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Houston Astros 2017 Team Preview

By Jackson Bruce

Feb 25, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; The Houston Astros watch as the Detroit Tigers warm up before a baseball game during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; The Houston Astros watch as the Detroit Tigers warm up before a baseball game during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Astros did not quite live up to expectations in 2016, but they may be primed for a run deep into the postseason in 2017. Here is what to look for.

Last season, the Houston Astros were initially viewed as a contender. They came off of a playoff appearance in 2015, and had some stars emerge. Unfortunately, it didn’t all pan out. They missed the playoffs and finished in third place in the American League West. With everything that happened, their 84-78 record was respectable.

Starting Rotation Struggles

Their starting rotation was not the same in 2016. Reigning Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel went 9-12 with 4.55 earned run average, a far cry from his magnificent season in 2015. Collin McHugh also saw his earned run average inflate. In fact, the Astros’ rotation had a tough time with giving up runs. Lance McCullers was the only starter with an earned run average under 4.00. If the Astros want to compete, they need to have their starting rotation in top form, because their offense won’t be the one hurting.

Bright Spots

Their offensive weapons were explosive in 2016. Jose Altuve, a 2016 Most Valuable Player candidate, had another spectacular season. He hit 24 home runs and drove in 96 runs while batting .338. His speed on the base paths helped him swipe 30 bases and his 7.7 wins above replacement led the team.

Along with Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer had productive seasons. Correa batted .274 to go along with 20 home runs and 96 runs batted in. His 5.9 wins above replacement was second on the team. Springer blasted 28 home runs and drove in 82 runs while batting .261. Alex Bregman, a young superstar in the making, will suit up for his first full MLB season in 2017. Each of the Astros’ offensive stars from last season is still young, giving them something to look forward to this season.

Their bullpen last season saw three hurlers rack up 12 or more saves. Ken Giles piled up 15 saves while striking out 102 batters in 65.2 innings. He had some help in the ninth inning from Luke Gregerson and Will Harris. Gregorson put up 15 saves in 57.2 innings while striking out 67 batters. Harris tallied 12 saves of his own with a 2.25 earned run average, the lowest of the three.

The Astros went into 2017 looking to build their roster to get back into the postseason. Here are the moves they decided to make to get there.

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