Houston Astros: Spring Notes

Now that the attention of the sporting world has been released from Vancouver and the 2010 Winter Olympics, we can all turn our eyes to Arizona and Florida for the annual rite of passage that is baseball spring training. With the arrival of pitchers and catchers at their respective organizational grounds in Arizona and Florida, each team begins its annual quest for a successful season. For some clubs, achieving nothing less than a World Series Championship is the goal, but others will be striving to obtain a 500 season to build on the previous year’s total.

This season, the Astros are mired in a state of flux between the mediums. Some believe that the Astros could be contenders for a championship, but others are simply crossing their fingers that the team will maintain a heading that keeps them out of last place in the NL Central.

I believe that the Astros are in much better shape than most sports writers are giving them credit for. The Astros are a middle-of-the-pack team that could very well contend for a NL wild card spot – if the stars align themselves just right. But there are a lot of hypothetical situations that must occur for that to happen. Let’s take a look at who is battling for a spot on the roster and break down who the contenders, pretenders and rising stars of the future may be.

Michael Bourn – What a season Bourn turned in last year! He matched his production at the plate with his glove in the field, making spectacular defensive plays and proving he is among the league’s elite fielders. Bourn demonstrated that he could be productive as the team’s leadoff hitter and was a menace on the base paths. Contrary to the nay-sayers, I predicted last season that Bourn would have a breakout year, so here’s my prediction this season: Bourn will continue to stay productive at the plate and prove that last year’s Golden Glove was no fluke while easily leading the league in swipes. Let’s see if the nay-sayers start listening this year.
Hunter Pence – Pence is a fan favorite and the Astros’ version of Charlie Hustle, even earning accolades from Rose himself last season. Pence came into spring 20 pounds heavier due to an off-season weight training regimen to help his power game with the goal of improving his home run total over last year. A 30/30 season is not out of the realm of possibility for a player like Pence,who plays with an all-or-nothing attitude.
Lance Berkman – Another spring, and another nagging injury for Berkman. Berkman has battled back, knee and calf injuries over the past few seasons and was hoping that this season would be different. No such luck. The Puma has a bruised and swollen knee and was held out of the spring opener. Berkman is in the final year of a six-year deal and is hoping to turn around last season’s lackluster performance. When he is healthy, Berkman is one of the league’s top hitters, but he is on the wrong side of thirty and his health remains a concern for those in the organization. Berkman can still produce a 30/100 year with minimal effort, but he needs to be on the field for the Astros if they have any shot at contending for a post-season slot.
Carlos Lee - What you give up on defense, you receive in offense with El Caballo. Lee is the most consistent of the Astros hitters and is an almost guaranteed lock on a 30/100 season every year. No one can argue with Lee’s ability at the plate. It’s his glove and slow feet that are a major concern. That being said, Lee came into camp 20 pounds lighter than last season, looking to prove to the organization that he isn’t the defensive liability that everyone thinks he is. We’ll see.
Pedro Feliz – I was disappointed in the Astros when they signed Feliz. They had just locked up Geoff Blum and Jeff Keppinger to fill the utility roles for the team, and it looked as though third-base prospect Chris Johnson was finally going to get his shot to play every day with the big club. Not so fast. Feliz brings a veteran presence to a team that already has … veteran presence? I am not sold on Feliz; Johnson is younger, cheaper and just as good on defense, with a whole lot more up-side. While I admit that Feliz is a sure thing as an everyday starter, don’t be surprised if Johnson gives him a run for his money this spring. If Feliz falters in any way, goodbye Feliz … hello Johnson.
Kazuo Matsui – Matsui has played great for the Astros when he has been healthy, but with Matsui, your concern is durability. Matsui will probably start the season as the six or seven hitter in a pretty good lineup, not because he can’t hit, but because there are better options. Matsui is still a whiz with the leather and is one of the best at turning the deuce, but don’t be surprised if Keppinger and Blum steal time away from him on the diamond this year.
JR Towles / Jason Castro – Can Towles beat out the superstar to be the team’s number one catcher? I say yes. Castro could use just one more season to prove that he can handle the everyday job at Round Rock, and so far this spring, Towles has proved to be a capable backstop and that he can still hit. This will be Towles’ last chance to prove that he can stick, because the Astros will not hesitate to call on Castro if he is having a productive season in AAA. This will likely be the only season that Towles will be the starting backstop for the Astros and he will likely have to find another position in 2011.
Tommy Manzella – Out with the old, and in with the new. I hope that the Astros faithful remember what it was like when Adam Everett was manning the hole at short, because Manzella is an Everett clone when it comes to defense. One thing that Manzella has on Everett is that his bat has just a bit more pop. Don’t expect Manzella to give you Miguel Tejada-type numbers … that just isn’t going to happen. He will be a serviceable shortstop with an excellent glove, and will hit at the bottom of a productive order where he won’t have a lot of expectations on him to produce at a high level. The Astros are resigned to let him figure out the hitting without all the pressure of being the number two hitter in the lineup.

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BATTLES:

There aren’t many position battles in this year’s team beyond the Towles / Castro saga. That is due in part to the fact that many of the prospects are still a few years away from contributing to the major league club. Many of the future contributors are still in AA and A ball leagues, trying to smooth out the rough edges and figure out their roles. But there are a few that have turned a number of heads already. There are also a number of non-roster invitees who are hoping for another shot in a big league club, and they could very well find their way onto the roster. Here’s a look at the contenders and pretenders for the 25-man roster.

CONTENDERS:

Edwin Maysonet - Maysonet is a shortstop by trade but he has learned to be the ultimate utility fielder. He can play every position but pitcher, and if given the opportunity in a game situation, he would probably do that too. Maysonet has a decent bat, as he demonstrated when he was called up last season, and is a solid defender in the infield. Maysonet is almost guaranteed a roster spot by the conclusion of spring, just for his versatility alone.

Humberto Quintero – I have said it before and I will say it again: Quintero is not a frontline starting catcher in this league, but he is a serviceable backup to the Towles / Castro race. Quintero, by default, will be on the 25-man roster barring injury come time to start the season.

Jason Michaels – Michaels had a nice year filling in around the outfield last year and will be the Astros’ fourth outfielder when camp breaks. He has a good bat and a good glove, and plays all out.

PRETENDERS:

Brian Bogusevic – In only his third year as a centerfielder, Bogusevic has proven to the Astros that their patience in his transition from pitcher to position player was worthwhile, but he will need another season in Round Rock to show that he can continue to develop. Once Lee and his exorbitant contract expire, we will welcome Bogusevic with open arms in the Astros outfield.

Well, there you have it. We have taken a look at the potential Astros lineup for the season, ventured a few pre-season forecasts and projections, and discussed who has a realistic shot of making the team this year. Let’s see if the Astros can be as productive as this article was when the games start to matter in April.

Next week, we’ll take a look at the rotation and the bullpen. If the Astros hope to make a run a post-season contention, it will be on the hopes of the pitching staff, not on the Astros’ bats.

By: Jordan Fleck
MLBcenter.com Houston Astros Correspondent

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