Before the season, the Houston Astros need to address this one glaring weakness.

The Houston Astros have firmly established themselves as one of the premier franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB) over the past decade. With a mix of superstar talent, elite pitching, and a robust farm system, the Astros have found consistent success, including World Series championships in 2017 and 2022. Their ability to reload and stay competitive year after year has made them a feared opponent in the American League (AL), but as with any team, there are areas that need to be addressed in order to maintain dominance.

As the Astros approach the 2025 MLB season, there’s one glaring weakness that they must address if they hope to continue their path toward another championship: the lack of a reliable and consistent middle-of-the-order bat.

In this article, we’ll examine the reasons why the Astros’ offense is the area that demands the most attention before the season starts. We’ll analyze the team’s recent offensive performance, the players who have struggled to meet expectations, and the potential solutions that could help them shore up their lineup in time for the 2025 season. Additionally, we’ll explore how addressing this weakness could impact the team’s playoff chances and overall success in what’s sure to be another highly competitive season in the AL.

The Astros’ Offensive Strengths and Weaknesses

The Houston Astros’ lineup is built around one of the most dynamic hitters in baseball, José Altuve, and one of the best all-around players in the game, Yordan Álvarez. Both players are cornerstone pieces of the team’s offense and have been key contributors to their championship success in recent years. Altuve, a seasoned veteran, continues to provide leadership at the top of the order, while Álvarez, an intimidating left-handed slugger, has established himself as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the league.

Beyond these two, the Astros have a collection of solid offensive players, including Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and the emerging Jeremy Peña. These players have been reliable in key situations, consistently putting up strong offensive numbers and contributing to the team’s success. However, while the Astros’ top players provide a strong foundation, their offense has been far from perfect.

One of the biggest concerns in recent seasons has been the inconsistency of their middle-of-the-order hitters. While they have had great success from top-of-the-order hitters like Altuve and Álvarez, there have been long stretches where the Astros’ lineup has failed to generate consistent runs due to underperformance from other key contributors.

In particular, the Astros have struggled to find a reliable cleanup hitter who can consistently provide power and drive in runs. Although Bregman has been a steady presence in the lineup, he hasn’t been able to consistently provide the kind of power the Astros need in the middle of the order. Tucker has been inconsistent at times, failing to fully realize his potential, and Peña, while an impressive young talent, hasn’t yet developed into the kind of offensive force the team needs.

The lack of a consistent bat in the middle of the lineup has caused the Astros to be more reliant on their pitching and defensive abilities than they would like, which is why it has become such a glaring weakness heading into the 2025 season.

The Need for a Power Bat in the Middle of the Lineup

One of the primary reasons the Astros’ offense has faltered in key moments is the lack of a proven power bat in the middle of the lineup. While Álvarez and Bregman can provide power from the left and right sides of the plate, respectively, the Astros’ lineup has been missing a consistent threat to protect them and keep opposing pitchers from focusing too much on these key players.

In the postseason, when every at-bat is crucial, the Astros have at times struggled to get timely hits from their middle-order batters. This became especially evident in their 2024 playoff run, where a lack of run support in critical games left their pitching staff to shoulder an unfair burden. For a team that is as deep and talented as the Astros, relying on just a couple of players to produce in the clutch is not a sustainable formula for success.

As teams around the league increasingly prioritize bullpen depth and pitching strategies, the importance of a balanced offensive attack that includes power and consistency in the middle of the lineup cannot be overstated. With pitchers targeting Álvarez and Bregman at the heart of the Astros’ lineup, the team needs another batter capable of producing power and providing run production in the heart of their order.

A legitimate cleanup hitter who can hit for power and get on base consistently is a crucial need if the Astros hope to replicate their success and take the next step in the postseason. With the impending competition from the likes of the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL, the Astros’ middle-of-the-order weakness could prove to be an Achilles’ heel.

Underperformance from Key Players

As mentioned earlier, the Astros have a roster full of talented players, but not all of them have been able to live up to expectations, particularly in the middle of the order. The following players have been among the most inconsistent:

• Alex Bregman: Once considered one of the most well-rounded hitters in the league, Bregman’s offensive production has fluctuated in recent years. His on-base percentage remains strong, but his power numbers have not been on par with what the Astros need from a player of his caliber. As one of the core members of the lineup, Bregman must find a way to return to his 2019 form when he hit 41 home runs and posted a .296 batting average. If he can bounce back, he could help solidify the middle of the order, but if he continues to struggle, the Astros will need to address the position.
• Kyle Tucker: Tucker has shown flashes of brilliance, but his inconsistency has been frustrating. With his potential for 30+ home runs in a full season, Tucker’s inability to consistently provide power in key situations has been a thorn in the side of the Astros’ offense. While he had stretches of brilliance in 2024, he needs to become a more reliable source of production, particularly in the postseason, if the Astros are to take that next step.
• Jeremy Peña: Peña had a breakout rookie season in 2022, providing elite defense and clutch hits when needed, but his offensive numbers have been more subdued in 2024. Though Peña is an outstanding defensive shortstop, the Astros need more from him offensively. His bat is capable of more, and if he can develop into a more consistent hitter, he would add a significant layer of depth to the lineup.
• The Catcher Position: While Martín Maldonado is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, his offensive production has been a weakness for the Astros. Maldonado’s struggles at the plate are well-documented, and while he provides significant value behind the plate, the Astros need a catcher who can at least provide league-average production offensively to keep the lineup balanced. This is especially important given the Astros’ overall offensive inconsistency.

Potential Solutions: How the Astros Can Address the Weakness

There are a few different avenues the Astros can explore to address their middle-of-the-order weakness before the start of the 2025 season. Whether through free agency, trade acquisitions, or internal development, Houston must prioritize finding a consistent hitter for the heart of their lineup.

1. Free Agent Signings

While the free-agent market for position players is always fluid, the Astros may look to sign a power bat with the potential to hit in the middle of the order. Some potential targets for the Astros could include:

• Shohei Ohtani: Though Ohtani’s primary value lies in his two-way talent, his bat is among the most feared in baseball. A bat like Ohtani’s would immediately make the Astros’ offense a powerhouse, and his presence could protect Altuve, Álvarez, and Bregman. However, securing Ohtani would require a massive financial commitment, and the Astros would need to address their pitching rotation accordingly.
• J.D. Martinez: The veteran slugger, if available, could provide immediate power in the middle of the order. Martinez has been one of the most consistent power hitters of the past decade, and his ability to hit for average as well as power would make him a valuable asset in Houston’s lineup.
• Matt Chapman: As one of the best third basemen in the league with solid power, Chapman could be an ideal candidate to add to the Astros’ middle of the order. His defense at third base would also be an upgrade over some of the team’s current depth, giving the Astros a two-pronged benefit.

2. Trade Market

The trade market could also provide solutions for the Astros if they want to avoid the high cost of free agency. Teams looking to rebuild may be willing to part with veteran hitters who can immediately improve the Astros’ lineup. Names like Teoscar Hernández or Cody Bellinger could be on the table, especially if the Astros are willing to part with some of their top-tier pitching prospects.

3. Internal Development

While acquiring outside talent could address the issue in the short term, the Astros also need to focus on their internal development. Players like Bregman, Tucker, and Peña need to take the next step and reach their full potential. This can be achieved through improved offseason preparation, coaching, and mentorship within the organization. If these players can reach their peak performance, the Astros’ middle-of-the-order weakness will largely be alleviated without any major external moves.