Any Astros fans here? Let's talk expectations this season

[joeywa]

So what are y'all's expectations this season for the 'Stros?

 

Last year was pretty ugly, but I like some of the youth and so far it looks like Jeff Luhnow has got the rebuilding of the farm system as a priority.

 

It also looks like the moves to add some Ps to the staff will help, and hopefully we'll see a couple of them pan out with decent ERAs. The hitting could use some help, because other than Castro, I just don't see much in the lineup. Hopefully Carter will get better at the plate and free agent CF Dexter Fowler will be serviceable. Minor League prospect Jonathon Singleton at 1B is a question mark because he got a ban in the fall for smoking dope I think. I know the staff was high on his upside, but the dope thing may have dampened their optimism.

 

The additions of Feldman and Crain are the two biggest names there. Not sure when Crain will be cleared 100% to pitch since he had surgery in the fall. Hopefully he'll be ready to contribute by mid-season and can be as productive as he was in 2013 for the White Sox. I really hope that Mark Appel is able to get some looks this year in the Houston rotation. He was phenomenal in college.

 

 

Porter should be fine at the helm, although I think about 80% of his coaching staff is in their first year together. He's putting the building blocks together, and with a little luck this project should take better shape this year and look solid going into 2015.

 

So do you see an improvement from last year's 51-111 record? I say yes. Let's not be foolish, they aren't going to the playoffs, and I'd be surprised if they have more than 70 wins on the season, but I think 70 is a good high-side, things-go-right season.

[thk23]

I think the ban you're thinking of that singleton had was last year and porter cleared it up with him last year before spring training and I believe they have put it behind them.

I think Appel has a chance to make the bigs in August or so but why waste an extra year of having his rights just to throw in august and September

[joeywa]

I think the ban you're thinking of that singleton had was last year and porter cleared it up with him last year before spring training and I believe they have put it behind them.

I think Appel has a chance to make the bigs in August or so but why waste an extra year of having his rights just to throw in august and September

I believe you're correct on Singleton.

 

I agree on hanging on to Appel's rights, and Luhnow may do just that. I'm just excited to see him pitch at the MLB level. Call me selfish! Ha!

[thk23]

ha yeah and I thought I read something before that if they wait like 2 weeks or so to bring springer up then we get an extra year before he becomes arbitration eligible

[Brasky]

73-89

 

2 years away and then we should be serious contenders. Absolutely lock up Jeff Luhnow

[joeywa]

73-89

 

2 years away and then we should be serious contenders. Absolutely lock up Jeff Luhnow

 

I like the way you think.

[streettopeschel]

I'm tired of being the '62 mets. Gimme 70 wins this year and I'm good. .500+ next year and playoff contender in '16.

[joeywa]

I'm tired of being the '62 mets. Gimme 70 wins this year and I'm good. .500+ next year and playoff contender in '16.

 

Being a 'Stros fan is hard. And FWIW, I HATE being in the AL.

[streettopeschel]

Being a 'Stros fan is hard. And FWIW, I HATE being in the AL.

2005 NL champ hat still gets broke out on special occasions.

[joeywa]

2005 NL champ hat still gets broke out on special occasions.

Slim would be proud; I've got an old ratty blue Astros cap with the H in the star emblem on the front. I wear it quite often during the summer months, and it looks like it!

[Lukus Alderman]

I'm a big Astros fan, but I'll be honest and say that I don't know much about the current team. I'm hoping for any improvement.

[streettopeschel]

Slim would be proud; I've got an old ratty blue Astros cap with the H in the star emblem on the front. I wear it quite often during the summer months, and it looks like it!

 

Babe Ruth was still a pitcher when Slim first wore 'the hat'.

[joeywa]

Babe Ruth was still a pitcher when Slim first wore 'the hat'.

 

Well, it ain't that old.

[NLeininger]

The most exciting 2 days for the upcoming season. Drafting Carlos Rodon, signing Carlos Rodon. Other than that, the debut of Springer and Singleton. Correa's development in AA. The pitchers developing their 3rd pitches (Foltz, McClullers, Velaquez). Rio Ruiz's sweet stroke getting sweeter in Lancaster.

 

The lineup at the end of the year looking something like this...

