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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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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Acquisitions

The Astros made some key moves this offseason in order to not disappoint this season. They beefed up at catcher and were able to replace departed outfielders, along with bringing in a valuable veteran presence. The Astros haven’t been buyers much in recent years, but the chance for a championship may have driven them to make the push.

Catcher

Last season, the Astros struggled at catcher. Jason Castro was hard to watch at the plate, batting a skeletal .210 with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in. Since 2013, Castro’s numbers at the plate have dipped to levels where he is not a productive starting catcher anymore (unless you are the Minnesota Twins). So the Astros traded for All-Star catcher Brian McCann.

McCann is not the catcher he used to be, but he is a step up from Castro. He brings more offense and a veteran presence that a young Astros team could benefit from. In 2016 with the Yankees, he hit .242 with 20 home runs and 58 runs batted in. Another year like that, and he will be able to effectively fill the hole behind the plate in Houston.

Outfield

The outfield got a makeover this offseason after the departure of key players. The Astros were able to replenish their corps with the acquisitions of Josh Reddick and Nori Aoki. Reddick signed a four-year deal worth $52 million. In 115 games, he hit .281 with 10 home runs and 37 runs batted in. When healthy, Reddick is capable of hitting 20-plus home runs and being a valuable piece in the outfield defensively. If he stays healthy, the Astros will be pleased with his production.

Aoki was waived by Seattle, but the Astros picked him up. Aoki can hit for average, hitting .283 in 2016. His power numbers aren’t anything spectacular, but he is valuable in the outfield. He has a career .992 fielding percentage. He is good for base hits and solid defense, which makes him valuable on a team that can drive guys in once they get on base.

Veteran Leadership and Another Starter

The Astros brought back a productive player from their past with the signing of Carlos Beltran. Beltran helped out with the Astros’ 2004 playoff run and is still a valuable piece to any team he is on. He hit .295 with 29 home runs and 93 runs batted in while splitting his time with the Yankees and Rangers. He will be the primary designated hitter this season and will provide pop and leadership to a young and powerful lineup.

To bolster their pitching staff, the Astros picked up Charlie Morton. Morton only pitched in four games for the Phillies last season and hasn’t been overly impressive during his time in the majors. He adds an arm to a rotation that has a chance at improving from its less than stellar 2016.

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