I saw that. The Astros apparently liked him but he went before their pick in the second round last year. I wasn't sure he'd have much success because of all of the criticisms of his swing. His brother's failures didn't help his draft stock either.
https://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/astros/murray-astros-prospect-derek-fisher-impressing-triple/ Spoiler The Houston Astros were fortunate – some would even call them lucky – to be able to draft outfielder Derek Fisher. A top 20-30 prospect in the 2014 draft, a hamate injury resulted in Fisher sliding to the No. 37 pick. Since being drafted, his play has ascended – most recently going on a 17-game hit streak – and climbing his way up the charts to be the team’s No. 4 prospect. The injury may have hurt his draft stock, but for the Astros and others watching him, his tools were on display from Day One and they’ve continued to blossom. “We were in a fortunate position that year, unfortunate for Derek since he had gotten hurt” Astros area scout Tim Bittner, who scouted Fisher, said. “For us, we were able to get a great value where we did considering where it was and the package Derek comes with.” That package Fisher brings to the table: Ability to hit, hit for power and his speed. Those three qualities caught the eye of Bittner – a player for 10 years and a scout for six – and other long-time area scouts and have been on full display since being drafted, especially this season, when he seems to have put it all together. In his last two full seasons, he’s hit 43 home runs in 252 games played, good for a home run every 5.86 games. This season he has already hit nine home runs in 38 games, good for a home run every 4.22 games played. The jump in home run production is significant and puts him on pace to hit 30 this season, which would be the most of his career. Bittner, who remains close to Fisher, along with others around him, believe the sudden jump is partly due to his recent maturation, but also the mindset he has. “I think his personality and his desire,” Bittner said. “You’re talking a little cliché with this, but he’s one of the guys that rises up to his competition. He had a really good spring training and that has carried over to Triple-A. He’s one of those guys that once he gets some confidence and goes off of it, it’s tough for him to break it. Most of the time in baseball if you have confidence, you’re going to be able to handle yourself and that’s what you’re seeing with Derek.” That mindset, which people close to Fisher call a “growth mindset,” is evident in most facets of his game, but nothing shows it more than his improved defense, something that has been his downfall since before becoming an Astro. “Getting to read the reports everyday, I think Derek has been conscious about it over the last two years or so – Derek and I have talked about it – with the amount of time he has put into sharpening up his defense. He played center field in high school and he was a question mark, but I think because of his speed and athleticism and the work he’s put in, he’ll be a viable option in center. That would be the one thing that I’ve seen him really progress, with watching him whenever I can and reading the reports, is his defense has gotten noticeably better.” Even after his 17-game hit streak where he hit over .400 with five home runs and 11 RBIs, Fisher isn’t getting much attention in media circles. However, people in the organization such as general manager Jeff Luhnow are taking notice, with Luhnow publicly stating Fisher deserves a call up some time in 2017. The lack of media attention, at least in Bittner’s eyes, is A-OK. “Any kind of notarization is great, but if the bosses in your organization see what you’re doing, that’s all that really matters.” With the Astros playing well and leading the AL West, they’ll likely be in no rush to get Fisher up. That said, if there is a hole offensively, it’s in the outfield, where Astros left fielders have hit for a combined .199/.276/.338 line using mostly Norichika Aoki. For a team already looking like an AL favorite, Fisher could be the midseason piece to push them away from their competition. Whenever he arrives, Fisher looks poised to make an impact.
Yordan Alvarez has 3 consecutive 2-hit games. He's now slashing .357/.440/.595 with 2 homers and 8 RBI in his first 12 games with Quad Cities. Carson LaRue turned in another excellent start last night: 7 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K LaRue could find himself on the move soon with these numbers: 9 appearances (7 starts), 6-1, 1.72 ERA, 47 IP, 30 H (3 HR allowed), 10 R (9 ER), 14 BB, 43 K, 0.94 WHIP, .182 opponent average
Fisher (11), Reed (6), Preston Tucker, and Max Stassi all went deep for Fresno. Fisher added a double for good measure. David Martinez pitched a nice game -- 7 shutout innings, 2 hits, 4 BB, 8 Ks. His ERA is still above 6. Comer had another shutout inning in relief -- he's sporting a sub 1 ERA across AA/AAA.
Drew Ferguson is raking at CC. .329 Avg, .420 OBP, and he's showing enough pop to support being more than a soft singles hitter. He's always had good speed, but these kind of numbers at AA get my attention, even if he is 24. We're basically using placeholders in LF right now, so that position could be up for grabs if we want to give a prospect a look before Tucker gets here. Fisher is demanding first look (maybe this year) but Ferguson could sneak in there.
In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I headed out to Corpus yesterday to watch their game with Tulsa. Dean Deetz was hitting 97 in the 1st inning but was mostly working 93-95 for the rest of his outing. His slider had some bite and he was in the mid-80s with it. He also threw in some changeups at around the same velocity. Sean Stutzman sat at 90 with his fastball and he mixed in some low-80s breaking balls. Riley Ferrell was 86-88 with his slider and was around 93-94 with a few 95s with his fastball. Corpus was held by Tulsa's pitchers but they weren't completely out of it. Too bad they couldn't cash in on a bases-loaded, no out situation. - Alejandro Garcia is fast... that's about it for him. - Kristian Trompiz made a few nice plays in the field at SS. - The Hooks hitters looked pretty overwhelmed by Tulsa starter Walker Buehler and his upper-90s heat. They did manage to make solid contact on a few balls but they were hit right at Tulsa fielders. Jack Mayfield took Buehler deep for their only run.
Here is quick look at the Astros minor leaguers sporting a WHIP less than or equal to 1. Innings pitched also included to indicate SSS. Player IP WHIP Fresno Grizzlies James Hoyt 5.0 0.60 Brady Rodgers 16.1 0.92 Corpus Christi Hooks Kevin Comer 3.0 0.33 Albert Minnis 2.2 0.75 Yohan Ramirez 4.2 0.86 Dean Deetz 34.2 0.87 Sean Stutzman 10.1 0.87 Akeem Bostick 11.1 0.88 Rogelio Armenteros 41.2 0.98 Ralph Garza 2.0 1.00 Buies Creek Astros Riley Ferrell 2.0 0.00 Franklin Perez 16.2 0.54 Nick Hernandez 17.2 0.74 Akeem Bostick 19.1 0.83 Alex Winkelman 32.1 0.87 Ronel Blanco 3.1 0.90 Yoanys Quiala 40.0 0.95 Howie Brey 8.1 0.96 Quad Cities River Bandits Carlos Sierra 9.1 0.86 Jorge Alcala 31.0 0.90 Brett Adcock 23.2 0.93 Enoli Paredes 33.1 0.99 Edgardo Sandoval 17.0 1.00 Carson LaRue 40.0 1.00
Cool to get a look at Deetz up close. This was the most hits/runs that Deetz gave up in any start this year (and also the most Ks). The question for him will be if his future is as a starter or not. Luhnow has previously mentioned him a potential bullpen type, but Hinch also brought him up in the mix for potential replacement starter (with a handful of other guys). It sounds like he could be an upper 90s bullpen guy if he gets deployed in shorter bursts.
Deetz and Armenteros need to be moved up; looking like Houston may need their help sooner rather than later and it would be best if they had a taste of AAA first. OUt of MArtes, Paulino, Thornton, DEetz, and Armenteros, at least one of them will be ready to help when needed.
Appears so. For some reason, I thought he had to sit out 80 games. Probably also means that Jonathan Arauz should be reinstated soon.
Just looked it up, 80 is for steroids, 50 for "drugs of abuse". McCurry got busted for meth, dumbass.
