By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

The theme for the Houston Astros as they descend on Osceola County Stadium for another spring training might as well be, “Come Watch These Kids Play.”

The word “young” is a common theme around what projects as the 25-man roster the team will take back to Houston at the end of the month after a 17-game Grapefruit League season in Kissimmee.

The projected starters at first and third base and catcher weren’t even on major-league rosters last Opening Day – and Brett Wallace wasn’t even in the organization. The first baseman came from the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-team trade that sent veteran pitcher Roy Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies last July, and the rookie became the starter when Lance Berkman was traded the next day to the New York Yankees.

With Berkman and Oswalt gone, the Astros lost their longtime identity. But, the team has committed to forming a new one behind its fresh faces.

For example, Chris Johnson started 89 games at third base and made the most of his opportunity, batting .308 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs. Jason Castro, the team’s 2008 first-round draft pick (10th overall) is slated to be the starting catcher, and his continued improvement, along with the other infield rookies, will be critical to Houston’s success.

There is some veteran presence around the diamond. Shortstop Clint Barmes arrived via trade from Colorado and second baseman Bill Hall, who came to camp a couple days late (with a good excuse, he became a father for the first time right before camp) signed a free-agent deal and solidify the middle. And the outfield is solid from left (Carlos “El Caballo” Lee, looking for a rebound season on offense) to center (2010 Gold Glove winner Michael Bourn and his 52 stolen bases) to right (Hunter Pence, 25 HRs, 91 RBIs).

For the first time since 2002, Oswalt won’t start Opening Day for the Astros, but the team has a fine replacement for that duty in Brett Myers, who did that from 2007-09 for Philadelphia. He had a good 2010 season (14-8, 3.14 ERA, 180 strikeouts), and Wandy Rodriguez (11-12, 3.60), Bud Norris (9-10, 4.92) and J.A. Happ (6-4, 3.40 in 16 starts after coming from the Phillies in the Oswalt deal) were solid to passable, making Manager Brad Mills and pitching coach Brad Arnsberg’s biggest challenge putting together a solid bullpen.

Speaking of challenges, the stadium staff’s been charged with one: marketing a team devoid of marquee names. The result: some special ticket packages.

Dates against the Florida Marlins (today), Washington Nationals (March 16), Detroit Tigers (March 21) and Tampa Bay Rays (March 24) are “2 for $27” days, offering a pair of outfield reserved seats, hot dogs and fountain drinks.

Those dates, as well as dates with the Mets (Tuesday) and Nationals (March 10) are “All You Can Eat” games, offering a ticket and unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, water and sodas through the seventh inning.

Houston plays four split-squad games, and a “4 for $40” pack offers a ticket for each one.

Single game tickets are the same as last year. Box seats go for $24 (infield) and $22 (outfield). Upper-level reserved seats are $20 and $15 (outfield), and on days the 5,300 seats sell out, $10 standing room tickets will be available. Games against the St. Louis Cardinals (Friday), Yankees (Sunday) and Phillies (March 21) are “premium” games and tickets are an extra $3.

Houston was 0-2 Tuesday after Atlanta blanked the Astros, 3-0, at Osceola Stadium in Houston’s Grapefruit League home opener. The Braves beat the Astros 13-3 Monday at Champion Stadium.