No; I was responding to Bowden's anecdote about Zimmerman's ascension and just wondering if the Astros were possibly weighing... more... for lack of a better term "fan-friendly" actions. I'll be floored if they don't turn September over to the next wave. Absolutely floored. As much as they hyped having all those kids here for the final preseason game... they're going to jump all over the chance to kickstart Astros 2.0. Again, I have no idea if they'd rush Bryant, assuming they'd even draft him. Bowden's comments just made me wonder how much pressure - if any - they feel to show-off some of their progress. correct... of terrible players. Do you really think Brett Wallace, Ronny Cedeno, Marwin Gonzalez, Brandon Laird, Erik Bedard, etc., etc., etc., are going to keep Singleton, Springer, et al, off the 40 man?
i've always wondered...do you think a significant portion of our fan base even knows about springer and singleton, or follows their progress enough to the extent that they will fill seats just to see them play? i have buddies who are enormous astros fans who i find myself informing about our prospects and even reminding them who springer is. seems like you have a core who is just as likely to come to the ballpark no matter what the circumstances are, the group that comes depending on wins and losses, the group that comes based on the opposing team, and a very very small group that would come to see some young prospects start their careers, who wouldn't otherwise go to the park.
Brett Wallace? Yes, he'll be coming back up Ronny Cedeno? No Marwin Gonzalez? Yes Brandon Laird? Maybe Erik Bedard? Yes (assuming still around) Why give away players you don't have to? I already expect Josh Zied, Singleton and Jason Stoffel to be added to the 40-man roster. I also expect us to add a 3rd catcher to the 40-man. I've been a big proponent of trading for guys that don't require a 40-man spot. If you do that, it alleviates those problems. Last year that didn't happen.
No, not specifically - but most understand prospects, generally speaking, and their overall importance. And while I don't think it'd draw remarkably more fans to the park (unless they were all just raking for 30 solid days), I do think shifting the dialogue from "when" to "now" is something the Astros wouldn't take lightly. A month talking about Singleton, Springer, et al, beats up and down on five months of talking about Erik Bedard.
Because that's exactly why they're here - to serve as placeholders. I can understand status quo from a service time standpoint - but I can't fathom the Astros being interested in potentially passing on the opportunity to show off one of their top prospects so they can hold on to.... Erik Bedard.
Keith Law's final mock This feels more like a scenario to me than a projection -- if Houston takes someone else at No. 1, then most of the picks succeeding it will change as well, and as of early Thursday it did not appear that the Astros had decided on their selection. As of now, this is my best projection for the top 33 picks in the draft -- the formal first round, plus the six compensatory picks that teams received for losing free agents who received qualifying offers this offseason. I'll add relevant info and buzz as it comes in throughout the day. 1. Houston - Mark Appel POS: RHP HT: 6-5 WT: 215 School: Stanford Analysis: So the last rumor of the night Wednesday … or the small hours of Thursday morning, had the Astros trying to nail down a price from Appel so they could take him with the first pick and still ensure that they had enough savings to exceed MLB's bonus recommendations with picks 40 and 74. They could still take Colin Moran, or Jonathan Gray, or (least likely) Kris Bryant. The rest of Law's mock draft Spoiler 2. Chicago Cubs - Jonathan Gray POS: RHP HT: 6-4 WT: 239 School: Oklahoma Analysis: Appel or Gray here, with money probably a major variable as the Cubs seem to view the two guys as very close. They may not have a choice if the Astros take one of the two, in which case Chicago will take the other. 