The top two catchers for the Astros in 2008 are expected to be J.R. Towles and Brad Ausmus. Towles joined the Astros at the end of the 2007 campaign and hit .375 in 14 games for Houston. The 38-year-old Ausmus is entering his tenth season as a member of the Astros.

Roy Oswalt headlines the pitchers this season for the Astros. Oswalt has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since he entered the big leagues in 2001. Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams and Brandon Backe are expected to join Oswalt in the starting rotation.

The bullpen is led by the newly-acquired Jose Valverde. Valverde, who led all of baseball in saves last season while with the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be the closer in 2008.

The Astros are holding their spring training in Kissimmee, Florida and will play their first spring training games on Feb. 28 against the Cleveland Indians.

Post from: EveryJoe

Houston Astros Spring Training Begins Thursday

Towles has a chance be opening day starting catcher for the Astros in 2008. While Towles doesn’t have much big league experience, he did impress last season in the 14 games he played for Houston. During that time, he hit .375 and had one homerun and 12 RBIs.

The 6-foot-2 Towles will be 24-years-old on opening day. Brad Ausmus, who has spent nine of his 16 seasons as a catcher for the Astros, will also return to the team for a tenth season.

Post from: EveryJoe

Astros Catcher J.R. Towles