He was also catching full time there which has a lot of extra wear and tear. Here, he'd only be catching part time, which seemed to work great for him last year.
When did Gattis get the backup catcher job last year? Also, I expect McCann will need more rest than the average starting catcher such that it will be more like a 60-40 split than a 75-25 split if Gattis catches this year. I Astros get or are trying to get Weiters, it will be because they like his defense more than Gattis's or that they want Gattis's bat elsewhere.
Never mind... On August 16, 2016, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the 2016 season and possibly the 2017 season due to a torn flexor tendon and partially-torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. Several days later, the Yankees announced that Eovaldi had undergone his second Tommy John surgery. Eovaldi is expected to miss the 2017 season, after which he would become eligible for free agency.
Yikes, that's about as bad as it gets when it comes to injuries to pitchers short of having their throwing arm chopped off.
Altuve-Correa handshake bobblehead Replica jerseys Bregman & Correa McCullers glow in the dark gnome Springer diving catch bobblehead Luhnow: Doesn't become a priority for fans or media but for us, we came out with our first round pick intact, top 20 prospects intact & IMO(& pundits), one of the top farm systems. We're looking good for this year & have a farm system. We're gonna need it. Whether bringing up players mid-season, players having great seasons or in June/July to acquire players for a playoff push, it's there & an incredible resource. We will use it at the right time to improve our time. We have 5 picks in the top 100. Invested in the INTL market. Acquired several players who will help us out. Organization is healthy. 2017 & where we are now, I'm reluctant to say but we are healthy right now. I know we won't be the whole year, we'll have setbacks, but as a group, we're healthy. They feel good. That's a good starting point. We have the depth to survive bumps along the road. A lot written about acquiring more SPs. We have 6 Ps competing for 5 spots (and more behind them). Biggest vulnerability is SP health & going 5/6 innings every game. Offense will put up enough runs. If SP goes 6, we should be fine. Bullpen will be a strength. Last year with bad start, we didn't have choices in switching players in the lineup. Everyone did their best to tinker but had to keep running guys out there. We now enough to mix & match and will prevent us from going into long slumps. There will be 3 players on the bench who feel they should start. That's good weapons to have. Other part is the vet. leadership we acquired. They've been through highs & the lows of a season.
Pre-ST projected lineups vs. RHP Springer Reddick Altuve Correa Beltran (DH) Bregman McCann Gurriel Aoki vs. LHP Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Beltran Gattis Gurriel (DH) Reddick Gonzalez
No worries. I expect Astros will use a bunch of different lineups, but will try to be more consistent with top of order. Right now, I am thinking 1-5 regardless of LHP or RHP, will be the following: Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Beltran A lot of RHBs to start, but the 1-4 probably hit RHPs better than LHPs last year as a group.
I'm not sure what you're asking. You suggested that he wore down in Atlanta, where nearly 100% of his ABs were as a catcher. Last year, 40ish% were, and you're suggesting next year that would be similar. And given the Beltran DH/LF situation, Gattis would get lots of rest days even at DH. So I'm not sure his wearing down is relevant here. He also supposedly lost 20 lbs last year to help him catch more, though I don't know if he kept that off or not.
He caught less than 33% of the innings for the season...though I was expecting it to be less about 25%. I'd rather Gattis be the DH, Beltran in LF, with Weiters as catcher than Marisnick or Aoki play.
Maybe Matt Wieters can throw left handed? Jojo's got a weird "fixing a problem that doesn't exist" thing going on. But, no they haven't, and I'm not sure why. They have a couple of options going out of ST.
Not gonna happen, but how cool would it be if they made AJ Reed a two way player? 1B/DH and lefty reliever. He was a legit pitching prospect even into his final year in college. Would be great to get that kind of versatility out of the 25th roster spot.
It might've been a throw away comment, but Hinch said McCann will hit 8th. My guess for lineups: RHP: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve DH Beltran SS Correa RF Reddick 1B Gurriel C McCann LF Aoki LHP: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa DH Beltran C Gattis RF Reddick 1B Gurriel LF Marisnick
Where's Bogusevic when you need him? Brooks Keishnick looked good at the UT alumni game, he's available too. Pirates tried that with John Van Benschoten, the Cubs just turned the Stros $5M Dominican guy into a pitcher. It worked out for a bit for Jason Lane.
My guess is that they will try Reddick as everyday player but if he sucks it up against lefties like last year, Beltran will play LF against lefties most of the time and Marisnick to center, Springer to right. Aoki had a down year against lefties last year, but historically has hit them ok. So you might see him play some against lefties with Beltran in right and Springer in Center. If Reed makes the squad he may be your 1B against RHP with Gurriel going to LF.
I really don't want Marisnick to be an "everytime we face lefty pitching" starter. He can play in relief or sub in when we need to close out on defense, but his bat is just terrible. Don't trust him at all.
