Promising arms in minors close to returning to action Minor-league pitchers Alex White, who is trying to return from Tommy John surgery, and righthander Asher Wojciechowski, who is rehabbing the lat strain that cost him spring training, could be ready to make rehab assignments soon. Wojciechowski and White are two promising arms that are expected to provide quality depth at Oklahoma City this season. “Alex White pitched four innings in a game today and looked good,” Luhnow said. “Both he and Wojo are getting very close to going out on rehab assignments. It could be within the next week.”
So, earlier today, Jake Buchanan threw 7.2 shutout innings for OKC as the RedHawks topped Colorado Springs 1-0. That 1 run came on a Domingo Santana homer (5). This game took 1 hour and 59 minutes to complete.
by the way, does this season conclusively prove that Lancaster doesn't ruin pitchers? Kyle Smith, VV, and Hader all have sub-3 eras.
I think it conclusively proves that we can have hope for the future. History in Lancaster says these guys are pitching out of their minds.
due to prospects graduating, mlb added santana and valasquez to the top 100. now we have 9 guys in the top 100...about to be 8 when springer graduates
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Minor league affiliates go 4-0, outscore opponents 24-5. Combined pitching: 38 IP, 21 H, 12 BB, 28 K. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoodDay&src=hash">#GoodDay</a></p>— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_Goldstein/statuses/467157357261508608">May 16, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nick Tropeano might have something to say about that, he's been overpowering in his 2 starts since the tandem system was abandoned. Obie was spectacular in his 1st start back in AAA, and he has the big advantage of already being on the 40 man roster. Gonna be interesting to see how the Astros proceed as the arms start piling up at AAA.
I know it's in the middle of a hot streak but I'm really encouraged by Santana's isolated slugging finally getting above .200 for the season and his K-rate being in the 20's (28.7%). I hope he continues to get work on that K-rate but even still he'll have a huge adjustment to make in the bigs like Springer.
OKC is pitching out of a regular rotation right now but I bet they go back to tandem when Wojo and Alex White are back from rehab. The depth at ML/AAA is impressive and no one is pitching particularly badly at the ML level right now. Feldman Cosart Keuchel Peacock Mchugh Oberholtzer Buchanan White Wojo Owens Tropeano Folty It's gonna be hard for the AAA guys to get a call-up unless they're going to the pen.
When we talked about the tandem hurting some pitchers' results last year, I remember Tropeano's name coming up. I think it was on a Crawfish Boxes podcast where they said his velocity had taken a dip as the season wore on last year. If his velocity is back up and his changeup is still as good as ever, he seems like a prime candidate for one of our bullpen spots.
Vince Velasquez, who's been on the DL with a groin problem, may require surgery. JetHawks manager Rodney Linares said he wasn't sure how long Velasquez, who is 4-1 with 2.89 ERA, will be down there but added he might need surgery. "I don't have a timetable with Vince," Linares said. "We want to be as careful as we can because he's a power pitcher. "It's not his arm so that's good. But the bad thing about it is that he's missing time and can't throw if he has a procedure done."
Bold prediction(will it even be that bold)? Astros will have best pitching staff in 3 years? Appel Cosart rondon folty ???? I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
yeah that's a bold prediction, considering we're 3rd worst in MLB in ERA right now, and Appel is in extended spring training. there's no player named Rondon. Maybe you have created a super player that fuses Anthony Rendon and Carlos Rodon?
