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Houston Astros desperately need George Springer

By Josh Sippie

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George Springer is kind of a big deal. People know him. On the Houston Astros, he was finally starting to come into his own and live up to his massive potential. In his last 30 games before getting hurt, the eccentric outfielder was hitting a stern .325 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. For a 25 year old that has a knack for striking out, that is pretty darn good.

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Couple that with his electric personality, aggressive baserunning, superb fielding and arm strength and general love for the game and the Houston Astros have quite the talent.

But that young talent is on the disabled list and he has been since July 1st. After being hit by an Edinson Volquez pitch that ended up fracturing his wrist (despite him remaining in the game), George Springer was expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks. It has now been six weeks and I, like many others, am wondering when Georgie will be back in the lineup.

HNGN indicates that it could be soon. However, four weeks into rehab, he still was not able to use his wrist at all. That is hardly promising and saying ‘soon’ is just as promising. But one thing remains certain, the Astros need George Springer much more than I originally thought.

At the onset of the George Springer injury, I was of the belief that while the injury was going to be harmful to the Houston Astros, it would not be detrimental. The Astros have gone 15-19 since George Springer left the lineup. I will have to dub that detrimental.

On the season, Springer was hitting .264 with a .822 OPS, 13 home runs, 29 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Those are quality numbers and while they are not exactly eye-popping, he was really starting to come into his element.

Not to mention that what George Springer brings to the Houston Astros is so much more than a stat line. Whereas it used to be that Jose Altuve was the heart of this team (which he still is), George Springer’s energy can rival the little Venezuelan’s any day of the week. After all, it was George Springer who created Club Astros, where the team can unleash a jig after a hard-fought victory.

Call it innovation.

Taking that energy out of a lineup can be incredibly problematic. If high energy like his is contagious, then losing that energy is just as contagious and it is pretty clear that it spread incredibly quickly through the Astros’ clubhouse as the team lost eight of ten after Springer’s injury going into the all-star break. Not exactly how you want to close out a half. It was the first time the Astros had looked mortal all year and it was not just coincidence that it went hand in hand with Springer’s injury.

In a rather bold move, the Houston Astros added Carlos Gomez at the deadline. Speaking of energy, Carlos Gomez has it. But he still has not had enough to lift the Houston Astros from their sputtering ways. He may love Club Astros and feel like his new move is a fit, but his energy is not going to be able to replicate Springer’s system-bred energy.

That being said, when Springer does return and his wave of energy starts spreading like a good version of the black plague, you can bet that Carlos Gomez will be one of the main guys to benefit, which will in turn bestow upon the team an exciting aura the likes of which we have never seen. Or at least that is the plan.

The Houston Astros need George Springer back. This is two years in a row he has suffered a serious injury and that mantra needs to be shaken quickly. It all starts with getting him back on the diamond.

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