View Full Version : Hunter Pence
bchapman101
03-08-2007, 09:47 PM
well Hunter Pence is having an INCREDIBLE spring. Its ridiculous, like .700 with some homers. We all know he had fantastic numbers in A and AA. But guess who is having a good spring as well?? Yes, freaking Jason Lane. Do you know what that means???? It means Tim Purpura is going to send Pence to AAA and Jason Lane, the king of pop-ups, and his sub .200 average are going to make the club. Hopefully I am wrong, and Pence at least makes it as a platoon guy. If Lane makes it, and Pence does not, well then Tim Purpura (go eat another sandwich) will prove to be even more stubborn than JVG, and far far far less intelligent.
rikesh316
03-08-2007, 09:51 PM
It doesn't make a lot of sense that to use Pence as a platoon guy versus lefties since he would only get 1 or 2 starts a week. Rather have him in AAA where he could more seasoning. He needs to learn be more patient. With that being said, I doubt Pence makes the opening day lineup. Lane is out of options and the Purpura LOVES him for some reason. While I agree Pence could be very good, it makes no sense to use him as a platoon guy.
The Real Shady
03-08-2007, 09:52 PM
Pense will get called up in June so the astros will get another year before he's eligible for arbitration. It sucks, but it's a smart move.
rikesh316
03-08-2007, 09:57 PM
Pense will get called up in June so the astros will get another year before he's eligible for arbitration. It sucks, but it's a smart move.
You sure that true? I thought if you play anytime during the season, it counts toward your MLB service time because I remember when Seattle was getting ripped a couple of years ago for considering not bringing up King Felix in September because they didn't start his MLB service.
http://groups.msn.com/BaseballForum/mlbgeneraltransactionrules.msnw
Roxfan73
03-08-2007, 09:57 PM
Pense will get called up in June so the astros will get another year before he's eligible for arbitration. It sucks, but it's a smart move.
You're right. Also, if Lane has a good start, he could be part of a deal to acquire more pitcnig.
rhino17
03-08-2007, 10:08 PM
Rather have him in AAA where he could more seasoning. He needs to learn be more patient.
Im sick of the astros not callling player up until they are 28-30. At that age, guys like Lane and Scott are no long prospects. A guy like Pence would have a starting job on another team by the age of 23/24, but why dont the astros give him a chance. The astros are too patient and need to let younger guys get the time they earned
RocketFan007
03-08-2007, 10:19 PM
Im sick of the astros not callling player up until they are 28-30. At that age, guys like Lane and Scott are no long prospects. A guy like Pence would have a starting job on another team by the age of 23/24, but why dont the astros give him a chance. The astros are too patient and need to let younger guys get the time they earned
Pence is 23. The worst case scenario is he's our starting CF next year on Opening Day at 24.
bobrek
03-08-2007, 10:27 PM
Im sick of the astros not callling player up until they are 28-30. At that age, guys like Lane and Scott are no long prospects. A guy like Pence would have a starting job on another team by the age of 23/24, but why dont the astros give him a chance. The astros are too patient and need to let younger guys get the time they earned
It is hard to argue with the Astros success over the past 12 years. Since they are almost always contending well into September they don't have the luxury of throwing rookies out there on a regular basis.
Also, the Astros have started plenty of guys younger than 28-30.
rocketlaunch
03-08-2007, 10:59 PM
Pence is 23. The worst case scenario is he's our starting CF next year on Opening Day at 24.
next season opening day he is 24 for about 10 days. The astros are known for holding back guys. If he is your top prospect he should not be a 24 year old aaa player. Go look at the top players around the league and when they came up. Especially the younger guys in the league right now.
I believe drayton does this to not have to give out many contracts to his top guys.
rhino17
03-08-2007, 11:45 PM
It is hard to argue with the Astros success over the past 12 years. Since they are almost always contending well into September they don't have the luxury of throwing rookies out there on a regular basis.
True, but I'd still like them to give some younger players a shot.
