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MLB • 1 year ago

Early Spring Training Prediction Of Houston Astros’ 2015 Opening Day Lineup

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Early Spring Training Prediction Of Houston Astros' 2015 Opening Day Lineup

GeorgeSpringerFistPump — Heading into the 2015 campaign, the Houston Astros will be looking to snap a string of six consecutive losing seasons. Although they will have their work cut out for them in a tough AL West, it is not inconceivable that they could indeed be a surprise team. So, without further ado, here is one way manager A.J. Hinch's lineup card might look on Opening Day.

Heading into the 2015 campaign, the Houston Astros will be looking to snap a string of six consecutive losing seasons. Although they will have their work cut out for them in a tough AL West, it is not inconceivable that they could indeed be a surprise team. So, without further ado, here is one way manager A.J. Hinch's lineup card might look on Opening Day.

1. Jose Altuve, 2B

JAltuve

1. Jose Altuve, 2B

JAltuveCopy — Although he divided his time between the No. 1 and No. 2 spots during his breakout 2014 season, it appears that second baseman Jose Altuve may be poised to be the everyday leadoff man in 2015, especially after the trade of Dexter Fowler. Altuve posted a .331 BA and a .807 OPS while batting first last season.

Although he divided his time between the No. 1 and No. 2 spots during his breakout 2014 season, it appears that second baseman Jose Altuve may be poised to be the everyday leadoff man in 2015, especially after the trade of Dexter Fowler. Altuve posted a .331 BA and a .807 OPS while batting first last season.

2. Jed Lowrie, SS

JedLowrie

2. Jed Lowrie, SS

JedLowrieCopy — Signed to a three-year deal this offseason, veteran Jed Lowrie should certainly help stabilize the shortstop position for the Astros this upcoming season. Lowrie, who also spent the entire 2012 season in Houston, has a rather solid career strikeout rate of just 16.1 percent as well as a decent .330 lifetime OBP, which could make him a solid candidate to place in the two-hole.

Signed to a three-year deal this offseason, veteran Jed Lowrie should certainly help stabilize the shortstop position for the Astros this upcoming season. Lowrie, who also spent the entire 2012 season in Houston, has a rather solid career strikeout rate of just 16.1 percent as well as a decent .330 lifetime OBP, which could make him a solid candidate to place in the two-hole.

3. George Springer, RF

GeorgeSpringer

3. George Springer, RF

GeorgeSpringerCopy — In just 78 games last season, George Springer may have posted an alarming strikeout rate of 33.0 percent, but he also launched 20 homers and had a terrific .237 ISO. The 25-year-old may be primed for an enormous 2015 campaign, and he should be a great option for the Astros to use out of the three-hole.

In just 78 games last season, George Springer may have posted an alarming strikeout rate of 33.0 percent, but he also launched 20 homers and had a terrific .237 ISO. The 25-year-old may be primed for an enormous 2015 campaign, and he should be a great option for the Astros to use out of the three-hole.

4. Chris Carter, DH

ChrisCarter

4. Chris Carter, DH

ChrisCarterCopy — Although he has a career strikeout rate of 33.6 percent and most likely won't be competing for any batting titles in the foreseeable future, Chris Carter is coming off of a season in which he belted 37 home runs while posting a mammoth .264 ISO. Although he did a great deal of his damage out of the three-hole last season, Carter should give the Astros a viable option to use out of the cleanup spot in 2015.

Although he has a career strikeout rate of 33.6 percent and most likely won't be competing for any batting titles in the foreseeable future, Chris Carter is coming off of a season in which he belted 37 home runs while posting a mammoth .264 ISO. Although he did a great deal of his damage out of the three-hole last season, Carter should give the Astros a viable option to use out of the cleanup spot in 2015.

5. Evan Gattis, LF

EvanGattis

5. Evan Gattis, LF

EvanGattisCopy — Acquired from the Atlanta Braves this offseason, catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis gives the Astros yet another formidable middle-of-the-order hitter. Over two seasons in Atlanta, Gattis belted 43 home runs with a .234 ISO over 213 games. He was particularly impressive out of the five-spot last season, slashing an eye-opening .294/.344/.601 with 13 home runs.

