Myles Straw singled to lead off Fresno's game and then stole second, which gives him 48 stolen bases on the season. And Yordan Alvarez and Jamie Ritchie just hit their first AAA homers.
Alex McKenna went 3-4 with an RBI triple and scored a run in Tri-City's 5-3 win in Williamsport tonight. Jeremy Peña went 2-3 and scored three times, and Austin Dennis finished 2-4 with an RBI double and an RBI single.
After a dreadful (486 ops) June, Josh Rojas has rebounded so far in July (973 ops); he is 2-3 with a bb so far tonight. Might be time to start giving Chas McCormick a closer follow. In 95 AA AB he’s only struck out 9 times. Could be another Drew Ferguson.
Usually not a fan of Hulet's prospect lists. Outside of Alcala being rated that high, seems a very reasonable list for a change for him.
I wonder what his issue is with the Astros' recent drafts? I guess the 2016 draft looks pretty light as far as current and potential future 50 FV prospects (Whitley, Toro if he keeps mashing, Dawson still has time to breakout, and maybe Ryan Hartman if he dominates in Fresno?), but landing Whitley might make that draft a success all by himself. Maybe he doesn't like the heavy college focus and using high draft picks on players with limited defensive value?
I would be really interested to see how James' FB/SL combo and show-me changeup (esp for LHB) would play out of the bullpen.
I think there is a good chance he ends up in bullpen in September, but until then I expect Astros will try to keep him stretched out. James and Armenteros are likely the top choices as injury replacement starters at the moment. Peacock and McHugh are being used as short inning relievers and probably aren't stretched out enough to start at this point. Whitley, Martes, and Paulino are either injured or rehabbing.
I flip flop on this. I'd like to see him up soon for relief as he has potential to be a devastating reliever. It would benefit Astros knowing whether he is or not sooner rather than later. On other side, injuries happen even if they haven't happened yet and Astros injury replacement starter list is looking a lot thinner than at start of the season.
I would think he's got to be close to #2 in line behind Col. Perez. 40-man considerations play into it, I would imagine. A quick glance at the starters on the 40 is not exactly comforting: Martes, Paulino, Rodgers Also, just noticed that Kent Emanuel has been a disaster out of the pen, which is disappointing.
For some reason, pitcher Elian Rodriguez DH'd for the GCL team today. He hasn't exactly been great, but given his stuff and the financial investment, I wouldn't think they're making him a position player yet.
Was just coming to comment on this. A quick google of him doesn’t show anything about him being considered as a position player or hitter. There’s lots of talk about his athleticism and surely he’d have a plus arm for the corner OF if he can throw mid 90s off the mound. I can’t imagine they’d put him in there to hit unless he’s actually being tested as a hitter. Will be interesting to follow and see if he hits more over the next few days.
