The Astros are still in the midst of the “Golden Era”. Since 2017, the Astros have won two World Series, four AL Pennants and made the playoffs every season. The 2025 season started well but injuries really mounted up and the Astros ended up just outside the playoffs. I figured we could look at something positive, a potential lineup for the Astros in 2028. This will not include potential free agent signings as they are too hard to predict.
This is something Baseball America does every year. This is not to say this lineup will be correct, because the likelihood of that happening is so slim. But it’s a fun look at young stars and prospects and how they could fill out the lineup. I will post the lineup below, and then explain the process in putting it together afterwards. Let’s get into it.
The Potential Lineup
- Jeremy Peña, SS
- Zach Cole, LF
- Yordan Alvarez, DH
- Cam Smith, RF
- Yainer Diaz, 1B
- Brice Matthews, 2B
- Joseph Sullivan, CF
- Xavier Neyens, 3B
- Walker Janek, C
Reasoning:
Now I know some of you make look at this and wonder why Jeremy Peña is still around, given that he is a free agent come 2028. The Astros currently don’t have a replacement for Peña in the system and I’m doubtful they find one by 2028. I think the Astros will lock up Peña long term at some point and secure his services for the future.
I expect Cam Smith to continue to improve and should make for an All-Star level right-fielder. We know what Yordan can do when healthy, so I will leave that one alone.
Diaz is the interesting one. How he performed in 2023 and 2024, you would gladly take him at first base. This year has been different. For the sake of this projection, I am keeping him on the roster and having him move to first base. I also strongly considered using Zach Dezenzo or Astros 3rd rounder in 2025, Ethan Frey, in the spot at first base.
We have only seen a little bit of Cole, but I think he is good enough defensively and offensively to stick at one of the outfield spots in the majors. He will have some boom or bust, but the highs will be really high. Next up is Brice Matthews at second base. A good athlete with pop, if he can cut down on strikeouts he can be a player for the future.
The next three are where it gets interesting. Sullivan is having a breakout year right now and is a good defender in the outfield. He can provide elite power and speed. Neyens, the Astros first round pick in 2025, would only be 21-years-old at this point but if he can rake in the minors, he could be a debut candidate in 2025. Lastly, I have the Astros 2024 first rounder in the 9 hole playing catcher. Janek is elite defensively but has made progress with the bat.
You may be wondering where Jose Altuve is for this lineup. In 2028, Altuve would be going into the last year of his contract and will be 38-years-old. I don’t know if he is on the roster at that point but even if he is, given the question marks defensively its hard to see him having a full-time spot.
The Potential Rotation:
Reasoning:
Hunter Brown is an ace and will continue to lead the rotation. Spencer Arrighetti in his rookie season showed he can be counted on as an anchor in the rotation. From there it gets tricky. I went with a few of the Astros top pitching prospects to round it out. Ethan Pecko was the Astros minor league pitcher of the year in 2024 and should be in the bigs by then. Forcucci is still rehabbing from Tommy John but projects to be a good starter with really good stuff. For the 5th spot, I went with Blubaugh who has proven to be an innings eater and had success in Triple-A.
As we know the Astros will need more than five guys. This is where Colton Gordon, Miguel Ullola, Anderson Brito, Bryce Mayer, Jose Fleury and many others come into play. Though I do expect at least one of these guys (or someone else) to transition to a bullpen role, similar to the move Bryan Abreu made.
Now keep in mind, this is all projection and guessing but it’s a fun exercise to do. What do you think about the lineup and rotation?
