We are less than two weeks from Opening Day in Major League Baseball and, for the first time in a long time, the Astros don’t have a roster that is set in stone. A combination of new faces, moves from old ones and a couple injuries have rapidly changed the outlook of this team and we aren’t even sure they know for certain who will end up in the dugout against the Mets on March 27.
We do know the main names, but filling out the rest of the roster behind them may prove complicated. Several players are out of minor league options and others, while they may be nearly ready, might be better served getting at bats in the minors instead of sitting on the bench in Houston.
Let’s take an early peek at the options.
Starting Rotation
Framber Valdez
Hunter Brown
Ronel Blanco
Spencer Arrighetti
Hayden Wesneski
At least to begin the season, this is a fairly straightforward projection. Valdez has been announced as the Opening Day starter for his third straight season. The rest of the first five seem well set with the newly acquired Wesneski rounding out the group. By the end of the first month of the season, however, this may change. Lance McCullers is finally pitching in games and will likely be ready to pitch at the start of the season. The team will be cautious with him and he could throw from the bullpen, but if he is good, he might eventually overtake Wesneski, who is comfortable starting or relieving. Also, Luis Garcia could be back by May.
Bullpen
Josh Hader
Bryan Abreu
Bryan King
Tayler Scott
Logan VanWey
Nick Hernandez
Jalen Beeks
Honestly, it’s a crap shoot at this point. Hader, Abreu, King and Scott are locks to at least begin the season in the pen. But, after that, who knows? Jalen Beeks was signed to a minor league deal this month and is a veteran. VanWey has impressed in camp and both he and Hernandez are under team control (as is King). They will need at least a few guys that can use to move between the majors and minors early in the season. Since Forrest Whitley went out with a bone bruise and has no remaining minor league options, he could either wind up on the IL or be released after a long, unfruitful career in Houston. Stay tuned.
Starting Lineup
Jose Altuve (LF)
Isaac Paredes (3B)
Yordan Alvarez (DH)
Christian Walker (1B)
Yainer Diaz (C)
Jeremy Peña (SS)
Mauricio Dubon (2B)
Chas McCormick (RF)
Jake Meyers (CF)
Altuve in left is one of the weirdest things to even reference, but it’s happening for better or worse. That opens up second and it is likely, at least to start the year, Dubon will claim that spot. The interesting choices will come on the bench with young guys like Cam Smith fighting for a spot on the roster.
Bench
Victor Caratini (C)
Ben Gamel (OF)
Zach Dezenzo (OF)
Jon Singleton (1B)
Luis Gillorme (IF)
Right now, Smith isn’t in. It is not because he isn’t deserving. Mainly, it’s because he likely has a better chance to develop playing every day in Sugar Land. Ditto for Jacob Melton, who we will likely see in the not too distant future and guys like Brice Matthews. Much of what will happen to those young players will depend on the success/failure of guys in shaky spots now like McCormick and Meyers, as well as how valuable Dubon is as a utility player over an everyday second baseman. Caratini and Gamel are locks. Singleton, who is out of options and was trusted by manager Joe Espada last year, is likely, especially considering his lefty bat. Dezenzo has been so good in the spring and he has great versatility (could he be the next Doubie?). For now, we’ll go with the veteran Gillorme to back up second base. He’s a lefty and is a solid glove option in the infield. But, that could change.
