The 2015 Houston Astros season was the 54th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 51st as the Astros, third in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 16th season at Minute Maid Park. They entered the season having finished in fourth place in the AL West with a 70–92 record, breaking a string of three consecutive seasons with at least 106 losses, and most successful season to date since joining the American League.
The 2015 season was the first for A. J. Hinch as manager, the 23rd in Astros' franchise history, succeeding Tom Lawless. On April 6, Dallas Keuchel made his first Opening Day start for Houston, who hosted the Cleveland Indians and triumphed, 2–0. In the first round of the June MLB draft, the Astros selected third baseman Alex Bregman at number 2 overall and outfielder Kyle Tucker at number 5.
The Astros sent Dallas Keuchel and Jose Altuve to the AL All-Star squad. Keuchel was named starting pitcher for the AL, while Altuve was voted as starting second baseman. Craig Biggio became the first player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an Astro on July 29, along with former teammate Randy Johnson. On August 21, Mike Fiers tossed the 11th no-hitter in club history, and first at Minute Maid Park, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With an 86–76 record—their first winning season since 2008—and second-place finish in the AL West, the Astros made the playoffs for the first time since their World Series appearance in 2005, and first as members of the American League. It was the tenth postseason and third wild card qualification overall in franchise history. Houston defeated the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card (ALWC) Game before taking the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals to five games in the American League Division Series (ALDS), nearly pulling off a major upset.
Keuchel became the AL Cy Young Award winner after leading the AL in games won (20–8), innings (232), and walks plus hits per inning (1.017, WHIP), and finished second in earned run average (2.48 ERA). Keuchel and Altuve were named AL Gold Glove Award winners. Altuve, the AL hits (200) and stolen bases (38) leader each for a second consecutive season, ranked third in batting (.313) to also claim a Silver Slugger Award. Meanwhile, shortstop Carlos Correa was named AL Rookie of the Year.
Offseason Summary
The Astros concluded the season with a record, in fourth place in the AL West division, and 28 games behind the division-champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The 70 victories represented a 19-game improvement from the year prior, which had ended in a team record-setting number of losses at , also halting three consecutive seasons each with at least 106 losses and a last-place finish. Houston missed the postseason for the ninth consecutive season since playing in the 2005 World Series, while their most recent winning season had occurred in , at .
Second baseman Jose Altuve became the Astros' first ever batting champion (.341) and first hitter to lead the Major Leagues in hits (225), and second to lead his own league, joining José Cruz, who paced the National League in . Altuve became a Silver Slugger Award winner for the first time, and joined Craig Biggio as the second Houston Astros second baseman ( to ) to be recognized. Left-hander Dallas Keuchel became both a Fielding Bible and Gold Glove Award winner for the first time.
On September 29, 2014, the Astros announced the hiring of A. J. Hinch as the 23rd manager in franchise history, succeeding interim manager Tom Lawless, who had replaced Bo Porter, fired on September 1, 2014.
On January 6, 2015, results for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum voting revealed that Craig Biggio had been inducted on his third ballot, becoming the first Houston Astro to be so honored. He spent his entire professional career as an Astro, from being drafted to retirement, including 20 major league seasons, and held a number of team records and exclusive major league achievements, such as reaching the 3,000-hit club (3,060 total). He is the only player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 250 home runs, and 400 stolen bases. Biggio's teammate from the season, pitcher Randy Johnson, was also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Transactions
Major League free agents (RHP) Oakland Athletics Incoming free agents Contracts expired after 2014 World Series Signed with Houston Astros December 10, 2014 3 years, $18.5 million (RHP) St. Louis Cardinals Signed with Houston Astros December 10, 2014 2 years, $12.5 million (SS) Oakland Athletics Signed with Houston Astros December 14, 2014 3 years, $23 million (OF) Toronto Blue Jays Signed with Houston Astros January 20, 2015 1 year, $8 million Club option held (RHP) Astros becoming free agents following options decisions October 9, 2014 Option declined Signed with Chicago White Sox February 13, 2015 1 year (minors)Outrighted off roster (RHP) Became free agent November 3, 2014 Signed with Cincinnati Reds November 18, 2014 1 year (minors)
+ Amateur free agents RHP José Urquidy RHP Cristian Javier LHP Framber Valdez
40-man roster moves (non-free agents) Transaction date Player Prior organization Gaining organization RHP Arizona Diamondbacks Waiver claim Houston Astros
+ 2014—15 offseason November 5, 2014 To Houston AstrosHank Conger (C) To Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimNick Tropeano (RHP) Carlos Pérez (C) January 15, 2015 To Houston AstrosEvan Gattis (C/LF) James Hoyt (RHP) To Atlanta BravesMike Foltynewicz (RHP) Andrew Thurman (RHP) Rio Ruiz (3B) January 19, 2015 To Houston AstrosLuis Valbuena (IF) Dan Straily (RHP) To Chicago CubsDexter Fowler (CF)
Spring training After a five-year gap in contact with the Astros organization, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell accepted a formal invitation from Hinch to be a guest instructor in spring training.
Regular season
Summary Just two years removed from a 111-loss season, the Astros unexpectedly rebounded to start the 2015 season at 18–7 while occupying first place in the AL West for 139 days.
