Honestly, it's not time to panic but Alex Bregman may need to come up to play 3B. We need more pop. Hell... bring up A.J Reed for DH. The time is now.
We need AJ Reed at SS to replace Gattis and Alex Bregman to play SS and put Correa at 3rd. We still need to trade Gomez and Castro is still Castro.
If they want a spark on offense (I doubt they are there yet), releasing Kratz, moving Gattis to backup C, calling up Moran to play 3B, and putting Valbuena on the bench seems to be the most obvious move.
They have to, at the very least, see Gattis actually catch in a few games before they can make that move.
There's a great Baseball America article on low-minors pitching prospect Albert Abreu. It's got gif's and really goes in depth on what stuff he throws. http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/astros-another-pitcher-on-rise/
The upper level guys who we want to come and help us now are mostly struggling at AAA to begin the season. I'm not "down" on any of them as prospects, the sample size is incredibly small....but to think we are going to bring them up to help the big club likely isn't going to happen until they get it going a little down there Matt Duffy is off to a terrible start, .358 OPS. AJ Reed and Jon Singleton have numbers right now that are remarkably similar. Now again, long term that means nothing as AJ Reed is a top prospect and Singleton is still with us only because we have already given him guaranteed money, but Reed needs to get going before we consider bringing him up Moran is off to a decent start with a .298 average and .346 on base, but that has come with only 3 Extra Base hits and 14 K's to 4 BB. I like Colin and think he will be a good solid 3B for us, but he needs to get going better at AAA Now Kemp is off to a great start as he was last year. When he moved up from AA to AAA last year he struggled a bit, returning there this year he is tearing it up. Not sure where he would fit in a regular role on this team, but I would think if he keeps this up and some of our guys continue to struggle, he will get a look? WHO is Trent Woodward? Catcher drafted late in 2014 who hit pretty good across 4 levels last year is off to a very nice start at Corpus. Anyone have any idea what this guy is like defensively?? While Martes had a rough outing last night, Paulino and Musgrove have been dominant early on. We have some high upside arms on the way, but not sure any of them are going to be ready to help us this year. And down at Class A Riley Ferrell is off to a dominant start, as the closer at Lancaster he has struck out 9 in 5 innings without giving up a run. Wonder if he is a guy who could climb all the way up the ladder this year
Reed at SS doesn't sound too appealing, tbh. Great offense at the position, but dang that defense would be terrible.
Riley Ferrell has given up 2 ER in 23.2 innings in his minor league career. He's going to be able to help us very soon.
Right. Meant what level of minor leagues he's currently in. Looks like someone else had to respond before anyone would, so never mind.
Anyone think Daz is just simply not ready for full season ball? Striking out at a horrendous rate when his hit tool was supposed to be his best tool.
CTH: What has been the biggest adjustment that you have made as you have advanced from college to Triple-A? Woodward: I think the number one adjustment I have made was taking pride in my defense as a catcher. I caught a little bit in high school, as well as college. But, this was the first full season where I got the majority of my repetitions as a catcher. I was able to work with outstanding coaches in pro ball and feel like I am beginning to come into my own as a catcher defensively. CTH: Looking at your stats in the minors, you are not exactly crushing the ball. What is your best asset as a baseball player? Woodward: I am a firm believer in trusting the process. This past season I began making a lot of adjustments within my approach and swing that I feel will benefit me in the long run. My strongest quality is my ability to handle a staff and to get the best out of my pitchers. A catcher is the field general. He needs to be in control of the tempo, the rhythm and it is important to know what buttons to push from pitcher to pitcher, pitches to throw in what situation, and when its time to speed a pitcher up or slow him down.
