I think Brown before Whitley, but I think we could send Maton down and bring both up or just give up on our lone left hander. If JV is hurt its a no-brainer to try both.
My daughter wants a pony. If JV misses a start or two, the Astros should definitely bring Brown up. Brown may very be up as one of the September callups. Looking at the postseason roster, pitching is much less of a need than hitting. Very few hitters can transition from AAA to the MLB in a month and then be counted on in the playoff. Still, this is one bullet in the GM's gun and deserves a shot.
Right now, we just need to keep as many options available as possible. In the confusion over constantly changing eligibility rules the last three years complicated by a CBA which leaves many details to committees, I THINK that players must be on the 40 man roster on 9/1 (Thursday) to be eligible for a spot on any playoff roster. The IL/COVID exemptions only apply to replacing series roster players with other eligible players on the 40 man roster set on 9/1. If this is correct, the priority over the next 3 days is making players who are most likely to help in the playoffs part of the 40 man Roster regardless of whether they are activated to or now part of he 26/28 man roster or not. If you think Maton won't help and a minor league play could, you have to make the move soon. If IR/COVID exceptions apply to the 40 man roster eligibility for the playoffs, then you can stash a likely IR player on the 40 to create an opportunity to make non 40 prospects available for the playoffs later. For example Diaz is currently on IL but not 60 day so he's still part of the 40 roster. If he can be replaced if he can go on 60 IR with a player not on the 40 on 9/1, but would then be available for the playoffs, it opens up options later.
If they brought Whitley up after just a few good outings after being (allegedly) a coaching resistant ass-hat then I think Hunter Brown, who has seemingly done everything asked of him and dominated all season long yet still remains on the Space Cowboys roster, would probably blow a gasket. I'm not saying pissing Brown off is a reason to not do what the Astros think is right, but it sure would send the wrong message. I doubt the Astros would do it.
I Haven't seen that good outing. Just promises that he could get there because of his stuff. 7 SO in 4 IP sounds good until you see 2 ER in 4 innings in his "Good Outing."
Is it too late for Loperfido to get a taste of the Texas League this season? He's had no trouble at all acclimating himself to the SAL.
He was playing in Vegas. That place has the same approximate gravity of the moon. There were 29 runs scored in that game. 2 ER is fine there. Run prevention in half the places in the PCL, even against AAA lineups, is harder than playing with the the Astros behind you in the field in about 25 out of the 30 MLB parks. It’s that brutal.
It would be cool for MLB to expand to the DF in Mexico just to see how insane that environment would play in this league. LF and RF fences would need to be 380+ ft.
The team has to do what they think will give them the best chance to win regardless of other factors. In my opinion Brown over Whitley. We REALLY need to pump the brakes on Forest. Nothing he has done ( yet?) shows him dependable. 1) Brown has out performed him and over a full season. And a less important issue- if Whitley gets promoted instead of him he may well pull a Springer and not even consider any kind of commitment to the Astros beyond what is required. He's the better option and has shown it every way possible.
I don’t think we will see anymore promotions in the minors this season other than maybe 1-2 guys from AA getting called up once their season ends (AAA now plays thru Sept).
Call-ups CF Pedro Leon - I think Pedro Must Play for the Astros, Bat him 2nd, Pedro has Power and Speed. Jake Myers must be sent down and Mauricio Dubon is not Starting Caliber SP Hunter Brown - Definitely can be a Reliever in the Postseason SP Forrest Whitley - Must Gauge his Health and Analyze his Spin Rate on his Pitches C/1B Yainer Diaz - Try him out at 1B
I really hope Pedro Leon can have a Miguel Cabrera Rookie Run like when he was with the Marlins. Pedro Leon just gets called up and take the Starting CF Spot. Hit for Power and use his Speed while hitting 2nd.
The new CBA specifies only 1 position player and 1 pitcher may be added on 9/1. I have no issue with Leon and Diaz coming up and Meyers going down However there is no place for both Brown and Whitley. Whitley does not deserve a call and has not shown he can be depended on. I would add that I would hit Leon 8th or 9th and keep him in 1 spot. Let him get acclimated to the MLB game with as little pressure as possible.
Another option if Whitley gets his value really high again is to trade him in the offseason for a 1B or OF.
I don't think he can possibly get his value high enough to do that. It will almost have to be a guy that's got experience with the big league club and Garcia has the longest amount of control- so that's logical as him being the centerpiece. I'd have to think Whitley is more valuable to us as a lotto ticket with ace potential than anyone else out there on the market.
Astros Future @AstrosFuture Korey Lee is the Astros Future player of the week. He put together a monster week hitting .480 with 2 2B, 5 HR, 11 RBI in 6 games. #Astros #LevelUp
