The Crawfish Boxes
Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.
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In the lab: Hall of Fame index second base part two
In part two of his six‑part Hall of Fame series, The Crawfish Boxes evaluates current second basemen using a custom Hall of Fame Index and WAR metrics. Jose Altuve posts a 219.6 index—within the 220‑230 median range for inductees—suggesting he could retire today and still have a case, despite the sign‑stealing controversy and postseason heroics. Marcus Semien (174.3) and Ketel Marte (145.1) fall short and need additional high‑WAR seasons to catch up. The piece breaks down BWAR, FWAR, peak WAR seasons, and compares the candidates to past non‑inducted players like Bobby Grich and Lou Whitaker, emphasizing the balance between consistent and peak performance.
Astros Farm System: Top Pitching Performers of 2026
The Crawfish Boxes breaks down the Astros’ top pitching prospects of 2026, spotlighting Bryce Mayer’s system‑leading 140 strikeouts across Double‑A and Triple‑A (2.61 ERA in Double‑A, 5.45 in Triple‑A), Jagger Beck’s 2.80 ERA and 102 Ks in 22 games, and Jackson Nezuh’s 124 strikeouts over 103 innings (3.83 ERA). Also featured are Cole Hertzler’s 2.72 ERA in Asheville, Javier Perez’s 132 Ks in 110 innings, closer‑turned‑starter Nick Potter’s 2.11 ERA in Single‑A, and reliever Alex Santos II’s 2.91 ERA with a 1.09 Triple‑A stint. These stats illustrate a deep, strikeout‑rich arms pool ready for a major‑league push.
Astros GM Search: Mike Rizzo May Be Exactly What Jim Crane Wants — and That Says Everything
The Houston Astros are prioritizing a new general manager before hiring a manager, and former Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has emerged as the leading candidate. Rizzo, 65, blends traditional scouting with modern analytics and is credited with drafting Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg and engineering the Juan Soto trade. His experience aligns with owner Jim Crane’s hands‑on style, suggesting he could thrive in an organization that values both data‑driven development—evidenced by recent hires from Driveline Baseball—and seasoned baseball judgment. If hired, Rizzo is expected to retain the core roster while making targeted improvements, positioning the Astros for continued competitiveness.
In the lab: Breaking down the second base HOF Index Part 1
During the offseason work stoppage, The Crawfish Boxes dives into the Hall of Fame Index for second basemen, outlining how the author establishes a middle‑ground standard by filtering out outliers like Jose Altuve, Rogers Hornsby and Bill Mazeroski. The post presents WAR‑based scores (BWAR, FWAR, BWAR10, FWAR10) for Hall of Famers such as Rod Carew (81.2), Frankie Frisch (71.8), Jackie Robinson (63.8) and others, shows average values, and explains that the index gauges similarity—not ranking—by blending career and peak (best‑ten‑season) values. It also breaks down 5‑, 4‑, and 3‑win seasons to illustrate typical production levels at second base, setting the stage for future editions that will compare active players like Altuve against this historical norm.
High-A Asheville 2026 Season in Review
The High-A Asheville Tourists endured a tough 2026 campaign, finishing 43-87, but several players shone. Outfielder Justin Thomas (11th‑round Astros pick) posted a .868 OPS with 17 homers, 34 steals in High‑A and earned a Double‑A promotion, ending the year with 19 HR and 41 steals. Pitcher Cole Hertzler posted a 2.72 ERA over 10 starts before moving up, while infielder Caden Powell led the team with 115 hits, 18 HR, 69 RBIs and a .890 OPS in his final 86 games. Jack Moss hit .339 with 4 HR in High‑A, and Kyle Walker added 37 steals and solid defense. Despite the losing record, these prospects highlight Asheville’s bright spots.
Astros Farm System: Top Hitting Performers of 2026
The Crawfish Boxes highlights the Astros’ four top offensive prospects from the 2026 minor‑league season. Catcher Jason Schiavone posted a historic 30‑HR/30‑SB line, finishing with 32 homers, 32 steals and a .531 slugging percentage across Triple‑A, Double‑A and Single‑A. Outfielder Anthony Huezo, a 12th‑round 2023 pick, tallied 22 home runs and a league‑leading 47 steals in 112 games. First‑rounder Xavier Neyens delivered 20 homers, 19 steals and a system‑best 137 wRC+ while drawing 114 walks. Lastly, 11th‑round pick Justin Thomas combined 19 homers with 41 steals, posting a .868 OPS in Single‑A before moving up to Double‑A. All four are poised for major‑league consideration in 2027.
Houston Astros Manager Search: 6 Candidates to Replace Joe Espada
A day after granting Joe Espada permission to interview for the Seattle Mariners’ managerial opening, the Astros parted ways with their manager. With Seattle the only other team currently searching for a manager, Houston can take its time finding Espada’s replacement. Here are six names that could be in the mix. Rodney Linares Currently the […]
Single-A Fayetteville 2026 Season in Review
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers had a historic year in 2026 with standout performances and a big time playoff push. Let’s take a look. Woodpeckers 2026 Record: 71-58 (CAROLINA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS) The Woodpeckers got off to a rough start going 3-12 over their first 15 games. They finished April going 10-14. In May, the Woodpeckers went 13-14. […]
Joe Espada’s Tenure With Astros Appears to Be Over
Joe Espada has been with the Houston Astros for nine years as bench coach and then manager. There does not appear to be a tenth year in his future. Last week, former Fox 26 Houston sports director Will Kunkel reported that the Astros would begin the search for both GM and manager after October 31: […]
2026 Houston Astros Season in Review
81-81 FINAL RECORD; AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST DIVISION CHAMPS IN THE STANDINGS: The Astros finished the regular season in first place in the AL West with an 81-81 record, topping the second-place Rangers by 1.0 game. The Astros clinched their division on the final day of the regular season with a strong finishing kick, as they […]
Astros Future MiLB Stat of the Week: Neyens Walk Rate
This offseason, I’m bringing back a series that focuses on one notable statistic from an Astros minor league player during the 2026 season. The statistic could be good or bad, but it will be something worth highlighting. STAT OF THE WEEK: Xavier Neyens finished the 2026 season with a 24.5% walk rate. Walk percentage (BB%) […]
Are the Astros’ Two Biggest Jobs the Least Desirable in Baseball?
