After a 13 game improvement last season, ending with a record of 77-85, the Houston Astros begin their second season under perhaps the most controversial General Manager in the league. The Astros enter the season with a young team anchored by a few veteran players highlighted by the oft published signing of Tuck Buck. The Astros had trouble last year adjusting to Juice Box posting a below .500 record at home. For them to contend they must improve as home.
Projected Lineup:
C- Juan Santiago - At 23 years old this is Juan's second season as the team's starting catcher. Juan looks to improve on his performance last year and solidify his position as one of the league's most devastating offensive forces at catcher.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .333 AVG, 24 HR, 79 RBI
1B- Rocky Spencer - In his second full season at the major league level Rocky was a huge disappointment. Sophomore slump? With 59 HRs and a .348 AVG in season 5 Rocky looked to be one of the leagues most promising new comers, but after last year he is surrounded by question marks. If he does not return to previous form the Astros stand no chance in the tough NL, and a change of scenery may be in store for him.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .275 AVG, 38 HR, 107 RBI
2B- Gary Daly - At 29 years old Daly, AKA All Day Gary, is the senior member of the Astros lineup. Gary was at the top of the league in doubles and continues to be a stabilizing presence in the clubhouse. Last season Gary saw his average decline and his power numbers increase, its time for him to put the two together.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .264 AVG, 25 HR, 98 RBI
3B- Giovanni Young - At 26 years old Giovanni was a late arrival to the majors last year as a rookie. He provided a good average and played almost every inning in his first season at the major league level. It's time to see if he is the real deal.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .312 AVG, 12 HR, 89 HR
SS- Jamie Xaio - This import from Tokyo is known around the league as the Emperor of Errors. With 31 errors at SS last season Jamie no doubt cost the Astros more than his fair of games. With a number of errors early in Spring Training it doesn't look like he has improved his glove over the off-season. If he continues to pile up errors this season there may be a change of position in his future.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .293 AVG, 19 HR, 94 RBI
LF- Heinie Watkins - Known to his General Manager as Fat Boy, Heinie will be plodding around in LF in his first full season at the major league. This natural DH probably doesn't belong in LF but his bat is to promising to be left in the minors. Splitting time between AAA and the ML Fat Boy showed a ton of power and began to find his rhythm at the ML level, steadily improving his average as the year wore on. Is this the year Fat Boy breaks through? If he does his bat could make the Astros an instant contender.
Last Season's Stats:
AAA: .343 AVG, 20 HR, 77 RBI
ML: .237 AVG, 20 HR, 57 RBI
CF- Alex Saitou - Another product of Tokyo this speedy CF managed to steal 32 bases last season. Although his bat leaves something to desire his speed and range make him a valuable addition to this club.
Last Season's Stats:
ML- .273 AVG, 2 HR, 56 RBI
RF- Sid Bryant - The reigning NL ROY and winner of the NL Silver Slugger Award hopes to avoid a sophomore slump of Rocky Spencer and Vince Young proportions. The Astros best player, and a member of the vaunted 85 club; Sid stole a team high 36 bases.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .317 AVG, 19 HR, 76 RBI
Bench:
LF - Larry Cuddyer
3B - Juan Aramboles
C- Juan Santiago - At 23 years old this is Juan's second season as the team's starting catcher. Juan looks to improve on his performance last year and solidify his position as one of the league's most devastating offensive forces at catcher.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .333 AVG, 24 HR, 79 RBI
1B- Rocky Spencer - In his second full season at the major league level Rocky was a huge disappointment. Sophomore slump? With 59 HRs and a .348 AVG in season 5 Rocky looked to be one of the leagues most promising new comers, but after last year he is surrounded by question marks. If he does not return to previous form the Astros stand no chance in the tough NL, and a change of scenery may be in store for him.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .275 AVG, 38 HR, 107 RBI
2B- Gary Daly - At 29 years old Daly, AKA All Day Gary, is the senior member of the Astros lineup. Gary was at the top of the league in doubles and continues to be a stabilizing presence in the clubhouse. Last season Gary saw his average decline and his power numbers increase, its time for him to put the two together.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .264 AVG, 25 HR, 98 RBI
3B- Giovanni Young - At 26 years old Giovanni was a late arrival to the majors last year as a rookie. He provided a good average and played almost every inning in his first season at the major league level. It's time to see if he is the real deal.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .312 AVG, 12 HR, 89 HR
SS- Jamie Xaio - This import from Tokyo is known around the league as the Emperor of Errors. With 31 errors at SS last season Jamie no doubt cost the Astros more than his fair of games. With a number of errors early in Spring Training it doesn't look like he has improved his glove over the off-season. If he continues to pile up errors this season there may be a change of position in his future.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .293 AVG, 19 HR, 94 RBI
LF- Heinie Watkins - Known to his General Manager as Fat Boy, Heinie will be plodding around in LF in his first full season at the major league. This natural DH probably doesn't belong in LF but his bat is to promising to be left in the minors. Splitting time between AAA and the ML Fat Boy showed a ton of power and began to find his rhythm at the ML level, steadily improving his average as the year wore on. Is this the year Fat Boy breaks through? If he does his bat could make the Astros an instant contender.
Last Season's Stats:
AAA: .343 AVG, 20 HR, 77 RBI
ML: .237 AVG, 20 HR, 57 RBI
CF- Alex Saitou - Another product of Tokyo this speedy CF managed to steal 32 bases last season. Although his bat leaves something to desire his speed and range make him a valuable addition to this club.
