Astros Potential Lineup For 2017
Back in April I wrote an article on the topic of what the 2017 lineup could like a year later. Here we are now in December nearing the new year, and MANY things have changed with many pieces coming in and going out. With the recent free agent signing and trade acquisition, let’s take a look at what the lineup could look like as of now if Jeff Luhnow and Jim Crane stay put with the group of players they have now.
2017 Lineup Projection:
1. George Springer, CF
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Jose Altuve, 2B
4. Carlos Correa, SS
5. Carlos Beltran, LF
6. Evan Gattis, DH
8. Josh Reddick, RF
7. Yuieski Gurriel, 1B
9. Brian McCann, C
Obviously this lineup will be altered 100 times over due to AJ Hinch being known to change lineups religiously. At times, Aoki will get starts in left field, maybe Beltran at DH and Gattis at catcher. Either way, you’re looking at a lineup that could very well be one of the best in baseball, and with the Winter Meetings starting on Sunday, could potentially see another addition.
Yeah, there’s a great chance the Astros are done with lineup additions, but you never know given the unpredictable nature of Major League Baseball and the Astros’ Front Office.
It’ll be interesting to see what McCann, Reddick, and old friend Carlos Beltran can bring to a lineup that was very top heavy in 2016. The top half will continue to mash, and if the new acquisitions follow suit, then this team is very dangerous heading into 2017. There is a good chance that everyone in this lineup could finish with 15+ HR and 20+ HR isn’t out of the question either.
I’m also curious to see which 3-4 players will occupy the bench spots as well. Marwin Gonzalez is sure to have one locked up, as well as Nori Aoki. But with one, maybe 2, spots still available it’ll be interesting to see who wins out. Guys like Jake Marisnick, AJ Reed, Tyler White, Tony Kemp, Colin Moran, and Teoscar Hernandez will all be battling for 1-2 remaining spots which will leave some to be the odd men out, which is a very good problem to have. One thing is for sure. 2017 is shaping up to be a very fun year.
What do you think of this lineup?
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**Photo Credit: Eric Christian Smith/Getty Images**
