I'm not saying it will go past 6, but 6 feels like it is coming. Obviously you must have a minimum number of pitchers in the bullpen and there is a point of diminishing returns where rest becomes rust.
FYI I was on Fangraphs Roster Resource and it has Gilbert listed as the Astros #5 and Clifford ( eventhough he's not signed) as #7 ranked prospects.
I'm a little surprised Gilbert was rated lower than Barber. I'm expecting Brown to be called up after trade deadline, and Gilbert will be the No. 1 rated prospect in Astros system by FanGraphs next year.
Edinson Batista vs. Carolina: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K Joey Loperfido's 2-run home run (8) is currently the difference in a 2-0 game.
Asheville needs a solo home run in the final five (or six) innings to complete the home run cycle tonight. 12 for Stevens, 13 for Corona, and 10 for Palma.
I think he's the kind of guy who really benefits from Asheville. He's always had solid strikeout and walk ratios, with modest power and a flyball oriented batted ball profile. That being said, he's a 20 year old catcher that has held his own with the bat every where he's gone.
Yep. That’s he’s only 20 and adequately plays up the middle defensively would make up a bit for the mirage that can happen in Asheville. He will likely get to 100+ pa before the seasons over; if he posts a 900+ ops then he will be a serious breakout candidate next season. A viable catcher holding his own in AA at 21 likely has a mlb future.
Valente Bellozo vs. Carolina: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K He had a 5.68 ERA between the two FCL teams and Fayetteville entering tonight, but most of that 5.68 occurred in Florida and he was trying to get used to pitching in actual games again, so that counts and doesn't count at the same time.
Jose Alvarez hit his first homer of the year for Fayetteville. He's appeared in at least one game for every Astros full-season affiliate this year. (29 Corpus, 11 Asheville, 5 Fayetteville, 1 Sugar Land)
Future Nationals great Miguel Ullola followed with 4.2 excellent innings of relief: 4 H, unearned run, BB, 10 K The unearned run came in the 7th and was unearned because of an error following a double. Kasey Ford got the final out of the game. Ullola is now 2-0 with a 2.27 ERA in 15 appearances (8 starts). He has 74 strikeouts in 47.2 innings and opponents are now slashing .161/.294/.238 against him. Yep, that's a .238 slugging percentage against. EDIT: video
