Progress. Finishing over .500 with some clarity on long-term talent would be a success for next year.

Best Case

The roster stabilizes, and a handful of talent establishes itself as the core of future years. Napolean Lajoie and Honus Wagner settle in at 2B and SS respectively, and the OF talent clarifies. And, anyone reliable steps forward on the mound. Anyone.

Worst Case

Nothing settles, nobody figures it out, and the pitching continues to be miserable.

Key Questions

• Who pitches?
• For a team without top end talent, there are a surprising number of logjams (Davey Johnson and Lajoie and even the ageless Jeff Kent at 2B; Rick Reichardt and Willie Stargell at LF; Roberto Clemente, Andy Van Slyke, and Owen “Don’t Call Me Chief” Wilson in RF).

Trade Bait

Will the team hit it stride in time for Stargell to contribute? If not, he could be an attractive piece for a competitive team.

Roster Evaluation

So. Much. Talent. So little production. Even with that, though, the presence of anything approaching average pitching makes the Grays a .500 team.

Talent Ratings

Best In The Minors

Hope for the Grays persists, largely in how dense and deep their system is. 16 prospects in the top 200 bodes well for their future.

Very little has gelled in Houston–there is enough talent here to compete, but at this point, a .500 record would be the goal.

What’s Gone Right

The Toy Cannon. Jim Wynn has been a fantastic player, sparking Houston’s offense with an OPS over .800.

Wagner over Lidge. Billy Wagner has been lights-out since taking over the closer role from Brad Lidge, who has been, well, less awful, since the move as well.

Solid Starters. Roy Oswalt, Toad Ramsey, and Bret Saberhagen have all pitched well.

What’s Gone Wrong

No Pop. Wynn leads the team in homeruns, with 9. That’s a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. Jim O’Rourke, George Brett, Carlos Correa, Lance Berkman, Jorge Posada, and Craig Biggio all have SLG under .400, with Berkman–who has an OPS under .700–the biggest disappointment of the group.

The Dock is Out. Despite being given every opportunity, Dock Ellis was sent to AAA after really struggling out of the bullpen.

Roster Flex. The Colt 45’s were supposed to be able to take advantage of a very flexible roster structure, especially with Wynn, Biggio, HR Johnson, and O’Rourke being able to split time between CF, C, SS, 3B, and 2B. They’ve all played, and all played decently, but it hasn’t turned into a significant tactical advantage.

Key Storylines

Can the offense be tweaked so it starts to produce up to its potential?

There are some individual questions worth watching as well: can HR Johnson take the next step towards becoming an elite WBL IF? Can someone actually take hold of the 3B job? For Johnson, Biggio, Wynn, and O’Rourke, there are questions about their ultimate defensive position as well.

Trading Outlook

HOLDING???

It may be a mix for Houston. They really need some power.

AAA Shuttle

It’s been a bit rough. Felipe Alou was good, but has struggled mightily since then. None of the players sent down–especially Paul Goldschmidt, Gorman Thomas, Ice Box Chamberlain, and Scott Erickson–have done enough at AAA to make the team question their demotions.

Midseason Changes

Either Hunter Pence or Gorman Thomas are likely to be called up to try to help with the OF power.

Awards

All Stars: P Mark Melancon.

Player of the Week: George Brett (4/10); Tony Gwynn (5/29)

Offensive MVP: Jim Wynn (SS/CF)
Pitching MVP: Roy Oswalt (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: San Antonio Missions

Next to the Show: Luke Gregerson, Tug McGraw, OF Hunter Pence, 2B DJ LeMahieu.

Prospects: Shin-Soo Choo (24), P Jim Kaat (20).

Projects: RP Luke Gregerson (28), RP Tug McGraw (25), OF Hunter Pence (27), 2B DJ LeMahieu (27).

Suspects: Steve Reed (39), IF Burgess Whitehead (28).

AA: Austin Black Senators

Prospects: C Rick Cerone (22), SS Travis Jackson (21), OF Pete Hill (17), P Kyle Kendrick (23), P Dave Wehrmeister (28), P Lee Dashner (26), P Bill Harper (22), P Arquimedes Caminero (28), OF Von Joshua (21).

Projects: OF Dick Williams (25), P Vida Blue (19).

Suspects: C Erik Pappas (25), P Carlos Pulido (23), C Harry Decker (21), 3B Al Gallagher (24).