I wouldn't rule out Houston adding a bat to the left-field mix, but I
get the sense if it's going to spend any more money, it's going to be on
pitching. Currently, left field will be a mix of Marwin Gonzalez,
Fisher, Tony Kemp and even Colin Moran, who will try his hand in the
outfield in the spring. Colin Moran Youth Jersey Gonzalez will see time in left field, but the Astros would rather be
able to move him around to other positions in the infield and outfield
instead of having him pigeon-holed in left.
As for Tucker, he won't make the club out of spring. A solid season,
though, should make him a favorite to start in 2019.
What are the Collin McHugh Youth Jersey chances we see both [Forrest] Whitley and Tucker in the bigs next
season?
-- Joe B., Houston
I'd put it at less than 50 percent for each. Whitley is going to begin
the season in the Double-A Corpus Christi rotation, and I certainly
expect him to be in Triple-A Fresno by midseason if he performs to his
capability. General manager Jeff Luhnow has said Whitley could be on the
big league roster next year, but he'll have to really turn heads in the
same fashion Lance McCullers Jr. did in 2015, when he was called up
without throwing at Triple-A.
Tucker has Craig Biggio Youth Jersey played in only 72 games above Class A Advanced, so another full season
in the Minor Leagues is probably warranted. While it wouldn't surprise
me if either makes a big league appearance in September, I certainly
expect both to be huge contributors in 2019.
Where do you see [Dallas] Keuchel in 2019? He has one year remaining
before free agency, but what are the chances of the Astros signing him
to a bigger/longer contract?
-- Wes G., Spring, Texas
