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Houston Astros: Carlos Beltran Still Has The ‘Right Stuff’

By Brian K. Patterson

Feb 28, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) connects for a home run in the game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) connects for a home run in the game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros have completed nearly a quarter of the Spring Training as of right now.

The Houston Astros have completed nearly a quarter of the Spring Training as of right now.

Time has flown hasn’t it?

Last week, we were all anticipating the first Spring Training game that occurred last Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

There was nothing to write home about there — the Houston Astros couldn’t counter as the Tigers’ bats got plenty warm, eventually losing the game 11-4.

Not to mention that a wild pitch by Edison Frias to Miguel Cabrera warranted an immediate ejection from the game from long-time MLB umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

But enough about that debacle — has it gotten better?

Unfortunately not — the Astros are 2-6 in Spring Training play thus far and the biggest problem with this team is, you guessed it, finding a spark for their hitting.

With yesterday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Mets, the Astros have fallen to 12th out of the 15 teams in the AL as far as batting average.

What are they hitting?

They’re currently hitting at .232, which is quite disappointing considering the investment the Astros made in their bats this off season.

I know this team has a long way to go but I have reason to be concerned as the start of the season gets closer.

Josh Reddick, to whom the Astros signed for four years, $52 million a few months back is hitting .100 with zero ribbies and home runs through four games.

We all know that the long ball isn’t necessarily his forte but the fact he’s starting out this bad has come cause for concern.

But any way, despite all of this, there’s one familiar mainstay that shows no signs that he’s slowing down.

Who am I talking about?

I’m talking about Carlos Beltran.

Yes, the guy that fans loved to boo whenever he’d come to town with whatever team he was with is now back in the fold in H-Town.

Yet another off season acquisition to bolster our hitting front, Beltran was inked to a one-year, $16 million deal.

As he nears toward the twilight of his career at age 39, he has found new life as a designated hitter and that’s what he’ll be this season.

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So just how is he doing?

Beltran is hitting .375 with two home runs — including an amazing shot to right yesterday — three RBIs with a stellar 1.569 OPS through four games so far.

With numbers this good, this early, all should be forgiven.

After all, Beltran wanted to stay here back in 2004 but the Astros wouldn’t give him a no-trade clause.

This drew the reluctance of the previous regime to push him away to sign with the New York Mets.

If this is what we’re seeing out of Beltran now, we haven’t seen anything yet so it’s definitely time to fasten your seat belt!

I’m just glad that he’s come back to H-Town to help us win some ball games and set the record straight in regard to the content of his character.

Keep doing what you’re doing Carlos!

Go Astros.

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