Top 10 MLB bounceback candidates for 2017

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a sacrifice fly during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dallas Keuchel

The Houston Astros are a trendy pick to win the AL West this year after an aggressive offseason. While the Astros appear to be much improved offensively, their starting rotation was not addressed. Houston finished 15th in the league last year with a 4.37 starter’s ERA.

The rotation failed to live up to expectations last year mainly because 2015 AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel was largely ineffective. He went 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA a year removed from winning 20 games and posting a 2.48 ERA. Keuchel went 32-17 with a 2.69 ERA in 2014 and 2015 while throwing 432 innings. That heavy workload may have taken a toll in 2016, and Keuchel battled shoulder pain all year.

Keuchel’s velocity was noticeably diminished last season due to the shoulder pain. He did not have any major structural damage, but is being brought along slowly in Spring Training. Keuchel does not have overwhelming velocity, and gets by on the heavy movement of his sinker. Last season, his pitches were elevated due to an inability to properly finish them. With a return to health, look for Keuchel to regain the form he showed in 2014 and 2015. The Astros need their ace leading the rotation if they are to live up to lofty expectations in 2017.

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