Welp, I'm certainly glad leaving Wright in to bat worked. But that definitely looked a bit perplexing at first.
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yeah they get me "torqued" up <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5E1JLR-h_bE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Astros outfielders are collectively hitting .214/.307/.309 on the season.</p>— Astros County (@AstrosCounty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosCounty/status/205292134826389505" data-datetime="2012-05-23T13:40:33+00:00">May 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jordan Schafer-- .248 .325 .333 Travis Buck----- .246 .310 .354 J.D. Martinez----.219 .331 .328 Brian Bogusevic-.218 .312 .306 Justin Maxwell---.211 .292 .351 http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/batting/_/name/hou/houston-astros
I know part of rebuilding means having some patience... but I'd say two months is enough of an evaluation period for some of that group. I hope Fernando is in a 'Stros uniform around the beginning of June. With as well as he's playing at OKC, he deserves his shot.
On the other hand... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lowest team ERA for the month of May? Not the Dodgers... <a href="http://t.co/Hs1HdktI" title="http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/pitching/split/41">espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team…</a> Mark Portugal would be proud.</p>— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/205315957411946498" data-datetime="2012-05-23T15:15:13+00:00">May 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's great stuff. Never would have thought in my right mind that Happ would pitch 6 innings of 1 run ball. What is going on?????
I was going to say something similar. This is what rebuilding means. The problem is, not one of those guys is even average, stat wise, at this point. You cant flush the whole outfield (I am not saying you suggested this). It might be this time next year before we are sure about any one of these guys. Some of it for me is getting used to my team being a rebuilding one. Things work differently. If this were the 2004-05 Astros, and one or two guys were struggling, you sit them, send them down, and/or put in another guy for a while. The difference is, the 2004-05 Astros had guys that mostly had been around a while. Their track records were fairly clear. You knew generally what to expect. These guys have little to no track record. I heard Paulino finally got his game together. Hummmm So where the line in the sand is to where you flush a guy is much more unclear. I do find it troubling that not one, or two or even three outfielders are struggling with their bats, but the ENTIRE outfield is. Its tempting just to suggest we demote the guy struggling the most and bring up the guy in AAA that is doing the best. That may well happen. But as easily as any one one these layers went cold, tomorrow or the next day or next week, they could go on a tear. Patience Jim(me), patience.
That sequence where BMyers threw four curve balls in a row to strike out the second batter, was just plain nasty.
A lot of it, for me, comes down to their overall profile. I'm OK with a longer leash on a guy like J.D., whose minor league history and scouting reports indicate should be a serviceable (if not good) starting OF at the MLB level. On the other hand, there's little to suggest Bogusevic or Buck will amount to much. Brian is 28 and never even broke the .800 OPS mark in three long stints at AAA. Crazy things happen sometimes, but he just doesn't have the power needed to be a starting corner OF in the majors. When you combine his results with the overall profile, I think it's time for Fernando (who, unlike Bogusevic, has raked at AAA) to get his shot in RF. I'm actually OK with Schafer and Maxwell, when used correctly as a platoon CF arrangement. The broad numbers don't take that into account. Schafer is decent against righties - .276 average, .354 OBP, .707 OPS - especially when you factor in that he plays solid defense at a premium position. Meanwhile, Maxwell has crushed lefties - .320 average, .419 OBP, .939 OPS, while also giving decent defense. That combination is plenty good enough in center. The issue for the 'Stros is the corners. Martinez and Bogusevic have been awful, which has forced Mills to experiment in an effort to find any spark. Maxwell has gotten a few starts in RF/LF of late, which inherently leads to something bad. If it's a righty, then Maxwell himself is the issue (.395 OPS). If it's a lefty, then putting Maxwell in a corner means Schafer is your only option to start in center... and that's putting a black hole in your lineup because he's terrible against lefties (.120 average, .425 OPS). I understand having a long leash with Martinez' struggles, since his profile tells you he could be a solid starter with the Astros. Much less understanding with Bogusevic. Think it's time for a switch there, especially considering that a competent hitter in right gives you the added bonus of keeping Schafer/Maxwell where they should be.
After reading your post, it seems clear that Bogusevic and Buck are the most on the bubble. I think they get till mid/late summer to make the leap. Their ages (both 28) just dont suggest that there could be a growing period ahead where they develop much. Age wise, they should be in their primes and if this years numbers are the most they have in their tanks, then we need to move on.