Acquired from the Atlanta Braves this offseason, catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis gives the Astros yet another formidable middle-of-the-order hitter. Over two seasons in Atlanta, Gattis belted 43 home runs with a .234 ISO over 213 games. He was particularly impressive out of the five-spot last season, slashing an eye-opening .294/.344/.601 with 13 home runs.

6. Colby Rasmus, CF

ColbyRasmus

6. Colby Rasmus, CF

ColbyRasmusCopy — Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Colby Rasmus may be coming off of a down year, but he is still the same guy who posted a 4.8 fWAR back in 2013. Not unlike some of the Astros' other hitters, Rasmus has power, but it can be expected to come with more than a few strikeouts. He is hitting .251 with a .780 OPS and a .218 ISO in the six-spot over his career.

Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Colby Rasmus may be coming off of a down year, but he is still the same guy who posted a 4.8 fWAR back in 2013. Not unlike some of the Astros' other hitters, Rasmus has power, but it can be expected to come with more than a few strikeouts. He is hitting .251 with a .780 OPS and a .218 ISO in the six-spot over his career.

7. Jason Castro, C

JCastro

7. Jason Castro, C

JCastroCopy — Although Jason Castro's performance last season was not up to par with the work that he did during a 4.3 fWAR campaign in 2013, the fact that he is a left-handed hitting catcher with some pop still makes him a very valuable player. While he might be able to hit higher in other lineups, the seven-spot seems like a good place for him when considering the order formidable offensive pieces in Houston's batting order.

Although Jason Castro's performance last season was not up to par with the work that he did during a 4.3 fWAR campaign in 2013, the fact that he is a left-handed hitting catcher with some pop still makes him a very valuable player. While he might be able to hit higher in other lineups, the seven-spot seems like a good place for him when considering the order formidable offensive pieces in Houston's batting order.

8. Jon Singleton, 1B

JSingleton

8. Jon Singleton, 1B

JSingletonCopy — Although he is still only 23 years old and has plenty of breakout potential, Jon Singleton is coming off of a rough rookie season, posting a mere .168 BA and a .620 OPS in a -1.3 fWAR campaign. While he did show some pop by hitting 13 home runs, putting him in the bottom third of the batting order may be a good idea for now.

Although he is still only 23 years old and has plenty of breakout potential, Jon Singleton is coming off of a rough rookie season, posting a mere .168 BA and a .620 OPS in a -1.3 fWAR campaign. While he did show some pop by hitting 13 home runs, putting him in the bottom third of the batting order may be a good idea for now.

9. Luis Valbuena, 3B

LuiVa

9. Luis Valbuena, 3B

LuiVacopy — Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Fowler deal, it appears very likely that the left-handed hitting Luis Valbuena will at the very least platoon with Matt Dominguez at third base. Although he is not particularly known for his bat, the 29-year-old Valbuena is coming off of a very solid offensive season, hitting .249 with 16 homers and a .776 OPS. In the Astros' power-packed lineup, however, the No .9 spot may be a logical place for him.

Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Fowler deal, it appears very likely that the left-handed hitting Luis Valbuena will at the very least platoon with Matt Dominguez at third base. Although he is not particularly known for his bat, the 29-year-old Valbuena is coming off of a very solid offensive season, hitting .249 with 16 homers and a .776 OPS. In the Astros' power-packed lineup, however, the No .9 spot may be a logical place for him.

Dallas Keuchel, P

DallasK

Dallas Keuchel, P

DallasKCopy — Although the veteran Scott Feldman was given the ball on Opening Day of last season, one would have to believe that Dallas Keuchel will be given fairly strong consideration this year. The 27-year-old is coming off of a season in which he led Houston's staff with a 3.9 fWAR, and he would be a great candidate to take the ball when the Astros open up their season against the Cleveland Indians on Apr. 6.

Although the veteran Scott Feldman was given the ball on Opening Day of last season, one would have to believe that Dallas Keuchel will be given fairly strong consideration this year. The 27-year-old is coming off of a season in which he led Houston's staff with a 3.9 fWAR, and he would be a great candidate to take the ball when the Astros open up their season against the Cleveland Indians on Apr. 6.

Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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