike pitch he can count on. You can tell when he's on because he produces a lot of ground ball outs. Rodriguez went 9-10 with a mediocre 5.64 ERA in 30 appearances, 24 of them starts. Finally, rookie Matt Albers will certainly get some consideration for a spot as the Astros fifth starter, but he'll likely start the year in Round Rock. Look for the Astros to sign another starter to compete for a starter/long reliever role.

Bullpen: Closer Brad Lidge is the undisputed go-to guy in the ninth. He saved 32 games last season and is pretty much lights out in close games late. He needs to work on his performance against lefties and be better in night games. Entering his third full season, Chad Qualls is looking to build on his career high 7-3 record with a decent 3.76 record in 81 appearances. Look for him to come into the game in the 6th or 7th inning. Dan Wheeler is likely to be the go-to-guy in the 8th with the game on the line. Wheeler was 2-5 with a solid 2.52 ERA in 75 appearances last season. The lefty specialist is Trever Miller who went 2-3 with a 3.02 ERA last season in 70 appearances. Look for him to pitch an inning or two max. per appearance. Fernando Nieves is auditioning for the fifth starters job but is most effective as a mid-late innings guy. Look for him to earn the fifth starters job but also get some work as a reliever. He was 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 40 games played. Finally rookie Chris Sampson will be looking to earn a spot as a long-middle reliever in the Astros 'pen, although he's likely to start the year in Round Rock. This means that the Astros may not be done their wheelings and dealings this off-season.

Catcher: Brad Ausmus is the undisputed #1 starter for the Astros, although, he is aging and as a result his numbers are dwindling. Look for him to start between 120-130 games next season. Also look for him to hit 8th in the line-up. Backing him up will be likely Humberto Quintero. Although he has a lack of experience, he's likely had enough time in the minors to earn him a permanent spot on the Astros roster. Although, the Astros could still sign a veteran back-up to compete for the job.

1st Baseman: Lance Berkman has earned a spot as an everyday player at this position with is bat and power. He's coming of a .300 batting average over the '06 campaign, as well as a career-high 45 HR. He'll be looking to repeat those numbers, as well as being likely to play around 150 games this season, assuming he's healthy. Back-up utility infielder Mark Loretta will almostr certainly have a reduced role in the Astro's organization. He spent last season as the Red Sox go to guy at second base. Look for him to get into around 100 games this season. Berkman should be the 5th man up in the line-up

Second Baseman: In likely his final season in the majors, the aging Craig Biggio will get the bulk of the work at 2B. He needs to avoid getting hit by pitches, thus to help avoid injuries. He has a bum right knee and will likely need maintenance days throughout this marathon of a season. Look for him to play between 125 and 135 games this season. Chris Burke and Loretta will likely split whatever games Biggio sits. Biggoio will likely bat 6th in the batting order.

Shortstop: Adam Everett is a workaholic who will play 150 games this season. He needs to get better at not striking out so often, especially since he lacks power. Everett will likely hit 3rd in the line-up. The primary back-up should be Eric Bruntlett, who is entering his first full season of service in the majors. Bruntlett hit .277 in 119 AB's last season.

Third Baseman: At third base is Morgan Ensberg, who struggles with consistency. He has a tendency to pull the ball to left far too much, struggles mightilt against righties and is just plain inconistent game-to-game. He's likely to get between 115-130 games this season and to bat 7th in the line-up. His back-up is Mike Lamb who could see time at first base. Not a real power hitter, has difficulty reading breaking stuff. He's not the greatest defensive player. Loretta is also an option at third base.

Left Fielder. Clean-up man and major free agent signing Carlos Lee is coming off a .300 batting average, 37 homer season. Expectations are high for this slugger. He's expected to carry this team on his shoulders and drive in an ample amount of runs. He could well end up playing every game this season, something he almost did last season and actually did in 2005.

Center Fielder: With the trade of Willie Tavares this off-season Chris Burke finally gets a chance to prove what he can do every day, knowing he's starting in center field. His defense is likely to be an adventure and he needs to read the pitcher better when stealing. He could even play 162 games, however, it's more likely Jason Lane will start a handful of games in center field. Burke will bat 2nd in the line-up.

Right field: Sophomore Luke Scott will be looking to stick in the majors as a fourth outfielder. He hit .299 with 20 HR and 63 RBI's in 318 AB's. Jason Lane, the starting right fielder will bat lead-off. Look for Lane to play between 120 and 135 games this season.

Season Prediction. The Astros can finish anywhere from second to fourth in the NL Central, so I'll predict they'll finish third.