3 Astros players to blame for their slow start in 2023

3) Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena has been “all or nothing” this year

Jeremy Pena will get a lifetime pass to slump from some Astros fans. This could change if things get worse. Through his first 11 games and 52 plate appearances, the reigning World Series MVP is batting .208/.269/.417. It’s better than Bregman. It has also been far more productive.

Pena does have a pair of home runs and 4 of his 10 hits are doubles. He’s making the most of the hits he does have. The sophomore star has driven in 7 as well.

Unfortunately, Pena is also striking out a lot. He has been punched out 15 times already. This was a weakness in his game last season. He fanned in 24.2% of his plate appearances. In the early part of this season he is averaging 28.9%.

Plate discipline is something Pena may never add to his resume. He’s walking at the same exact rate of 3.9% as he did last year in a league averaging a walk in 8.2% of plate appearances.

After beginning the season as the leadoff hitter, Pena has been dropped to the number six guy following his 0 for 5 with 4 strikeout effort versus the Minnesota Twins on April 7. He has picked up a hit in all three games since. It’s a shame this change didn’t happen sooner. The Astros have already lost twice to an inferior Detroit Tigers ball club in games where Pena was a combined 0 for 10. Those are victories they cannot get back.