Editor’s note: This article is adapted from a FanPost written by a new member of TCB, Clayton Anderson.
Post All-Star Preview: 3 Astros who could benefit from a strong 2nd half
Jeremy Peña
After a 5-day lay-off, MLB baseball is officially set to resume on Friday, July 18th, with a full slate of games(if it’s the Lord’s will). That includes the Astros beginning a pivotal 3-game set against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park, with a 5.0 game division lead on the line, with a chance to make it 8.0, for the boys in orange.
By popular consensus, the season so far for the Astros has been an unexpected success. They currently sit at 56-40 on the season, being the current #2 seed in the AL behind the Tigers, being dominant at home at 33-19, and having the best record in baseball against teams above .500, going 28-19 thus far, including series wins and sweeps against the Cubs, Tigers, Phillies, and Dodgers. Oh yeah, and that’s with having 16(!) players on IL due to various ailments, with CF Jake Meyers being the latest addition because of a calf injury reaggravation on July 9th . Unfortunately, the Astros did sputter into the All-Star Break, going 4-6 in their last 10 games total and 1-5 at home. (Includes being swept at Daikin Park by the Guardians in 3 games and losing a series 1-2 against the Rangers.)
Needless to say, the Astros are looking for an immediate bounce-back series win against the Mariners, getting reinforcements from IL, and a strong finish to their regular season overall, as that will have them in prime position to possibly make another deep playoff run towards hoisting up another Commissioner’s trophy. With that said, here are 3 Astros who also could benefit from strong second halves to their seasons, each for different reasons and incentives: Jeremy Pena, Christian Walker, and Framber Valdez.
Jeremy Peña
Before All-Star Break: (96 games, w/ SS ranks)
BA: .322 (2nd)
OB%: .378 (2nd)
SLG: .489 (4th)
OPS: .867 (1st)
WAR: 4.6 (T6th)
HR: 11 (T-11th)
RBI: 40 (T-13th)
(All stats provided by Statmuse.com, baseball-reference.com, MLB.com, and ESPN.com)
Jeremy Peña was having a career season before getting a baseball to the ribs(rib fracture) in a game against the Cubs on June 27th. Prior to that, Jeremy was well on his way to having the type of complete year that Astros fans and media have been dreaming of since his stellar rookie season in 22’, in which he took home an MLB first, rookie Gold glove award at SS, and both ALCS & World Series MVP honors. (Amazingly, he’s still ranked near the top at his position in various offensive categories even after almost a month off.)
Having recently switched his sports representation to Scott Boras, Jeremy having a strong second half would bode well for his free agency market (after 27) and career trajectory. (Prior to the switch, it’s reported that he and the Astros were already discussing a contract extension in the $100+ million range)
Christian Walker
Before All-Star Break:
(96 games, w/ 1B ranks)
BA: .229 (21st)
OB%: .286 (21st)
SLG: .374 (19th)
OPS: .660 (21st)
WAR: – 0.9 (Too low to rank)
HR: 12 (T-8th)
RBI: 47 (11)
*SIGH * I sincerely dreaded writing this section because I really feel for the guy, but Christian Walker arguably needs an ultra-strong second half more than anyone else. And yes, that WAR stat is real. I stopped searching after the graphic cut-off at players tied for 187th on the list. After the Astros cut ties with 1B Jose Abreu in 24’ after a disastrous 1.5 seasons with the club, Walker was signed to a 3 year, $60 million contract in order to fix a position where the Astros have been ranked near the BOTTOM of the league in every significant offensive metric in baseball since Yuli Gurriel left before the 23’ season. We’re only half a season into Walker’s 3 year deal, but the 34-year-old looks every bit of a player who’s already wearing thin with Astros fans and media. I do admire the fact that Walker publicly holds himself accountable for his offensive struggles and how he’s been more than solid defensively at 1B. (.993 FP, 3 FE) But, he needs to find his presence at the plate in the worst way as the season continues. I hope the best for C-Walk, because the team needs him if they’re going to actually try and compete in October. (His Astros tenure could depend on it as well.)
(All stats provided by ESPN.com, MLB.com, and FanGraphs.com )
Framber Valdez
Before All-Star Break:
(96 games, w/ SP ranks)
IP: 121 (T-5th)
ERA: 2.75 (17th)
SO: 125 (11th)
BB: 41 (T-13th)
WHIP: 1.12 (22nd)
CG: 2 (1st)
AVG Against: .215 (17th)
(All stats provided by: MLB.com and ESPN.com)
La Grasa will be a free agent at season’s end, and recently he’s been projected to possibly earn a 5 year, $134 million contract by Tim Britton of The Athletic. A strong second half will increase the chances of him securing that bag with the Astros, or possibly an even larger bag with someone else. As far as my second and third points, I wrote an article recently where Framber could be slowly turning in a hall of fame career if he stays on the current course that he’s on, which includes winning as many WS rings as he can. He’s already in the top 10 in Ks in Astros history, and having already been the starting pitcher of the championship clinching game 6 against the Phillies in 22, I’m sure he wants to replicate that outcome multiple times over, hopefully to the benefit of the Astros.
Clayton Anderson / Houston Sports Fan since 08’
- Christian, Husband, Father, Eater of gumbo
- B.A. English