Top 10 Houston Astros of All Time

Today we will be ranking the top 10 Houston Astros of all time, active players are not eligible for the list.

10) Brad Ausmus

While he was always more of a defensive player for Houston, he did have his shining offensive moments in 2004 when he batted .308 against left-handed pitchers and .333 in the NLDS that same season. Ausmus is on this list because of his ability to handle a pitching staff and defensively he was brilliant.

2005 NLDS Gm4: Ausmus homers to tie game in 9th

9) Jose Cruz

Cruz played with the Houston Astros for 12 seasons from 1975-1987, posting two All-Star and Silver Slugger worthy seasons during his time with the franchise. Cruz’s career .284 average and 165 home runs with over 1,000 RBI may not be good enough for the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame, but it is good enough to make him an all-time top 10 Houston Astro.

Jose Cruz highlight on AT&T broadcast (10/2021)

8) Larry Dierker

Dierker spent 12 of his 13 MLB seasons with the club as a player and came back to manage the team from 1997-2001. His playing days consisted of nine seasons with double-digit wins, leading the team in ERA four different years during his days as an Astro.

Larry Dierker completes no-hitter vs. Expos

7) Jimmy Wynn

His small stature and big-time pop on the bat earned him the “Toy Cannon” nickname, despite being 5’8″ he was able to record 291 career home runs. His largest single-season output was 37 dingers in just his fourth major league season for the Astros.

Houston Astro’s Jimmy Wynn tribute 07/10/2021

6) Roy Oswalt

Oswalt was the winning pitcher in the NLCS clincher in 2005, sending the Astros to their first World Series. The three-time All-Star finished in the top five in Cy Young voting five times.

Roy Oswalt Career Highlights

5) Roger Clemens

Pitching just three seasons in Houston, he won a Cy Young award and helped the Astros to their first World Series appearance. Clemens was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history.

Clemens hurls seven shutout frames in debut

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4) Nolan Ryan

Seven of his eight years with the team, Ryan had double-digit wins and an ERA rarely above the low 3.00 area. That was especially true in 1981, where the hurler posted a microscopic 1.69 ERA over 21 games started. Ryan was a three-time All-Star selection during his time with the Astros, contributing heavily to the three playoff appearances by the team during his tenure.

1986 NLCS Gm5: Nolan Ryan strikes out 12

3) Craig Biggio

Biggio was a seven-time All-Star, four-time Golden Glove Award Winner, and five-time Silver Slugger during his 20 years in the league. Biggio was a consistent player for his twenty-year career and could do it all.

Craig Biggio Career Highlights

2) Lance Berkman

Almost 1,200 RBI, over 350 home runs, and a career .296 batting average. Almost all of those RBI and home runs were during his 11 seasons in Houston on the team’s way to four playoff births during his time with the club. Berkman was clutch as a player and in a big situation you wanted Berkman up to bat.

Lance Berkman Career Highlights

1) Jeff Bagwell

In a brilliant 15-year career, Bagwell hit 449 home runs, won rookie of the year, was named MVP in 1994, played in four All-Star games, won three Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove. He led the team to six playoff appearances during his time with the Astros.

Jeff Bagwell Career Highlights