,

Astros 2025: A quick view of the second base position

Do we really need to discuss the second base position for the Astros as perennial All Star, Jose Altuve, has that position locked up until the end of the 2029 season at least? Well yes, we do. As we saw in 2023 when Altuve went down with a broken hand after playing in the World Baseball Classic and missed the first 7 weeks of the season, there needs to be at least a moment of reflection on who would take his place if he went down and a quick glance to see who might be next as the great one enters his age 35 season.

2024 By the Numbers

Altuve is the main contributor to the Astros’ cumulative numbers at second base, starting 146 of the 162 games in 2024. In some ways this season was an offensive fall-off for the mighty mite. His BA/OBP/ OPS were all down from 2022 and 2023. He struck out 119 times, 28 more than he had ever struck out in a season in his career. However, the following shows how much Altuve may have spoiled us. Even in a bit of a down season, he led the Astros second base spot (stats are combined) to at or near the top in most offensive categories:

  • .291 BA (1st in the AL)
  • .344 OBP (1st)
  • .744 OPS (1st)
  • 37 doubles (1st)
  • 18 HRs (T-3rd)
  • 69 RBIs (T-3rd)

Altuve has never been the greatest fielder to start, but his challenges with range have been highlighted now that the shift has gone away. On the plus side he only had 5 errors this season and he was part of 85 double plays in 2024, the most he was a part of since 2017.

Looking at the numbers put up by just Altuve in 2024.

Stat Jose Altuve
BA .295
OBP .350
OPS .790
Runs 94
Doubles 31
HRs 20
RBIs 65

Yes, he was not top of the heap in RBIs but think about who was getting on (or not getting on) ahead of him in the lineup in 2024. Meyers? McCormick? Singleton?  It’s amazing he had 65 RBIs.

So, who else is around if the Astros have to replace Altuve for a short or long period in 2024?

Major League Possibilities

In 2023, second base was manned for the first month and a half of the season by Mauricio Dubon, who did an excellent job. The only problem is that right now Dubon is the Astros starting leftfielder. Now, that could change with something as simple as another trade or an under the radar free agent signing. Dubon had a decent BA in 2024, but his on-base and power numbers were underwhelming (.269 BA/.296 OBP/.657 OPS/ 4 HRs).

Shay Whitcomb played four games at second base for the Astros in 2024 and has played over 100 games at second during the last four minor league seasons. Shay was below average hitting in his cup of coffee with the big club in 2024 (.220 BA/ .304 OBP/ .597 OPS).

Zach Dezenzo has a small amount of minor league experience (15 gms) at 2B, but is not likely in the mix for that position at the MLB level.

New Astro, Isaac Paredes has played 67 games at 2B (none in 2024) but will likely be too busy taking Alex Bregman’s spot at 3B in 2025 to help out at second base.

Top Prospects

The Astros top 30 prospect list contains a couple players tied at least part time to 2B.

Chase Jaworsky – their fifth round pick in 2023 has played about a third of the time at 2B in the minors. Since he is only 20 years old and hit so-so at A ball in 2024 (.233 BA/ .335 OBP/ .682 OPS), he does not seem to be a candidate for the MLB any time soon.

Pedro Leon, who looked unready playing the outfield in seven games with the Astros in 2024 has played about 25% of his time in the minors at 2B. Why you would play a guy with reported high end speed and strong arm at 2B is hard to understand. He had his best minor league season hitting in 2024 at Sugar Land (.299 BA/ .372 OBP/ ,886 OPS – but with 144 Ks). He is more likely to make the team in support of a thin OF grouping than for his second base skills.

2024 AAA – Besides Leon and Whitcomb there were a couple other prospects (suspects?) who played more than a handful of games at 2B for the Space Cowboys.

  • Will Wagner – Uh never mind as he headed off to Toronto in the Yusei Kikuchi trade.
  • Jesus Bastidas – The Astros signed him as a minor league free agent out of the Yankee organization after the 2023 season. The negative – he turned 26 in September – a bit on the high side for any prospect. The positive – he showed a good amount of pop at Sugar Land with 25 HRs and 89 RBIs to go with 92 runs scored in only 132 games.
  •  Jacob Amaya – Uh never mind as he was waived and picked up by the White Sox after a single MLB at bat with the Astros.

2024 AA

Looking at the Hooks….

  • Jeremy Arocho played 53 games for the Hooks at 2B after being signed as a minor league free agent from the Dodgers organization. The 26 year old who hit a woeful .214 BA/ .334 OBP/ .594 OPS at AA is not likely the future 2B of the Astros or anyone else.
  • Pascanel Ferreras, who we discussed in the 1B roundup, played 33 games at 2B for the Hooks. He also did not hit well, but he is only 23 years old.

Other Options

Two other options for second base are two of the Astros top four prospects. Though neither Cam Smith (#1 prospect) and Brice Matthews (#4) have played more than a breath’s worth at 2B, they might be one of the first choices to move to the big club if the need arose.

