Photo: Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: T-19th

Most Runs Saved at 1B, Last 4 Seasons

Team Strengths

The Astros finished last in Defensive Runs Saved by first basemen last season. Christian Walker should change that, so long as he’s healthy. Walker has a terrific history of being an excellent defender, though he’s been sidelined this spring by an oblique injury. His 38 Runs Saved there over the last four seasons are the most at the position.

Jeremy Peña’s best year in the last three was his rookie season but he’s been good enough the last two years to rank 3rd among shortstops in Runs Saved since the start of 2022. 

Jake Meyers has a good body of work since his career began in 2021. Though he may not rank statistically among the best in baseball, he’s still pretty good. He’s tallied 4 and 6 Runs Saved in center field the last two seasons. His former mate in center, Chas McCormick, will replace Kyle Tucker in right field. He has 7 Runs Saved in roughly 650 career innings there.

Team Weaknesses

Jose Altuve moves to left field after a couple of years of declining defense at second base (-41 Runs Saved the last three seasons). He’s an unknown defensively heading into the year and we’d expect some challenges in adjusting to the new spot. 

Other Things To Know

Mauricio Dubon or Brendan Rodgers could end up as Altuve’s replacement at second base. Either seems like an upgrade in the field. Dubon, a superutility player the last few years, has a very good history at second base (12 Runs Saved in about a season’s worth of games there). In 2022 Rodgers led second basemen with 22 Runs Saved but injuries got him the next year. He’s totaled -2 and -4 Runs Saved there the last two years. 

Yainer Diaz has rated as a below-average pitch framer the last two seasons, but his pitch blocking is solid. He grades out average overall by Runs Saved for his career.

Are The Astros A Good Defensive Team?

By signing Walker and moving Altuve off second base, the potential is there for the Astros to be a good defensive team. But Altuve can’t hurt them too much in left field and a capable replacement at second base would help their potential fortunes considerably.