3. Colorado - Kris Bryant POS: 3B/OF B/T: R/R HT: 6-5 WT: 215 School: San Diego Analysis: The Rockies have been linked to Bryant all spring. Rumor of the week has the Rockies shocking everyone here with Dominic Smith, although I get the sense that they like Smith a lot but not with this pick. 4. Minnesota - Kohl Stewart POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 190 School: St. Pius X (Houston) Analysis: They have considered Reese McGuire, and I think they'd take Gray or Appel if either one got here, assuming they knew either player would sign. 5. Cleveland - Colin Moran POS: 3B B/T: L/R HT: 6-3 WT: 215 School: North Carolina Analysis: They'd take any of the four college guys I have going in the top five, with Clint Frazier as the backup option if all four are gone. 6. Miami - Braden Shipley POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 190 School: Nevada Analysis: I'm also hearing them linked to Austin Meadows and Hunter Renfroe. 7. Boston - Austin Meadows POS: OF B/T: L/L HT: 6-3 WT: 200 School: Grayson (Ga.) HS Analysis: They'd love Moran or Bryant, but I can't make either of those things work in a realistic scenario. Also hearing them with Stewart, Frazier and Ryne Stanek, as well as an outside shot at a deal with Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez, although that seems to be dead. 8. Kansas City - Trey Ball POS: LHP/OF HT: 6-6 WT: 180 School: New Castle (Ind.) HS Analysis: Stewart doesn't get past here. Ball and Shipley are their choices over Phil Bickford, who I had them taking in my last mock and is still a consideration here, but he put out such a huge bonus demand this week that some teams are scared off. 9. Pittsburgh - Reese McGuire POS: C B/T: L/R HT: 6-1 WT: 190 School: Kentwood HS (Kent, Wash.) Analysis: This one has seemed locked in for a while. If the Twins do end up taking McGuire, I'd guess D.J. Peterson here, over guys like Dominic Smith, Hunter Renfroe, and Clint Frazier. Note: A compensation pick for failing to sign Mark Appel with No. 8 overall pick in 2012. 10. Toronto - J.P. Crawford POS: SS B/T: L/R HT: 6-2 WT: 175 School: Lakewood (Calif.) HS Analysis: Hearing them with Ball, McGuire, and Crawford, but not Meadows and Frazier. Also heard one rumor they'd take Bickford and tell him to take less money or go to school. 11. New York Mets - DJ Peterson POS: 3B/1B B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 205 School: New Mexico Analysis: Have heard them on Peterson or Smith for weeks now. Gonzalez is another name that has gained some traction here. 12. Seattle - Hunter Renfroe POS: OF B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 216 School: Mississippi State Analysis: Seattle is being linked to a slew of names here, including Peterson, Bickford, and Crawford. 13. San Diego - Clint Frazier POS: OF B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 190 School: Loganville (Ga.) HS Analysis: Other possibilities here include Renfroe, Gonzalez and Hunter Dozier, who has moved up draft boards with a strong spring at Stephen F. Austin. Dozier is also helped by the fact that this draft is bereft of college shortstops, and he is probably the best one. Update (11:50 a.m. ET): Hearing that Renfroe is their clear second choice if Frazier is off the board. 14. Pittsburgh - Dominic Smith POS: 1B B/T: L/L HT: 6-0 WT: 195 School: Serra HS (Gardena, Calif.) Analysis: Gonzalez is also in play here, as well as the other names I mentioned at No. 9 should they fall this far. 15. Arizona - Alex Gonzalez POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 200 School: Oral Roberts Analysis: If Renfroe or Smith are still on the board, it's unlikely they'll get past here. Another name I've heard is Fresno State outfielder Aaron Judge, who is built like a defensive end and has one of the more unique scouting profiles you will ever see. 16. Philadelphia Phillies - Austin Wilson POS: OF B/T: R/R HT: 6-5 WT: 245 School: Stanford Analysis: I've heard them on a weird mix of players, but they seem to be locked in on bats. They're one of the teams linked to J.P. Crawford, and I've heard them connected to Judge, probably because they love high-upside athletic players even if their probability is low. 17. Chicago White Sox - Chris Anderson POS: RHP HT: 6-4 WT: 225 School: Jacksonville Analysis: Other possibilities here include Gonzalez and juco shortstop Tim Anderson. 