In some strange world where Bedard isn't traded, I don't favor cutting him. I don't like the idea of cutting players who are performing well. Peacock is already on the 40-man roster. Hard to imagine him not getting called back up. He just needs a rotation spot. At the same time, Harrell may get his spot back even if Bedard and Norris are moved rather than a callup of Woj or Oberholtzer.
It's not that I favor it (and frankly, I would be surprised if he wasn't moved), it is just bothersome that a "placeholder" is preventing our young guys from playing. You never want to cut someone that is doing well, but I just find it bother that we have such young talent not getting a chance. Meh. But you are right. Bedard has value and we need to either utilize it or move him. I just hope that we do move him.
Wojo's fielding independent numbers are notably worse than his current numbers at AAA, in large part because of an amazing .229 BABIP. He's striking out fewer guys than ever (6.9 k/9) and walking more (3.2 bb/9). Behind the sterling 2.82 ERA in 90 IP at AAA, there are still plenty of things for Wojo to be working on. That said, sometimes I think it's hard for prospects to focus on those things until they get a shot at the big leagues, have their minor flaws magnified, and go back to AAA with a more particular itinerary. Peacock deserves another shot at the rotation, but I wouldn't mind Wojo getting some innings out of the bullpen.
Oz Ocampo (@OzOcampo): Happy guagua ride! 17yo CF Luis Payano with walk-off bomb 2 outs in the 9th, another #DSLAstros win...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23DSLAstros&src=hash">#DSLAstros</a> leading the league w/ 2.01 ERA. For future reference: Elieser Hernandez, Junior Garcia, Joselo Pinales...</p>— Oz Ocampo (@OzOcampo) <a href="https://twitter.com/OzOcampo/statuses/360125452498632704">July 24, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Chris Cotton just walked his first batter. However, he threw 5 1/3 shutout innings and allowed 3 hits and struck out 4. Tri-City leads Hudson Valley 4-0 heading into the 7th.
Payano is a guy who I think could move to America, despite his rather pedestrian numbers. Really like that he's finding ways to get on base; once he puts everything together, he could be a really special player. Of course, he's 17, so he's way, way off. Jean Estrella is now hitting .301 after his 2-3 performance this morning.
The best thing about Stassi is that he was already known as an advanced fielding catcher. If he finishes with such a strong second half this year, you really have to wonder what the organization does with Carlos Perez and Stassi. They can't both get regular time at AAA this year, and Corporan isn't arb eligible until 2015. I wouldn't be surprised if Corporan gets flipped for a mid level prospect (or gets included in some other deal at this deadline) and we ease Carlos Perez into the backup catcher role. Then again, Corporan seems important to young arms coming up as a veteran catching presence. Decisions, decisions.
Mike Foltynewicz vs. San Antonio: 8 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K Corpus leads 5-0 heading into the bottom of the 8th.
DeShields is doing his thing. Got a single, and stole 2nd and 3rd, making it 37 steals on the year. He came around to score. He's got 17 steals this month (and has only been caught twice). If he can get 3 more in the next week, he'll have as many steals in July as he had in all of April, May, and June combined.
I expect him in the GCL next year. I can't remember the last IFA player the Astros gave significant money to (500K+) and left them in the DSL for more than a year.
