By: Joshua Reese
Jose Altuve is a star. Carlos Correa is a star. Alex Bregman has so much hype behind him that he might as well be a star.
It's hard to think that Altuve will get much better, with having 26 home runs and 96 RBI's last season. Correa has had back to back 20 home run season's and is still one of the best shortstops in the league. Bregman's potential is unlimited but it's still unknown what he can do year after year.
The one person who often gets overlooked on the Astros is George Springer, but he's on the cusp of becoming baseball's next super duper star.
Springer does not get the same love as the others, but he's improved season over season and this year he's likely going to be adding center fielder to his title.
Since coming to the majors Springer has been an above average right fielder and there is no reason to think he can't continue his great defensive play in center.
Being a great center fielder is a bigger deal than being a great right fielder.
Defensively Springer will be fine, but it's offensively where he could take the next step.
Last year he had nearly 30 homers, but ultimately finished the season with 29 homers and 82 RBI's while scoring 116 runs (seventh most in the MLB).
When Springer debuted in the majors he stuck out a lot, like a lot, lot, 33% of the time in fact. In the past two season's he's cut that down nearly 10%, he still strikes out at a high margin but it's not nearly as bad as when he broke into the bigs.
Last year Springer did a fine job batting leadoff, but he needs to go back to batting farther down the lineup. If he moves to clean up with Altuve, Bregman, and Correa in front of him, Springer could be looking at 120 RBI's pretty easily.
In 2013 before Springer got to the majors, he fell just short of having a 40/40 season, finishing with 36 homers and 39 stolen bases.
He hasn't had many stolen bases since coming to the big leagues with 30 in three years, but he can steal bases.
Springer has the power to hit 40 home runs, the speed to steal 10-15, hell maybe 20 bases and the potential to drive in 125 runs and if he's able to have a season like that he'd be entering Mike Trout territory.
When you think of the Astros you instantly think of Altuve or Correa, but if Springer is able to continue progressing like he has been, there is no reason to think he can't get to their level or maybe even slightly higher.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
The Astros forgot to upgrade centerfield, but don't fear they'll be ok
By: Joshua Reese
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
"#George #Springer robs #Jose #Abreu of #ahome #run" #baseball #mlb #sports pic.twitter.com/rD8ZUuxR8g— RussellHodson2 (@RussellHodson2) December 1, 2016
Ridiculous, George Springer. Just ridiculous. (Vine by @MLB) https://t.co/MKcpOU7uQz— alvadi vita (@AlvadiV) August 28, 2016
You probably don't want to run on George Springer... pic.twitter.com/CX3DalRL7J— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 7, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Dallas Keuchel getting back to work
By: Joshua Reese
The road back to the Cy Young - or at least somewhere near - for Dallas Keuchel begins a few days before the new year.
Tuesday, Keuchel shared a video of him back on a mound throwing.
Per the former Cy Young winner, It was the first day he's been able to throw without pain.
Earlier in the month Keuchel told the Houston Chronicle he had been cleared to throw again. But seems like Tuesday was the official start of Keuchel ramping up for the new season.
With Spring training a little over a month away, having the lefty back in action will be a welcomed sight.
The road back to the Cy Young - or at least somewhere near - for Dallas Keuchel begins a few days before the new year.
Tuesday, Keuchel shared a video of him back on a mound throwing.
Seeing the lefty back at work is a welcome sight after his 2016 season. Not only was Keuchel not able to finish the year, he also had a down year considering the two years he had before being shutdown.Greatest gift this holiday season to me? .... the gift of a pain free 1st throwing session. ✅. Throwing routine has officially started! pic.twitter.com/JKuSwvjR7t— Dallas Keuchel (@kidkeuchy) December 27, 2016
Per the former Cy Young winner, It was the first day he's been able to throw without pain.
Earlier in the month Keuchel told the Houston Chronicle he had been cleared to throw again. But seems like Tuesday was the official start of Keuchel ramping up for the new season.
With Spring training a little over a month away, having the lefty back in action will be a welcomed sight.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Time to return Jose Altuve back to lead off
By: Joshua Reese
Jose Altuve batting third last year lit up the major leagues and finished in the top three in the A.L. MVP race, but now it's time to return him back to his roots, he needs to leadoff for the Houston Astros in 2017.
In the Dark Knight detective Jim Gordon said it best when he was referring to Batman, "he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now."
Altuve was the hero the Astros needed last year. They needed offense, so he stepped up to the plate and belted out a career-high 24 homers and 96 RBI's but that's not what they need any more from him.
After the Astros massive offseason when they grabbed boppers, Josh Reddick, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, driving in runs doesn't have to fall solely on Altuve's shoulders anymore.
The bigger need for the team going into 2017 will be having baserunners on for all of the heavy hitters in the middle of the order.
