The Houston Astros were unstoppable in 2022. In addition to winning the World Series, the team posted 110 wins, had a Cy Young-winning pitcher and an MVP Award finalist.
Although the team lost Justin Verlander, their 39-year-old Cy Young winner, as he departed in free agency, experts are still incredibly bullish on this team. Recently, a group of analysts at Jomboy Media, a popular baseball outlet, gave their take on the players to watch on the Houston Astros in 2023.
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“There’s nothing negative you can say about the Astros” – Talkin’ Baseball
The team, headed by well-known commentator and Jomboy founder Jimmy O’Brien, had nothing but praise for the team. According to the post, Jomboy readers named the Astros as the top team.
Although Justin Verlander was cited as a big loss, the team understands that the Astros still have an incredibly strong rotation. Additionally, 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu inked a three-year deal. Abreu’s $58 million contract with the Astros marks the first time since entering the MLB that Abreu will suit up for a team other than the Chicago White Sox.
In addition to predicting that the Houston Astros should have no problem reaching the ALCS once again, the team also highlighted some key players that it thinks will be in the running for some awards:
“Yordan Alvarez MVP. Cristian Javier Cy Young. Kyle Tucker Silver Slugger”
Yordan Alvarez, the Astros’ Cuban-born left fielder, hit .306/.406/.613 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs in 2022, finishing third in AL MVP voting. He is a strong contender in the minds of many to win the MVP Award in 2023.
Another name that is stirring a lot of excitement is pitcher Cristian Javier. Javier, who just turned 26, had a career season in 2022. The Dominican right-hander posted a 2.54 ERA over 148 innings, striking out 194 batters and registering a WHIP of just 0.94.
If Javier can win the 2023 Cy Young Award, the Houston Astros will be the first AL team since the 2008 Cleveland Indians to feature back-to-back Cy Young winners.
For the Houston Astros, success as a team trumps individual achievement
Although the Houston Astros have some of the most highly skilled players in baseball, they must do all they can to remember that they are a team. Failing to do so could render them in a similar position to their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Angels. Despite boasting Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, the Angels have not even been able to get close to the postseason in nearly a decade.