Major
03-08-2007, 11:46 PM
. The astros are too patient and need to let younger guys get the time they earned
Well, except for Berkman, Oswalt, Wade Miller, Carlos Hernandez, Fernando Nieve, Matt Albers, Willy Taveras, Chris Burke, Daryle Ward, Bobby Abreu, Richard Hidalgo, and on and on and on. I believe all of those came up at 24 yrs old or younger.
Zac D
03-08-2007, 11:56 PM
next season opening day he is 24 for about 10 days. The astros are known for holding back guys. If he is your top prospect he should not be a 24 year old aaa player. Go look at the top players around the league and when they came up. Especially the younger guys in the league right now.
I believe drayton does this to not have to give out many contracts to his top guys.
D'you really think 200 at-bats in the majors over the course of a year will do more for Pence's development than 500, plus a full year of regular defensive work, in AAA?
robbie380
03-09-2007, 01:21 AM
Im sick of the astros not callling player up until they are 28-30. At that age, guys like Lane and Scott are no long prospects. A guy like Pence would have a starting job on another team by the age of 23/24, but why dont the astros give him a chance. The astros are too patient and need to let younger guys get the time they earned
are you just complaining for the sake of complaining?
The Cat
03-09-2007, 01:34 AM
I believe drayton does this to not have to give out many contracts to his top guys.
That's one of the funniest things I've ever read. You do realize that almost all young players, regardless of their skill, make next to nothing (relative to MLB salaries) their first few seasons in the league, right? Having a young prospect take a starting spot instead of a veteran saves you money.
The astros are known for holding back guys.
To quote Major, like Berkman, Oswalt, Wade Miller, Carlos Hernandez, Fernando Nieve, Matt Albers, Willy Taveras, Chris Burke, Daryle Ward, Bobby Abreu, Richard Hidalgo and others? What happened there?
kevwun
03-09-2007, 09:04 AM
Hidalgo isn't going to make the team. Either Scott or Lane will go in to the crapper when the season starts. It's pretty much a given. They might both struggle. Pence will get called up after a month or 2 to platoon with the Scott or Lane. If Scott keeps doing well, I can't complain. That means that next year we'll have one hell of an outfield when Burke is back at second for good.
The only way Pence should make the team is if he's starting... and I thought everybody was firmly on the Luke Scott bandwagon. Also, there's an outside chance that Burke completely flops in CF, and they bring in Pence to play that position everyday... but then what do you do with Burke? (especially since they now have Loretta).
This is literally the first year of the TP era that there are legitimate lineup options throughout the field. We didn't have Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta last year... that means they take playing time away from two guys who saw a lot of it last year.
And if we do need Pence to be our next CF after this season, he needs to be in CF everyday in AAA to ensure it.
Austin70
03-09-2007, 09:22 AM
Well, he is #52 on Foxsports top 100 hot prospects. link (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6530718)
Joe Joe
03-09-2007, 10:46 AM
That's one of the funniest things I've ever read. You do realize that almost all young players, regardless of their skill, make next to nothing (relative to MLB salaries) their first few seasons in the league, right? Having a young prospect take a starting spot instead of a veteran saves you money.
I think his point is that if the Astros wait till a player is very well developed before bringing him up, the Astros will have some of the player's best years under a controlled salary. So while the vet today that could provide similar production to the player's rookie year is much cheaper, six years down the road, the Astros could be saving several million with the rookie still under their control.
The Astros will also have a better idea of whether a player is worthy of an extention well before that time hits if they don't bring players up early. Hidalgo is one of the few players the Astros overpaid in their first big contract and it looked like a pretty sweet deal at the time. The Stros got Catoed on that one.
The Astros do not like starting MLB service while a player still needs a lot of learning except out of extreme need or Rule V , imho. I don't think the Astros have a problem bringing guys up that are well developed since they are getting good to great performance very early. I do believe the Astros are a little more cautious than some other teams with moving position players with holes in their game through their minor league system. The teams that provide on the job training at MLB level generally don't have guys above them that keep them down and are generally below the Astros in standings.
