Fansided

Each MLB team’s season success or failure?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Astros

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) walks towards the dugout before the start of the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) walks towards the dugout before the start of the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

86-76, second AL Wild Card, lost in NLDS

It was clear to everyone around baseball that the Astros were building something special with an extended rebuild that included several top draft picks. Nobody could have seen success coming so soon.

After losing 111 games in 2013, the Astros were more competitive at 70-92 a season ago. Houston used that as a springboard for this year, improving by another 16 games to qualify for the postseason, where it defeated the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Game.

Multiple Astros played well to help the team to the unexpected fast turnaround, but no position player was more important than Carlos Correa. Correa posted a 133 wRC+ and 3.0 WAR in 99 games per FanGraphs at just 20 years of age, and figures to be one of the game’s best players for years to come.

Dallas Keuchel also improved on an encouraging 2014 season by pitching at a Cy Young level all year long. With Lance McCullers also flashing tremendous upside, Houston’s rotation is set up well for the present and future.

That success allowed Houston to be buyers at the deadline, when it acquired Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers, both of whom will be around next season. More young talent is on the way, so the Astros should be positioned well for the forseeable future.

The only disappointing thing for Houston in 2014 was a collapse in Game 4 of the NLDS , but overall this season was a major positive.

Success. A playoff berth is more than anyone could have expected coming into the season.

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

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