April
+ Opening Day starting lineup Player Position 27 Jose Altuve Second baseman 4 4 George Springer Right fielder 2 18 Luis Valbuena Third baseman 1 11 Evan Gattis Designated hitter 1 23 Chris Carter First baseman 1 15 Jason Castro Catcher 4 8 Jed Lowrie Shortstop 1 28 Colby Rasmus Left fielder 1 6 Jake Marisnick Center fielder 1 60 Dallas Keuchel Pitcher 1 Venue: Minute Maid Park • Final: Houston 2, Cleveland 0 Sources:
On Opening Day, April 6, the Astros hosted the Cleveland Indians, where southpaw Dallas Keuchel made his first Opening Day start for Houston, opposite reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Both hurlers tossed at least 7 innings with just three hits surrendered; however, Keuchel led Houston to a 2–0 combined shutout triumph. In the bottom of the sixth, Jose Altuve singled, purloined second base, and scored on George Springer's run batted in (RBI)-single for Houston's first run of the campaign. Tony Sipp worked the eighth with two whiffs to earn the hold, followed by closer Luke Gregerson, who got the final three outs to convert the save.
Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski (0–1) made his major league debut on April 9, starting the bout and ceding four runs on eight hits in four-plus innings as the Astros fell to Cleveland, 5–1. However, Wojciechowski was nearly juxtaposed on the losing end of a combined no-hitter started by Trevor Bauer (1–0), followed by Kyle Crockett, Scott Atchison, and Nick Hagadone. With out in the bottom of the ninth, Jed Lowrie's home run broke up the no-hit and shutout bids. Though the Astros lineup coxed seven base on balls, they were struck out 16 times, including a career-high of 11 by Bauer.
On April 14, right fielder George Springer's over-the-wall catch robbed Leonys Martín of a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Astros won, 6–4, over the Texas Rangers in 14 innings.
For the month of April, Keuchel was recognized as the AL's Pitcher of the Month, having produced a 3–0 win–loss record (W–L) and an 0.73 earned run average (ERA) over five games started. Keuchel became Houston's first Pitcher of the Month Award winner since Wandy Rodríguez in July .
May Catalyzed by Evan Gattis' two-home run game on May 3, the Astros clinched an 8–7 triumph over the Seattle Mariners. The win, which moved the Astros to 18–7 on the season, introduced a new franchise record over their first 25 games of the season. Meanwhile, Altuve batted .467 (14-for-30), seven runs, eight RBI, five doubles, and one home run, while sharing AL Player of the Week honors with Josh Reddick of the Oakland Athletics on May 3. Altuve also enjoyed an 11-game hitting streak that spanned April 21—May 2.
On May 6, Will Harris surrendered a seventh inning home run to Carlos Peguero—one of two by Peguero—as the Rangers won, 11–3. The home run snapped Harris' scoreless innings streak at over 26 games, the longest-active in the majors. Adrián Beltré fell a home run short of hitting for the cycle while starter Colby Lewis (2–2) tossed 8 innings with one run allowed as the Rangers swept the three-game set following the Astros' 10 straight winning series. Samuel Deduno (0–1), making his second start for Houston after five appearances in relief, took the loss after yielding career-highs of 11 hits and 10 runs in innings.
After Springer suffered a concussion, the Astros selected outfielder Preston Tucker from Fresno to the major league roster on May 6, and he made his major league debut the following day, versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Trailing 2–0 going into the ninth inning, Angels closer Huston Street (2–1) allowed consecutive run-scoring singles to Jake Marisnick and Tucker. It was also Tucker's first major league hit, which he augmented by drawing a walk. Altuve beat a potential inning-ending double play to score Jonathan Villar for the decisive run as the Astros came back to win, 3–2.
Lance McCullers Jr. made his major league debut on May 18 as the starting pitcher versus the Oakland Athletics, surrendering one run, three hits, three walks, and struck out five over innings. In the sixth, Brett Lawrie hit a tie-breaking RBI single and the Oakland bullpen tossed scoreless frames to hold on to a 2–1 win. They improved to 2–13 in one-run games to snap a four-game losing streak while ending the Astros' five-game winning streak. McCullers earned his first major league win on May 23 to lead a 3–2 win over the Detroit Tigers, backed by a 5–4–3 triple play.
For the month of May, Keuchel repeated as AL Pitcher of the Month, becoming the first pitcher since Johan Santana won two monthly awards in . Moreover, Keuchel joined Randy Johnson () and Andy Pettitte ()—also lefties—as the only Astros hurlers to win the award more than once during the same season. Keuchel went 4–1 W–L in six May starts, produced a 2.62 ERA and 38 strikeouts in innings while surrendering a .223 batting average against, and closed the month with successive complete games, including a four-hit, 11-strikeout shutout of the White Sox at Minute Maid Park. He tied for first in complete games for the month, tied for fourth in wins, and ranked eighth in strikeouts and ninth in ERA.
June On June 3, the Astros overcame the Baltimore Orioles, 3–1, led by McCullers' first career complete game in his fourth start to go along with a first-time 11 strikeouts. Chris Carter led the Astros offense with home runs in the second and fifth innings for his 11th career multi-home run game and extend a season-high 11-game hitting streak. George Springer hit another home run in the sixth as the Astros improved to 21–0 in multi-home run games. This win set another record start in franchise history at 34–20.