I was surprised not to see Pence last year in Round Rock towards end of season.
Austin70
03-09-2007, 02:06 PM
He is 2 for 3 with a double, rbi and one K.
bobrek
03-09-2007, 02:08 PM
He is 2 for 3 with a double, rbi and one K.
Cut him...his average has dropped today....
bobrek
03-09-2007, 02:29 PM
3-4 today, but his average has still dropped.
McGradyFTW
03-09-2007, 02:29 PM
I do think its funny that a guy can go 2-3* in a day and it DROPS his average.
*now hes 3-4
weslinder
03-09-2007, 03:19 PM
3-4 today, but his average has still dropped.
Trade him now while his stock is high!!
bobrek
03-09-2007, 03:20 PM
Trade him now while his stock is high!!
He had the opportunity to raise his average because he got that 5th at bat, but he couldn't come through - typical Astros choke.
I love the mediots bringing up people like Wright and Pujols to say that the Astros "always" bring their guys up too slow. The average age of a rookie that starts the season on a ML club ain't 24, mediots -- it's 27 or 28 (last I heard). Those phenoms are the exception, not the rule: hence the term, "phenom".
Additionally, the Astros have brought their phenoms up like every other team. Roy Oswalt, for example, says hi.
The best take, still, on this comes from Mr. Turgidson:
The fans - helped in no small part by mediots like Charlie Palillo - always have their shiny new plaything that's going to solve all the team's problems. If they're successful, it's "I told you so". When they're not, well, let's just forget about that.
Last year, it was Jason Hirsh, Ben Zobrist & Hunter Pence. Two of those 3 got their shot, how'd that turn out?
Before that, it was Chris Burke & Luke Scott. How'd they do in '05? Combined to hit about .230.
Before that, the guy that the Astros "HAVE TO FIND A SPOT FOR", was...
wait for it...
Jason Lane, who now "HAS TO BE RELEASED".
Ottomaton
03-09-2007, 04:50 PM
For perspecitve:
Spring stats for Morgan Ensberg:
AVG: .471
SLG: .941
OBP: .550
and Jason Lane:
AVG: .348
SLG: .826
OBP: .423
I'm not saying that Hunter Pence is a bum, but his numbers don't necessarily mean anything.
Storm Surge
03-09-2007, 05:19 PM
spring = poor pitchers
I don't put much stock in spring, esp. when evaluating what they will do in the Majors.
rocketfat
03-09-2007, 05:20 PM
I love the mediots bringing up people like Wright and Pujols to say that the Astros "always" bring their guys up too slow. The average age of a rookie that starts the season on a ML club ain't 24, mediots -- it's 27 or 28 (last I heard). Those phenoms are the exception, not the rule: hence the term, "phenom".
Additionally, the Astros have brought their phenoms up like every other team. Roy Oswalt, for example, says hi.
The best take, still, on this comes from Mr. Turgidson:
there's nothing wrong with wanting to see some new blood out there playing for your team. that's what gives a fan hope.
it is also idiotic to think that bringing up a player to the big leagues "too early" (whatever that means) will automatically destroy their career.
bobrek
03-09-2007, 05:38 PM
there's nothing wrong with wanting to see some new blood out there playing for your team. that's what gives a fan hope.
it is also idiotic to think that bringing up a player to the big leagues "too early" (whatever that means) will automatically destroy their career.
It may give a fan hope, but fans of the Astros have been treated to teams contending well into September for most of the past 12 years. Many teams need "hope" to keep their fans interested. The Astros have relied on contending for playoff spots to keep their fans interested, all the while bringing up young (< 25 years old) players on a fairly regular basis.
David Clyde is certainly the prime example of having a career "destroyed" by being called up too early. Is it automatic - no.
Of course there are some fans who think giving up a game winning HR in the playoffs can destroy a career.
