27-year old righty swinging infielder Matt Downs could be a late bloomer as he is playing really well for the Astros this year. He has played in 106 games for the Astros this year and he is 55 for 199 (.276 avg, .864 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 10 homers and 41 RBIs. Downs has now played in 163 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 85 for 349 (.244 avg, .741 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 12 homers, 50 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Downs will probably get a chance next spring to compete for the starting job at 2B for the Astros in 2012.

26-year old righty Lucas Harrell is going to take 26-year old Bud Norris’ last start this year as he has been shut down for the year with the shoulder injury.  Norris pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Astros this year and he was 6-11 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  Lucas Harrell has pitched in 4 games (1 start) for the Astros so far this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 7 games (1 start) overall this year by the Astros & White Sox and he is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

On July 31, 2010, the Astros dealt Lance Berkman to the Yankees for righty reliever Mark Melancon and 3B Jimmy Paredes. 26-year old righty reliever Mark Melancon is now the closer for the Astros. He has pitched in 68 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 7-4 with 19 saves, a 2.94 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. 22-year old switch-hitting 3B Jimmy Paredes has been the Astros’ starting 3B for the last month and a half. He has played in 42 games for the Astros so far this year and he is 46 for 154 (.299 avg, .734 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 16 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. It sucked that the Astros had to deal Berkman last July, but it appears that they have gotten a nice return for him as Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes appear to have bright futures.

28-year old righty reliever Wilton Lopez has turned in another solid year for the Astros in 2011. He has pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 2-6 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Lopez has now pitched in 143 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 7-10 with 1 save, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Lopez’ main asset has been his control as he has only walked 30 batters in his first 152 innings with the Astros. He will continue to be able to work late in games for the Astros.

The Houston Astros have lost 35-year old righty swinging outfielder Jason Michaels for the rest of the season due to a fractured left hand. Michaels played in 89 games for the Astros this year and he was 31 for 156 (.199 avg, .551 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 297 games in his first three years with the Astros and Michaels is 110 for 477 (.231 avg) with 50 runs scored, 14 homers, 52 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. This could signal the end of Michaels time with the Astros.

26-year old righty starting pitcher Bud Norris has really improved as a pitcher this year for the Astros. He has pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 6-9 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Norris has only given up 166 hits in his first 176 1/3 innings so far this year, while whiffing 170 batters and walking only 67. Norris has now pitched in 67 games (66 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 21-22 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Norris is going to be a key for the rebuilding Astros’ in the next few years, so they have to be really happy that he has improved his control and performance in 2011.

The Astros have claimed 27-year old righty reliever Lance Pendleton off waivers from the Yankees. Pendleton has pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He has also pitched in 18 games (10 starts) in AAA-ball for the Yankees and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The Astros need all the help that they can get, so I like this pickup for them.

Despite the Astros really stinking up the joint this year, 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez continues to battle every night he starts. He has pitched in 26 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 10-10 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Rodriguez has now pitched in 202 games (193 starts) in his first seven years with the Astros and he is 72-74 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Astros tried to deal Rodriguez before the trade deadline and despite finding no takers, they will likely try to deal him over the winter. That would be a shame as Rodriguez has turned into a very solid starting pitcher for the Astros.

24-year old lefty swinging CF Jordan Schafer has gotten off to a very fast start with the Astros. He has played in 10 games for the Astros so far and he is 12 for 37 (.324 avg, .810 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer, 5 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Schafer has now played in 62 games for the Braves & Astros this year and he is 59 for 233 (.253 avg, .653 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 2 homers, 12 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Schafer was once considered one of the Braves’ top prospects, so maybe a change of scenery will spark him to play up to his potential with the Astros.

The Astros have lost 31-year old righty reliever Jeff Fulchino on waivers to the Padres. Fulchino pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Astros this year and he was 1-4 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. He pitched in 147 games (0 starts) in his three years with the Astros and he was 9-9 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. This isn’t much of a loss for the Astros, as they need to see what their younger relievers can do in September.