HOUSTON ASTROS

Moises Alou (OF, 35, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 159 584 182 34 5 38 104 124 84 87 312 399 582 11 3 1999 HOU INJURED 2000 HOU 126 454 161 28 2 30 82 114 52 45 355 416 623 3 3

Alou is a great hitter who has had his best seasons with Houston. He will be turning 35, but he's a better hitter than he's ever been.

Brad Ausmus (CA, 32, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 128 412 111 10 4 6 62 45 53 60 269 356 357 10 3 1999 DET 127 458 126 25 6 9 62 54 51 71 275 365 415 12 9 2000 DET 150 523 139 25 3 7 75 51 69 79 266 357 365 11 5

Brad Ausmus (CA, 32, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU 128 412 111 10  4  6  62  45  53  60  269 356 357  10   3
 1999     DET 127 458 126 25  6  9  62  54  51  71  275 365 415  12   9
 2000     DET 150 523 139 25  3  7  75  51  69  79  266 357 365  11   5

Ausmus had his best year, playing in almost every game for the Tigers, and throwing out 43% of opposing base stealers, tops in the American League. He's a solid player whose performance at the plate almost never changes; he's durable, athletic, a good defensive player and baserunner. The Astros reacquired him during the winter, and he will likely benefit from the move to Enron Field; on the other hand, he is also turning 32, an age at which many catchers start to wear down.

Jeff Bagwell (1B, 33, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 147 540 164 33 1 34 124 111 109 90 304 424 557 19 7 1999 HOU 162 562 171 35 0 42 143 126 149 127 304 454 591 30 11 2000 HOU 159 590 183 37 1 47 152 132 107 116 310 424 615 9 6

Jeff Bagwell (1B, 33, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU 147 540 164 33  1 34 124 111 109  90  304 424 557  19   7
 1999     HOU 162 562 171 35  0 42 143 126 149 127  304 454 591  30  11
 2000     HOU 159 590 183 37  1 47 152 132 107 116  310 424 615   9   6

He scored 152 runs, the most by any player since Lou Gehrig had 167 in 1936. Bagwell has also scored 295 runs the past two seasons, the highest two-year total by any player since... well, Gehrig, who scored 305 runs from 35-36.
Bagwell also set a career high in home runs, which doesn't surprise anyone now that he has moved from the Astrodome to Enron Field. I thought he might hit more, but he "only" hit 19 on the road (he has still more career homers on the road than at home). I don't know if Bagwell was the best first baseman in baseball last year; some other guys had good years, too. But he's clearly been the best the last ten years, probably the best at the position since Gehrig was around.

Glen Barker (OF, 30, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AA 110 453 127 29 6 6 95 54 57 120 280 362 411 31 7 2000 AAA 26 107 29 5 0 2 15 10 10 12 271 333 374 11 3 1999 HOU 81 73 21 2 0 1 23 11 11 19 288 384 356 17 6 2000 HOU 84 67 15 2 1 2 18 6 7 23 224 307 373 9 6

Glen Barker (OF, 30, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      AA 110 453 127 29  6  6  95  54  57 120  280 362 411  31   7
 2000     AAA  26 107  29  5  0  2  15  10  10  12  271 333 374  11   3
 1999     HOU  81  73  21  2  0  1  23  11  11  19  288 384 356  17   6
 2000     HOU  84  67  15  2  1  2  18   6   7  23  224 307 373   9   6

Barker is a minor league veteran who can run. He didn't hit last season, and his base stealing wasn't good, either. He may not get another chance to sit on someone's bench.

Craig Biggio (2B, 35, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 160 646 210 51 2 20 123 88 64 113 325 403 503 50 8 1999 HOU 160 639 188 56 0 16 123 73 88 107 294 386 457 28 14 2000 HOU 101 377 101 13 5 8 67 35 61 73 268 388 393 12 2

Craig Biggio (2B, 35, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU 160 646 210 51  2 20 123  88  64 113  325 403 503  50   8
 1999     HOU 160 639 188 56  0 16 123  73  88 107  294 386 457  28  14
 2000     HOU 101 377 101 13  5  8  67  35  61  73  268 388 393  12   2

Biggio struggled at the plate, then had his season ended prematurely by a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. I have no doubt that he will come back with a better year at the plate, but how the injury will affect his defense, durability and baserunning is a big question mark.

