Houston Astros All-Time Starting Lineup by Individual Seasons

Throughout the 59 seasons that the Astros have called Houston home, they have been notorious for producing big-time sluggers and masterful wizards on the mound. Today, we are going to look at the best individual seasons from Houston Astros players and determine where they belong in the All-Time Starting Lineup. Enjoy!

The Lineup

1. George Springer, RF (2017)

Image Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2017 Stats: .283 Batting Average, 34 Home Runs, 85 RBI, .367 OBP, .522 SLG, 112 Runs, and a 5.0 WAR.

Springer Dinger is his name and leadoff home runs are his game. The Astros right fielder had a powerful 2017 campaign where he was named an All-Star, Silver Slugger, and the 2017 World Series MVP.

2. Craig Biggio, 2B (1997)

Image Credit: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

1997 Stats: .309 Batting Average, 22 Home Runs, 81 RBI, 37 Doubles, .415 OBP, .501 SLG, 47 Stolen Bases, 146 Runs, 191 Hits, and a 9.4 WAR.

You might be thinking to yourself, How the hell did Craig Biggio beat out Jose Altuve in 2017? Well, Biggio put up MVP numbers of his own in '97 where he led the league in Runs and Hit By Pitches (A Biggio Specialty), was selected to the All-Star team, won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and even finished 4th in MVP voting.

Also, what would an All-Time lineup be without Biggio hitting in front of this next legend with an even more legendary goatee?

3. Jeff Bagwell, 1B (1994)

Image Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

1994 Stats: .368 Batting Average, 39 Home Runs, 116 RBI, .451 OBP, .750 SLG, 1.201 OPS, 213 OPS+, 104 Runs, 32 Doubles, 147 Hits, 300 Total Bases, and a 8.2 WAR.

Without question the greatest season in Houston Astros history...and he did it in only 110 games. The season was cut short in '94 leaving Astros fans and the rest of Major League Baseball wondering what he would have done with the extra 52 games.

Bagwell led the league in Runs, Runs Batted In, Slugging, OPS, OPS+, and Total Bases. He also was selected to the All-Star team, won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and Most Valuable Player.

For those of you who would like to know how he was projected to finish that '94 season, here is the stat line:

57 Home Runs, 170 RBI, 47 Doubles, 22 Stolen Bases, 95 Walks, 216 Hits, and a final line of .368/.451/.750.

Unbelievable.

4. Lance Berkman, LF (2002)

Image Credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images

2002 Stats: .292 Batting Average, 42 Home Runs, 128 RBI, .405 OBP, .578 SLG, .982 OPS, 35 Doubles, 169 Hits, 334 Total Bases, and a 4.8 WAR.

The Big Puma put up a stellar 4th campaign with the 'Stros as he became one of the biggest threats in the National League from both sides of the plate. He led the league in Runs Batted In, was selected to the All-Star team, finished 3rd in MVP voting, and even got a chance to compete in the Home Run Derby.

5. Alex Bregman, 3B (2019)

Image Credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images

2019 Stats: .296 Batting Average, 41 Home Runs, 112 RBI, .423 OBP, .592 SLG, 1.015 OPS, 37 Doubles, 122 Runs, 119 Walks, 164 Hits, 328 Total Bases, and a 9.1 WAR.

Bregman has become the face of the Astros over the past few seasons where he has put up MVP type numbers and led the Astros to a 2017 World Series Championship. He didn't slow down in 2019 as he ranked 2nd in all of Major League Baseball in WAR, led the league in Walks, and finished top 5 in the American League in Home Runs, RBI, Runs, OBP, OPS, and Slugging. Bregman was also named to the All-Star Team as a starter, won a Silver Slugger, and finished 2nd in MVP voting.

If only there wasn't a certain man/fish hybrid looming around in Anaheim stealing all the awards.

6. Yordan Alvarez, DH (2019)

Image Credit: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

2019 Stats: .313 Batting Average, 27 Home Runs, 78 RBI, .412 OBP, .655 SLG, 1.067 OPS, 26 Doubles, 52 Walks, and a 3.7 WAR.