Jim Crane’s reputation for control could make Houston’s search for new leadership far more difficult than anyone wants to admit. The two most important positions in the Houston Astros organization are either open or facing uncertainty, and the scary part is that they may also be two of the least attractive jobs in Major League […]
Houston Astros Offseason Checklist
Making a list of all the things that should be on the Houston Astros offseason agenda: Hire a GM Dana Brown is now out of the organization. The idea of a caretaker GM who can just keep the machine running is long gone. They need a team builder. A visionary with a plan of what […]
DSL Astros 2026 Season Review
The Astros have two teams in the Dominican Summer League and had some standout performances from the international prospects. Let’s take a look. The DSL Astros Orange put together a strong 2026 season improving on their 32-23 record in 2025 to a 33-20 record in 2026. Below are the team leaders and top performers. Here […]
Astros Face Hard Winter With GM Search, Roster Issues, Espada Decision
Astros fans, buckle up. It’s going to be a long, cold winter. After another Wild Card Series sweep, the Astros enter an offseason filled with more questions than answers. And when you look at how this season ended, it’s difficult not to trace many of their problems back to issues that were staring this organization […]
Astros Post Mortem: Four Offseason Decisions That Must Be Made
The Houston Astros 2026 season ended much the way it existed all season long: unfulfilled promise, frustration, some excitement that ended in disappointment. The unfulfilling season capped off with an unfulfilling ending. So many issues that the Astros had to work through this season exposed their lack of major-league caliber depth. It unfortunately coincided with […]
Daulton Varsho Undergoes Wrist Surgery
Today, the Houston Astros announced that CF Daulton Varsho underwent left arthroscopic wrist surgery yesterday. This procedure will sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season. Varsho is a free agent at the end of the season. Varsho’s time with the Astros was unremarkable. He batted only .172 in 41 games for Houston, spanning […]
Astros vs. White Sox ALWC Game 2 Game Discussion: 9/30/2026
WILD CARD SERIES, GAME 2: The Houston Astros (0-1) will host the Chicago White Sox (1-0) for a do-or-die Game 2 of the 2026 AL Wild Card Series today at Daikin Park. The Astros look to extend their season with their ace RHP Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.19 ERA) on the mound opposite RHP Sean Burke […]
Astros Game 2 Playoff History Has Huge Moments & Big Heartbreaks
These are the days where legends are made. It’s one thing to win a random Tuesday night regular season contest during the month of May against the lowly Angels. It’s another thing to stave off elimination and extend a playoff series. That will be the task today for Hunter Brown, who will be opposed by […]
Pitching Fails Astros in 6-3 Loss to White Sox in ALWC Game 1
Just like that, the Astros are on the brink of elimination. White Sox 6. Astros 3. What unfolded over the course of a late afternoon affair was a glaring contrast between the clubs going well beyond the final box score. Chicago’s core nucleus of young talent might be eventually as good as what Houston had […]
Houston Astros 2026 AL Wild Card Roster
The Houston Astros have announced their AL Wild Card Roster for their series vs. the Chicago White Sox. The Astros Wild Card Series roster includes 12 pitchers and 14 position players. 13 players on the roster have no postseason playing experience, including five position players and eight pitchers. In addition to their active roster, the […]
Astros vs. White Sox ALWC Game 1 Discussion Thread: 9/29/2026
WILD CARD SERIES, GAME 1: The Houston Astros (81-81, AL West Champions) will host the Chicago White Sox (84-78, Third Wild Card) for Game 1 of the 2026 American League Wild Card Series today at Daikin Park. It’s an unorthodox pitching matchup today to open a playoff series between RHP AJ Blubugh (5-3, 3.66 ERA) […]
Astros vs. White Sox Series Primer With Chicago PXP Voice Len Kasper
A new season is about to begin and, for the Astros, it’s a chance to prove they still belong at the postseason party after all these years. White Sox Radio PBP man Len Kasper joined us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to discuss this week’s Wild Card Matchup. Q) How awesome is this moment for […]
Astros Win AL West — Now Why Not One More October Run?
Astros fans, after 162 games, your team is once again the champion of the American League West. So how are you feeling? Excited? Relieved? Optimistic? Still concerned? Or are you simply hopeful that this team has another October run left in it? Whatever your answer, here’s what matters most: They’re in. And once you’re in, […]
Astros Are Playoff Bound after 9-0 Whitewashing of Athletics
There’s a new worst record to go to the postseason, but at least it isn’t a sub-.500 one. The Houston Astros handled business today in West Sacramento against the Athletics, 9-0. With the victory, the Astros are AL West Champions and will host the Chicago White Sox in the AL Wild Card Round beginning Tuesday […]
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