If the move to the outfield for Jose Altuve doesn’t make it any clearer, the Houston Astros outfield has some issues. To make the issue worse, it doesn’t look much clearer down the road.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently laid out what he believes to be the five-year plan in the outfield for the Astros.
For the present, it has become clear what the season will start with — Jose Altuve manning left field, Jake Meyers patrolling center and then Chas McCormick rounding it out.
Altuve has looked fine in left so after a tough start in spring training. But the fact that he is out there at all is a bit silly. His defense at second base has been on a decline, but there should be another bat ready to contribute so he shouldn’t have to make the move.
Meyers looks to be player that he is always has been and always will be. He doesn’t offer much at the plate, but he does play some of the best defense in the league. That will keep him in the lineup.
McCormick doesn’t play bad defense by any means, but he has a much shorter leash than Meyers.
The 29-year-old posted just a .211/.271/.306 slash line last year and is struggling to start this spring. Something will need to change.
This is already a weak group, but things continue to look questionable when taking a peek into the future.
Reuter’s plan for the future reveals the weakness of the Houston farm system. He lists the next three starters as Jacob Melton, Luis Baez and Kevin Alvarez.
Of those players, only Melton is considered a ‘Tier 1’ prospect. He will likely get his first chance in MLB this
He will likely get his first chance in MLB this year and provide a solid look into what the Astros have in him.