Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros‘ top of the order has changed quite a few times already this season. Before Justin Maxwell went on the disabled list, he had hit second for the majority of the time, with Jose Altuve leading off. Once the Astros called up Robbie Grossman, Grossman began leading off, and Altuve was hitting second.
With the Astros designating Fernando Martinez, who hit third quite a few times, for assignment, the top of their order is finally taking shape and could cause some real problems for teams.
The Astros are the second-worst team in baseball, but their offense is in the middle of the pack statistically. With Grossman leading off, Jimmy Paredes hitting second, and Altuve hitting third, the Astros have a chance to jump on opponents early. While it might not always work, it could be lethal when it does.
With Grossman leading off, the Astros finally have a legitimate leadoff hitter. He sees a lot of pitches, and has always had a nice on-base percentage throughout his minor league career. He hasn’t had the best go of it with the bat yet, but it is coming around, as is his OBP.
Pairing him with Paredes and Altuve is also a nice bit. Paredes can run, and has been focusing on shrinking the strike zone and swinging at his pitch. If the Astros can get either one of these guys on base, and maybe both of them, Altuve following those two could be really deadly.
Altuve hits, and he’ll hit anywhere. Right now, the Astros have him hitting third, and it could really pay off. The only way that’ll happen, however, is if the two guys in front of him find their way on base. Altuve is well on his way to being an All-Star for the second straight season.
Only time will tell if this lineup works, but it could really cause problems for the opposing team.
