Mark Appel @ El Paso: 5.2 IP, 9 H (2-run homer), 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K Fresno is currently up 5-3 in the 6th inning. Jake Buchanan has come on for Appel, who left with 2 runners on base.
Meanwhile in Corpus, Josh Hader went 2 innings allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and all of his outs were recorded by strikeout.
Seems like it's time to trade for an ace and a vet OF. Luckily the Stros have the prospects to pull this off. In Luhnow we trust.
Compared to his first AAA start when he went 3 innings and gave up 7 hits and 7 runs, today's outing was progress.
While I'm on board with what Luhnow has/is trying to do, I have no faith in Appel. He is mentally weak. See: his start after he thought he was going to be drafted 1-1 and instead Luhnow drafted Correa. This is coming from a guy who wanted Appel over Correa. I'm so glad to admit I don't know ****.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats to OF Jon Kemmer and RHP Aaron West, who were named <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cchooks?src=hash">#cchooks</a> players of the month for June</p>— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks/status/617005005074071552">July 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RiverBandits?src=hash">#RiverBandits</a> June Player of the Month Jason Martin <a href="https://twitter.com/_JM55">@_JM55</a> & Pitcher of the Month Joshua James! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— #RiverBandits (@QCRiverBandits) <a href="https://twitter.com/QCRiverBandits/status/617000579085287424">July 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It appears they have moved Aaron West to the bullpen. He has only pitched 14 innings in 7 games, with 0 starts. As much success as our farm has had recently, we have yet to produce a good MLB relief pitcher. He's a rule V candidate after the season, so getting added to the roster and appearing in Houston later in the year seems like a possibility if he keeps pitching well.
There's just not a huge need to develop a good relief pitcher. The Astros have patched together a solid bullpen through a judicious use of waiver pick-ups, Rule V picks and FA signings. If anything they've purposely avoided 'developing' relief pitchers. Luhnow and Co. tried to develop as many starters as possible using the tandem system. Additionally, they also leaned heavily on pitch-ability and past performance by grabbing a bunch of soft tossing college guys, who if they fail as a starter don't make great setup guys/closers. Even furthermore, they've traded away several of their hard-throwing youngsters who were said to likely succeed in a bullpen role (e.g. Folty, Cosart). Folty in particular could easily have been our Ken Giles. They moved away from that this year in the draft though, grabbing a high-upside reliever in Riley Ferrell and guys like Michael Freeman who can/will move faster as a reliever.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> announce Minor League Pitchers and Players of the Month for June. Full release: <a href="http://t.co/TrgSKPWxwU">http://t.co/TrgSKPWxwU</a></p>— #VoteAltuve (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/617026762690531328">July 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> For the lazy: Spoiler Fresno: Matt Duffy/Brady Rodgers Corpus: Jon Kemmer/Aaron West Lancaster: A.J. Reed/Edison Frias Quad Cities: Jason Martin/Josh James DSL Blue: Reiny Beltre/Hector Perez DSL Orange: Miguelangel Sierra/Juan Robles