Tim Bogar (IF, 34, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 79 156 24 4 1 1 12 8 9 36 154 208 212 2 1 1999 HOU 106 309 74 16 2 4 44 31 38 52 239 328 343 3 5 2000 HOU 110 304 63 9 2 7 32 33 35 56 207 292 319 1 1

Tim Bogar (IF, 34, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU  79 156  24  4  1  1  12   8   9  36  154 208 212   2   1
 1999     HOU 106 309  74 16  2  4  44  31  38  52  239 328 343   3   5
 2000     HOU 110 304  63  9  2  7  32  33  35  56  207 292 319   1   1

If I were an Astros fan, I would be a little concerned that Bogar got more at bats than Daryle Ward. Sure, Bogar is versatile and can play all the infield positions... but he's had 769 at bats the past three seasons, and has hit .209. I have to think that he is expendable.

Kent Bottenfield (32, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 STL 4 6 44 17 0 0 4 133 128 57 98 444 1999 STL 18 7 31 31 0 0 0 190 197 89 124 397 2000 ANA-PHI 8 10 29 29 1 1 0 172 185 77 106 540

His stock fell quite a bit. Before the season, Bottenfield was dealt for Jim Edmonds; in July, he was dealt for Ron Gant. His 18 wins in 1999 were a total fluke; he's not a bad pitcher, is capable of winning 10-12 games.

Doug Brocail (34, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 DET 5 2 60 0 0 0 0 62 47 18 55 273 1999 DET 4 4 70 0 0 0 2 82 60 25 78 252 2000 DET 5 4 49 0 0 0 0 51 57 14 41 409

Did you know that the Tigers had the best bullpen in the AL last year? Brocail was a big part of that, though he had a bit of an offyear by his own standards, was slowed down by some elbow inflammation late in the summer. He's a terrific pitcher, one of the best setup men in the league; he should help an Astros bullpen that had their egos badly bruised last year.

Octavio Dotel (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA-AAA 12 8 27 26 3 1 0 168 123 67 200 284 1999 NYM 8 3 19 14 0 0 0 85 69 49 85 538 2000 HOU 3 7 50 16 0 0 16 125 127 61 142 540

After a promising rookie season with the Mets in 1999, Dotel was dealt to the Astros in the Hampton deal. He began the year in Houston's starting rotation, but pitched poorly, and by the end of the season was closing games.
Obviously, he has the right stuff. He struck out 142 batters in 125 innings, while improving his control. I think he's going to be an outstanding pitcher within a couple of years; I also think the Astros would be wise to put him back in the starting rotation, a move they may be prompted to do if Wagner comes back healthy.

Scott Elarton (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AAA 9 4 14 14 2 1 0 92 71 41 100 401 1998 HOU 2 1 28 2 0 0 2 57 40 20 56 332 1999 HOU 9 5 42 15 0 0 1 124 111 43 121 348 2000 HOU 17 7 30 30 2 0 0 193 198 84 131 481

Scott Elarton (25, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998     AAA   9   4  14 14  2  1  0  92  71  41 100 401
 1998     HOU   2   1  28  2  0  0  2  57  40  20  56 332
 1999     HOU   9   5  42 15  0  0  1 124 111  43 121 348
 2000     HOU  17   7  30 30  2  0  0 193 198  84 131 481

I said some nice things about Elarton last year, and so I was glad that he was 17-7. To be honest, though, he didn't pitch all that well. He got a lot of run support (7.10 runs per game), which masked the fact that his control wasn't good and he gave up more hits than he should have. I think his arm still isn't sound (he went on the DL once with a strained rotator cuff); his future success will depend on his health.

Tony Eusebio (CA, 34, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 66 182 46 6 1 1 13 36 18 31 253 320 313 1 0 1999 HOU 103 323 88 15 0 4 31 33 40 67 272 353 356 0 0 2000 HOU 74 218 61 18 0 7 24 33 25 45 280 361 459 0 0

Tony Eusebio (CA, 34, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU  66 182  46  6  1  1  13  36  18  31  253 320 313   1   0
 1999     HOU 103 323  88 15  0  4  31  33  40  67  272 353 356   0   0
 2000     HOU  74 218  61 18  0  7  24  33  25  45  280 361 459   0   0

Eusebio is a veteran catcher who has been with the Astros since 1991. Last year was his best at the plate, thanks to the team's move from the Astrodome to Enron Field. He's an adequate backup catcher, probably won't get a lot of playing time now that Ausmus is back.

