My 1st annual Houston Astros season preview will commence in 3...2...1...
I would consider myself a conformist mainstream writer if I broke down each position player separately, but hey, I have to get a job in a couple years and being Howard Roark isn't exactly going to help my case. Individual breakdowns also means that I'll be employing one of my favorite (and perhaps most annoying) literary techniques: short paragraphs! Let's get going.
Pitching wins championships. Even though it really doesn't. Last time I checked, the team with the most RUNS on the board at the end won the game. But I guess you can say it's important. Luckily for you, Houston fan/random blog follower, the Astros' pitching has improved this offseason, mainly because of the acquisition of former Phillies hurler Brett Myers. Roy Oswalt will once again take the number one spot in the rotation, followed by the ever-inconsistent but steadily improving Wandy Rodriguez at the two. Myers will most likely be the number three pitcher in the rotation, making Houston pretty strong in the top pitching spots. I pray to God that manager Brad Mills puts the young phenom Bud Norris at number four and finds anyone in the world to pitch in the five hole, but most likely the dreaded Brian Moehler will pitch four and Bud Norris five. I'm predicting Mills will quickly see the error of his ways after a couple of starts from the aging and ineffective Moehler.
Grade: B
The bullpen looks relatively weak this year. Not that it has looked any better in recent years. The 'Stros lost the mediocre middle reliever LaTroy Hawkins and let the fiery albeit crappy closer Jose Valverde (Dr. Strangeglove) walk to Detroit. They countered these losses by signing the young and talented Matt Lindstrom from the Marlins and the largely unproven Brandon Lyon. I'm thinking Mills will hand the closer spot over to Lindstrom, which will be a huge success. (I'd like to note that he's Mormon. Thank you, thank you). Lyon will probably prove to be a fluke in the pen, and will likely be gone by the end of the year. Tim Byrdak, Jeff Fulchino, Wesley Wright, and Chris Sampson are all a motley group of unproven athletes with raw talent. I don't project them to be a top-flight bullpen, but I don't see them being overly terrible either.
Grade: B-
Now to the position players. The catcher on opening day will most likely be JR Towles, which worries me. He's young, inexperienced, and hits like he's swinging a toothpick. Problem is, his only plausible replacement, Humberto Quintero, is a minor league lifer, overweight, and prone to defensive errors. This is easily the Astros weakest position, and I expect a trade or a signing sometime in the season. Oh, how I'll miss Ivan Rodriguez.
Grade: D
Lance Berkman is still one of the best first basemen out there. Call me a homer (punny punny), but I still believe he has the stuff to be an All-Star. The big bat is still there, and Berkman is one of the smartest players in the league. My only question is, does he still want to play? Lance seems to emulate Roy Oswalt, and everyone knows that Oswalt plans to leave the game relatively early. Barring significant injury, the Big Puma should put in a quality year, and will stay at the number 3 spot in the lineup the whole season.
Grade: A-
Kazuo Matsui? I'm just not sure about that. He's 35, injury-prone and slumping. However, he's still fast, he can still lace hits into the large gaps at Minute Maid Park, and he's an above-average glovesman. I would rather have Jeff Keppinger out there, simply for consistency, but Kaz's ups during the season will entice Mills to start him most of the way. Injury is likely though. Look for a 2B by committee this season.
Grade: C+
The Astros are taking the risk and most likely handing the reins of the shortsop position to the rookie Tommy Manzella. Having only seen him on MLB 2010: The Show, I can't say I know all that much about him. However, he is a pretty crappy hitter in the game. I'm thinking this will probably reflect into his real life play as well. Batting be damned, the word around town is that he's the next Adam Everett, a hard worker who may not swing a big stick but can save a lot of runs with his stellar defense. I like Manzella, and he should stay here the whole season. If not, look for Chris Johnson (not to be confused with the Titans running back who ran a 4.2 40), Geoff Blum, or Matt Kata to come in and help out.
Grade: C+
Pedro Feliz was my favorite off-season acquisition. He was a scrappy player with Philadelphia, and I feel that he was the most underrated contributor to their back to back World Series appearances. We won't have him for long, since he's 35, but I'm rolling the dice on a very effective year for Feliz, with solid contributions by Blum when relief is needed.
Grade: B+
Carlos Lee is lazy. I'll just say that right now. I mean, the man seriously needs a golf cart to come fetch him from left field between innings. That being said, I still think he's a great hitter, and I sure am happy the Astros locked him up for as many years as they did with a no-trade clause. El Caballo has a cult following, and I'm projecting him to hit around .310 this year. Put in some solid home run and RBI numbers, and he can visit Panama as much as he wants.
Grade: B+
Michael Bourn is going to be the star this year. He won his first ever Gold Glove Award last season, and he definitely deserved it. Who can forget the catch on Tal's Hill when he was falling down. The little black man has stolen his way into a lot of fans' hearts throughout the area, and I look for his BA, RBIs, and stolen bases to go up this year. I love hearing him say "inning".
Grade: A
Hunter Pence (Captain Underpants) is probably my personal favorite on this team. Entirely homegrown, he has earned his way into the starting rightfield spot simply by playing hard, really really unconventional baseball. Who's complaining? The hunk of most female (and perhaps male) Astros fans' hearts is sure to put up another big year with the bat and the glove. Doubters, beware.
Grade: B+
Last but not least, we have Brad Mills. I sure as heck am glad they picked him over Manny Acta, who has yet to manage a winning team. General manager Ed Wade was right in firing Cecil Cooper, who simply lacked the intenstity to manage a major league team. Mills has experience with winning clubs, having been the Red Sox bench coach before accepting the Houston job. I'm not sure he's the second coming of Scrap Iron Phil, but Houston fans have hope, and there's no stopping this team after the All-Star break.
Grade: B+
Overall projection: 85-77 Missing the playoffs this year due to stiff competition from St. Louis and Chicago, but prospects are definitely looking up. Watch out, 2011.
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