George Springer did a fine job for the Astros last year leading off, but he's not a guarantee to get on base the way Altuve has been throughout his career.
Altuve gets on base 40% of the time and on top of that, more often than naught he's going to be on second or third base because of his ability to steal bases.
The Astros have a whole lot of options to bat third next season and while none are Altuve, they'd do just fine in his stead.
Having Altuve bat leadoff would not only serve as a big upgrade over Springer, but it's also somewhere he can have a pretty big impact.
Jose Altuve batting third last year lit up the major leagues and finished in the top three in the A.L. MVP race, but now it's time to return him back to his roots, he needs to leadoff for the Houston Astros in 2017.
In the Dark Knight detective Jim Gordon said it best when he was referring to Batman, "he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now."
Altuve was the hero the Astros needed last year. They needed offense, so he stepped up to the plate and belted out a career-high 24 homers and 96 RBI's but that's not what they need any more from him.
After the Astros massive offseason when they grabbed boppers, Josh Reddick, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, driving in runs doesn't have to fall solely on Altuve's shoulders anymore.
The bigger need for the team going into 2017 will be having baserunners on for all of the heavy hitters in the middle of the order.
George Springer did a fine job for the Astros last year leading off, but he's not a guarantee to get on base the way Altuve has been throughout his career.
Altuve gets on base 40% of the time and on top of that, more often than naught he's going to be on second or third base because of his ability to steal bases.
The Astros have a whole lot of options to bat third next season and while none are Altuve, they'd do just fine in his stead.
Having Altuve bat leadoff would not only serve as a big upgrade over Springer, but it's also somewhere he can have a pretty big impact.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Who should close in 2017?
By: Joshua Reese
One of the things the 2016 Houston Astros did well, was getting lots of different guys saves. Three "closers" had 10 or more saves last season, and while it's nice everyone had a chance to lock down the job, nobody did.
Luke Gregerson started off the season in the ninth but he faltered. Ace reliever Will Harris took over had some early success but like Gregerson, he also started to slip. Ken Giles the team's top offseason acquisition would get the final stretch, but despite his electric arm even he struggled.
As a team, the Astros converted 44 saves, even more than the season before when they went to the playoffs.
The problem is they had 20 blown saves, which is the 13th worst in the majors.
The Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Washinton Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs were the four teams with the fewest blown saves last season - spoiler alert all four made it to the postseason.
Blown saves are just a part of the game, your closer is going to have a rough game every once in a while. But lockdown closers just will have a lot less of them than others - see the 2016 Astros.
So the question is, who's closing on the Astros in 2017?
Unless the team goes out and lands a prime closer, which they still can. In spring training A.J. Hinch will likely have a few different guys to choose from.
Giles, Gregerson, and Harris are likely the favorites to land the job out of the gate. But there should be three more names added to this eventual competition.
Lance McCullers, Christopher Devenski, and Michael Feliz should also get a look at the job.
McCullers is pie in the sky and while he probably could be very effective in the role the Astros don't seem to have any interest in moving him out of a starting role despite arm concerns.
Devenski has earned a larger role on the team but the question is how large of a role. He was great last year and when the Astros needed an out he was the guy Hinch turned to.
While Devenski is consistent and solid, Feliz is more unpolished but he has a lot of electricity in his arm and showed a lot of flashes of being a great reliever.
With so much being invested in making the 2017 Houston Astros so much better, it's time to think beyond the retreads of Giles, Gregerson, and Harris.
Michael Feliz should be given the chance to spread his wings and prove that he's the next big thing in closing. Standing at 6'4, Feliz just looks like a closer on the mound.
His upper 90's fastball is hard to square up and his wicked slider is damn near unhittable as batters only were able to get a .163 batting average against it.
While Feliz may have just about the same electric stuff that Giles has (ended the season as closer), my trust goes to the bigger rightie.
Last year it was pretty easy to tell when Feliz was on or off, either he was throwing 98-99 and blowing people away or he was throwing 95-97 and getting hit.
Giles was more of a gamble and harder to figure out, consistently he was the same pitcher throwing the ball, just some days he'd get hit and you never really knew why. On top of that whenever someone would reach base for whatever reason, things just seemed to go downhill from there.
Feliz also had is problems but it seemed more manageable in terms of maybe he just needed more rest that day or something while for Giles it seems more random.
If you look through Feliz and Giles game log. You'll see that when Giles gave up a run, it usually meant a bad week for him, Feliz on the other seemed to bounce back more often after bad outings.
Feliz like Devenski last year pitched in a lot of "dirty work" games, either when the team was trailing or in extra innings. He may have been a little less consistent than Devenski but it's easy to think Feliz will continue getting better.
Just because the Astros gave up a lot to get Giles does not mean he should just be given the spot.
The pressure of closing on a playoff team will their form you into a diamond or crush you into dust. I know for me I'd much rather see what Feliz can do in the ninth, then any other option that's currently on the team.