JeopardE
03-09-2007, 06:31 PM
For perspecitve:
Spring stats for Morgan Ensberg:
AVG: .471
SLG: .941
OBP: .550
and Jason Lane:
AVG: .348
SLG: .826
OBP: .423
I'm not saying that Hunter Pence is a bum, but his numbers don't necessarily mean anything.
They do mean something -- going .750 in over 25 at-bats is definitely not "nothing". I'm not saying he's a lock to be a consistent stud-hitter, but you can't just dismiss his stats.
Also, if Mo's shoulder (was it his shoulder) is finally healed like he says, then we shouldn't be surprised to see his numbers bounce back up this season either. Lane on the other hand ... no comment.
Aceshigh7
03-09-2007, 06:57 PM
They do mean something -- going .750 in over 25 at-bats is definitely not "nothing". I'm not saying he's a lock to be a consistent stud-hitter, but you can't just dismiss his stats.
Also, if Mo's shoulder (was it his shoulder) is finally healed like he says, then we shouldn't be surprised to see his numbers bounce back up this season either. Lane on the other hand ... no comment.
Mo's poor last couple of months of 05 and the playoffs were attributed to his injury. Supposedly he came into 06 completely healed. Well, we all know how much he sucked in 06. Mo has got to prove he can do the job before I give him the benefit of the doubt again. For my money, i'd rather have Lamb starting at 3rd. He's alot more consistent.
People claiming the Astros are too cheap to bring up Pence are ridiculous.
If they were so cheap, why did they sign a guy to a 100 million dollar deal to play a position that Pence potentially could be at (ie - Carlos Lee).
Ottomaton
03-09-2007, 07:35 PM
going .750 in over 25 at-bats is definitely not "nothing". I'm not saying he's a lock to be a consistent stud-hitter, but you can't just dismiss his stats.
Why is his 25 at bats different from Jason Lane's 26?
Xenon
03-09-2007, 08:34 PM
People claiming the Astros are too cheap to bring up Pence are ridiculous.
If they were so cheap, why did they sign a guy to a 100 million dollar deal to play a position that Pence potentially could be at (ie - Carlos Lee).
I don't think they're cheap. I just think they're stupid if they don't give Pence a shot this season.
russian88
03-09-2007, 09:27 PM
Trade Lane now while his stock (lmao) is high, maybe the Stros can find some sucker team to make a deal for a decent left hand reliever, trevor miller scares me. Pence should be given the start for a few games in April.
there's nothing wrong with wanting to see some new blood out there playing for your team. that's what gives a fan hope.
Like bobrek said, it's the numerous playoff appearances and the fact that the organization as a whole is run extremely well and remains extremely competitive that gives me "hope".
it is also idiotic to think that bringing up a player to the big leagues "too early" (whatever that means) will automatically destroy their career.
Agreed; now, who said that?
I don't think they're cheap. I just think they're stupid if they don't give Pence a shot this season.
Who do you think he should replace in the OF? Burke or Scott?
Just two years ago, THEY were the ones that caused people to say "the Astros are stupid if they don't give _____ a shot this season."
The bottom line is that the guy should not be up here if he isn't playing everyday... and since they got Carlos Lee, there isn't a wide open position on the field for him to take.
Xenon
03-10-2007, 02:36 AM
Who do you think he should replace in the OF? Burke or Scott?
Just two years ago, THEY were the ones that caused people to say "the Astros are stupid if they don't give _____ a shot this season."
The bottom line is that the guy should not be up here if he isn't playing everyday... and since they got Carlos Lee, there isn't a wide open position on the field for him to take.
Burke
Burke
Burke is in there as a guy who gives you the only chance to have a true "top of the order-type" guy... as he's shown to be far more productive when he bats near the top of the lineup (where he actually does a decent job as being selective with pitches, and can steal some bases), rather than the #6 or 7 spot.
To start the year, Garner will probably bat him second... but I wouldn't be suprised to see him bat leadoff, and have whichever guy is struggling more (Ensberg or Luke) bat second, while moving Biggio (and his quest for 3000) down to 6th.