Charlie Hayes (3B/1B, 36, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SF 111 329 94 8 0 12 39 62 34 61 286 351 419 2 1 1999 SF 95 264 54 9 1 6 33 48 33 41 205 292 314 3 1 2000 MIL 121 370 93 17 0 9 46 46 57 84 251 348 370 1 1

Charlie Hayes (3B/1B, 36, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      SF 111 329  94  8  0 12  39  62  34  61  286 351 419   2   1
 1999      SF  95 264  54  9  1  6  33  48  33  41  205 292 314   3   1
 2000     MIL 121 370  93 17  0  9  46  46  57  84  251 348 370   1   1

After a miserable 1999 season, Hayes managed to regain semi-regular playing time with the Brewers, including 57 games at first base. How can any team be so weak at first, that they have to play Charlie Hayes there? He can help a little bit off the bench, but managers seem to love giving this guy lots of at bats.

Richard Hidalgo (CF, 26, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 74 211 64 15 0 7 31 35 17 37 303 355 474 3 3 1999 HOU 108 383 87 25 2 15 49 56 56 73 227 328 420 8 5 2000 HOU 153 558 175 42 3 44 118 122 56 110 314 391 636 13 6

Richard Hidalgo (CF, 26, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU  74 211  64 15  0  7  31  35  17  37  303 355 474   3   3
 1999     HOU 108 383  87 25  2 15  49  56  56  73  227 328 420   8   5
 2000     HOU 153 558 175 42  3 44 118 122  56 110  314 391 636  13   6

The scariest thing about Hidalgo's power explosion was that he hit only 16 homers in the friendly confines of Enron Field, as well as 28 on the road (the most in the league). If he keeps hitting homers on the road, and becomes more adept at pulling the ball at home...
In addition to his homer surge, Hidalgo was also hit by 21 pitches last year; I guess he was taking lessons by Craig Biggio, eh?

Mike Jackson (36, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CLE 1 1 69 0 0 0 40 64 43 13 55 155 1999 CLE 3 4 72 0 0 0 39 69 60 26 55 406 2000 INJURED - DID NOT PITCH

The Phillies sign Jackson to be their closer, but he hurt his elbow and didn't pitch. He was a fine pitcher in the past; the Astros are going to give him a chance to work his way back into form.

Jose Lima (29, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 HOU 16 8 33 33 3 1 0 233 229 32 169 370 1999 HOU 21 10 35 35 3 0 0 246 256 44 187 358 2000 HOU 7 16 33 33 0 0 0 196 251 68 124 665

Oh Jose!! What happened? 48 home runs? And you can't even blame Enron Field! You gave up 27 homers at home, with a 6.92 ERA, but you also gave up 21 homers on the road with a 6.32 ERA, and that's not good either!
Well, what goes up must come down, and that's probably true for ERA's as well. Lima will be better in 2001; he may give up only 38 homers.

Mike Maddux (40, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 MON 3 4 51 0 0 0 1 55 50 15 33 372 1999 MON-LA 1 1 53 0 0 0 0 60 63 22 45 377 2000 HOU 2 2 21 0 0 0 0 27 31 12 17 626

He had an interesting season. He began the year pitching with Houston; the Astros released him in July, then quickly rehired him as the pitching coach for their Round Rock team in the Texas League. He'll probably be coaching in them majors before too long; he's not Greg Maddux, but he is Greg Maddux' older brother, and that deserves respect.

Rusty Meacham (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 2000 AAA 4 3 33 4 0 0 0 57 43 14 56 220

Meacham pitched really well with New Orleans, and got into a few games with the Astros as well. It was the first time he had pitched in the majors since 1996. He had a wonderful season for Kansas City in 1992; that was a long time ago, and comebacks like this one rarely succeed.

Wade Miller (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 5 0 10 10 0 0 0 62 49 27 48 232 1999 AAA 11 9 26 26 2 0 0 162 156 64 135 438 2000 AAA 4 5 16 15 0 0 0 105 95 38 81 387 2000 HOU 6 6 16 16 2 0 0 105 104 42 89 514

Wade Miller (25, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998      AA   5   0  10 10  0  0  0  62  49  27  48 232
 1999     AAA  11   9  26 26  2  0  0 162 156  64 135 438
 2000     AAA   4   5  16 15  0  0  0 105  95  38  81 387
 2000     HOU   6   6  16 16  2  0  0 105 104  42  89 514

Miller's going to be a good pitcher. His progress has been a little slow the past three seasons, and he was really only pitching for the Astros last year because they had no better options. But he is young, throws lots of strikes, has good stuff; he had some trouble facing southpaws last year, but was super-nasty against right-handers. Success won't come overnight, but with patience and good health he will pitch well.

