[Official] Astros Spring Training Thread

Singleton was told he's not making the roster

 

Montero is like a cold that just won’t go away.

 

I think it depends on what they're wanting him to focus on.

The adage is usually top pitching prospects often skip AAA because their teams think their pure stuff is good enough for the majors already (albeit underdeveloped).

So triple AAA has less pure stuff pitching prospects, but being the more advanced level there's more pitchabiliy and off-speed competency. That's particularly so if you're getting MLB quality pitchers on rehab assignments.

If I was comfortable with Cam's FB hitting competency and just wanted him to work on approach and see a steady diet of off-speed (which is often what newb hitters get when they're first called up), I'd send him to AAA.

 

NO. This is not the way. This is weak, overcautious, and scared. Crane/Brown need to give the fans some excitement after not paying Bregman or Tucker...

PLAY CAM SMITH AND ZACH DEZENZO NOW

 

Well, part of the idea is that there’s not enough playing time for 13 guys to play regularly, so Hummel and Singleton wouldn’t play much, it would be more about Rodgers, McCormick, and Meyers playing enough to make a call. Hummel and Singleton would be mostly limited to pinch hitting against RHP late in close games.

 

It feels like the roster is coming together.

The rotation is set and are 8 healthy relief pitchers still in camp, so there you go.

Diaz and Caratini are set at catcher.

Walker, Paredes, Pena, Alvarez, Altuve, Meyers, McCormick, and Dubon are set in stone.

That leaves 3 spots with 2b and RF unsettled.

If they don't move Paredes or Altuve back to 2b, then Rodgers makes the team as the primary 2b.

Dezenzo and Smith are very very similar in position and ability. The differences are that Smith has a better hit tool and more power (though Zach has plenty) while Dezenzo is already on the 40 man and has much more pro experience - facing pitchers and playing the OF. Also, I have heard that Smith is fairly fast, but Espada commented on how impressed he is with Zach's basestealing and running. At least one of them will make the team in RF.

So if both make it, the roster is set.

If not then Hummel and Singleton are competing for the final spot. Neither have options, so at least 1 will need to be dfa'd and/or traded or waived. I can't imagine Singleton making it through waivers but Hummel probably will.

Singleton is coming off a good season, is very well liked and respected and fits a big need offensively. He is extremely limited defensively and brings no baserunjing value.

Hummel is versatile defensively and brings some baserunning value. He is a switch hitter but has been very underwhelming in his MLB auditions so far. I am also very suspect of his power at the MLB level, since he has only hit 18 HR in nearly 900 PAs in the elevation rich PCL the past 2 seasons.

Edit: well, I guess the Singleton move means it's down to 3 guys for 2 spots - Dezenzo, Hummel, and Smith.

I honestly don't feel strongly between Hummel or Smith but feel Dezenzo needs to be on this team and needs to start at least 4 games per week.

 

Yuck.

But, it wouldn't surprise me if this is the scenario they roll with.

 

NM he left out Scott

 

Looks like it’s not, since Singleton has been told he’s not going to be on the roster. Looks like at least one of Dezenzo or Smith is going to make the team, and Hummel is in.

 

Insane we are rolling with all of Montero, Chas, Meyers and Dubon to start the season. Gives me not a lot of hope for management

 

Smith going down will not go over well, but to me, I'm not concerned because he's probably going to be the first position player coming up. Brown has shown that he's more aggressive with promotions.

Dezenzo should get one of the spots because yeah, there's no real reason for him to be in the minors anymore. "He needs to play every day" is nothing more than an excuse. There shouldn't be any service time clock concerns with him either; he's not the #1 prospect in baseball... he's a guy who could be a solid pro for a while, so let's get the ball rolling.

 

[Chris Burke has entered the chat]

 

Best hair in Astros history?

 

I really hope the Montero thing is that they see positive signs...and not that they are desperately trying to recoup some of that money.

It is technically now a contract year for him, maybe he will actually bring it in an effort to sucker some other stupid team out of their money next offseason.

 

I also think there’s a difference in roles. He’s almost certainly not an 8th/9th inning guy but it doesn’t take much for a guy like him to be serviceable in earlier innings and/or low leverage.

 

Montero might be playing out his string. He might make the team out of ST ... but ... there are some injured bullpen arms that are set to come back soon (Whitley, Okert) that I am unsure that the Astros will want to keep Montero over.

 

Who's the top candidate for "bullpen guy who comes out of nowhere and has a great season"? There's pretty much at least one every year.

 

Montero's issues were always mental. He went off script a lot instead of throwing what the catcher or dugout called. I think being DFA'ed and no one wanting him humbled him a little. He still has the same stuff.