He had the opportunity to raise his average because he got that 5th at bat, but he couldn't come through - typical Astros choke.
I love the mediots bringing up people like Wright and Pujols to say that the Astros "always" bring their guys up too slow. The average age of a rookie that starts the season on a ML club ain't 24, mediots -- it's 27 or 28 (last I heard). Those phenoms are the exception, not the rule: hence the term, "phenom". Additionally, the Astros have brought their phenoms up like every other team. Roy Oswalt, for example, says hi. The best take, still, on this comes from Mr. Turgidson:
For perspecitve: Spring stats for Morgan Ensberg: AVG: .471 SLG: .941 OBP: .550 and Jason Lane: AVG: .348 SLG: .826 OBP: .423 I'm not saying that Hunter Pence is a bum, but his numbers don't necessarily mean anything.
spring = poor pitchers I don't put much stock in spring, esp. when evaluating what they will do in the Majors.
there's nothing wrong with wanting to see some new blood out there playing for your team. that's what gives a fan hope. it is also idiotic to think that bringing up a player to the big leagues "too early" (whatever that means) will automatically destroy their career.
It may give a fan hope, but fans of the Astros have been treated to teams contending well into September for most of the past 12 years. Many teams need "hope" to keep their fans interested. The Astros have relied on contending for playoff spots to keep their fans interested, all the while bringing up young (< 25 years old) players on a fairly regular basis. David Clyde is certainly the prime example of having a career "destroyed" by being called up too early. Is it automatic - no. Of course there are some fans who think giving up a game winning HR in the playoffs can destroy a career.
They do mean something -- going .750 in over 25 at-bats is definitely not "nothing". I'm not saying he's a lock to be a consistent stud-hitter, but you can't just dismiss his stats. Also, if Mo's shoulder (was it his shoulder) is finally healed like he says, then we shouldn't be surprised to see his numbers bounce back up this season either. Lane on the other hand ... no comment.
Mo's poor last couple of months of 05 and the playoffs were attributed to his injury. Supposedly he came into 06 completely healed. Well, we all know how much he sucked in 06. Mo has got to prove he can do the job before I give him the benefit of the doubt again. For my money, i'd rather have Lamb starting at 3rd. He's alot more consistent.
People claiming the Astros are too cheap to bring up Pence are ridiculous. If they were so cheap, why did they sign a guy to a 100 million dollar deal to play a position that Pence potentially could be at (ie - Carlos Lee).
I don't think they're cheap. I just think they're stupid if they don't give Pence a shot this season.
Trade Lane now while his stock (lmao) is high, maybe the Stros can find some sucker team to make a deal for a decent left hand reliever, trevor miller scares me. Pence should be given the start for a few games in April.
Like bobrek said, it's the numerous playoff appearances and the fact that the organization as a whole is run extremely well and remains extremely competitive that gives me "hope". Agreed; now, who said that?
Who do you think he should replace in the OF? Burke or Scott? Just two years ago, THEY were the ones that caused people to say "the Astros are stupid if they don't give _____ a shot this season." The bottom line is that the guy should not be up here if he isn't playing everyday... and since they got Carlos Lee, there isn't a wide open position on the field for him to take.
Burke is in there as a guy who gives you the only chance to have a true "top of the order-type" guy... as he's shown to be far more productive when he bats near the top of the lineup (where he actually does a decent job as being selective with pitches, and can steal some bases), rather than the #6 or 7 spot. To start the year, Garner will probably bat him second... but I wouldn't be suprised to see him bat leadoff, and have whichever guy is struggling more (Ensberg or Luke) bat second, while moving Biggio (and his quest for 3000) down to 6th. If you don't have Burke in there, you have a lineup with ZERO team speed, and its going to be a long year of waiting for the long ball to bail you out. I like the versatility Burke gives this team at the plate.
If Bigg bats 6 then does it cost him potential ABs in 'The Quest'? What is Bigg's hitting history at different spots in the 'order? When (Heaven forbid 'if') Bigg gets #3000 then what becomes of Bigg - gee - oh?
