The Houston Astros won their seventh consecutive full-season AL West championship in 2024, but the consensus is forming around the club that the days of World Series contention are behind them.

Breakout showcase returns with 16 games across the Cactus League and Grapefruit League from March 13-16. Among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects, 72 are on team rosters for Spring Breakout games, including 20 of the top 30.

“He is ripped,” manager Joe Espada said. The 33-year-old Singleton, who was once a consensus top-30 prospect, told the Astros’ official website he’s lost 25 pounds. Singleton devoted himself to a “serious weight-lifting program” and changed his eating habits.

For one of the few times in major league history, we're asking, Who's on First? First base is a position in flux. In 2024, major league first basemen batted .246, their lowest total since 1900. They also posted an OPS of .

The Houston Astros are planning to play erstwhile second baseman Jose Altuve mostly in left field this season.

All-star second baseman Jose Altuve is in left. Alex Bregman is in Boston. Nolan Arenado nixed a trade to Houston. So what’s next for the resilient Astros?

Even in a sport in which all teams experience annual and often significant turnover, the Astros are taking a daunting step.