Star hitters (3): Altuve, Alvarez, Tucker
Good hitters (1): Diaz
Below average hitters (1): Caratini
Pena is a star hitter against lefties but a below average hitter against righties
Singleton is an above average hitter against righties but an unplayable hitter against lefties
Meyers is an above average hitter against lefties but a poor hitter against righties
Dubon is an average hitter against lefties but a poor hitter against righties
Prior to this season, McCormick was a superstar hitter against lefties and an average hitter against righties; this season he was unplayable against both
Dezenzo has a very high upside but also a very low ceiling, and he likely will be a below average defender if used at 3B. He would likely be an average defender at 1B, LF, or RF.
Whitcomb could potentially be a plus player in LF or 1B. He would be average at 2B or RF and nearly-unplayable at 3B or SS.
No other position player prospects should be expected to meaningfully contribute in early 2025, but there are several top prospects who could become key contributors in the 2nd half of next season (Brice Matthews, Pedro Leon, Jacob Melton, Kenedy Corona, Zach Cole, Jeron Williams, Luis Baez). Kessinger, Salazar, Cabbage, and Hummel are DFA candidates you hope to stash in AAA.
In terms of lineup, the Astros actually project to have a really good lineup against lefties. But against righties they need 2 bats, 1 who can hit in the top 4 and one who can hit in the 5-7 range. Those bats need to be able to play OF or 3B.
Tor SP (2): Framber, Brown
MoR SP (2): Blanco, Garcia
BoR SP (1): Arrighetti
Closers (2): Hader, Abreu
Setup (1): Pressly
MR (6): Scott, Ort, King, Dubin, Martinez, Murfee
Whitley and Sousa are out of options RP who have pretty high ceilings. Gusto, Ortega, Hernandez, France, and Contreras are guys you want stashed in AAA. No other young pitchers should be expected to meaningfully contribute early in 2025, but there’s over a dozen arms who could help in the 2nd half of next season (led by Blubaugh, Ullola, and Gordon).
Javier is expected back in July. Lance McCullers passed away a few years ago.
The pitching staff is really good as-is. But given the injury risk across the board, ideally there’d be another quality SP added to that mix, one whom you don’t mind starting a playoff game.
I like the chatter around trading for Lowe from TB. The OF and SP markets seem deep enough that a team that spends wisely will get good value.