About Those Astros Rookies - Reasons Why 2008 Won't Suck

First, the position players:

OF Josh Anderson
Hunter Pence took Spring Training like storm this year with the way he was raking the ball, and he was a shoe-in for Rookie of the Year until a trip to the disabled list cut a hole in the middle of his season. If anyone has the potential to be 2008's Pence, it's Anderson: he's a true center fielder with blazing speed and a contact bat that would make him a perfect leadoff hitter. The only drawback is that he seems to have skipped a level during his climb up the minor league ladder; at Double-A Corpus Christi, he hit .308 but when he jumped to AAA Round Rock, his average dropped to .273, which makes his .358 avg with the Astros kinda mystifying. But if he keeps hitting well, it'll be no mystery when he suceeds in 2008.

IF Cody Ransom
The race to replace Craig Biggio at second base is getting interesting. For years, it's been assumed that Chris Burke was the heir apparent, but Ransom's strong performance this fall has called that idea into question. An old rookie at age 30 who has had a taste of the major leagues in San Fransisco three years ago, he's a classic journeyman who could bring some experience and grit to the Astros clubhouse. He probably won't get the starting nod, since the Astros management seems hell-bent to get Burke his full-time shot at second before the end of the decade, but Ransom could earn a roster spot as a utility player next year.

C J.R. Towles
Guess who had the most RBIs in a single major league game this season? Pujols? A-Rod? Nah, try Towles, who drove in 8 as part of the 'Stros 18-1 red-headed Redbird stepchild beating of the Cardinals on September 21st. After years of the brilliant but light-hitting Brad Ausmus, Towles brings a big offensive presence to his role as catcher. With Ausmus, 38, reaching the twilight of his career, Towles has lept ahead of several other uninspiring candidates to snatch the title of Catcher of the Future. Look for him to start next season, with Ausmus (if he doesn't retire) as a full time mentor and part-time player.

And now the guys who throw the ball:

Juan Gutierrez
Gutierrez could end up a bullpen role player or 6th starter next year, depending on how the Astros spend their free agent dollars this offseason. In the times that he started in 2007, he was lit up pretty badly, but did show some improvement toward the end of the season. All signs point to bullpen, if the need exists. He's still very young and another year in Round Rock might be good, too.

Troy Patton
The lefty with the golden arm from Tomball who streaked through the minors, dominating at every level, is probably the strongest pitching prospect the 'stros have at the moment. He was sidelined with arm soreness soon after being called up, but the fact that he was benched rather than encouraged to pitch through the pain shows how much he means to the organization. He's a strikeout machine, but needs to make fewer mistake pitches; his starts in the big leagues were solid except for a home run or two that left him with an 0-2 record before being shut down for the season.

Felipe Paulino
Trivia time again: who was the Astros' starting pitcher in Biggio's last game? It was the fireballing Paulino, who threw six beautiful innings to seal the season-ending win against the Braves. He's got high-90's velocity, with control problems to match. Could start in 2008, could be in the pen, but regardless he's a young guy (he turns 24 today) with a lot of room to grow.

Dennis Sarfate
Last but not least comes Dennis Sarfate. If there's anyone who throws harder than Paulino, it's Sarfate, who has been known to peg triple digits on the radar gun with his fastball. Sarafate is another rookie who has dipped his toe in the majors before (last year with the Brewers) and he brings an aggressive attitude to the mound that suits him well in his role out of the bullpen. If he can find another pitch to offset his fastball and keep hitters honest, he would be perfect in a 7th or 8th inning role. He's almost a lock for the bullpen next year.

That'll pretty much do it for Houstonist's Astros coverage this year; while it hasn't been the most encouraging season (to say the least), there are several reasons to be hopeful next year. Anderson and Sarfate in particular are exciting to watch, and should be closely monitored during Spring Training in March. We'll resume our Astros coverage then, except when new GM Ed Wade makes a trade, or signs a free agent, or if Brad Lidge finally loses it and is arrested half-naked, dancing drunkenly on Allen Parkway. You never know: the Astros are full of surprises.

---
Photo: flickr user Michael (mx5tx)