We'll see if and how the new FO regime changes things. As I mentioned earlier, b!tching about things before they happen is kinda ridiculous
https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-still-finalizing-opening-day-roster Backup catcher Where it stands: Yainer Diaz, the team’s No. 2-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Korey Lee (the club’s No. 7 prospect) came into camp battling for the backup spot behind veteran Martín Maldonado, and neither has separated himself. Lee needed to have a good spring at the plate and has done that, but Diaz’s ability to play first base could give him the leg up (Lee also saw time at first this spring, though). There is still a chance both Diaz and Lee could make the Opening Day roster because of Brantley’s injury, with Diaz serving as a pinch-hit option late in games and perhaps playing some left. Lee is the superior defender, which is important considering Houston’s emphasis on controlling the running game. “I’ve seen flashes of brilliance and I’ve seen flashes of still being young and rookies that need more seasoning sometimes,” Baker said. “Do we season them here, or do we season both of them here or is there enough playing time? Who needs to go back to [Triple-A] and play? … At least until we get Michael back, do we need some offense?” Final position-player spots Where it stands: The Astros will likely begin the year with Kyle Tucker, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and Alvarez as their outfielders, assuming Alvarez is ready after not getting into a Grapefruit League game until the final week of camp. Maldonado, first baseman José Abreu, third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Jeremy Peña are the other roster locks, along with utility players David Hensley, Mauricio Dubón and either Diaz or Lee. That’s 11 spots locked up, with two still up in the air from among outfielder Justin Dirden (non-roster), infielder Rylan Bannon, infielder/outfielder J.J. Matijevic, infielder Bligh Madris and a third catcher (Lee or Diaz). Outfielder Corey Julks (non-roster) is in the conversation, but the players who are on the 40-man roster would have the advantage -- considering Brantley will return sometime in April. Of this group, Madris, Dirden and Matijevic are left-handed bats, which would fill a need off the bench. Madris and Matijevic are similar in that they both play first base, with Madris having experience at both corner outfield spots and Matijevic in left field. Bannon has played second quite a bit this spring, which is important considering Altuve’s injury. “Me and [general manager] Dana [Brown] are kicking around, 'Are we strong enough on the infield or do we need some more offense?'” Baker said. “These final couple of spots are what’s taking so long because it really threw a wrench in our plans when Altuve went down.” Final bullpen spots Where it stands: The Astros’ decision to option left-handed pitcher Matt Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday meant the club was going to carry eight right-handed relief pitchers. Six of those spots are set with Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Phil Maton, Rafael Montero, Bryan Abreu and Héctor Neris. The last two spots will come down to either Ronel Blanco, Seth Martinez or Brandon Bielak. All three can throw multiple innings in relief.
Look at Brantley’s OPs and OPS+ numbers against LHP the last 5 years. It’s not good. His power completely disappears. Chas is miles better against LHP and at a minimum needs to be his platoon partner there for bat in lineup. My guess (and I’d like to see it play out) is Y Diaz is a superior option as well. I can’t see any reason for Brantley to ever start against LHP especially with his age and health. It should be a pretty strict platoon imo. If Meyers hits LHP well it becomes a no brainer to go Meyers in CF, Chas in LF and Yordan at Dh. if Jake doesn’t then Chas in CF, Yordan in Lf and Diaz at DH.
Probably a result of not seeing them as often, but DIaz has not hit LHP well the past 2 years. He will probably hit them well once he's in the majors for a while and sees them more often.
Yep. That’s why it’s a guess. The astros love his bet. Guys that are reverse split are unicorns so he’s probably better against LHP than RHP. Those can be small sample sizes that don’t accurately show true ability. Which is why I said note the 5 year decline for Brantley. That’s getting toward a meaningful sample size.
It makes me very sad that he doesn’t like UT. I’m repenting and covering myself in ashes and wearing sackcloth after the last 10 minutes of the second half yesterday.
The horns did do me a huge favor though by being good and staying in until the final 5- they took me all the way up to Astros opening day. That’s a great job of handing off the baton, college football season to college hoops to Astros and then back again to college football- all while staying relevant the entire time.
Both Brantley and Tucker fell off their prior success against LHP. Only Alvarez maintained among LH Hitters. But Yuli's year reminds us every year brings it's own surprises.
We have a pretty good history of the FO having difficulty changing Dusty's choices absent eliminating his choices from the roster..
Pretty much everybody would. Locking up a 2 way talent like Tucker through his mid 30's at an extremely affordable 21 mil AAV should be a fairly easy call. The market has gone wild since Riley signed that deal, and he was further away from FA than Tucker. I doubt that deal would even be given much consideration by Tuckers camp.
