The Houston Astros had high hopes for their 2016 campaign after visiting the playoffs in 2015. Many writers and analysts (including Sports Illustrated) chose the Astros as the 2017 World Series Champions. After seeing how well the ‘Stros fared in 2015, some moved that timeline up a year.
The Astros were poised with a strong starting lineup and arguably one of the best farm systems in the majors. The boys from H-Town got off to a slow start, but as of late have been on an absolute tear. At one point, they were eleven games back of the defending AL West Champion Texas Rangers. At the All-Star Break, the Astros sit just 5.5 games back. Here’s to hoping Houston can continue this spectatular run.
Astros 2016 Midseason Report
Biggest Surprise – Evan Gattis
Evan Gattis surprised many fans when it was announced he would make the transition to catcher. It is a position Gattis has played before, but he had primarily played first or third base when he wasn’t assigned as the designated hitter. Yet Gattis has been incredible behind the plate. He has been a great alternative to incumbent starter Jason Castro. Since he plays just the one position, Castro has a bit more finesse behind the plate. But Gattis is a monster at the plate. He’s almost Mike Piazza-esque: a big, powerful catcher at the plate with feet like a ballerina behind it.
Biggest Disappointment – The Bullpen
Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow made a lot of offseason moves trying to bolster the back-end of the bullpen in support of then-closer Luke Gregerson. Gregerson has since been replaced as the ninth inning guy by Will Harris. Luhnow brought in an household name Ken Giles with a trade in December of 2015. He resigned Tony Sipp, who has seen some mid-game struggles, as a free agent.
Gregerson struggled early after being named the closer and manager A.J. Hinch decided to move to the “closer by committee” idea that worked in the previous year for Texas Rangers manager Jeff Bannister. Hinch used the combination of Harris, Giles, and Gregerson. American League All-Star Will Harris was recently named the closer.
Midseason MVP – Jose Altuve & Carlos Correa
Jose Altuve is an American League All-Star starter. Can’t argue with that. He won the starting position by a landslide of nearly 500,000 votes over Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano. Carlos Correa is the defending American League Rookie of the Year. It’s hard to think of a better middle infield in the majors. Altuve is also the reigning American League Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner at second base, and is a four-time All-Star.
There aren’t enough good things to say about Carlos Correa. The amount of things this young man has been able to do at 22 years old is astonishing. Correa has to be the player that has come through in the clutch the most for the Astros this season. Eight or nine wins in the last month can be attributed to Correa getting on base, extending a play, or hitting a walk-off or go-ahead hit. Correa should have also made the All-Star game, one littered with Boston Red Sox players. Look for Correa to keep the timely hits coming, while hopefully propelling the Astros towards the playoffs and, ultimately, a World Series title.
What to Watch for in the Second Half
Look for the Astros to make some smaller moves before the trade deadline. The bullpen will need some bolstering, especially if the Astros want to make it past the first round of the playoffs. The Astros will also look to call up top prospect Alex Bregman, who has been destroying minor league pitching so far this season.
Jim Bowden of ESPN alluded to the call up:
Houston Astros are expected to call-up top prospect Alex Bregman as early as this weekend according to sources… https://t.co/jGTde1rDPX
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) July 13, 2016
Bregman is a natural shortstop but has been playing third base as of late. If he is indeed called up soon, expect him to stay at third and Luis Valbuena make the jump across the diamond. Current first baseman A.J. Reed would more than likely share the DH spot with Evan Gattis when Jason Castro is doing the catching.
The Astros entered the All-Star break on an incredible hot streak, similar to how the Texas Rangers ended the 2015 regular season. If the Astros are able to keep this momentum, fans should expect to see them in October, hopefully proving those analysts right.
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