Off day.... Brian McTaggart notebook: Philip Humber on simulated game Also, IF Brandon Wikoff was involved in a one-car accident and is in stable condition.
So... what happened during this simulated game? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> Erik Castro just took Humber deep. Potential <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23CCHooks">#CCHooks</a> INF in 2013</p>— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks/status/313654792385880064">March 18, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> triple-A rule fiver Michael Burgess hit bomb to right center off Humber. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23CCHooks">#CCHooks</a> bound?</p>— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks/status/313659184191270912">March 18, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>First day of hitting in 5 weeks <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23success">#success</a></p>— Max Stassi (@MaxStassi10) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxStassi10/status/313827614445957120">March 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He's still young which is encouraging so it's not like he's a total bust...yet. The minors should help him refocus and some seasoning.
I don't see any way Lo doesn't make the Opening Day roster, even if he's only pitched 54 Double-A innings in his career.
Locks for the bullpen look like: Veras Cruz Fields Likely: Ambriz Wright Cedeno We also know they want to carry a 6th starter, which would leave no room for Lo with the typical 12 pitcher setup. Possible they could abandon the long-man idea (the candidates have been terrible) or only go with one of Wright/Cedeno since they are both best served as left handed specialists. Edit: Personally, I'm surprised Wright hasn't been traded. A guy like him is pointless to a terrible team and has hit his arbitration years.
I agree, he doesn't have a strong arm but really locates the ball well and gets people out. I was also impressed with the lefty Chapman. His numbers aren't that good for the spring but the guy is huge, has a great arm and seems almost unhittable against lefties. I personally like him better than Cedeno. As for Lyles, the wheels have completely fallen off for this guy. 6 ER again today and an ERA of 17.75 for the spring. He's been acting like everything is ok and he's just working on stuff. But there is no way this guy can make the team after this atrocious spring. I know he changed his mechanics but whatever he's doing isn't working. He doesn't have a strong enough fastball and gets lit up when throwing right down the middle. He needs to go back to AAA and work on his stuff Lyles. Also he needs to start acting like he cares and stop brushing off these bad outings. It is Spring but I don't like his attitude so far.
My Rotation: Norris Harrell (Either could be #1) Humber White Bedard Did any of you guys watch Bedard pitch on Sunday? He was really locating the ball well and throwing with some good velocity. If he can pick up the pace and continue to throw like that the rest of the spring he should be the 5th starter. He seems like he's on a mission to bounce back this year and if anything, we should try to get something for him down the road instead of just cutting him before the season starts.
Wallace hasn't been playing much lately and didn't really look good when he did play against the Strasburg and the Nats. At this point I'd be very surprised if he made the team. Maybe the Yankees will still take him? haha
Bedard would be my #3 guy. Norris/Harrell/Humber/Bedard seem locks in the rotation. Lyles was a lock that may very well have played himself out (one start remaining).
Yeah, I like that #3 idea to mix in a Lefty. Though the only reason I put him at #5 is because he's been injured and hasn't built up enough innings yet in spring, so being at the end of the rotation would give him a little extra time. They could always switch it around after an off day.
It's not uncommon for pitchers to experiment during ST. I just don't think Lyles was really in a position to do so as much as he claims he has. He's not a 10 year vet for whom ST is more of a warm up exercise than making sure you are still on the team. At some point, you have to turn the switch on. I didn't see Strasburg experimenting last Saturday. He was pitching as if it was a regular season game. You can't just assume that it's all going to come together after March 31.
