Will the Houston Astros ever return to prominence?
The Astros, who moved to the American League prior to the 2013 season, are in a horrific stretch over the past few seasons. They have failed to finish over .500 since the 2008 season, going 86-75, finishing third in the NL West. The team has failed to win 60 games in a season since 2010. In fact, they just keep getting worse. They went 56-106 in 2011, 55-107 in 2012 and 51-111 last season.
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Astros' manager Bo Porter, who took over the team prior to the 2013 season, is hoping for improvement, something he reminds his team constantly.
"It's our goal to be the most improved team in Major League Baseball," said Porter. "And I believe, collectively as an organization, we have the group together, and we can actually accomplish that. We want to be the most improved team as far as the win-loss column goes."
The Astros will improve as ball club, probably around the 2016 or 2017 season. They have a lot of great talent in the minor leagues. Right-handed pitcher Mark Appel, the Astros first-round draft pick in 2013, went 3-1, with a 3.79 ERA in ten minor league starts last season. In May, Baseball Prospectus projected Appel to be a future number one starter and offered this report on his fastball.
“The heater is a true plus to plus-plus offering, sitting 93-96 mph and climbing to 97/98 mph on occasion. It is most effective down on the zone, traveling on a steep plane, and Appel can turn over the two-seam to produce arm side run. He holds velocity into the late innings and moves the pitch around the zone with limited difficulty.”
Carlos Correa, the team's 2012 first-round draft pick is another prospect worth waiting for. Correa, 19, hit .320 with nine home runs and 86 runs batted in, to go along with a .405 OBP. His real strength as prospect is with his glove. MLB.com offered a scouting report on the young shortstop.
“The biggest question is over how much he'll hit. Even if he's just an average hitter, with his other tools, that makes him an elite shortstop in the future, and with off-the-charts makeup and work ethic, it might be a mistake to underestimate what his ceiling is.”
The future is bright for Houston, even though the short-term future is anything but. Jordan Lyles led the Astros pitching staff with seven wins in 2013. However Lyles isn't on the Astros anymore. He was traded to the Rockies, along with Brandon Barnes for outfielder Dexter Fowler. Three pitchers tied for second on the Astros' staff in wins last season with six. (Dallas Keuchel, who went 6-10, with a 5.15 ERA, Lucas Harrell, who went 6-17, with a 5.86 and Bud Norris, who went to the Orioles at the trade deadline, went 6-9, with a 3.93 ERA.)
The one bright spot for the Astros has been the play of second baseman Jose Altuve. Altuve, 23, hit .283 and stole 35 bases last season. He was named a National League all-star in 2012 and has the potential to be one of the game's best second baseman. Houston also added some decent pieces over the off-season, including trading for Fowler.
Fowler, 27, hit .263 with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases last season. He has good speed and will give the Astros a new offensive dimension for the 2014 season. However, it won't be enough to raise this team to playoff status.
I believe the Astros will improve during the 2014 season. They have a knowledgeable baseball man in manger Bo Porter, as well as a strong nucleus to lead the franchise going forward. The 2014 is sure to be better than the 2013 season.
It's simple Math. 62 wins is better than 51 wins, right?
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