18. Los Angeles Dodgers - Ryne Stanek POS: RHP HT: 6-4 WT: 190 School: Arkansas Analysis: Heard a number of names here, including Nick Ciuffo, Hunter Harvey, Eric Jagielo and Gonzalez. Stanek was seen as a possible top-five pick coming into the spring, so some might see this as great value here. 19. St. Louis - Tim Anderson POS: SS B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 180 School: East Central CC Analysis: Hearing they're more likely to go college than prep here. 20. Detroit - Jonathon Crawford POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 200 School: Florida Analysis: Heard them linked to a lot of power arms -- a profile Detroit loves -- but not to anyone specific other than Crawford. 21. Tampa Bay - Nick Ciuffo POS: C B/T: L/R HT: 6-1 WT: 200 School: Lexington (S.C.) HS Analysis: Ciuffo seems to be the one name they'd really love to get here, with Dozier, Jagielo and Devin Williams other possibilities. 22. Baltimore - Hunter Harvey POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 175 School: Bandys HS (Catawba, N.C.) Analysis: I've also heard them with Travis Demeritte, Josh Hart, and Alex Balog (but probably at pick No. 37 in competitive balance round A). 23. Texas - Travis Demeritte POS: SS B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 195 School: Winder-Barrow HS (Winder, Ga.) Analysis: If the Cardinals really do go college at 19, that probably means Demerritte gets here, and Texas has been linked to him for a while. 24. Oakland - Rob Kaminsky POS: LHP HT: 6-0 WT: 190 School: St. Joseph HS (Montvale, N.J.) Analysis: Oakland has been linked to Hunter Harvey as well. 25. San Francisco - Matt Krook POS: LHP HT: 6-2 WT: 190 School: St. Ignatius Prep (Hillsborough, Calif.) Analysis: Linked to a lot of prep arms, with Krook earning particular attention from their pitching guru, Dick Tidrow, as well as Ian Clarkin. 26. New York Yankees - Eric Jagielo POS: 3B B/T: L/R HT: 6-3 WT: 215 School: Notre Dame Analysis: Hearing they will go college here, with Jagielo edging out Wilson on their board. 27. Cincinnati - Jon Denney POS: C B/T: R/R HT: 6-2 WT: 205 School: Yukon (Okla.) HS Analysis: Also heard them with Billy McKinney and Wil Crowe, the latter probably in the comp round (No. 38 overall pick). 28. St. Louis - Devin Williams POS: RHP HT: 6-3 WT: 172 School: Hazelwood (Mo.) West HS Analysis: Williams is a local kid, which makes him an obvious fit. I've also heard them with Ian Clarkin here. Note: This pick is compensation for Kyle Lohse signing with the Brewers. 29. Tampa Bay - Hunter Dozier POS: SS B/T: R/R HT: 6-4 WT: 220 School: Stephen F. Austin Analysis: Other targets are the guys I mentioned at No. 21: Dozier, Jagielo and Williams. Note: This pick is compensation for B.J. Upton signing with the Braves. 30. Texas - Kyle Serrano POS: RHP HT: 6-0 WT: 185 School: Farragut (Tenn.) HS Analysis: If I had to say there was one pick I knew the least about, it would be this one. I've heard names such as Hunter Green, Hart and Clarkin, but don't feel like any of them was a particularly strong link. Note: This pick is compensation for Josh Hamilton signing with the Angels. 31. Atlanta - Hunter Green POS: LHP HT: 6-5 WT: 220 School: Warren East HS (Bowling Green, Ky.) Analysis: They'd love Krook but he likely won't get here. Cal catcher Andrew Knapp is also in play. Note: This pick is compensation for Michael Bourn signing with the Indians. 32. New York Yankees - Billy McKinney POS: OF B/T: L/L HT: 6-2 WT: 195 School: Plano (Texas) West HS Analysis: Have also heard them on Kaminsky, Andrew Thurman (although that was a little while ago), Dustin Peterson and Cody Reed, as well as … Note: This pick is compensation for Nick Swisher signing with the Indians. 33. New York Yankees - Ian Clarkin POS: LHP HT: 6-2 WT: 190 School: Madison HS (San Diego) Analysis: Probably worth mentioning that the last time they picked down here in 2010, they shocked everyone by taking prep shortstop Cito Culver, who was considered a pretty big reach. Note: This pick is compensation for Rafael Soriano signing with the Nationals.
