I personally think Hoes is a better player than Aplin, but I won't lose any sleep over losing either. A team is also more likely to claim Hoes and keep him on the big league team all season. This isn't like Feliz or even DeShields. I wouldn't be shocked to see Hoes deal today anyway.
Agreed that they are largely interchangeable, but Hoes is out of options and has to be on the 25 man roster all year, doesn't he? Aplin can be shuffled up and down for the next 3 years.
Didn't think about Hoes being out of options, but he certainly is. I'd definitely much rather keep Aplin who is more capable of playing CF, is younger, and has options.
I might like Fontana more than some people here, but im glad we put him on the 40 man. He is the type of player that every title contender needs. His versatility is useful
Reality is you don't lose a potential all star every year. The Astros have lost quite a few in the Rule 5 in the past. Delino DeShields is probably the one that will be the most likely if recent memory. DeShields did not fit on the big league club, but Astros should have tried to trade him for something. They got flat footed and gave away a guy with plus foot speed and at least a workable bat. Astros might lose another 2 or 3 prospects this year, but it comes with the territory of having an advanced farm system.
What potential all stars have the Astros lost in the rule 5 draft in the recent past? Prior to last year, the last time they lost a player in the rule 5 draft was 2004 - D.J. Houlton. He did have a major league record of 6-9 with a 5+ ERA the next season, but I don't recall him making the all-star team.
Johan Santana immediately comes to mind. Whether that is considered recent past would depend on your age I guess.
His thoughts are a little hard to understand, but he didn't say we lost all-stars in the recent past. His words: [rquoter]Reality is you don't lose a potential all star every year.[/rquoter] - I'd call that very true. [rquoter]The Astros have lost quite a few in the Rule 5 in the past.[/rquoter] - I don't know if he means all-stars or not, but nothing about being recent. As far as I know, Santana & DDJ are only ones worth mentioning. Maybe he meant because we had 3 guys taken last year (1 returned). [rquoter]Delino DeShields is probably the one that will be the most likely if recent memory.[/rquoter] - He would be the one potential all-star we've given up since Santana.
But the fact remains is that prior to last year, the Astros went 10+ years without losing anyone, regardless of ability. And, going back to 1997, the only player of note they lost was Santana. I suspect he is bunching Abreu in the rule 5 draft which he was not part of. Even so, the Astros have: 1. Not lost a lot of rule 5 players 2. In 20 years have lost 1 all star - Santana. 3. In 20 years have not lost any players of note except Santana and perhaps DDJ.
Mayo's Top 10 Rule 5 prospects: Reymin Guduan, LHP, Astros (No. 16): Speaking of lefties who throw hard, Guduan works regularly in the upper 90s now that he's a reliever full-time. He doesn't always know where it's going, but the fastball-slider combo is intriguing. Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Astros (No. 17): The Astros have six from their top 30 eligible, a testament to how deep their farm system is. Hernandez is a toolshed with an exciting power-speed combination, albeit an unfinished one who needs to work on his approach. http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157830358/top-10-prospects-available-in-rule-5-draft
It is time. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Amateur draft has war rooms. Rule 5 draft has tables without plugs. <a href="https://t.co/LGagT2EoxM">pic.twitter.com/LGagT2EoxM</a></p>— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/674960059395416064">December 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Here's the audio-only link to the Draft, if you're inclined to listen. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's where you can follow the Rule 5 Draft live on <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a>.com at 9:55 am ET: <a href="https://t.co/nbIk1sQPRV">https://t.co/nbIk1sQPRV</a> <a href="https://t.co/lXKDUKRvZT">pic.twitter.com/lXKDUKRvZT</a></p>— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/674958046527889413">December 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
