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Houston Astros: The Positional Players’ Path to 300 At-Bats

By James Zeankowski

Jul 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with designated hitter George Springer (4) and shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with designated hitter George Springer (4) and shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Astros
Sep 25, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) pins up the batting lineup before the Astros play the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

5. These projections will all hinge on the unpredictability of the regular season.

Injuries, trades, or extensive slumps/hot streaks will certainly cut into playing time for these men. Hinch has already stated this in many interviews.

That is the biggest takeaway any fan should keep in mind when the team reports for Spring Training next month.

But even if all the projected positional players stay healthy for all 162 games, there will be at-bats aplenty. So really, no worries there.

Getting an elite starting pitcher via trade appears, for now, to be out of the picture. Owner Jim Crane has even said that the team was done with its big moves.

Next: A Post Winter-Meetings Look At The 25-Man Roster

But if the trigger does get pulled, the aforementioned rookies could be part of a package to get an elite arm, despite the market for such currently shrinking.

And while some may be disappointed at not getting Sale, Archer or Quintana, fans should take heart in the solid rotation that is already there.

Just as well, should any of the starting pitchers falter too much, they have more than enough bats to pick them, and this team, up!

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