I’m beginning to think Tucker’s injury wasn’t just a bone bruise. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a hairline fracture. Idk could be wrong but it’s weird it’s taking this long and hardly any news.
Let it go, man. He's gone. They were a game away from the World Series with Abreu - he's not the issue you so desperately want him to be. Hell, they won a World Series with Martin Maldonado and Yuli Gurriel both posting worst seasons than Abreu's '23 season. This is Occam's razor: they've had too many injuries; too many players performing well-below expectations. Abreu was not alone.
Keep in mind ... Abreu also played "defense"... Singleton and Dubon have been upgrades in that side of the game as well, which has a cascading effect in improving the pitching staff.
I agree with your first statement. But the return on Tuck would be pretty huge. I just will hate it when he goes somewhere else for just a comp pick if that's even eligible
Yep and throwing sinkers and cutters in addition to fastballs are similar which allows Hunter to get and stay in a groove. The biggest difference in the team now is 1. Pressly has been pitching better. 2. Bregs and especially Diaz bats coming around have made the lineup more potent even without Tucker. The lineup would rival the 2019 lineup when they get Tucker back and trade for Vlad. Altuve Bregs Alvarez Vlad Tucker Diaz Meyers Pena Chas/Cabbage
Ronel Blanco's BABIP against is .183. 4.43 FIP and 4.20 xFIP, compared to his 2.49 ERA. Arighetti's FIP and xFIP are the same this season at 4.25, but his BABIP this year is .349. Per Baseball Savant, Ronel Blanco's average exit velocity against is 88.3 mph and barrel percentage against is 8.9%. Spencer Arighetti's average exit velocity against is 88.3 mph and barrel percentage against is 6.6%. So, looks like the difference is purely luck? Ronel does have a lower hard hit % (34.3) and xBA (.214) than Spencer (38.3% and .235). In June, Hunter Brown's FIP was 2.97, xFIP was 3.01, ERA was 1.16. His Baseball Savant numbers, even including his terrible April, are nasty. 89th percentile average exit velocity, 88th percentile barrel percentage against, and 87th percentile hard hit percentage against. Ace: Framber Valdez Solid #2: Hunter Brown and Luis Garcia Solid #3-4: Arighetti and Blanco That's probably the third or fourth best rotation in the league, assuming Framber has his head screwed on that day. Need an ace replacement long term and even short-term if Framber is not to be trusted.
It’s as painful as a fracture… without the fracture. No structural instability but the same “favoring” and “limping” that comes with it due simply because of the pain. He can’t bat or play the field without being able to put full pressure on the leg.
After 84 games: 2022 - 55-29 2023 - 46-38 (9 games back) 2024 - 43-41 (3 games back) If the Astros can avoid further astronomical injury ---- McCullers and Garcia never return, plus more multiple injuries --- the remainder of the season, we all know how this will end.
I've lost faith in Framber, but he's the most durable pitcher that can eat up innings on the team. There's value in that. If he doesn't begin to show more composure this season, I would look at trading him for a large haul and hopefully Hunter can become the new ace. Also signing a guy like Flaherty this off-season should be in the mix.
Espada should be using Scott along with the big 3 at this point so those guys aren't pitching back-to-back in the same games.
