As the Houston Astros gear up for Opening Day, the roster battles are heating up, and clarity is beginning to emerge. With players vying for those coveted spots, Astros insider Chandler Rome has unveiled his latest roster predictions, and there are a couple of surprises in store.
On the position player front, Brice Matthews, the Astros' No. 4 prospect, is predicted to secure a spot against the odds. Meanwhile, Taylor Trammell, a seasoned journeyman, is expected to snag a bench outfielder position.
Matthews, originally drafted as a shortstop and now primarily a second baseman, is expanding his skill set with added outfield reps. This versatility showcases his athletic prowess and addresses the reality of being blocked in the infield.
At 24, Matthews had a brief stint with Houston last year, displaying flashes of power by hitting four homers in just 13 games. If this prediction holds true, Matthews could inject some much-needed youth into the Astros' aging lineup.
However, the inclusion of Trammell tempers this youth movement. The 28-year-old has been impressive this spring, posting a .250/.385/.469 line over 14 games. His selection comes at the expense of Zach Cole, a highly regarded prospect.
Cole, 25, made a splash last season with a .255/.327/.552 line in the final two weeks of 2025. As a left-handed outfielder with power, speed, and defensive skills, he seemed like the perfect fit for the Astros' needs.
Yet, his recent struggles have been hard to ignore. Despite some solid contact, he's hitting just .188/.341/.375, which isn't enough to edge out Trammell.
Trammell, with a career batting average that hasn't surpassed .197 in five years, shouldn't have been a difficult hurdle for a top prospect like Cole. But Cole's strikeout rate is a major concern.
Last year, he struck out 38.5% of the time, and across 97 games in the minors, his rate was 35.1%. As he enters his fifth year in pro ball, addressing this flaw is crucial.
The Astros, with an aging roster, are in dire need of fresh talent. Unfortunately, as these predictions suggest, their best chance at a youthful boost has faltered, while the one young player making the cut may not have a long-term impact. The road ahead looks challenging for Houston.