ROTATION

More Information Tentative roster Coming and going Analysis

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LHP Dallas Keuchel

RHP Collin McHugh

RHP Lance McCullers

RHP Mike Fiers

RHP Michael Feliz, Mark Appel or likely winter acquisition

BULLPEN

RHP Ken Giles

RHP Luke Gregerson

RHP Pat Neshek

RHP Will Harris

LHP Tony Sipp

RHP Josh FieldsLINEUP

2B Jose Altuve

RF George Springer

SS Carlos Correa

DH Evan Gattis

LF Colby Rasmus

CF Carlos Gomez

3B Luis Valbuena

1B Jonathan Singleton

C Jason Castro

OTHERS

C Max Stassi

IF Marwin Gonzalez

IF Matt Duffy

OF Jake Marisnick

OF Preston Tucker

Departed: 1B Chris Carter, RHP Chad Qualls, C Hank Conger, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Vince Velasquez, SS Jonathan Villar, SS Jed Lowrie, LHP Oliver Perez, OF Robbie Grossman, OF L.J. Hoes.

Added: RHP Ken Giles, RHP Brendan McCurry, RHP Cy Sneed.INFIELD

Jonathan Singleton will get the first shot at securing the starting spot at first base, but 2015 Astros Minor League Player of the Year A.J. Reed will be ready to pounce by May if Singleton cannot produce. Marwin Gonzalez is a super-utility player who can play throughout the infield and in left field, but the Astros have arguably the best young middle infield combination in baseball with 2015 AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa at shortstop and three-time All-Star Jose Altuve at second. Luis Valbuena was the starting third baseman most of 2015, and he also can play first.

OUTFIELD

Barring a trade, left fielder Colby Rasmus, center fielder Carlos Gomez and right fielder George Springer give the Astros a superb defensive outfield group. Speedy backup Jake Marisnick can excel defensively at any outfield position, and left fielder Preston Tucker can provide lefthanded pop off the bench.

CATCHER

Jason Castro is a former All-Star who gets high marks for his ability to handle the pitching staff. Max Stassi, who has made cameos in the majors the last three years, might finally get a chance to secure a regular spot on the 25-man roster now that Hank Conger has been traded.

STARTING ROTATION

Ace lefthander Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young winner, anchors a solid rotation. Collin McHugh is the most underrated 19-game winner in recent memory, and hard-throwing righthander Lance McCullers could be a front-line starter soon. Mike Fiers, who threw a no-hitter against the Dodgers last year, is a solid starter at the back end of the rotation.

BULLPEN

Hard-throwing RHP Ken Giles will give the bullpen the dominant power arm that was missing last season. With Giles closing, former closer Luke Gregerson will give manager A.J. Hinch a strong setup man who can close. Will Harris, Pat Neshek, Tony Sipp and Josh Fields round out what could be a dominant bullpen. Michael Feliz could be an option in the bullpen as well, but the Astros still believe he can start consistently. Kevin Chapman could challenge for a spot as a second lefthander.

Jose de Jesus Oritz