If you don't have Burke in there, you have a lineup with ZERO team speed, and its going to be a long year of waiting for the long ball to bail you out. I like the versatility Burke gives this team at the plate.
To start the year, Garner will probably bat him second... but I wouldn't be suprised to see him bat leadoff, and have whichever guy is struggling more (Ensberg or Luke) bat second, while moving Biggio (and his quest for 3000) down to 6th.
If Bigg bats 6 then does it cost him potential ABs in 'The Quest'?
What is Bigg's hitting history at different spots in the 'order?
When (Heaven forbid 'if') Bigg gets #3000 then what becomes of
Bigg - gee - oh?
Joe Joe
03-10-2007, 09:57 AM
Just two years ago, THEY were the ones that caused people to say "the Astros are stupid if they don't give _____ a shot this season."
And a few years before that it was Berkman. I'm not for bringing up position players to the majors straight from AA (outside of rare occasions), but I'm not a fan of this type of argument because there are always players that justify getting called up and others that do not.
Pence is his own man. Spring Training is not a good barometer...especially this early. If Pence were to force his way onto the team, it should probably be at Biggio's expense (Not that I expect this would ever happen). I do expect Pence to get his shot in September or earlier if their are injuries.
On Burke and Scott, I expect both to have good years despite their poor showing so far in ST. Scott may end up in a platoon situation if Lane has a good year.
rezdawg
03-10-2007, 03:49 PM
1-1 today.
russian88
03-10-2007, 04:01 PM
LOL yankee fans are wanting this guy.
vator
03-10-2007, 04:44 PM
Wow, he is really showing that he deserves a roster spot on the big club. I hope they are taking notice and do the right thing. Guys like Jason Lane for example have had their chances and disappointed over and over agains so this is the perfect opportunity to give Hunter a shot.
MykTek
03-10-2007, 05:28 PM
If Hunter isn't starting full time, I rather have him at AAA getting AB's daily...I think he's gonna start there anyway and play some CF....He'll be playing there and Hildago will be in right and prob Jimerson in left....
leaving our OF with Lee, Burke, Scott, Lane, Anderson and Palmiero.
Aceshigh7
03-10-2007, 05:51 PM
Anderson isn't gonna make this team.
Shroopy2
03-10-2007, 08:25 PM
(photo from an article)
http://junkcharts.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/nytrookies.gif
Hunter Pence turns 24 next month.
He'd be right on schedule if he made the club now.
Wow, he is really showing that he deserves a roster spot on the big club. I hope they are taking notice and do the right thing. Guys like Jason Lane for example have had their chances and disappointed over and over agains so this is the perfect opportunity to give Hunter a shot.
Jason Lane is fighting for a bench spot... Pence shouldn't be even considered for a bench spot.
Its Pence vs. Luke Scott and Chris Burke. The latter two have the inside track, but I wouldn't rule out a move being made during the first month of the season if they both get off to a slow start (along with the rest of the offense).
Supermac34
03-10-2007, 09:49 PM
You either get Pence up with 300 at bats at the major league level this season, or let him start in AAA.
I think it would hurt him to bring him up and have him ride the pine. So if you think he's good enough, he's out there every other day at least at the major league level...no half measures.
ROXRAN
03-12-2007, 01:05 AM
Very true..., I want to see this kid out there smashing the ball...And if not, next year at the latest.
DaDakota
03-12-2007, 10:17 AM
You either get Pence up with 300 at bats at the major league level this season, or let him start in AAA.
I think it would hurt him to bring him up and have him ride the pine. So if you think he's good enough, he's out there every other day at least at the major league level...no half measures.
Being as I have season tickets to the Round Rock Express, I want to see Pence at AAA this year......
He needs to play....if he continues to smoke it...bring him up after Biggio gets his record.
Burke should be the regular 2bman anyway.
