Spring Training Team Profile: Houston Astros

Houston Astros

Established: 1962

Other Names:

Houston Colt .45s (1962-1964)

2016 results: 84-78, 3^rd AL West

2017 Prediction: 1^st

World Series Titles: 0

Most Recent: N/A

Last World Series Appearance: 2005

Last Division Title: 1999

Ballpark: Minute Maid Park

Est: 2000

Best Season: 1986

                Even though the Astros advanced to the World Series in 2005, it’s hard to argue with 1986 being the best team the Astros had. They won 96 games and the National League West division title, finishing ten games ahead of the second-place Cincinnati Reds. The Astros were led by their outstanding pitching staff that featured future Hall-Of-Famer Nolan Ryan, Bob Knepper and Mike Scott, who had such a nasty breaking ball that teams accused him of doctoring the baseball. Scott even pitched a no-hitter on the day that the Astros clinched the division title. Up against the powerhouse New York Mets in the NLCS, the Astros lost the series in six games. In the deciding game, Houston lost a heart-breaker, 7-6, in 16 innings, at the time, the longest MLB game in postseason history. Offensively, the Astros were led by Glenn Davis, Kevin Bass and Jose Cruz Sr.

Best All-time Player: Craig Biggio

                Originally drafted as a catcher, Biggio made the switch to second base during his fourth season and what followed was a Hall Of Fame career. He played his entire 20-year career with Houston and is atop of the Astros all-time leaderboard for games played (2850), runs scored (1844), hits (3060), total bases (4711), and doubles (668). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards and helped lead the Astros to the National League Pennant in 2005. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Best Player on the Current Roster: Jose Altuve

                In only five seasons at the big league level, Altuve has proven he has the potential to be a Hall Of Fame candidate if he keeps his pace up. At the age of 26, he already has two batting titles under his belt, has led the league in hits for three consecutive years, is a four-time All-Star, won a Gold Glove in 2015 and has won two Silver Slugger Awards. He finished third in voting for the AL MVP Award in 2016. During last season, he had 216 hits, won the batting crown with a .338 average, hit 24 home runs, added 96 RBIs and stole 30 bases. In his career to date, he already has over 1000 hits (1046 to be exact), 60 home runs, 322 RBIs and 199 stolen bases. 

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