The Big Orange Juice is Starting to Look Half Full

The Big Orange Juice is Starting to Look Half Full

 

 

Being a Houston Astros fan the last few years had been a practice in futility for the present and an unbearable practice of patience for the future. As the old saying goes though, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” Well if you look close enough out in left field just above the train you’ll see the sun starting to rise and dawn starting to break. 

We’ve heard all the names: Springer, Singleton, Correa, Appel, DeShields Jr. but now we’re starting to see the faces on the Major League level. First up was George Springer, the right fielder and arguably best player in the system. Springer came up and didn’t perform well out of the gate but he turned things around and won himself the AL Rookie of the Month Award for May. He hit .294 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI, showing the Houston faithful what they could come to expect for the future. Then came Jon Singleton. Singleton became the first player in history without any Major League service time to sign an extension. He was called up to the Big Leagues the next day amid scrutiny over the deal. Many people feel that Singleton hurt his future earnings by banking on himself now and allowing an unprecedented three team options to be part of the deal. Truth be told it should matter to no one other than Singleton and his family what kind of deal he signs so if they’re comfortable with it we should be too. Singleton had some nerves in his first game last night striking out twice and committing two errors but he also took a 3-1 pitch out deep to right center and got the fans on their feet. After reaching the dugout the cameras picked up on something that hasn’t been seen for a long time in an Astros dugout. Smiles and dancing surrounded Singleton, the biggest one belonging to Springer, and in that instance it showed that this team is starting to believe in themselves and their talents. The future is now.

In addition to Springer and Singleton there are many other instances of this team finally putting things together. There’s All-Star catcher Jason Castro who is not hitting as well as he has in the past but is still getting himself on base. Dexter Fowler who came over in the offseason from Colorado has given the Astros another guy who can get on base and has played some great defense in centerfield, which is no easy task in Houston with Tal’s Hill. Matt Dominguez mans the hot corner with ease and could find his way to a Gold Glove in the future. Lastly on offense there’s Jose Altuve, the smallest guy in baseball who just happens to be 5th in the AL in batting average and 1st in hits. He has been batting leadoff a lot though he is more of a prototypical two hitter but wherever you put him he’s going to hit. On the pitching side of things the bullpen is still a work in progress but Astros starters have pitched very well this year. Scott Feldman has given the rotation a veteran presence and although he’s been up and down thus far can be a good example for the young guys to follow. Speaking of those young guys, Collin McHugh has finally put everything together and pitched to a 2.52 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. There is also Jarred Cosart who is proving that he can be a middle of the rotation/back end starter on a successful major league team. At only 24 years of age he still has some improving to do but he’s showing enough signs that the improvement will come with time. Finally, the hidden gem of the Astros rotation is lefty Dallas Keuchel who leads the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Despite a very short porch in left field at Minute Maid Park, the lefty has pitched extraordinary at home against right handers and should absolutely find himself in Minnesota for the All-Star Game.

The Astros will not contend this season but the future is certainly now. Carlos Correa could see some time at the Big League level when September call ups roll around, Mark Appel will be hitting the Majors around the same time, and Houston is also armed with the number 1 overall pick in the 2014 Amateur Draft. If they can shore up their bench and improve the bullpen this team will rule the AL West for many years to come.