5 reasons the Houston Astros can repeat as World Series champs in 2018

5 reasons the Houston Astros could be celebrating another World Series title in 2018

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrates with George Springer #4 after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Derek Fisher #21 of the Houston Astros celebrates after scoring the winning run during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

4. There’s more young talent on the way

It’s fair to say the wave of talent that came from the drafts when the Astros were truly dreadful has crested, but to extend the analogy, it hasn’t all reached the shore. If some unexpected questions pop up along the road to a repeat, the answers might already be on the 40-man roster.

Outfielder Derek Fisher actually played in the World Series, and while he only appeared as a pinch-runner, he had a moment when he scored the game-winning run in the epic Game 5. He hit just .212 in 166 plate appearances but has the skills to contribute in a meaningful way as soon as next season.

So, too, might the likes of pitchers Francis Martes and David Paulino and infielder Colin Moran. Maybe none of them will announce themselves to the wider baseball world the way Bregman just did, but you also can’t definitively rule it out. Let’s just say the pipeline isn’t dry when it comes to players who could help out for another World Series run.

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