This is what I believe as well. By drafting Virant and Hinojosa (as well as Traver) in the later rounds, they were backups to McCullers/Ruiz, who were higher priorities. Virant was known to be a tough sign. I'm still satisfied with the haul that we signed, 3 1st round type talents.
Astros are loaded with some big time infield prospects. Like to see Wandy, Myers, etc. get a couple big pitching prospects in return
In the Cleveland game recap game notes, it says: "The Astros agreed to a contract with C Tyler Heineman, an eighth round pick in this year's draft" Have not seen other details.
I think he'll play. Not like immediately, of course. Ruiz is cleared to continue baseball activities, and he should start in at least a couple of weeks.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's official: Astros sign fourth-round Draft pick Rio Ruiz.</p>— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) <a href="https://twitter.com/alysonfooter/status/217372398251548673" data-datetime="2012-06-25T21:43:12+00:00">June 25, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Astros announced the signing today of their 4th round pick Rio Ruiz from California. Left-handed hitting 3b. <a href="http://t.co/bK7ytVhT" title="http://twitter.com/Astrosradio/status/217394268497649664/photo/1">twitter.com/Astrosradio/st…</a></p>— Brett Dolan (@Astrosradio) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astrosradio/status/217394268497649664" data-datetime="2012-06-25T23:10:08+00:00">June 25, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Done Deal. Not sure if dollar sign S was intentional.
Are the Houston Astors related to the London Astors? I initially thought the $ must have been intentional, however, after seeing the other mistake in the article, it may not have been.
personally i likes Virant a little better... but that was in terms of absolute ceiling. Even though Ruiz is coming off an injury he as a position player has a lot better chance of panning out than Virant. So basically i think that ruiz may have a slightly lower ceiling but is safer
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Total package I think Rio Ruiz was much better. While both are projects, Virant is a substantially bigger project. Virant has only been pitching for one year and is tossing 86-88mph fastballs in game with a max velocity of 92mph. He also is reported to have a horrible attitude problem. Ceiling-wise I'd say they're pretty similar. All-star 3B for Ruiz and #1 starter for Virant; that's not terribly different. As you said though, Ruiz's floor is higher than Virant's. Time will tell on Virant. In three years he could either be a contender for the #1 overall pick or middle-round draft pick.
The fact that this is Virants first year pitching and he already has 4 pitches and can hit 92 from the left side is why I think he is just a little bit better than ruiz ( ceiling wise ) either way its very close .... unfortunately i dont think we will be able to sign Virant .. but all factors considered they probably chose correctly with Ruiz.
Hah difference of opinion I guess. There's no way to know where his fastball will end up, I think that puts a big asterisk on his potential. Fastball speed is something that doesn't necessarily need development time. For example, Byron Buxton isn't a full-time pitcher but he's been clocked at 98mph on the mound. It's not uncommon for high-level HS outfielders to throw mid-90's fastballs. Lance McCullers has already been clocked at 100mph. There's always the chance his fastball just doesn't develop. Virant's MAX fastball is 92mph. I will say 4 pitches as a prep pitcher is mighty impressive though.
can someone post all of the players we have signed and all of the players that have not made a decision yet. thanks.
Someone might be signing tomorrow... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="217451325464649730"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/Subber10">Subber10</a> BTW, Brownie announced there'll be another signing announced tomorrow. My $0.02 is that it is a dual Fontana/Tucker announcement..</p>— Lee Street (@StreetJL) <a href="https://twitter.com/StreetJL/status/217452269170466817" data-datetime="2012-06-26T03:00:35+00:00">June 26, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If we can get Tucker and Fontana for about 700k combined ( which is possible i guess ) then we can throw about 800k according to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvzN-Uecy4HvdGZqZ01lSUpxei1uMEQ1X2d0VFZaMlE#gid=0 at Virant ... plus the 100k for the 11th pick .. a 900k offer may not get him to sign but he will at least have to think about it for a while