Jay Powell (29, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 FLO-HOU 7 7 62 0 0 0 7 70 58 37 62 333 1999 HOU 5 4 67 0 0 0 4 75 82 40 77 432 2000 HOU 1 1 29 0 0 0 0 27 29 19 16 567

Powell made three trips to the DL with right shoulder tendinitis. When he was able to pitch, he wasn't very good. Powell is a decent pitcher when healthy, but I don't expect him to be healthy.

Shane Reynolds (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 HOU 19 8 35 35 3 1 0 233 257 53 209 351 1999 HOU 16 14 35 35 4 2 0 232 250 37 197 385 2000 HOU 7 8 22 22 0 0 0 131 150 45 93 522

Reynolds' career had been stuck in neutral for six years; he has been a good pitcher, but has never been able to elevate his game to where it should be, among the best in the league. Last year, lower back problems ruined his season, adding to the Astros' numerous pitching woes. If his health permits, he should be able to get back to where he was... though it now seems unlikely that he will ever take the Great Step Forward and rank among the best in the league.

Jose Vizcaino (IF, 33, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 LA 67 237 62 9 0 3 30 29 17 35 262 311 338 7 3 1999 LA 94 266 67 9 0 1 27 29 20 23 252 304 297 2 1 2000 LA-NYY 113 267 67 10 2 0 32 14 22 43 251 308 303 6 7

Jose Vizcaino (IF, 33, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      LA  67 237  62  9  0  3  30  29  17  35  262 311 338   7   3
 1999      LA  94 266  67  9  0  1  27  29  20  23  252 304 297   2   1
 2000  LA-NYY 113 267  67 10  2  0  32  14  22  43  251 308 303   6   7

Vizcaino began the year struggling with Los Angeles, but ended the season starring for the Yankees in the World Series. He doesn't hit much, but he's a dependable defensive player, both at second base and short. He has signed with the Astros, and will be a backup.

Billy Wagner (30, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 HOU 4 3 58 0 0 0 30 60 46 25 97 270 1999 HOU 4 1 66 0 0 0 39 75 35 23 124 157 2000 HOU 2 4 28 0 0 0 6 28 28 18 28 618

Many disasters struck the Astros during the 2000 season, but none was worse than the destruction of Billy Wagner. He blew nine saves before finally going on the DL in June, and was finally diagnosed with a a partial tear in his left elbow.
Wagner was an awesome pitcher in his prime, and he's only 30. But who was the last closer to return successfully from elbow surgery? Doug Jones? Wagner might come back, but more likely he will become a left-handed Gregg Olson.

Daryle Ward (OF/1B, 26, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 116 463 141 31 1 12 78 96 41 78 305 361 525 2 0 1999 AAA 61 241 85 15 1 28 56 65 23 43 353 416 772 1 1 1999 HOU 64 150 41 6 0 8 11 30 9 31 273 311 473 0 0 2000 HOU 119 264 68 10 2 20 36 47 15 61 258 295 538 0 0

Daryle Ward (OF/1B, 26, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 116 463 141 31  1 12  78  96  41  78  305 361 525   2   0
 1999     AAA  61 241  85 15  1 28  56  65  23  43  353 416 772   1   1
 1999     HOU  64 150  41  6  0  8  11  30   9  31  273 311 473   0   0
 2000     HOU 119 264  68 10  2 20  36  47  15  61  258 295 538   0   0

Ward is a young player with awesome power; he spent most of 2000 on the bench, and was used as a pinch hitter 55 times. Obviously, he needs to play every day if he is going to develop into a star. The Astros need to give him that chance... and it's not like they have anything to lose.

Eddie Zosky (IF, 33, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 90 257 63 12 1 8 36 35 15 47 245 288 393 1 3 1999 AAA 116 415 122 22 3 12 60 47 23 68 294 333 448 5 1 2000 AAA 64 164 38 5 2 2 17 19 10 32 232 284 323 0 2

Eddie Zosky (IF, 33, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA  90 257  63 12  1  8  36  35  15  47  245 288 393   1   3
 1999     AAA 116 415 122 22  3 12  60  47  23  68  294 333 448   5   1
 2000     AAA  64 164  38  5  2  2  17  19  10  32  232 284 323   0   2

He managed to get 4 at bats with Houston, then was released after the season. He now has 50 at bats in his career; 27 of them came in 1991, the other 23 since. I remember before the 1991 season, Zosky was considered as a potential Rookie Of The Year; now, ten years later, he still might be eligible.