This young superstar played his first year in Houston in 2019 and has already drawn comparisons to the great Michael Jordan. A big future lies ahead for the man they call Air Yordan as he is 22 and already a premier power threat in all of Major League Baseball. The laser show started with a blast as he homered in his Major League debut and finished the season the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year.

7. Carlos Correa, SS (2017)

Image Credit: David J. Phillip/AP Photo

2017 Stats: ..315 Batting Average, 24 Home Runs, 84 RBI, .391 OBP, .550 SLG, .941 OPS, 25 Doubles, 133 Hits, 232 Total Bases, and a 6.6 WAR.

The man that is responsible for being the key ingredient to the Houston Astros rebuild, Correa was drafted #1 overall in 2012, made his big league debut in 2015 in a season where he was named Rookie of the Year, and was a key piece in their playoff run that season as well.

In 2017 he dealt with a torn ligament in his left thumb that derailed him for the better part of 2 months but was back in time for the Astros magical postseason run on their way to their first championship in franchise history. Correa was named to the All-Star team as a starter, finished 17th in MVP voting, and became one of the luckiest men in Houston when he proposed to his girlfriend after winning the World Series.

8. Cesar Cedeno, CF (1972)

Image Credit: Malcolm Emmons/Getty Images

1972 Stats: .320 Batting Average, 22 Home Runs, 82 RBI, .385 OBP, .537 SLG, .921 OPS, 39 Doubles, 55 Stolen Bases, 179 Hits, 103 Runs, 300 Total Bases, and a 8.0 WAR.

Cesar Cedeno was a player before my time but he always comes up as one of my father's favorite all-time Astros. In a 1972 season where the Astros finished 3rd in the N.L. West, Cedeno was the silver lining hitting a league-best 39 doubles, was selected to the All-Star team, won a Gold Glove, and finished 6th in MVP Voting.

9. Jason Castro, C (2013)

Image Credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images

2013 Stats: .276 Average, 18 Home Runs, 56 RBI, .350 OBP, .485 SLG, .835 OPS, 35 Doubles, 120 Hits, 120 Games Played, 211 Total Bases, and a 4.2 WAR.

The easy choice here would be to go with Brad Ausmus and stick him in the lineup knowing he's there for his glove and not his bat, but Castro put up rather good numbers in 2013 during a season where hope was lost in Houston and the 'Stros finished dead last in their first season in the American League West with a 51-111 record. Throughout those dark times, Castro was one of their best players and was even selected for the All-Star team.

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Starting Pitchers

1. Justin Verlander (2019)

Image Credit: Dirk Shadd

2019 Stats: 21-6, 2.58 ERA, 300 Strikeouts, 223.0 Innings Pitched, 0.803 WHIP, 42 Walks, 12.1 Strikeouts/9, 34 Starts, and a 7.3 WAR.

At the age of 36, Verlander led the league in Wins, Games Started, Innings Pitched, WHIP, Hits/9 and was selected to the All-Star Team as a starter, finished 11th in MVP voting, and won his 2nd Cy-Young Award. Verlander is like a fine wine, he gets better with age.

2. Gerrit Cole (2019)

Image Credit: Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

2019 Stats: 20-5, 2.50 ERA, 326 Strikeouts, 212.1 Innings Pitched, 0.895 WHIP, 48 Walks, 13.8 Strikeouts/9, 33 Starts, and a 6.5 WAR.

The Cole Train and his 2019 season was one for the record books as he dominated the entire season and even went 152 days in a row without receiving a loss. Cole led the league in ERA, Strikeouts, ERA+, and Strikeouts/9. He was selected to the All-Star Team, finished 10th in MVP voting, and finished 2nd in the Cy-Young.

Oh ya, and he signed a 9 year $324 million dollar contract with the New York Yankees in the offseason making him the first pitcher in baseball history to sign a $300 million contract. We will miss you :(

3. Mike Scott (1986)

Image Credit: Getty Images

1986 Stats: 18-10, 2.22 ERA, 306 Strikeouts, 275.1 Innings Pitched, 0.923 WHIP, 72 Walks, 10.0 Strikeouts/9, 37 Games Started, 5 Shutouts, and a 8.4 WAR.