DD
franchise?..NOT
03-12-2007, 11:15 AM
Pence is insurance. Knowing he is a 45 minute plane ride away should motivate Burke, Scott and Lane. tha is not a bad thing and is kind of like a quarterback controversy waiting to happen for us fickle fans.
candlegreen
03-12-2007, 12:15 PM
Please don't try to let Spring Training statistics be THE measurements of how a person really is. Of course, the power and that stuff is a good measurement, but you also have to know that pitchers normally only throw fastballs early in spring training. We don't know how Pence does with pitches vary and how he times the breaking pitches. He's getting mostly straight fastballs in different locations so his timing was never really challenged.
In all likelihood, Pence starts in AAA and everyone prays for Biggio to get a fast start.... However, if Biggio gets hot early, which he always seem to do, then there's no way that the Astros replaces him unless he gets on a huge slump.
At any rate, I want Scott to play well and I want Burke to play well. There will be a place for Pence and he needs to work on becoming at least an average center fielder.
rodrick_98
03-14-2007, 12:02 AM
garner, you're way too stubborn.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/4627416.html
Garner says Pence isn't top candidate for RF job
Highly rated prospect seems likely to start season at Class AAA Round Rock
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Despite all the hype top prospect Hunter Pence is getting for his hot start to spring training, Phil Garner made it clear that the slugging outfielder isn't a contender at this point for the Astros' open spot in right field.
Considering the Astros are adamant that Chris Burke has earned the starting spot in center field and the need for Pence to get regular playing time at this stage in his career, the 23-year-old slugger appears destined to start the season at Class AAA Round Rock.
Luke Scott, Jason Lane and Richard Hidalgo are the three contenders for the job in right field.
"I am not putting him in the mix for that now," Garner said after the Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on Tuesday night at Disney's Wide World of Sports. "I think other things would have to happen. You have to give Luke some credit for what he did last year.
"You have to give Jason Lane some credit for what he's done. That he has been in the big leagues, that carries a little bit of weight. And Richard had a good winter. We know what history he had. He's a young man who's gotten himself in shape and he's got a pretty good history with this organization."
A .652 start to his spring
Pence, who is hitting .652 this spring, was 1-for-1 with a walk, a two-run single and two runs Tuesday, sparking the Astros' eight-run rally in the ninth inning for the come-from-behind victory.
"We want to take the best team with us," Garner said. "While sometimes guys can have great, fantastic springs, you don't want to discount what Hunter's doing. He's playing well, continues to play well. That's going to carry some weight. Right now I have these other guys, I think, that are tops on the list."
Lane is hitting .345 this spring. Scott, who was 1-for-3 with a triple Tuesday, is hitting .304 this spring. Hidalgo, who is on a minor-league contract, raised his average to .148 by going 1-for-1 with one RBI.
Astros general manager Tim Purpura doesn't expect the right field job to be decided until the final week of camp.
"Nothing is close to being settled, and I don't think we will settle that until we get down toward the end," he said. "And that's been the plan really since Day 1. Let all of these guys get a lot of at-bats, get a lot of opportunities in the field and see how they look."
More pressure on Scott, Lane
After 13 Grapefruit League games, the contenders for the right field job will face more scrutiny now.
"To me the first third of spring training is kind of knocking off the rust and getting your feet underneath you and getting through the soreness, the normal soreness of being on the field every day and doing all the things you need to do," Purpura said. "And from there the middle third is when you kind of start refining things and seeing the strike zone better, being able to recognize pitches.
"And the last third is when you're really honing down and you get to the point where your strike zone recognition is right where you want it, your timing is right where you want it, you're doing the things in the field if you're a fielder and you're getting to the balls you're supposed to get to. You're past all the soreness and all that stuff."
jesus.ortiz@chron.com
DaDakota
03-14-2007, 12:06 AM
If Jason Lane is anything more than a spot starter the team will have made a monster mistake.
Luke Scott is the man, he hits with power and is a left handed bat in the lineup.
Lane should be the 4th outfielder...Hidalgo should go down to AAA with Pence and be called up if Scott or Burke struggles too much.
DD
hatemavs4life
03-14-2007, 12:18 AM
garner, you're way too stubborn.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/4627416.html
Just out of curiosity, what would you say if they brought him up and he did what Luke Scott did the first time up in the bigs? I would anticipate that sometime during the season he will be called up especially if his numbers at RR even somewhat mimic spring training. Relax, it's ALL good!
DaDakota
03-14-2007, 12:28 AM
Just out of curiosity, what would you say if they brought him up and he did what Luke Scott did the first time up in the bigs? I would anticipate that sometime during the season he will be called up especially if his numbers at RR even somewhat mimic spring training. Relax, it's ALL good!
No doubt, if they bring him up after May, his arbetration status starts a whole year later....it is very prudent to do so.
I am hoping that Biggio gets his hit quickly and we can move Burke back to 2b....
DD
rhino17
03-14-2007, 12:29 AM
If Jason Lane is anything more than a spot starter the team will have made a monster mistake.
Luke Scott is the man, he hits with power and is a left handed bat in the lineup.
Lane should be the 4th outfielder...Hidalgo should go down to AAA with Pence and be called up if Scott or Burke struggles too much.
DD
Sounds good
arkoe
03-14-2007, 12:32 AM
If Jason Lane is anything more than a spot starter the team will have made a monster mistake.
Luke Scott is the man, he hits with power and is a left handed bat in the lineup.
Lane should be the 4th outfielder...Hidalgo should go down to AAA with Pence and be called up if Scott or Burke struggles too much.
DD
Lane and Hildalgo being in the mix while Pence is not is ridiculous. Lane was utter crap last year and Hildalgo's been out of the league.
DaDakota
03-14-2007, 12:40 AM
Lane and Hildalgo being in the mix while Pence is not is ridiculous. Lane was utter crap last year and Hildalgo's been out of the league.
I don't think anyone is really in the mix other than Scott. I think Lane will resume his role as the 4th outfielder, and that Hidalgo and Pence will both be sent down.
Luke Scott's torrid 2nd half has earned him the starting RF job, IMHO.
DD
rodrick_98
03-14-2007, 12:52 AM
Just out of curiosity, what would you say if they brought him up and he did what Luke Scott did the first time up in the bigs? I would anticipate that sometime during the season he will be called up especially if his numbers at RR even somewhat mimic spring training. Relax, it's ALL good!
i'd be clamoring to send him down :D
honestly, i forgot about baseball rules regarding arbitration, and keeping his rookie status. i would be ok with scott getting the starting job, biggio needs to get his hits and be done, make way for the new guys.
the only reason pence isn't in the mix is because it's better for him to play full time at triple A then part time here. if scott does as well as i think he will then i don't have a problem with lane being the guy who spot starts.
hatemavs4life
03-14-2007, 04:38 AM
i'd be clamoring to send him down :D
honestly, i forgot about baseball rules regarding arbitration, and keeping his rookie status. i would be ok with scott getting the starting job, biggio needs to get his hits and be done, make way for the new guys.
Agreed. Biggio is Mr Baseball in H-Town but, clearly his skills are waning. For Lane, he is clearly on the bubble on where his career is heading. Another year like last year and you may as well flushed it because that's where it will be ... :D
Raven Lunatic
03-14-2007, 07:47 AM
This may sound like an odd question, but is Hunter Pence black or white?
This may sound like an odd question, but is Hunter Pence black or white?
He's Pan-Asian Astro. Why?
This may sound like an odd question, but is Hunter Pence black or white?
Not odd at all. Stupid and over-played, but not odd. Honestly, if it weren't for xiki's response I'd have no idea what Mr. Pence's race is.
MadMax
03-14-2007, 08:40 AM
http://www.minorleaguenews.com/graphics/baseball/Graphics/2005/08/FAB50/playertops/43Pence.jpg
studogg
03-14-2007, 09:11 AM
to add more fuel to the fire... In watching Pence last night (albeit for a very limited sample size) he seemed much more comfortable and able to read balls in the outfield than Burke.
