I've divided up Astros players into a few categories to see how much the Astros fWAR changed in certain areas over the last year. My thoughts Pitching was hard to split up like position players, but it is easy to see drop in pitching (injuries, losing JV before trade, and performance) cost the Astros a lot of wins. Getting half that SP fWAR back with better health seems possible for 2024. Injuries to position players was pretty bad. I think there is a good chance Astros get about half that fWAR back in 2024. Large improvements from returning players and Diaz (didn't include in returning based on small sample in 2022) bode well for 2024 even if Chas and Dubon lose half their gains (I expect Meyers and Diaz to get more PT (i.e., more fWAR) over replacement/below replacement level players). Maldy should be gone which will help in fWAR and I expect the other returning starters (Pena, Bregman, Tucker) to be about what they were in 2023.
I think the "betting on better health" for position players is risky. The position players are getting older, and some injuries should be expected. It does feel they need some better quality depth though. It would be tough to expect Dubon to duplicate his career year turning 30. and they need a 3rd catcher they can trust if Maldy is gone, starts to get injured or they decide Diaz can get more at bats a different position.
Top 10 Players that have struck out the most in a single postseason. Players in orange faced the Astros in that postseason. 1. Cody Bellinger • 2017 29 67 PA 2. Brandon Lowe • 2020 28 82 PA 3. Carlos Correa • 2019 27 74 PA Aaron Judge • 2017 27 57 PA Mike Zunino • 2020 27 56 PA 6. Alfonso Soriano • 2003 26 75 PA 7. Willy Adames • 2020 25 73 PA Austin Riley • 2021 25 68 PA 9. Rhys Hoskins • 2022 24 73 PA J.T. Realmuto • 2022 24 72 PA
Career Postseason Starter ERA (min 20 IP) Not sure about Harry Brecheen, but Steve Rogers and Blue Moon Odom sound like super heroes.
