Houston Astros: Just a Few More Months Til Baseball's in Spring Swing

I know it’s only late December 2009, but I already can’t wait until March 2010.

Not only is March a wonderful time of years in terms of sports mania (with NCAA hoops reaching madness status and the NBA season quickly winding down), but it also means baseball talk will soon be back on the air.

Come mid-March, that wonderful pre-MLB season will be in full swing with the annual Spring Training.

And I can’t wait.

Granted, the Houston Astros will be entering the upcoming ST with a lot of questions to be answered, but sometimes that can be a good thing.

Over the next few weeks (closing out 2009 and welcoming in 2010), I’ll be breaking down the Astros potential ST roster by seven “positions” beginning today with starting pitchers and followed by: bullpen, infield, outfield, catchers, bench, and coaching/management.

Houston Astros 2010 Probable Pitching Rotation

The Astros likely already have an idea of who will be their starters in 2010, with a trio of candidates locked into the rotation (Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, and Bud Norris).

1. Roy Oswalt, RHP

As mentioned earlier, Oswalt is a lock for the starting rotation and will return as the club’s ace pitcher. I’d also assume he will be the staff’s Opening Day starter on the mound. In 2009, Oswalt posted an 8-6 record with a 4.12 ERA. But last year was truly a down year for The Wizard, and I’d expect him to be back to full form in 2010.

2. Wandy Rodriguez, LHP

Rodriguez had a breakout year last season, and I’m sure Houston is hoping the leftie can continue where he left off in 2009 and become one of the league’s dominant left-handed pitchers. Last year, Rodriguez went 14-12 with a 3.02 ER (along with 193 strikeouts). I’m betting Rodriguez will have an All-Star year, as this guy has only been getting better and better since donning an Astros uniform.

3. Bud Norris, RHP

Norris is an up-and-coming star in the making. In ‘09, Norris mounted a 6-3 record with a 4.53 ERA through 11 games. This guy definitely has the stuff to be a major league pitcher, and there’s no doubt he’ll be a future ace in the pros. Last year as a rookie, he handled many of his starts with ease, and I’d expect him to come into ST with even more confidence than last season, as the young Norris aims to nail down the number three spot in the rotation.

4. Felipe Paulino, RHP

Last season, Paulino garnered a 6.27 ERA through 23 games (going 3-11 in that stretch). According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart (Houston’s beat writer), Paulino has a fastball that has been clocked at 100 mph and may be reporting to the Grapefruit League in the best shape of his life.

5. Brian Moehler, RHP

In ‘09, Moehler won eight and lost 12, appearing in 29 games for Houston while posting a 5.47 ERA. But he once again did his job at the back end of the rotation, and he should have an opportunity to do the same for the Astros in 2010.

Houston’s trio of losses and gains at the winter meetings had no real impact on the Astros 2010 starting pitchers; and with what seems to have become a norm, the ‘Stros will march into ST with holes at the bottom of their rotation.

In the same breath, if Paulino and Moehler can prove to be solid number four and number five guys in Houston’s starting mix, the Astros 1-2-3 punch will likely flourish with a duo of veterans (Oswalt and Rodriguez) and an ace in the making (Norris).

A lot could change between now and ST, but barring any major moves before March, the Astros will likely be entering 2010 with the aforementioned handful of pitchers toeing the mound as Houston’s starters.

Check back soon for a deeper look at Houston’s 2010 bullpen hopefuls, as well as thoughts on who may be closing for the Astros next season.

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]