Houston Astros Rumors: Issues to solve, outlook strong in Spring Training
Five wins, five losses and a pair of tie games put the Houston Astros in pretty good shape so far 12 games into Grapefruit League in 2019.
When you play 162 game seasons every year, it’s always hard to assess where you are after only 12 games. But for the Houston Astros, they are looking as well placed as ever before. Even with a good chunk of last season’s team gone, the ones that have been the quintessential “replacements” have surely been stepping it up.
As Alyson Footer of MLB.com reported from Skipper A.J. Hinch back towards the very beginning of camp, the team is looking at a number of different factors for who makes the big league squad and who gets cut. Meticulous oversight of techniques will play a part in the selection process. The young guns will most certainly be challenged the most.
The Houston Astros have gotten a good mix of prospects and veterans in some solid action through these twelve games. It’s always good to see these younger guys test their chops with the guys who have already made it and some of them have definitely impressed.
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Some of these guys will be sent down once minor league camp breaks but some of them will have a longer shot at the big league camp. Kyle Tucker had extended time last year before he was finally sent down. Top prospects like Tucker and Forrest Whitley could be able to stick around again this year.
At the 12 game mark, plenty of spots on the 25-man roster are still not locks. This is especially true when it comes to the pitching staff. Even the position players will have to do some fighting as Opening Day is fast approaching. Let’s now examine how some of the established candidates are doing: