2012 Houston Astros

Great job. All looks pretty accurate if u ask me. Not sure if Weiland's ERA is even going to be in the 4s (I think it will be more like 5.30) but other than that very good job!

 

Brett Walace will play everyday, likely in AAA.

 

SP - Wandy Rodriguez (11-14 3.60ERA)
SP - Bud Norris (12-16 3.55 ERA)
SP - Livan Hernandez (5-12 5.25 ERA)
SP - J.A. Happ (6-14 4.95 ERA)
SP - Kyle Weiland (8-15 4.50 ERA)
CL - Brett Myers (25 Saves 3.25 ERA)
RP - Wilton Lopez (10 Saves 2.96 ERA)
RP - Brandon Lyon (3.58 ERA)
RP - Wesley Wright (3.75 ERA)
RP - David Carpenter (4.00 ERA)
RP - Lucas Harrell (4.25 ERA)
RP - Fernando Abad (3.95 ERA)

1B - Carlos Lee (.280/.340/.460, 22HR)
2B - Jose Altuve (.305/.330/.380, 5HR)
3B - Chris Johnson (.265/.300/.405, 20HR)
SS - Jed Lowrie (.285/.365/.415, 15HR)
C - Jason Castro (.270/.350/.390, 10HR)
LF - JD Martinez (.320/.375/.475, 25HR)
CF - Jordan Schafer (.260/.315/.370, 10HR)
RF - Brian Bogusevic (.250/.320/.385, 20 HR)
Bench - Chris Snyder (.265/.330/.400, 15HR)
Bench - Brian Bixler (.235/.295/.320, 5HR)
Bench - JB Shuck (.280/.365/.330)
Bench - Travis Buck (.235/.300/.395, 5HR)
Bench - Matt Downs (.250/.315/.440, 10HR)

 

Bixler/Sanchez/Shuck

Wallace either needs to beat out CJ at 3B, or go the minors. I think he will be the starting 3B in OKC to begin the season and replace either Lee or CJ during the season.

 

I think that is very likely that the Astros will carry five OFs.

The fifth OF spot is between Shuck and Bixler.

 

I'd definitely say 3 bench spots are still open between Buck/Gonzalez/Shuck/Sanchez/Bixler and perhaps Cust.

We know at least one of Bixler/Sanchez/Gonzalez makes the team to be the primary backup SS. One of Buck/Shuck/Cust will make the team as the 4th OF.

I favor Shuck as the 4th OF because he can play center, and offers speed and OBP off the bench. I like Bixler for a utility role because he's had a great spring training, and is the most versatile player.

I think picked Buck over Sanchez/Gonzalez/Cust because he's played so well in ST.

The Astros would have 5 full-time OFs, in addition to Downs/Bixler/Lee having all played in the OF during this past season, which is a lot of OFs. Personally, I'm hoping Gonzalez makes the team, I'm just doubting that he does.

 

Bixler has played well, but iirc not much at short this spring training.

I agree OF4 appears to be Shuck, who is having a solid ST.

OF5 appears to be down to Buck and Bixler. Buck has a track record on being a terror in ST and be terrible in the regular season.

SS2 appears to be down to Sanchez and Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a Rule 5 pick, so he either makes the MLB team or sent back from whence he came. Gonzalez is leading the team in walks in ST, so Luhnow might show some moneyball love and keep him around. One could imagine Gonzalez being here three years down the road while Sanchez not so much.

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I have posted this before, but here are the players still left standing ...

<a href='http://www.astroscounty.com/2012/03/29-players-have-to-go.html'>16 Players Have To Go</a>

Here's who is left in Astros camp...<br /><br /><u>Pitchers</u><br />Fernando Abad, <s>Juan Abreu</s>, David Carpenter, <s>Xavier Cedeno</s>, <s>Paul Clemens</s>, Rhiner Cruz, <s>Jorge De Leon</s>, Enerio Del Rosario, Zach Duke, Sergio Escalona, J.A. Happ, Lucas Harrell, Livan Hernandez, <s>Arcenio Leon</s>, Wilton Lopez, Jordan Lyles, Brandon Lyon, Brett Myers, Bud Norris, <s>Lance Pendleton</s>, <s>Aneury Rodriguez</s>, Fernando Rodriguez, Wandy Rodriguez, Henry Sosa, <s>Jose Valdez</s>, Kyle Weiland, Wesley Wright, <s>Henry Villar</s><br /><br /><u>Catchers</u><br />Jason Castro, Carlos Corporan, <s>Rene Garcia</s>, Landon Powell, <s>Humberto Quintero</s>, Chris Snyder, <s>Chris Wallace</s><br /><br /><u>Infielders</u><br />Jose Altuve, <s>Delino DeShields</s>, Matt Downs, Marwin Gonzalez, <s>Diory Hernandez</s>, Chris Johnson, Carlos Lee, Jed Lowrie, Scott Moore, <s>Jimmy Paredes</s>, Angel Sanchez, <s>Jonathan Singleton</s>, Joe Thurston, <s>Jonathan Villar</s>, Brett Wallace<br /><br /><u>Outfielders</u><br /><s>Brandon Barnes</s>, Brian Bixler, Brian Bogusevic, <s>Jason Bourgeois</s>, Travis Buck, Jack Cust, <s>Jake Goebbert</s>, <s>Fernando Martinez</s>, J.D. Martinez, Jordan Schafer, Justin Ruggiano, J.B. Shuck, <s>Brad Snyder</s>, <s>George Springer</s>

 

This looks like a very reasonable set of choices.

IIRC Wesley Wright, Henry Sosa and Lucas Harrell are out of options.

I am also wondering if keeping Happ is the right choice. He aint young and may have already peaked. Sosa or Harrell might have a higher ceiling than Happ.

 

Bixler has played 24innings at 2B, 18 at SS, & 18 in the OF. During his career he has played SS more than any other position. No idea how good he is there, just that he gets plenty of PT there.

I didn't realize Gonzalez had drawn so many walks.

 

I've felt from the beginning Happ is a lock, and still think he is, but he definitely is on shaky ground going forward. He can't get off to the same bad start as last year, but this spring training hasn't been good. Luckily for him Duke has been terrible, or else he may not have stayed a lock.

I would have liked to keep Sosa, but I couldn't see a good way, and since he didn't exactly dominate AAA during his 2 seasons there, I couldn't hold on to him over Harrell. Both turn 27 this season, so neither is likely to become anything beyond a replacement level player.

 

I would not be surprised two years from now, when the 2014 Astros break camp, if Happ, Sosa and Harrell are not on the squad. The question then becomes if we can build some value in them before trading them for prospects or releasing them.

It will be interesting to see what Luhnow does. I will not be surprised if Luhnow makes some moneyball moves that go against the fans consensus, especially with the pitching staff.

 

SP - Wandy Rodriguez (11-11 3.54 ERA 174 K)
SP - Bud Norris (10-12 3.78 ERA 190 K)
SP - Livan Hernandez (8-14 4.64 ERA 118 K)
SP - JA Happ (8-14 4.52 ERA 122 K)
SP - Kyle Weiland (8-10 4.72 ERA 132 K)
CL - Brett Myers (23 SV 3.48 ERA 59 K)
RP - Brandon Lyon (4.08 ERA)
RP - Wilton Lopez (3.14 ERA)
RP - Wesley Wright (3.78 ERA)
RP - Henry Sosa (4.12 ERA)
RP - Fernando Abad (5.63 ERA)
RP - David Carpenter (3.27 ERA)

1B - Carlos Lee (.261 18 HR 88 RBI)
2B - Jose Altuve (.280 7 HR 42 RBI 80 R)
SS - Jed Lowrie (.255 13 HR 48 RBI)
3B - Chris Johnson (.240 17 HR 63 RBI)
C - Chris Snyder (.268 14 HR 43 RBI)
LF - JD Martinez (.290 19 HR 80 RBI)
CF - Jordan Schafer (.265 11 HR 40 RBI 78 R 37 SB)
RF - Brian Bogusevic (.252 14 HR 57 RBI)
Bench - Jason Castro (.238 9 HR 32 RBI)
Bench - JB Shuck (.240 5 HR 30 RBI)
Bench - Matt Downs (.266 11 HR 38 RBI)
Bench - Jack Cust (.214 13 HR 29 RBI)
Bench - Angel Sanchez (.231 3 HR 21 RBI)

YUCK!

 

SP - Wandy Rodriguez (33)
SP - Bud Norris (27)
SP - Kyle Weiland (25)
RP - Lucas Harrell (26)
SP - Livan Hernandez (37)
CL - Brett Myers (31)
RP - Wilton Lopez (28)
RP - David Carpenter (26)
RP - Fernando Abad (26)
RP - Wesley Wright (27)
RP - Henry Sosa (26)
RP - Rhiner Cruz (25)

1B - Carlos Lee (36)
2B - Jose Altuve (22)
3B - Chris Johnson (27)
SS - Jed Lowrie (27)
C - Jason Castro (24)
LF - JD Martinez (24)
CF - Jordan Schafer (25)
RF - Brian Bogusevic (28)
C2 - Chris Snyder (31)
SS2 - Marwin Gonzalez (23)
OF4 - Travis Buck (28)
IF/OF/C3 - Brian Bixler (29)
IF/OF/C3 - Matt Downs (28)

 

Heres hoping by the end of the season there are no players in their 30s still on the roster.

 

I have not been keeping up with the stros for about 3 years. I hardly know anye of the players. Give me a reason to start back watching baseball again.

 

Tickets will be cheap...

Watch to possibly see your young up and coming roster. Perhaps watch the career beginnings of our next Biggio/Bagwell or Berkman/Oswalt.

 

Hmm! Who are the future players of the team?

Top 3 players. Thanks