Not sure exactly how he profiles as a big leaguer, but he was a stellar college defender. MLB.com has him with 60 arm (very good) and 55 field (above average).
Make it 3 for 4, 2 doubles and HR. One of the doubles was off a lefty. Also in Corpus, Fisher hit home run #15. The team got beaten up 10-4, but yesterday's brawling superstars, Danry Vasquez and Ramon Laureano, both contributed, with a home run and a triple respectively. The Hooks have struggled a bit offensively after losing Bregatron and Teoscar Hernandez, but that's not surprising.
Astros tend to get more contact bats in the minors more than most teams and then try to squeeze a little power out of them.
Garrett Stubbs has a .785 OPS in the minors with a .112 ISO. Not much power, but above average in walks. .287/.386/.399/.785 As someone mentioned, he is 5'10" and 175 lbs (and Age 23), which makes him an undersized catcher. Maybe a new market inefficiency? <hr/> FWIW Jamie Ritchie has a similar slash line: .288/.422/.410/.832 6'2" 205 lbs Age 23 Stubbs leap frogged Richie in the depth chart.
Ritchie and Stubbs are very different prospects; Ritchie's offensive production is almost entirely tied to his walk rate, and he doesn't have a very good defensive skillset, both of which will make it very hard for him to succeed in the upper levels much less the majors. Stubbs' offense comes not just from walking but also contact, plus he profiles as at least average behind the plate and can add some value as a baserunner. Assuming Ritchie can stick at catcher, he's kind of like Fontana, and could possibly scratch out a big league career as a backup. Stubbs has a chance to be an above average everyday catcher and his ultimate ceiling would be a borderline star player.
Crazy James Hoyt isn't up yet. Know we don't have much of a spot but no reason to think this guy couldn't be a stud at the back end. Fiers should be expendable in a trade with Devenski/Feldman available not to mention Musgrove/Rodgers. 27 saves. 81 strikeouts in 48 IP
He has to work on his curve or throw some more serious wrinkles in his fastball, you can't be a starter with relatively straight 90+mph fastballs and a changeup. Next year. Who does Hoyt replace in the bullpen right now? Keep in mind they already have 1 more pitcher than they really need.
Why the emphasis on size for a catcher? Just a bigger target for the pitcher? Or just because it likely means their body will hold up better over time with the extra wear and tear?
I don't see the Astros going back to 7. I'm pretty sure the Astros feel they need 8 relievers to keep them fresh and this effective. Hoyt could be brought in with Devenski taking over the role of the loogy from Sipp despite being a RHP as his changeup gives him reverse splits.
I would think it's the wear and tear thing. Though, with the recent rull changes, catchers don't take the hits they used to.
Who does Hoyt replace in the bullpen right now? I would not be surprised if the Astros traded Feldman. A team desperate for starting pitching might overpay at the trade deadline.
