Team preview: Houston Astros

By John Halpin
Published

Projected lineup

1. CF: Michael Bourn
2. SS: Clint Barmes
3. RF: Hunter Pence
4. LF: Carlos Lee
5. 3B: Chris Johnson
6. 2B: Bill Hall
7. 1B: Brett Wallace
8. C: J.R. Towles/Humberto Quintero

Projected rotation

1. SP: Wandy Rodriguez
2. SP: Brett Myers
3. SP: J.A. Happ
4. SP: Bud Norris
5. SP: Nelson Figueroa
CL: Brandon Lyon

Five tips

• At age 34, Lee is clearly fading. That doesn’t mean he can’t hit 25 homers in Houston’s launching pad of a park, or knock in close to 100 runs if the rest of the lineup cooperates. Lee was ranked 37th in the initial outfield rankings.

• Wallace has a good chance to win the first-base job, but I’m not sold on him having an impact just yet. His power is just OK, and he doesn’t like to take free passes. Also, do you think there might be a reason he’s been traded three times in the last year and a half?

• Are the Astros trying to set a record for lowest number of walks in a season? Johnson seems to have solid power. But his strikeout rates have been historically high, and his batting average should be an area of concern. I’ve seen some people hyping him, but I’m not buying any higher than 24th among the third basemen. Standard leaguers should view Johnson as a flyer or free-agent target, and that’s all.

• Rodriguez posted a 3.30 ERA over 65 starts in 2009-10, with a very good strikeout rate and solid control. Rodriguez belongs somewhere around No. 30. He’s a solid SP3.

• NL-only owners looking for a sleeper – and standard leaguers needing an early-season free agent to target – should keep an eye on Norris. The 26-year-old fireballer can strike people out with the best of them, and, if he can improve his control just a little, he’ll be a useful fantasy starter.

Plus:

• Odd man out: With the offseason acquisitions of Barmes and Hall, Jeff Keppinger will need a break to get playing time. However, Keppinger’s bat isn’t bad, and Barmes’ career road OPS of .639 doesn’t bode well for his chances to start all season.

• Top prospects: The Astros are fast-tracking 20-year-old starter Jordan Lyles, who is expected to start the season in Triple A. He’s reportedly more of a command pitcher than a stuff guy, and they have to be really good to help fantasy teams.

• Backup closer: With Matt Lindstrom gone to Colorado, the backup closer plan is probably control artist Wilton Lopez, who’s great at inducing ground balls.