Astros 2023 MLB Season Predictions: Record, Team MVP, Breakout Player

The staff at Inside the Astros takes a shot at predicting the Houston Astros season record, team MVP, and other accolades.

It's Baseball Eve! At least that's what we like to call it here around Inside the Astros. Opening Day is nearly upon us.

As such, we thought it pertinent, if not fun, to try and make a few predictions. Of course you can always refer to this at the end of the season to tell us just how right (or more likely wrong) we were here at the end of March!

Season Record:

Kade Kistner: 91-71

You can yell at me all you want, but I don't think the Houston Astros break 100-wins this season. It's not that I don't think they aren't the favorites to win the American League West, or even the entire AL, I just think it's a harder path this season.

For starters, losing Justin Verlander to the New York Mets hurts, no matter how you spin it. Factor in the loss of Jose Altuve for two months, and the lack of hitting from the catcher's spot, and it's not quite the same dominant team from last season. They are still World Series favorites, it's just not going to be an absolute cake walk this year. 

It's also worth noting that the division has gotten stronger this winter. The Seattle Mariners are true contenders, you can never count out the Los Angeles Angels led by Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, and the Texas Rangers might just have one of the best rotations in baseball. 

Andy Jasner: 99-63

Denton Ramsey: 105-57

Home Run Leader:

Kade Kistner: The entire staff is in agreement on this one: Yordan Álvarez. The slugger is capable of hitting 40-plus home runs every season and his 2022 year, in which he finished third in the AL MVP race, seems like he was just getting started. 

He hit 37 home runs last season, I am thinking he leads the team with 43 this year. It was an easy pick.

Andy Jasner: Yordan Álvarez

Denton Ramsey: Yordan Álvarez

Breakout Candidate:

Kade Kistner: This was another easy one for the staff here at Inside the Astros as well all picked right-hander Hunter Brown. He will start the season in the rotation as Lance McCullers Jr. works his way back from injury. 

He got his taste of the Major League last season and went 20.1 innings with a 0.89 ERA. That won't happen this season, but a sub-3.50 ERA and 120 innings could be on the horizon. If Houston can get anything close to that from their top prospect they will be ecstatic. 

It's only up from here for Brown.

Andy Jasner: Hunter Brown

Denton Ramsey: Hunter Brown

Team MVP:

Kade Kistner: I debated for a while on this one and I am the only one on the staff who chose a pitcher and I am going with Framber Valdez. After losing Verlander, Valdez must step up into the "ace" role and lead the pitching staff.

He is incredibly talented and no moment seems too big. I like Valdez to lead the way and re-define who he is in this league. This is the year he goes from "great" to one of the top pitchers in baseball. 

He will become the heart and soul of this Astros roster. 

Andy Jasner: Jeremy Peña
Denton Ramsey: Kyle Tucker

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

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