One of the things the 2016 Houston Astros did well, was getting lots of different guys saves. Three "closers" had 10 or more saves last season, and while it's nice everyone had a chance to lock down the job, nobody did.
Luke Gregerson started off the season in the ninth but he faltered. Ace reliever Will Harris took over had some early success but like Gregerson, he also started to slip. Ken Giles the team's top offseason acquisition would get the final stretch, but despite his electric arm even he struggled.
As a team, the Astros converted 44 saves, even more than the season before when they went to the playoffs.
The problem is they had 20 blown saves, which is the 13th worst in the majors.
The Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Washinton Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs were the four teams with the fewest blown saves last season - spoiler alert all four made it to the postseason.
Blown saves are just a part of the game, your closer is going to have a rough game every once in a while. But lockdown closers just will have a lot less of them than others - see the 2016 Astros.
So the question is, who's closing on the Astros in 2017?
Unless the team goes out and lands a prime closer, which they still can. In spring training A.J. Hinch will likely have a few different guys to choose from.
Giles, Gregerson, and Harris are likely the favorites to land the job out of the gate. But there should be three more names added to this eventual competition.
Lance McCullers, Christopher Devenski, and Michael Feliz should also get a look at the job.
McCullers is pie in the sky and while he probably could be very effective in the role the Astros don't seem to have any interest in moving him out of a starting role despite arm concerns.
Devenski has earned a larger role on the team but the question is how large of a role. He was great last year and when the Astros needed an out he was the guy Hinch turned to.
While Devenski is consistent and solid, Feliz is more unpolished but he has a lot of electricity in his arm and showed a lot of flashes of being a great reliever.
With so much being invested in making the 2017 Houston Astros so much better, it's time to think beyond the retreads of Giles, Gregerson, and Harris.
Michael Feliz should be given the chance to spread his wings and prove that he's the next big thing in closing. Standing at 6'4, Feliz just looks like a closer on the mound.
His upper 90's fastball is hard to square up and his wicked slider is damn near unhittable as batters only were able to get a .163 batting average against it.
While Feliz may have just about the same electric stuff that Giles has (ended the season as closer), my trust goes to the bigger rightie.
Last year it was pretty easy to tell when Feliz was on or off, either he was throwing 98-99 and blowing people away or he was throwing 95-97 and getting hit.
Giles was more of a gamble and harder to figure out, consistently he was the same pitcher throwing the ball, just some days he'd get hit and you never really knew why. On top of that whenever someone would reach base for whatever reason, things just seemed to go downhill from there.
Feliz also had is problems but it seemed more manageable in terms of maybe he just needed more rest that day or something while for Giles it seems more random.
If you look through Feliz and Giles game log. You'll see that when Giles gave up a run, it usually meant a bad week for him, Feliz on the other seemed to bounce back more often after bad outings.
Feliz like Devenski last year pitched in a lot of "dirty work" games, either when the team was trailing or in extra innings. He may have been a little less consistent than Devenski but it's easy to think Feliz will continue getting better.
Just because the Astros gave up a lot to get Giles does not mean he should just be given the spot.
The pressure of closing on a playoff team will their form you into a diamond or crush you into dust. I know for me I'd much rather see what Feliz can do in the ninth, then any other option that's currently on the team.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Now the Chris Sale is off the market, who else should the Astros target
The Houston Astros missed out on the Chris Sale sweepstakes as the Chicago White Sox traded him over to the Boston Red Sox.
With starting pitching still on the agenda, not landing Sale, doesn't mean the Astros are now out of options.
Sale might have been the goal for every team, but there are still plenty of top of the rotation starters still waiting for new homes.
Below are three "aces" general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff should target.
1) Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (33 years old)
Santana is still an above average pitcher plus he's under team control through 2019 making 14 million a year. When he's on his A-game he can lead a staff, but he's better off being a really good second or third starter.
Another good thing about Santana is that you certainly aren't giving up Lance McCullers or Alex Bregman. The Twins would probably return phone calls if you offered AAA outfielder Derek Fisher, right-hander Jandel Gustave and a player to be named later.
2) Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (27 years old)
He had a down year last year, but since breaking into the majors he's been a stud, from 2013-2015 he had 2.88 ERA which was 10th best in baseball.
Gray is just now entering arbitration so he'll be under team control for a while so he's going to be costly. It won't cost you "untouchable" prospects, but major league middle infielder Tony Kemp and reliever Michael Feliz, plus A-ball outfielder Daz Cameron could be enough to make a deal.
3) Tampa Rays Chris Archer (28 years old)
Rumored to be moved this offseason, the only problem is reports say that the price tag for Archer is pretty high.
Archer has been a top pitcher in A.L., he's just been stuck on bad Rays team, in 2016 his ERA was just a touch over 4, but in years prior he's been on the cusp of being a dominant pitcher.
