The Houston Astros showed flashes of their potential but ultimately fell short of meeting expectations a year ago. After reloading in the offseason, Houston appears to be a strong candidate for the most improved team in the majors and a potential playoff team. The Astros added Carlos Beltran, Nori Aoki and Brian McCann to an already loaded offense and they will bank on the return to form for a couple of pitchers that underachieved last season. If everything comes together the way the baseball fans in Houston expect it will then this team will be destined for a postseason spot while challenging for American League West supremacy in 2017.
Key Additions: OF Nori Aoki, OF/DH Carlos Beltran, C Brian McCann, OF Josh Reddick, SP Charlie Morton
Key Losses: C Jason Castro, SP Doug Fister, RP Pat Neshek, OF Colby Rasmus
Strengths
Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, George Springer and Alex Bregman make up one of the most talented young cores in the majors heading in to the coming season. With Beltran, Aoki and McCann brought in to compliment the young core, the Astros should be in line for a big season when it comes to their hitting. Houston has plenty of power and speed so as long as they stay healthy they should make up one of the better offenses in the majors. Meanwhile, the Astros pitching struggled a year ago but there are reasons to think it will be better in 2017. This is largely the same core that put up a 3.71 ERA in 2015 so last year’s 4.37 ERA could be an aberration. It helps that Houston has four key pitchers that are 25-years-old or younger including 2015 Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel, Colin McHugh and Mike Fiers all need to bounce back with better numbers then they posted in 2016. The Astros added Charlie Morton as a groundball machine that should slide in nicely as their fourth starter while Fiers and Joe Musgrove will compete for the fifth spot.
Weaknesses
The Houston bullpen tied for the sixth-most blown saves in the majors last season but its 3.56 ERA wasn’t terrible and this group should be better in 2017. Luke Gregerson is better suited to be the setup man while Ken Giles has the potential to be a dominant closer now that he is healthy. Avoiding injuries will be key for this group in order for them to reach their potential. If the starting rotation and bullpen perform to their potential then the Astros won’t have many weaknesses in 2017.
2017 Houston Astros Depth Chart
| Catcher | Brian McCann | Evan Gattis | Max Stassi | ||
| First Base | Yuli Gurriel | Tyler White | A.J. Reed | Marwin Gonzalez | |
| Second Base | Jose Altuve | Marwin Gonzalez | Tony Kemp | Reid Brignac | |
| Third Base | Alex Bregman | Yuli Gurriel | Marwin Gonzalez | Colin Moran | |
| Shortstop | Carlos Correa | Alex Bregman | Marwin Gonzalez | Reid Brignac | |
| Left Field | Norichika Aoki | Teoscar Hernandez | Tony Kemp | Preston Tucker | |
| Center Field | George Springer | Teoscar Hernandez | Jake Marisnick | ||
| Right Field | Josh Reddick | George Springer | Jake Marisnick | Preston Tucker | |
| Designated Hitter | Carlos Beltran | Evan Gattis | Preston Tucker | Tyler White | |
| Starting Pitcher | Dallas Keuchel | Collin McHugh | Mike Fiers | Lance McCullers | Charlie Morton |
| Relief Pitcher | Will Harris | Luke Gregerson | Michael Feliz | Tony Sipp | Chris Devenski |
| Closer | Ken Giles |
Projected Win Total:
World Series Odds: +1200
Outlook
All eyes will be on Houston to see if they can play to their immense potential this season. The Astros have one of the most talented rosters in the American League, so if they stay healthy, they should be able to put all of the pieces together and challenge for a playoff spot. Correa, Altuve, Springer, Beltran and Bregman will be a tough lineup for any pitcher they face and their talent and depth on offense will help make up for any issues they have with their starting rotation or bullpen. Houston is on the verge of taking a major step forward in the American League and nobody should be surprised if they emerge as AL West champions in 2017. They should win between 90 and 100 games, and be a significant factor in the playoff race.
Prediction: 95-67
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