I am not only a big baseball card collector, but I also play fantasy baseball. One of my secrets for fantasy baseball is after the studs have been taken in the first 3 rounds, to find and unearth the rough gems that are ready to be cut. Last year I spoke in volume about Chase Utley, Carlos Quentin, Nick Markakis, and Joe Saunders. I want to let everyone know who I think the upcoming studs of baseball are going to be. These are guys that you need to keep an eye out for, both for rookie card potential and autograph potential. The third team in the series is the Houston Astros.
As a fan of allof baseball, I’m trying to figure out what they are trying to do. Don’t let them fool you, they are perfectly capable of spending for a decent team, but they never do. Here is the only sleeper I could find and in the baseball card world he isn’t even a sleeper:
- Hunter Pence – Regardless of what people tell you, he took a big step back last year. Lower batting average and high strikeout rate. Sure he hit 25 homers, but he was pressing the whole season. This should be his big break through year. He has the makings of a 5 tool player, his apex should be around 0.305/32/95/15, whether it’s this year or next you know it’s going to happen.
Then in the minors (impact this year):
- Jack Cassel - Strong starting pitcher who in his second year in AAA finally figured it out.
- Drew Sutton – Infielder with 0.300/20/65 potential.
- Polin Trinidad - Starting pitcher with the potential to become the 3rd starter on the Astros staff.
Last chance to become great:
- Wandy Rodriguez - Always looks good in the first half of the season, then the wheels come off and he becomes a 0.500 pitcher. He has a great arm and if he can pace himself for a full season he’s a 15 game winner. This is his last chance before falling into the bin of commons forever.
If I’m an Astros fan, I’m a bit worried about my team priorities. Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman are two huge bookends on that lineup,but without another quality starter and one more solid reliever, it’s looking like 3rd in the division again. What do you think about these guys? Are you a fan? Are there any other players that you think I missed? Let’s hear your take on the Angels.
Agreed about Wandy Rodriguez. I’m not sure what’s keeping this guy from turning the corner. He can be absolutely marvelous when his breaking stuff is working.
I’m a little concerned about the pitching staff. The Astros have Roy O, and then a bunch of starters by committee. Injuries have hurt the pitching staff hard in the past, and I don’t see what the Astros have done to address this problem by signing Mike Hampton, and I suppose counting on Brandon Backe to bounce back. I’m also a little worried about the catcher position. I realize that Asmus had declined at the plate but J.R. Towles didn’t produce at the level the Astros were hoping for.
I’m hoping Hunter Pence puts up the numbers you’re predicting. I’ve seen him play a couple of times and he seems to have the work ethic to get achieve those stats. All he really needs to work on during spring training is plate discipline. Hunter will be an interesting player to watch in 2009. He definitely is a fan favorite in Houston, and has the opportunity to take the torch that Biggio and Bagwell passed and run with it, but he has to produce. As a fan (and two year fantasy owner) I’m hoping Hunter is able to meet his potential and give the Astros a player they can build around.