I'm down with Burke starting the year up and Pence being in AAA, but I would hold a fairly short leash with this. Center field defense is pivotal when you have a weak left and right fielder. Hell, it's pivotal when you don't.
DaDakota
03-14-2007, 10:12 AM
to add more fuel to the fire... In watching Pence last night (albeit for a very limited sample size) he seemed much more comfortable and able to read balls in the outfield than Burke.
I'm down with Burke starting the year up and Pence being in AAA, but I would hold a fairly short leash with this. Center field defense is pivotal when you have a weak left and right fielder. Hell, it's pivotal when you don't.
Just get great pitching and don't let em hit it...EVER !
:D
DD
Buck Turgidson
03-14-2007, 10:35 AM
No doubt, if they bring him up after May, his arbetration status starts a whole year later....it is very prudent to do so.
Considering you were prepared to ruin a player's career for a PR stunt last season, your newfound knowledge & respect for the intricacies consequences of roster transactions are quite pleasing. :)
The Real Shady
03-14-2007, 11:53 AM
This may sound like an odd question, but is Hunter Pence black or white?
If Hunter Pense was black he would have been traded already. :)
DaDakota
03-14-2007, 12:35 PM
Considering you were prepared to ruin a player's career for a PR stunt last season, your newfound knowledge & respect for the intricacies consequences of roster transactions are quite pleasing. :)
I wasn't going to ruin a career, all I said is that it would not be ABOVE the Astros to promise Roger a chance to play with his son in September.
And it was a guess on what Roger was hinting at as a major announcement on August 31st...
The leaps of logic around here are astounding....
SHEESH !
DD
Raven Lunatic
03-14-2007, 04:26 PM
If Hunter Pense was black he would have been traded already. :)
The reason I asked is because I had somehow gotten it in my head that he was black. Perhaps my brain just made some weird connection with Torii Hunter. But I saw a picture of him this morning in the Chronicle and it was the first time I had seen him. I thought maybe they had used the wrong picture.
bchapman101
03-15-2007, 03:55 AM
If Hunter Pense was black he would have been traded already. :)
yo even though that is funny to me, and I believe it, there are alot of people here who jump all over you for saying stuff like that
but I thought it was funny
bchapman101
03-15-2007, 03:56 AM
The reason I asked is because I had somehow gotten it in my head that he was black. Perhaps my brain just made some weird connection with Torii Hunter. But I saw a picture of him this morning in the Chronicle and it was the first time I had seen him. I thought maybe they had used the wrong picture.
where is that signature from? its hilarious
Raven Lunatic
03-15-2007, 06:46 AM
where is that signature from? its hilarious
Ghostbusters.
Dr Ray Stantz: Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by dickless here.
Walter Peck: They caused an explosion!
Mayor: Is this true?
Dr. Peter Venkman: Yes it's true.... This man has no dick.
The reason I asked is because I had somehow gotten it in my head that he was black. Perhaps my brain just made some weird connection with Torii Hunter. But I saw a picture of him this morning in the Chronicle and it was the first time I had seen him. I thought maybe they had used the wrong picture.
Aaahhh. In that case, please excuse my earlier rant. Sorry about that.
candlegreen
03-15-2007, 09:53 AM
The reason it's hard to play Luke Scott at RF is because his throwing arm and his ball reads are below average and average at best for a LEFT fielder. That guy needs to work on his armstrength if he wants to be a constant at RF. That's one of the major problems when we sign Lee because Lee is anything but great in the OF when it comes to his speed and his ability to get to balls to make a play that most fielders should.
Burke's position is only pressed by Pence at the most, and you really don't want a rookie to man MMP's center field unless he has tremendous flyball reads and have some great speed. You don't want to kill his confidence.
Besides, it's still spring training and he seems to be hitting fastballs more than anything else. In fact, he isn't really getting much of anything else until the last game.
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