People have posted questions on Springer and Folty in the discussion thread for Sickels to answer. We'll wait and see if he does Can someone with SBnation posting privilages ask about Villar? I want to know if his breakout month in Corpus has made him a legit prospect yet. I just registered and can't post yet on there.
He also hit a batter, idk if that counts as a walk, so it might be 75". Still a great debu(even if it was one of the friendly pitcher parks)
Some random poster on Sickel's website addressed Folty in the comments. It's pretty good commentary: I looked at his advance stats on FanGraphs and that guy's comments were pretty spot on. Folty has shown minor improvements this season like: K/9 @ 6.8 (up 0.9) BB/9 @ 3.24 (down 0.17) FIP @ 3.61 (down 0.55) But the majority of his substantial win/loss and ERA improvement was his nearly 50 point drop in BABIP. That's typically a factor of luck and/or defense. Folty's had a full season of starts in Lexington between this year and last year. I think it's time for him to move up to Lancaster.
hah, I posted it in a separate thread a mere minute before you posted it in here. Keeping on top of this stuff, strong work man.
I know this honestly doesn't mean too much in the long run, but you gotta be encouraged by this little nugget, courtesy of our GM himself. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Astros rank second overall in minor league winning percentage at 208-177 (.540).That's reason to be excited.</p>— Jeff Luhnow (@jluhnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/jluhnow/status/219939372202594304" data-datetime="2012-07-02T23:43:27+00:00">July 2, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Want the full-on report or a quickie? Well, Tropeano has the best changeup in the system. His fastball was in the low 90s when he was drafted but has steadily gained velocity. Last night against Modesto, he was reaching back for 96, and maybe a couple of 97s. Also throws a slider that's behind both pitches, but I think it might be a decent pitch. Apparently he's also throwing a splitter now. Baseball America had him as #12 in their Top 30 before the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Astros rank second overall in minor league winning percentage at 208-177 (.540).That's reason to be excited.</p>— Jeff Luhnow (@jluhnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/jluhnow/status/219939372202594304" data-datetime="2012-07-02T23:43:27+00:00">July 2, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> I suspect that the minor league winning percentage improvement this year is from the traded-for prospects and from Luhnow not rapidly promoting prospects like Wade did last year.
The People's GM made an appearance in Oklahoma City tonight. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Good outing for Oberholtzer.He has the stuff to pitch in Houston someday.</p>— Jeff Luhnow (@jluhnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/jluhnow/status/219980476797038592" data-datetime="2012-07-03T02:26:47+00:00">July 3, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Deshields needs to get called up NOW. And looks like Singleton may have gotten out of his slump with a 3-4 night with a HR
I hope Singleton found the fattest, ugliest girl he could and porked her brains out. :grin: Call me crazy, but I think DDJ's development would be better off finishing the season in Lexington. He's a lot like Villar. Both guys had huge June months that put them back on everyone's radar, but that conveniently overlooks April and May's that ranged from god-awful-terrible to mediocre. I think in both cases it would be a mistake promoting them now. Let them finish their seasons strong at their respective levels and end with awesome season stats. You may not realize it but DDJ is only hitting .278 on the season AT LOW-A, WHICH HE IS REPEATING. Villar is only hitting .265 overall in AA. They're hardly candidates for fast track status yet.
.278 isn't bad. I think he's ready for A+, I just don't like speed guys with a little pop going to a HR paradise. Also no reason to rush him with 3 2B (Altuve, Martinez, Paredes) who are ahead of him, and the 2 not behind Altuve are ready for their shot. Lowrie gives the team the luxury of not rushing Villar. Villar is fine offensively for the position he plays. They say he has a lot of talent defensively, but still makes too many mistakes out there. If the team gets an offer they can't refuse, Lowrie will be gone, but Gonzalez is a good enough stopgap that Villar shouldn't be starting in Houston until at least 2013.