Hopefully, Jose Altuve will continue to be one of the best offensive second basemen in the majors and other options will have to find another spot to land.

←
→

13 responses to “Astros 2025: A quick view of the second base position”

  1. Good morning on the 2nd day of the New Year. I was angry yesterday, as an American, born in Texas, a soldier, took part in what can at least partially be described as a domestic terrorist attack, killing many. The guy was a despicable traitor. Yes, we’ll probably find that outsiders bent on destabilizing America were involved or behind this effort. But our authorities have got to figure out how to stop this stuff. The America people might lose a few liberties long the way in order to be protected, but time does change. It’s painful. Sorry for the non baseball content.

    Our Astros keep us grounded though! If Jose Altuve can’t play second base due to injury during the next few years, we might simply have the luxury of Cam Smith at third and Issac Parades at second. Of course that does depend on our new number 1 and his development. But I’m starting to feel that we’ve made a few good choices recently. Along with Brice Mathews, we might have a couple of new shiny options at some point this coming season.

    In the meantime, I hope Jose stays healthy and happy. He needs to be happy. He needs to embrace the inevitable change around him. There will be plenty more over the next 5 years. Happy New Year guys. God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • The Astros have to find an outfielder that can fill left field and can hit above .240 and hopefully hit from the left side. Dubon can then return to his rightful utility position and fill in for Altuve if he goes.down or needs a break. Daveb7, as an American and veteran, I mourn the evil killing in beautiful New Orleans also. I just have to believe that good will prevail. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a Happy Astros year .

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. It is difficult to fathom what happened in New Orleans. What can radicalize someone to the point they believe their life and the lives of others have no value and that ending those lives accomplishes anything in their warped mind.

    I pray for our country and for all the individuals living here. It is a wonderful country and the freedom we enjoy has been bought with the lives of many and still does every day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. One thing you mentioned Daveb is Altuve staying happy. He was pretty vocal about the team needing Alex Bregman back, much more vocal than I remember him being with all the others who have left. Will this change leave him disgruntled or bothered in any way? I hope not, but at some point he may look around and ask – where have all the flowers gone?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • It’s a complicated situation. Altuve said the Astros needed to do the right thing and bring Bregman back, but how much does Bregman really want to be back? He didn’t say that Manfred needs to raise the luxury tax to allow other teams to compete with the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets’ spending. We assume we know what different players’ motivations are. Some are clearly all about making the maximum amount of money possible. Some value competing for a WS above everything else. I suspect most are in between. Whether the moves Brown made will be successful remains to be seen, but he’s filled two gaping holes in the infield with players capable of putting up All Star numbers for less than he would be paying Bregman.

      Given the shrinking market, however, I wonder what sort of creative moves Brown might be willing to make going further. Would you consider bringing Bregman back on a lesser deal than previously offered and trying Paredes in LF? You could surely swing him in another trade if needed…but I really like that he gets us younger and has the promise of real production at the MLB level rather than just what we’ve seen at AAA from our host of other prospects.

      Like

      Reply

      • I think it safe to say Bregman is gone. Had the Astros not considered public relations issues with the fan base, maybe they would not have offered the alleged 156/6. As it’s turned out, they’ve started retooling without offending the fans. I think it’s worked out pretty well so far. As for Jose, if the club is winning baseball games, I think he’ll end up happy too.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I have been holding out posting, but I just think the Astros could still add Bregman and somehow get him, Yordan, Walker, Altuve, Pena and Paredes all into the lineup at the same time.

    It would take some creative financing on Bregman’s contract with a big signing bonus and some deferred money. It would take some creative trades of Valdez, Pressly, Dubon and one of Meyers or Chas to create the room under the luxury tax line. It would also require the return of a young outfielder or two in those trades to fill in the outfield until Smith and Melton are ready to move up.

    Using the guys mentioned in the first paragraph above in a rotating DH and using that as rest for them, rather than taking them out of the lineup and sitting them on the bench to rest gives you a deep lineup every day, meaning you concentrate on pounding out the runs and outscoring opponents like we used to do.

    Just my thought.

    Like

    Reply

    • Going back to the winter of 2023, I thought it would have been a wise decision to trade Bregman. I remain of the belief the club is aging and Bregman has started his aging process at a relatively young age. My take is that we’ll be better off long term without Bregman signed for 5 or 6 more years. So I hope it was safe to say Bregman is gone.

      Like

      Reply

  7. I’ve been working on the next post – my brother is having some health issues right now so I’m up at his Tomball rehab right now. I’m enjoying all your thoughts – it feels like a real pivotal season for the team.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dan, I hope your brother makes a big comeback. Honestly, I’m more and more intrigued watching the 2025 club take shape. We’re going about our business in a new way, at least for the Astros. Of course we’re all especially concerned about the outfield. I’m thinking more and more that Dana Brown is going to wing it out there unless he can move Presley or he shocks us with a Framber deal, however unlikely. He’d have to get a heck of an offer for that to happen.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment