<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I'll never forget. God is good, all the time. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%25233years">#3years</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523TCU">#TCU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523BeBetter">#BeBetter</a></p>— Mitchell Traver (@Mitchell_Traver) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitchell_Traver/status/210479609806995456" data-datetime="2012-06-06T21:13:44+00:00">June 6, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="210485542666780673"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/stevopayne">stevopayne</a> 3 years man...tell them to take me in 3 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523BeBlessed">#BeBlessed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Believe">#Believe</a></p>— Mitchell Traver (@Mitchell_Traver) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitchell_Traver/status/210488895140401152" data-datetime="2012-06-06T21:50:37+00:00">June 6, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Sandwich-round talent dropped all the way down to the next-to-last round. The news that he had surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome hurt his stock quite a bit. And his commitment to TCU, from what I've discovered after scouring Google all weekend, is next to ironclad. Also, with the leftovers from Correa's deal that need to be doled out between Lance McCullers, Rio Ruiz, and Hunter Virant (who I doubt will sign), there might not be enough left in the pool for Traver, Hinojosa, or the other 2 HSers anyway. I think Hinojosa might sign if Ruiz doesn't. Ruiz, who was the 4th-rounder, is asking for a top-10 bonus. Assume the Astros split the savings from Correa between McCullers and Ruiz. Astros County
SI.com is reporting Correa signed for $4.8m http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/06/07/astros.correa.ap/index.html?sct=mlb_t2_a5
Well damn. What's a bit alarming is that they didn't reveal the source. Could this mean that they're dead-on with the figure? Jon Heyman is also reporting this same $4.8 million number. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hear carlos correa deal with astros is for $4.8M</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/210862135427866624" data-datetime="2012-06-07T22:33:45+00:00">June 7, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> McCullers and Ruiz might be next, and there might be just enough left over for one of Virant or Hinojosa. Even Traver might get some, but again, I'm doubtful.
After following college baseball for a loooong time, that is not iron-clad at all. It's called "posturing". if we don't sign some of the other guys you listed, money could free up for Traver. It's not out of the question
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>As execs expected three days: The Correa signing bonus starts with a '4'. <a href="http://t.co/JbC3vBt2" title="http://t.co/JbC3vBt2">t.co/JbC3vBt2</a></p>— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/210865757989502976" data-datetime="2012-06-07T22:48:09+00:00">June 7, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'd be ecstatic if Virant signs, too. Aside from Brett Oberholtzer, who's been up-and-down this year, there really aren't many left-handed starters of note in the organization. Hell, Oberholtzer's probably the only lefty in this system that's worth mentioning.
He has been telling his followers on twitter to tell the Astros to draft him again in 3 years, that pretty much says he will go to college. Of course the Astros will make an attempt, but their first priorities should be the first 11 picks then Virant/Hinojosa. Chances he signs are very very small
We also have Keuchel who is a pitcher with unimpressive stuff but good results. Also musik who was a bit of a late bloomer(26yrs) and was impressive in lancaster and has already made it for some spot starts in OKC and is doing a pretty good job there as well. The thing with Virant is that he pitches in the high 80s low 90s range and has topped out at 94. He seems like he could gain a few mph and could throw in the low 90s regularly. He has been compared to Cliff lee
Oh yeah. Dallas Keuchel slipped my mind. Musick's done pretty well, too. But still, adding Virant would definitely be a bit of a boost in a department that's been pretty lacking.
Would rather have Ruiz and Hinojosa. While I'd love to see the Astros add another hihg upside high school pitcher (a southpaw at that) the scouting report on Virant is that he is relatively new to pitching and could use time at UCLA to help shore up his shortcomings. Ruiz is supposed to be a stud that sticks at third and Hinojosa would create a good problem for the Astros to have with him and Correa in a couple of years.
Yeah I agree we don't have many lefties in the system, Virant would immediately become our top lefty. McCullers would become one of our best pitchers, he seems similar to Cosart
If we sign Hinojosa we would have a lot of good SS: Correa, Mier, Villar, Fontana, Hinojosa, Moon, and more I can't remember
One good thing with hinojosa is that he and McCullers seem to be good friends, over twitter they are chatting about going golfing and how they could potentially be teammates on the Astros
IMO if McCullers signs, I think Ruiz will sign as well. Hopefully they can start tweeting with Virant and see if he wants to help usher in a new era of Astros baseball.
It would be great if we could sign Correa, McCullers, Ruiz, Phillips, and one of Virant/Hinojosa. I just don't believe we will have enough money to sign both of them
From what I read, Virant is the type of HS pitcher that if he were to go to UCLA and blossom he would be a top overall pick candidate. I'd like to see what he does if the Astros can scrounge up $1.8m for him. That's late first round money.
