What would a dream Astros starting lineup look like next year?
By Tim Boyle
The dream Houston Astros starting lineup for the 2023 season includes familiar names and big free agent additions.
The defending champion Houston Astros have a starting lineup already showing off plenty of muscle. A couple of free agents have departed already. The team does have some holes to address.
Now twice victorious during this current era of Astros baseball, the team is strong enough to make yet another push toward a World Series win. They should be an early favorite already for the American League Pennant.
Fortifying their starting lineup will be key to repeating. While not all of these players will actually enter the picture in reality, this is a dream Astros starting lineup where almost anything is possible.
1. Dream Astros starting lineup: Jose Altuve bats first, 2B
The Astros are fortunate to have their leadoff hitter firmly in place. Second baseman Jose Altuve gets first hacks yet again for them. This isn’t changing in anybody’s dream. Choosing someone else might mean you’re sleeping through a nightmare.
Altuve has been one of baseball’s top stars over the last decade. Somehow still only 32, we should expect him to remain with Houston as long as he is able to play.
Altuve is coming off of another All-Star season in Houston where he slashed .300/.387/.533 while bashing 28 home runs. It’s exactly what a team wants out of a leadoff hitter and more, especially when we add in the 18 bases he stole in 19 attempts. It’s the most he has swiped since 2017.
There isn’t anyone else Astros fans could possibly want in the leadoff spot for next season. Even in the wildest of dreams, he’s the choice.