Scott's 1986 campaign was masterful.

He led the league in ERA, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, Strikeouts, Hits/9, and Strikeouts/9. He was selected to the All-Star team, finished 10th in MVP voting, and won the Cy-Young Award.

4. Roy Oswalt (2005)

Image Credit: Christopher Ebdon

2005 Stats: 20-12, 2.94 ERA, 184 Strikeouts, 241.2 Innings Pitched, 1.204 WHIP, 48 Walks, 6.9 Strikeouts/9, 35 Games Started, and a 5.9 WAR.

Roy Oswalt was the bulldog the Astros needed in '05 as they made their famous postseason run all the way to their first World Series appearance in franchise history. Oswalt tied his wins record and broke his innings pitched record as well as lead the league in Games Started. He was selected for the All-Star team, finished 23rd in MVP Voting, and finished 4th in the Cy-Young.

5. J.R. Richard (1979)

Image Credit: Getty Images

1979 Stats: 18-13, 2.71 ERA, 313 Strikeouts, 292.1 Innings Pitched, 1.088 WHIP, 6.8 Hits/9, 9.6 Strikeouts/9, 38 Games Started, and a 5.6 WAR.

J.R. Richard was the complete package in 1979, he led the league in ERA, Strikeouts, Hits/9, and Strikeouts/9 while also finishing 19th in MVP Voting and 3rd in the Cy-Young.

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Bullpen

1. Billy Wagner (1999)

Image Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

1999 Stats: 4-1, 1.57 ERA, 124 Strikeouts, 74.2 Innings Pitched, 39 Saves, 0.777 WHIP, 14.9 Strikeouts/9, and a 3.8 WAR.

When you talk about lights out closers, the name Billy Wagner will always find its way into the discussion. The lefty had one of the most dominant seasons as a closer in '99 where he was named to the All-Star team, finished 16th in MVP voting, and finished 4th in the Cy-Young.

Not bad for someone who switched throwing arms at the age of seven.

2. Brad Lidge (2005)

Image Credit: Billy Smith II/Houston Chronicle

2005 Stats: 4-4, 2.29 ERA, 103 Strikeouts, 70.2 Innings Pitched, 42 Saves, 1.146 WHIP, 13.1 Strikeouts/9.

Brad Lidge is probably best known for the monstrous home run he gave up to Albert Pujols in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS, but before he sent Houston into a very deep and long depression he had exceptional numbers as the closer. He saved 42 games in 46 opportunities and was even selected to the All-Star team.

Brad Lidge is currently working as an archeologist where he is still searching for that Pujols ball. Ouch.

3. Brad Peacock (2017)

Image Credit: Karen Warren

2017 Stats: 13-2, 3.00 ERA, 161 Strikeouts, 132.0 Innings Pitched, 1.189 WHIP, 11.0 Strikeouts/9, 21 Games Started (34 Total), and a 3.1 WAR.

He's a peacock, you gotta let him fly! Letting Peacock fly was one of the best moves Houston made during that historic season as Peacock spent time between a starting role and a key long relief guy. He even recorded a save in Game 3 of the World Series and was a key piece to the success of that rotation.

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Manager

A.J. Hinch (2015)

Image Credit: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

2015 Stats: 86-76

Yes, I am fully aware that the 'Stros were World Champions in 2017, but I firmly believe that any manager could have succeeded with a group like that. 2015 was special because Hinch brought new and exciting life into the clubhouse and turned a laughable last-place team into a serious threat coming out of the West. In his first season at the helm, Hinch went 86-76 and finished 2nd in the American League West. He then led Houston to a Wild Card win over the Yankees and to a Divisional Series where the Astros lost to the eventual World Series Champions, The Kansas City Royals.

All stats used in this article were pulled directly from https://www.baseball-reference.com/