Area of struggle: After posting an .842 OPS in 2023, McCormick endured a stark drop in production. He slashed .211/.271/.306 with five home runs in 94 games. Tucker’s injury, Meyers’ modest offense and Alvarez’s limited availability in left field all provided avenues for McCormick to command playing time, but his struggles prevented it. A cause was difficult to pinpoint. McCormick said for much of the season he felt he was getting hittable pitches and missing them. He slugged .316 against fastballs after slugging .521 on them in 2023. He also missed most of May due to a hamstring injury and the final 18 games of the regular season with a right hand fracture.

Key question: What is the plan in center field? Last winter, Brown announced the Astros’ intent to give Meyers a shot at being their everyday center fielder, voicing hope that Meyers could make strides as a hitter. Meyers owned an .849 OPS at the end of May. He then hit .190 with a .562 OPS over the rest of the season. That McCormick did not supplant Meyers in the second half reflected his own struggles.