Houston Astros: Ranking the Top 4 lefties to make the Opening Day roster

There are four lefties competing to make the Houston Astros’ opening day roster. But how do they stack up? Read on to find out.

With veteran manager, Dusty Baker, now at the helm for the Houston Astros, and starter, Wade Miley, gone via free agency, it’s a little more difficult to predict the pecking order of Houston’s left-handed pitchers going into the 2020 season. Currently, the Houston Astros feature four lefties on the 40-man roster.

Later this month, Baker will have an opportunity to give an extensive firsthand look at his pitching staff in Florida when pitchers and catchers report. However, questions still remain.

For example—which of the four lefties on the Houston Astros 40-man roster stands the best chance at nabbing a spot on a 5-man rotation? Or even—which of these southpaws has the best chance to make the Astros’ opening day roster as a reliever? Don’t worry, this article addresses those very questions.

Before delving in and analyzing, two major disclaimers need to be addressed. First, even though there are four left-handed pitchers on the Astros’ 40-man roster at the beginning of February, that does not mean all of them will find their way onto the Astros’ 26-man roster come opening day—especially since there remains plenty of time and opportunity for Baker and company to acquire a proven veteran.

And second, it remains important to note that these pitchers are ranked on their projected readiness and ability to contribute as big leaguers now—not on their potential to finish their careers with the best major league statistics. Truly, there is a chance that any one of these four could wind up the most accomplished major league pitcher compared to the others when looking back, years into the future.