Last Season's Stats:
ML- .273 AVG, 2 HR, 56 RBI
RF- Sid Bryant - The reigning NL ROY and winner of the NL Silver Slugger Award hopes to avoid a sophomore slump of Rocky Spencer and Vince Young proportions. The Astros best player, and a member of the vaunted 85 club; Sid stole a team high 36 bases.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: .317 AVG, 19 HR, 76 RBI
Bench:
LF - Larry Cuddyer
3B - Juan Aramboles
SS - Alton Turner
C- Gregory McMillan
Projected Pitching Staff:
SP1- Clay Griffith - As the Astros' best pitcher last season Clay hopes that his offense can provide him with more runs to turn some of the many no decisions he had last year into wins.
Last Season's Stats:
12 W, 4 L, 4.10 ERA
SP2- Tuck Buck - The enormous contract given to Tuck in the off-season as a free agent has earned him the nickname Money Bags from his teammates. Making 15.5 million dollars a year Tuck represents nearly a third of the team's 48 million dollar payroll. Some say Tuck didn't earn the money, some say Tuck is too old, some say the only reason they gave him the money is because his name is Buck. One thing is certain about this pitcher; he has more money than you do.
Last Season's Stats:
10 W, 8 L, 4.46 ERA
SP 3- Willie Espinosa - As the future ace of the Astros staff this flame throwing Dominican drew the largest payday for an international prospect in league history with an 18 million dollar signing bonus last season. In his 20 combined games last season Willie showed a desire and the ability to strike out any and all hitters. The future of this club rests on his amazing left arm.
Last Season's Stats:
AA: 3 W, 0 L, 3.41 ERA
AAA: 2 W, 2 L, 5.18 ERA
ML: 2 W, 4 L, 4.70 ERA
SP 4- Dan Hitchcock - Acquired via trade this off-season Dan could be great 4th pitcher for this staff. However, Dan has never pitched a game in the ML and will be expected to start all season long. Little know fact: If you remove the first five letters of Dan's last name you get a funny word.
Last Season's Stats:
High A: 6 W, 0 L, 1.26 ERA
AA: 6 W, 4 L, 3.99 ERA
AAA: 1 W, 2 L, 3.99 ERA
SP 5- Steve Crow - Once considered the teams best young pitcher and future ace Steve suffered a devastating and season ending injury last year, which may have derailed his career. Steve was expected to be out for the majority of the upcoming season, possibly until May. With the help of his newest training buddy, mid season acquisition, Miguel Tejada and his magical B-12 shots Steve appears ready to begin this season as perhaps the best number 5 pitcher in the league.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: 10 W, 11 L, 4.63 ERA
Bullpen:
LRA: Ralph Erickson - Mr. Reliable
LRB: Graham Maxwell - Mr. Coffee
LRB: Edgar Trajano - The Poet
LRB: Willie Wagner - Big Willie
SUA: Gaylord Ward - Gaylord
SUB: Wiki Plata - Wikipedia
SUB: Louie Lee - Big Lou
Closer: Vinny Post - Mr. Untouchable
Projected Pitching Staff:
SP1- Clay Griffith - As the Astros' best pitcher last season Clay hopes that his offense can provide him with more runs to turn some of the many no decisions he had last year into wins.
Last Season's Stats:
12 W, 4 L, 4.10 ERA
SP2- Tuck Buck - The enormous contract given to Tuck in the off-season as a free agent has earned him the nickname Money Bags from his teammates. Making 15.5 million dollars a year Tuck represents nearly a third of the team's 48 million dollar payroll. Some say Tuck didn't earn the money, some say Tuck is too old, some say the only reason they gave him the money is because his name is Buck. One thing is certain about this pitcher; he has more money than you do.
Last Season's Stats:
10 W, 8 L, 4.46 ERA
SP 3- Willie Espinosa - As the future ace of the Astros staff this flame throwing Dominican drew the largest payday for an international prospect in league history with an 18 million dollar signing bonus last season. In his 20 combined games last season Willie showed a desire and the ability to strike out any and all hitters. The future of this club rests on his amazing left arm.
Last Season's Stats:
AA: 3 W, 0 L, 3.41 ERA
AAA: 2 W, 2 L, 5.18 ERA
ML: 2 W, 4 L, 4.70 ERA
SP 4- Dan Hitchcock - Acquired via trade this off-season Dan could be great 4th pitcher for this staff. However, Dan has never pitched a game in the ML and will be expected to start all season long. Little know fact: If you remove the first five letters of Dan's last name you get a funny word.
Last Season's Stats:
High A: 6 W, 0 L, 1.26 ERA
AA: 6 W, 4 L, 3.99 ERA
AAA: 1 W, 2 L, 3.99 ERA
SP 5- Steve Crow - Once considered the teams best young pitcher and future ace Steve suffered a devastating and season ending injury last year, which may have derailed his career. Steve was expected to be out for the majority of the upcoming season, possibly until May. With the help of his newest training buddy, mid season acquisition, Miguel Tejada and his magical B-12 shots Steve appears ready to begin this season as perhaps the best number 5 pitcher in the league.
Last Season's Stats:
ML: 10 W, 11 L, 4.63 ERA
Bullpen:
LRA: Ralph Erickson - Mr. Reliable
LRB: Graham Maxwell - Mr. Coffee
LRB: Edgar Trajano - The Poet
LRB: Willie Wagner - Big Willie
SUA: Gaylord Ward - Gaylord
SUB: Wiki Plata - Wikipedia
SUB: Louie Lee - Big Lou
Closer: Vinny Post - Mr. Untouchable
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