[Nick Soulis]

HOUSTON ASTROS

Manager: Bill Virdon
Ball Park: Minute Maid Park (Grass)

Pitching Staff Role T Pitcher G GS W L SV ERA WHIP Status Starter R J.R. Richard 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Starter R Mike Scott 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Starter R Roy Oswalt 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Starter R Larry Dierker 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Spot Starter R Danny Darwin 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Middle Reliever L Frank DiPino 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Middle Reliever R Danny Darwin 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Middle Reliever R Joe Niekro 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Setup Reliever R Brad Lidge 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Setup Reliever L Billy Wagner 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested Closer R Dave Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 Rested

Catchers # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 6 R Cliff Johnson C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 22 R Brad Ausmus C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000

Infielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 7 R Craig Biggio 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 5 R Jeff Bagwell 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 19 S Bill Doran 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 15 S Ken Caminiti 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 10 R Dickie Thon SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 28 R Glenn Davis 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 14 R Morgan Ensberg 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000

Outfielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 30 R Cesar Cedeno CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 17 S Lance Berkman CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 24 R Jimmy Wynn LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 25 L Jose Cruz RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 20 S Kevin Bass RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 45 R Carlos Lee LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000

Strengths
A well rounded infield bodes welll for the Astros who will have their work cuout for them in the central. Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Ken Camminiti all play well on offense and defense and make the Astros formitable. The Killer B's are what the Astros are all about, their competitive drive and get down and dirty mentality will keep them in games they should lose.

Weaknesses
Lack of a real power hitter in evident up and down their lineup and the pressure will be on Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee to produce. JR Richard and the rotation will need to show more then what is expected, this punch can definately throw hard but could be prone to the long ball. Joe Niekro may see himself sneak in the rotation as well.

Expectations
Be hard to beat and compete every game. The Astros may not have the talent to play with the big boys in this league but their scrappers will definately get them respect and more wins then maybe we may expect. There will be not trophies to speak of however.