TCB reported that Phil Bickford is demanding close to top 4 money and could fall as a signability concern to 2-1. He's a 1st round talent. Manea could be a target too. Please Bryant or Frazier and money leftover for one of these guys!
It is more than holding onto guys. Once they are on the 40-man roster, there is no going back. That is why it matters less for a guy like Singleton, who will be added in the offseason anyway. You only add Springer if you think he is ready and know you are going to have him as your starter on opening day next year. Otherwise you save that spot.
SI BA <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rumblings <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> might be team to pop Manaea, at No. 40. Not sure what cost would be but they have $9.2 mil for top 2 picks. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisBA/status/342660440666550272">June 6, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> MLB
so what are the odds manaea falls to 40? wasnt he a strong candidate for 1.1 a few months ago.. huge drop for someone who was once at the top of some mocks..
If he sends signals he wants a large bonus, I'd say the are very good. Injury concerns have caused him to fall.
Man if we can somehow add Gray, Manaea, AND Rodon in the next year (spanning 2 drafts mind you), that is pretty ridiculous. That would be adding 3 potential frontline starters, then add McCullers to the mix, and we just bolstered our future starting rotation big time, which is our biggest current weakness. Count me in with this plan.
He's 23 and tearing up AA; I can't imagine a scenario in which they don't hand him a MLB job next spring. Internally, the Astros very much understand the urgency to launch Astros 2.0.
If Manaea falls to #40, it will more than likely be for injury concerns. It's been reported that Manaea has a labrum tear in his hip, which would explain his less than stellar season this past year. The real questions are: - Is this year acute or chronic, which would make his future career questionable if he develops an arthritic hip? - What type of procedure is Manaea going to have to repair the labrum? If it is via arthroscope, then he'll more than likely miss the rest of the minor league season (rehabilitation can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks). - What's it gonna cost to sign him? Is he signable at pick 2.1? Will his demands exceed what the Astros can pay? If he doesn't sign, then the Astros lose that slot money.
Question is...can they afford the possibility that Manaea doesn't sign? He is a Boras client and a junior.
I think that we'd know what range he is looking for and would determine if we would want to pay him that before we decide on the 1-1. In fact, that actually might help determined who we draft at 1-1. Then the gamble becomes if he makes it to us at 2-1. With the Nats taking Giolito in the teens last year (I loved that move by them), I think teams understand that injuries are temporary, and that if the elite talent is still there, they are willing to take that risk. That leads me to doubt he makes it to us at 2-1.
TCB rates Bickford as the #4 HS pitching prospect and he wants #4 monies??? Without the signability concerns, Bickford might be there at the 2.1 pick, deserving 2.1 monies at best. If the Astros go under slot for 1.1, they may be able to pick Bickford at 3.1 and offer him 2.1 monies.
If a player falls past the first compensatory round, wouldn't it be more likely that the player doesn't get drafted until the third or fourth round (like Ruiz last year)? I would imagine that, in order to really "save up enough" pool money to throw a large enough bonus to a top talent taken outside of the top half of the first round, a team would have to lock in guys in Rounds 2 and 3 who will sign below slot. That way, the team can take the TOTAL savings from Rounds 1-3 to use on that top talent who falls. I'm guessing that was a major reason the Astros took a guy like Brady Rodgers (a good talent but one who would sign below slot) in the third round last year.
Recall a guy named Hunter Pence, who was 23, hit 28 HR at AA, had a great ST the following season, and still went to AAA to start the next season? More recently, J.D. Martinez was killing AA at 23 and handed a starting job, and ended up going back down. I don't doubt they want to launch the new Astros. Of course they can put out Singleton, Villar, Altuve, Castro, Dominguez in the IF, along with Cosart on the mound. That in itself is exciting. Young and athletic.
