(2012: 55-107, last place NL Central)
(FC Prediction: Last in AL West)
There is a reason that the Astros moved to the American League this year...it's because they have had no success in the National League.
Well, that's not it but even changing leagues may not help this squad that's in the midst of another rebuilding year. Last year couldn't have been any worse for the Astros as they finished dead last in the NL Central.
First year GM Jeff Luhnow was given the green light to tear the organization down and put his stamp on a faucets of the Astros, from the minor-league on up to the manager. Essentially, the Astros are taking a step back in hopes of taking major steps forward in the future.
Will 2013 be the year that they make that first step ahead? New manager Bo Porter should bring a fire to the club that was simply lacking last season. While they may be thrown into the fire right away in the revamped and talented AL West (that may be better than the NL Central), this young team will grow up fast, and not losing a hundred games may be a realistic goal.
Let's see what this squad looks like going into 2013:
PITCHERS
The bullpen will be the biggest question mark and will probably determine the Astros success (or lack thereof). With closer Wilton Lopez gone to Colorado, RH Jose Veras is the early favorite to close. The only question is how many opportunities he will have.
Don't expect to get too familiar with the opening day Astros bullpen, because we're sure that there will be plenty of turnover and change throughout the season as the Astros try to get a grip on young talent.
LINEUP
Newly acquired Carlos Pena will provide his perennial power and low average while the Astros try to figure out what a DH does. Lower in the order could be fun to watch. Houston has a bunch of young, scrappy players in 1B Brett Wallace, C Jason Castro and OF J.D. Martinez, all of which try to take the next step. If any or all can have a breakout season to live up to their top prospect status from years past, Houston could be a team that, well, still isn't good but no one wants to play. Former 1st round pick and rookie Matt Dominguez is penciled in as the Houston starting 3rd baseman. While he may not be the next coming of Mike Trout, keep an eye on him throughout the season.
BEST CASE SCENARIO
However, it's entirely possible that Brett Wallace, Martinez and Castro have breakout years, Dominguez becomes a beast, and the back-end of the bullpen anchors down while the starters somehow weather the storm of hitters in the AL West. Even if all those good things happen, a .500 season is possible -- not likely - but possible. Still not a playoff team, but .500 sounds pretty good after back-to-back 100 loss seasons.
WORST CASE SCENARIO
There's literally no where to go but up. Here is a short list of things that can happen that would be worst than last year's Astros.
- Bo Porter lied about his resume, experience, dead-girlfriend, etc and is having an affair with the ticket sales interns. He is fired in April.
- Pitchers and catchers simply don't report.
- Entire starting infield collides on a pop-fly, all injured for season.
- The retractable roof at Minute Maid gets stuck halfway open during the entire months of July and August in 110 degree heat.
- Not to be outdone by the Royals, GM Jeff Ludnow trades the entire AA Corpus Christi Hooks and AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks for James Shields.
- A hurricane hits in the middle of the 8th inning of a game, tears off the roof and blows Jose Altuve to Galveston Island where he is never seen again.
- Owner Jim Crane sells team to Bud Adams who relocates them to Tennessee.
- City votes to change their name back to the Colt .45s, team banned forever from postseason due to a gn control measure by President Obama.
- A glitch in the Minute Maid Park PA system plays Nickelback after every home run all season.
- JJ Watt is invited to throw out the first pitch Opening Day, ends up starting and tosses a three-hit shutout.
MOST-LIKELY SCENARIO / PROGNOSIS
With literally no where to go but up, a fiery manager and crops of young talent, these Astros should be both painful and fun to watch. While they enter one of the toughest Division in baseball, expect Bo Porter to have his club ready to play every game. There will be growing pains along the way but serious baseball fans will also be able to spot glimmers of hope. Trying not to lose a hundred games should be a realistic goal which we expect the Astros to accomplish. It may not seem like much but after the disasters of the last few seasons, it is a start. It will still not be enough to keep them out of the AL West cellar but this is still a rebuilding phase. Astros fans would do well to take advice from Cubs fans and start paying attention to the moves being made in the draft and minor leagues too to see the entire rebuilding process from the ground up. That alone should be enough to keep the die-hard Houston baseball fans going to the park and paying attention. Oh and tickets are $5.
NON-ROSTER INVITEE TO WATCH
Familiar names will hit the Spring Cactus League as veterans Rick Ankiel and Erik Bedard will get the chance to compete and play. Both are in their early 30s and have something left to prove and can provide veteran leadership with a young squad and a new manager. Ankiel will do fine as a back up and spot starter in the outfielder, and Bedard is literally better than any other option as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Expect both to make the team and play.
TWITTER ACCOUNT TO FOLLOW
Use the joys of digital technology to see what Jordan Lyles has to say about the world of sports. He tweets like a 20-year-old kid because he is. It's an account of youth and baseball joy fused together. Give him a follow at @JordanLyles41
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