Strikeouts were once a part of the Astros offensive identity. It once appeared that Houston’s front office didn’t mind the strikeouts. As long as there were above average skills in the equation (power, defense, pitch framing), the strikeouts were viewed as a small price to pay.
Look no further than the examples of Chris Carter and Jason Castro. Both possessed a notable propensity to strike out more than their fellow batsman.
Carter K% with the Astros: 33.7 K%
Castro K% with the Astros: 27.4 K%
But each had skills that allowed teams to employ them in nearly everyday roles.