Fowler - CF

Altuve - 2B

Castro - C

Springer - RF

Singelton - 1B

Carter - DH

Santana - LF

Dominguez - 3B

Villar - SS

[joeywa]

The most exciting 2 days for the upcoming season. Drafting Carlos Rodon, signing Carlos Rodon. Other than that, the debut of Springer and Singleton. Correa's development in AA. The pitchers developing their 3rd pitches (Foltz, McClullers, Velaquez). Rio Ruiz's sweet stroke getting sweeter in Lancaster.

 

The lineup at the end of the year looking something like this...

Fowler - CF

Altuve - 2B

Castro - C

Springer - RF

Singelton - 1B

Carter - DH

Santana - LF

Dominguez - 3B

Villar - SS

 

Why do you think Singleton wins the 1B job from Carter?

 

What do you think of DeShields? Any chances of seeing him called up this season?

 

W/L records for this season? Best guess.

[JimR]

Yes, I am an Astros fan.

[Bewarre]

I'm hoping for steady improvement. I'd like to see the major league team get by for another year letting the better prospects mature in AAA.

I'd like to see them pick Rodon first overall in the draft. I think they will do what they have done the last couple years by trading their free agent pitchers at the trade deadline to pick up more prospects.

 

I dont think they will see too many more W's. The Rangers and Angels should be good plus the M's should be a better team as well.

But I am ok with that as long as they stay competitive and not get blown out like they did some last year.

[Juan]

Two things to me that can quickly demoralize a team (and its fanbase) --

 

(1) blown late leads/blown save ops

(2) high K rate

 

Bullpen help is the cheapest fix for any team yet they completely failed at this last season. This year they did sink some money there and the improvement should be instant. The one downer here is that Crain is starting to look injury-prone - he just hurt a calf, while rehabbing a bicep (not a good sign). Even with him out, the pen will be better. With a healthy Crain, should be solid.

 

The second point is more perplexing. Outside of Fowler, who should be a good lead off hitter, they did not do anything to address this. High K% does not sound very Luhnow does it? Yet this entire team is high K except perhaps Grossman, who I guess is going to start?

 

Anyway, lifelong fan here.

[mesoHorny]

They have to get the TV situation taken care of or it won't matter how they play.

[NLeininger]

Why do you think Singleton wins the 1B job from Carter?

 

What do you think of DeShields? Any chances of seeing him called up this season?

 

W/L records for this season? Best guess.

 

Singleton is a decent defensive 1b, Carter is below average in the field anywhere you put him. Carter still has plenty to prove with the bat as well.

 

DeShields is a boom or bust type prospect. Either he'll be as good, maybe a tick better than his dad, or he'll never make it out of AAA. Depends on his work ethic. This will be a big year for him going back to the OF and getting out of Lancaster.

 

72-90.

[JimR]

Carter likely will DH. Singleton is very good with the glove but needs to show that his hitting in AAA was an aberration.

[streettopeschel]

They have to get the TV situation taken care of or it won't matter how they play.

no s**t. don't live in HOU, so haven't heard much. any progress?

[Embrey]

So happy to see an Astro thread. The Astros are my favorite team in all of sports. My favorite player ... J.R. Richard.

Favorite lineup:

C Alan Ashby/Biggio

1st Glen Davis/Bagwell

2nd Biggio/Joe Morgan

SS Dickie Thon

3rd Caminiti

OF Cesar Cedeno, Jose Cruz & Terry Puhl

P J.R. Richard, Nolan, Mike Scott, Sambito, Kerfeld

I could go on and on.

I HATE that we are in the AL.

Bud Selig screwed us and kept the Brewers innwith the Cubs, Reds, etc...

We have seen the priority placed upon pitching in the past 3 or 4 drafts. This will payoff for us beginning this year. I think '16 is probably realistic when predicting our return to competetiveness but I look for us to play better after the All-Star break this year.

Does anybody know if the Comcast/TWC deal will allow for us to be on television every night. I hope so.

Altuve is a joy to watch. Can anyone imagine how productive he might be if he were on a great team?

Thank you for the Astros thread!

[streettopeschel]

Embrey...good stuff, but gimme the Red Rooster at 3rd and find a place for Knucksie on the pitching staff.

 

Cedeno was my Astros Buddy. Anybody remember those?

[joeywa]

Embry, you must have been a 'Stros fan back in the day when I started watching. Dad used to take me to the games and we sat in the colored seats in the Dome. Great times and memories.