Houston is a dark horse to do something this year with a starting rotation that looks solid led by Roy Oswalt and an offense that is good top to bottom, anchored by the talents of Tony Gwynn, George Brett, and the intriguing potential of HR Johnson.
Final Roster
SP: Roy Oswalt, Toad Ramsey, Stephen Strasbourg, Ice Box Chamberlain, Bret Saberhagen.
RP: Scott Erickson & Dock Ellis; Mike Hartley & Andrew Chafin; Trevor Hoffman & Mark Melancon; Brad Lidge.
C: Jorge Posada & Jim O’Rourke
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
2B: HR Johnson; Craig Biggio
3B: George Brett
SS: Carlos Correa
LF: Lance Berkman
CF: Jim Wynn; Larry Hisle
RF: Tony Gwynn; Casey Stengel
DH: Jeff Bagwell
Notes
The final rotation spot goes to Bret Saberhagen … Most of the other cuts were obvious due to poor Spring performances: Andres Galarraga and Luis Gonzalez were especially disappointing … several players rebounded over the 2nd half of the Spring: Larry Hisle was red hot after a short stint in minor league camp, and Jeff Bagwell began to hit with some power … all of that made the final cut very hard, coming down, effectively, to DJ LeMahieu and Craig Biggio. Biggio stays due to his ability to fill in at some other positions, despite LeMahieu being older (27 to 25) and looking better at bat … Biggio’s ability to catch may come in handy early as Jim O’Rourke works his way back from injury.
34 year old C Jorge Posada is the oldest player on the opening day roster, which sports 2 teenagers in the starting rotation: 18 year old Ice Box Chamberlain and 19 year old Bret Saberhagen.
Speaking of teenagers .. 17 year old OF Pete Hill and 18 year old P Leon Day are developing at AAA (although Stubby Overmire–at the ripe old age of 23–may be of more immediate help). Things are a bit leaner at AA, but a trio of OFers, all 24 years old, may help down the road: Shin-Soo Choo, Al Cowens, and Hack Wilson.