With Archer under control through the 2021 season, the Rays are probably holding out for a Sale like deal and If the Astros are to get involved this is where it might cost an "untouchable".
If you want Archer; Bregman or George Springer, AA third baseman J.D. Davis plus last years number one pick pitcher Forrest Whitley could be enough to start a dialog.
Options are out there for the Astros, it just depends on what is the price Luhnow is willing to pay, what is too high?
With starting pitching still on the agenda, not landing Sale, doesn't mean the Astros are now out of options.
Sale might have been the goal for every team, but there are still plenty of top of the rotation starters still waiting for new homes.
Below are three "aces" general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff should target.
1) Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (33 years old)
Santana is still an above average pitcher plus he's under team control through 2019 making 14 million a year. When he's on his A-game he can lead a staff, but he's better off being a really good second or third starter.
Another good thing about Santana is that you certainly aren't giving up Lance McCullers or Alex Bregman. The Twins would probably return phone calls if you offered AAA outfielder Derek Fisher, right-hander Jandel Gustave and a player to be named later.
2) Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (27 years old)
He had a down year last year, but since breaking into the majors he's been a stud, from 2013-2015 he had 2.88 ERA which was 10th best in baseball.
Gray is just now entering arbitration so he'll be under team control for a while so he's going to be costly. It won't cost you "untouchable" prospects, but major league middle infielder Tony Kemp and reliever Michael Feliz, plus A-ball outfielder Daz Cameron could be enough to make a deal.
3) Tampa Rays Chris Archer (28 years old)
Rumored to be moved this offseason, the only problem is reports say that the price tag for Archer is pretty high.
Archer has been a top pitcher in A.L., he's just been stuck on bad Rays team, in 2016 his ERA was just a touch over 4, but in years prior he's been on the cusp of being a dominant pitcher.
With Archer under control through the 2021 season, the Rays are probably holding out for a Sale like deal and If the Astros are to get involved this is where it might cost an "untouchable".
If you want Archer; Bregman or George Springer, AA third baseman J.D. Davis plus last years number one pick pitcher Forrest Whitley could be enough to start a dialog.
Options are out there for the Astros, it just depends on what is the price Luhnow is willing to pay, what is too high?
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Hey, remember me?
General manager Jeff Luhnow Saturday afternoon added another piece to his 2017 ball club by bringing back, old friend, outfielder/DH Carlos Beltran on a reported one-year deal worth 16 million dollars.
Houston Astros' fans may have spent the last decade plus booing Beltran every time he came to the plate, but now none of that matters anymore. He came back and that's the only thing that counts.
At nearly 40 years old, Beltran has proven that he still has "it" hell last season he was an all-star for the ninth time in his career. While his days of stealing 20-30 bases are long gone, it's not out of the question that he could crank out 30 home runs in 2017 with an extra short porch in left field.
It's no telling what position Beltran will play when the roster and roles are set in spring training. But if the team uses him as their DH (which is likely), he'll easily become the best in the Astros short American League history.
Also by adding Beltran he's now the fifth player added by Luhnow this offseason with postseason experience - yes Charlie Morton has pitched in the playoffs - an Astros team with the right combination of young talent and big-time vets, it could lift the team from the fringe of the playoffs to a deep postseason run.
The Chicago Cubs gave Astros the blueprint, it was the additions of veterans Jon Lester and Dexter Flower mixing with their youth that put them over the top.
In 2004 Beltran nearly single handily carried the Astros to a world series appearance, but ultimately fell short. Now 12 years later and his career closer to the end than the beginning, Beltran will get a chance to finish what he started in Houston so many, many, years ago.
Houston Astros' fans may have spent the last decade plus booing Beltran every time he came to the plate, but now none of that matters anymore. He came back and that's the only thing that counts.
At nearly 40 years old, Beltran has proven that he still has "it" hell last season he was an all-star for the ninth time in his career. While his days of stealing 20-30 bases are long gone, it's not out of the question that he could crank out 30 home runs in 2017 with an extra short porch in left field.
It's no telling what position Beltran will play when the roster and roles are set in spring training. But if the team uses him as their DH (which is likely), he'll easily become the best in the Astros short American League history.
Also by adding Beltran he's now the fifth player added by Luhnow this offseason with postseason experience - yes Charlie Morton has pitched in the playoffs - an Astros team with the right combination of young talent and big-time vets, it could lift the team from the fringe of the playoffs to a deep postseason run.
The Chicago Cubs gave Astros the blueprint, it was the additions of veterans Jon Lester and Dexter Flower mixing with their youth that put them over the top.
In 2004 Beltran nearly single handily carried the Astros to a world series appearance, but ultimately fell short. Now 12 years later and his career closer to the end than the beginning, Beltran will get a chance to finish what he started in Houston so many, many, years ago.
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