Could The Houston Astros Be The Next Kansas City Royals?

With the Kansas City Royals on their way to the ALCS, many people are looking around to see who could be that surprise team in 2015 and be playoff bound for the first time in many years, like the Royals.

While others around Major League Baseball may not be looking at Houston, I think the boys down at Minute Maid Park are well on their way towards the playoffs, though they would need things to bounce their way in 2015.

Barry Bloom (MLB.com), when asked which team could be the next Kansas City Royals on Louis Live Sports (TLV1), mentions the Astros as an up-and-coming that could be on their way to the playoffs shortly. (Click here to listen. Starts at 48:27)

You see, the Astros have lots of talent. Tons of it. Unfortunately, that talent has been in the Minor Leagues for a few years up until this year. George Springer and Jon Singleton made their debuts, and Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, and Collin McHugh all saw major improvements in 2014.

Jun 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman

Eric Hosmer

(35) is congratulated by left fielder

Alex Gordon

(4) after Hosmer hit a home run in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

That same influx of young talent, combined with some veteran leadership helped push the Royals into October this season. Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler, Alcides Escobar, and Mike Moustakas, all former top prospects finally helped the Royals offensively. Veteran ace, James Shields, was brought in to anchor their staff. Youngsters Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera helped set up Greg Holland for a dominant 7-8-9 bullpen.

Could that be next year’s Astros? It wouldn’t be too crazy.

The Houston Astros finished the season 72-90 while the Royals finished 89-73, or for those not into the whole math thing, 17 games ahead of Houston.

The Astros though, weren’t exactly supposed to be contenders this season. Instead, 2014 was supposed to be a year of growth. Some Astros like Altuve, Keuchel, and McHugh saw major improvements, but players such as Matt Dominguez, Jason Castro, and Brad Peacock didn’t make the jump that several anticipated.

George Springer brought a huge boost to the team when he was called up in May, but missed most of the second half of the season and only played in 78 games this season. Jonathan Singleton struggled throughout his rookie season, but there’s a lot of promise in his bat, enough for the Astros to already have locked him up for the next several years.

Sep 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher

Chad Qualls

(50) pumps his fist after a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros could reasonably expect improvement from both top prospects but where they need to see the most improvement is in the bullpen. Chad Qualls had a good season as the Astros closer and Tony Sipp was spectacular as the Astros lefty out of the pen. But signees Matt Albers and Jesse Crain were largely bust signings as injuries derailed their 2014.

The Astros need a pen like that of the Royals if they want to make a big jump in 2015. Kelvin Herrera is a fireballer out of the pen, something the Astros may try to mimic with Michael Foltynewicz. Wade Davis, a former top pitching prospect for the Rays, was arguably the most consistent and best reliever in all the majors in 2014.

If the Astros can either sign or find within their system a reliever that could put up a sub 3.00 ERA, that would go a long ways. Will that be Josh Zeid, Kevin Chapman, Josh Fields, Anthony Bass, who take big steps in 2015? Will the Astros try to find their own Wade Davis in starters such as Brad Peacock or Nick Tropeano and Thomas Shirley from the minors?

Whichever way they choose to improve their pen, it needs to be done. You could argue that if the Royals and Astros swapped pens in 2014, the Astros would have likely been above 80 wins. Yes, a good bullpen makes that much of a difference.

Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) reacts against the Los Angeles Angels after the final out of the top of the sixth inning in game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Just with all the talent already in the organization, the Astros are close to making a run that could replicate that of the Royals.

But what if they decided to add to that talent and add to their payroll?

Astros Owner Jim Crane has already said he will add to the payroll, and I think the Astros should be looking to make a few big moves this offseason.

KC Royals ace, James Shields, isn’t likely to return to KC and the Astros could sure use a staff anchor like Shields in their rotation. The Astros could also look at the trade market for pitchers, and could look at Cincinnati Reds pitchers Mat Latos and Johnny Cueto, one of which may be available for trade in the offseason.

How about some big bats? Josh Donaldson could potentially be had and would be a huge upgrade at third base. Jay Bruce and Carlos Gonzalez are potential outfielders that could push the Astros over-the-top as well.

Of course most big names would have to be acquired via a trade, but the Astros have a plethora of young near-MLB ready talent they could use in trades, as well as great younger prospects a few years away.