MLB analyst pinpoints three veterans key to the Astros returning to form

Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and Christian Walker are crucial to Houston's 2026 success.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Houston Astros had a disappointing 2025 season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016 due to a rash of injuries to key players like Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes, and Jeremy Pena. MLB.com's Jared Greenspan believes the Astros' return to form in 2026 will hinge on the performance of three veteran hitters: Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and Christian Walker.

Why it matters

The Astros have been one of the most consistent and successful teams in baseball over the past several seasons, making the playoffs in six of the last seven years. Their failure to reach the postseason in 2025 was a rare stumble, and they'll be looking to get back on track in 2026 to maintain their status as an AL powerhouse.

The details

Alvarez, Correa, and Walker are all key cogs in the Astros' lineup. Alvarez is projected to post a 156 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR if he can stay healthy after missing 113 games last year due to hand and ankle injuries. Correa looked rejuvenated after returning to Houston at the trade deadline, posting a .785 OPS. And a bounce-back season from Walker could help make the Astros' lineup elite.

  • The Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in the 2025 season.
  • Yordan Alvarez missed 113 games, Isaac Paredes missed 63, and Jeremy Pena missed 37 games in 2025 due to injuries.
  • Carlos Correa posted a .785 OPS after returning to the Astros at the trade deadline in 2025.

The players

Yordan Alvarez

One of the best hitters in baseball, Alvarez is projected to post a 156 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR in 2026 if he can stay healthy after missing 113 games in 2025 due to hand and ankle injuries.

Carlos Correa

The star shortstop looked rejuvenated after returning to the Astros at the trade deadline in 2025, posting a .785 OPS.

Christian Walker

A potential bounce-back season from Walker could help make the Astros' lineup elite in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The club has 11 different players projected to have a 99 wRC+ or better, with Yordan Alvarez leading the way. Hand and ankle injuries limited Alvarez to just 48 games last year, but he's one of the game's best hitters when healthy; FanGraphs projects him to post 4.4 WAR and a 156 wRC+ in the new season. Carlos Correa -- who posted a .785 OPS and looked rejuvenated after returning to Houston at the Deadline last summer -- and a potential bounce-back from Christian Walker would help make this lineup elite.”

— Jared Greenspan, MLB.com analyst (MLB.com)

The takeaway

The Astros' ability to bounce back in 2026 will hinge on the health and production of their star hitters, particularly Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and Christian Walker. If those three veterans can stay on the field and perform at a high level, Houston should be able to reclaim its spot as one of the top teams in the American League.