I guess at least we have Sipp and Qualls in close games? #silverlinings But really, in no contest games, our 'pen ***** the bed. Do you guys think Folty will come up as a reliever before he comes up as a starter?
Would either have to be really desperate to do that, or simply have too many quality starters in the rotation... neither of which I feel will be the case throughout the entire season. Sipp/Albers/Qualls should be able to hold/save most situations (albeit as few as they are). Guys like Jerome Williams, Bass, and Fields are looking more and more like they are what they are. Bringing up Folty to replace one of those guys would be a waste... either he's thrust into a prominent bullpen role (where he's used more than once every 3 days), or he's a starter.
Seeing Feldman struggle like he did last night makes me that much more antsy to see Folty/Buchanan/Nitro get a chance to start. He just starting throwing gravy after that error by Carter. I'm not sure an aging right-hander whose velocity has dropped and has nagging injuries should be taking away starts from intriguing prospects at a time when we need to figure out who is worth keeping and who we can trade. Hopefully they will get their shot later on this season. It's just frustrating when we seem to have so many arms piling up at the cusp of getting the call and watching old balls struggle like Jordan Lyles circa 2013.
This is the problem a lot of us had with the signing. Now that Dallas Keuchel has arrived plus Cosart showing lots of positive signs, there simply isn't enought starts to make a true evaluation of all the pitching prospects. Feldman is undoubtedly going to stay in the rotation this year and next, and despite last night, it isn't as if he has pitched poorly. He is expected to be a capable innings eater that keeps us in games, but do we really need that now? I expect a trade to consolidate some of these prospects at AAA for a major league piece.
I can think of 30 million reasons he will probably be starting until he is on another team. I think he is pitching injured, but let's not jump to conclusions and think that the past three starts dictate his future.
Baseball Reference has him at .250/.295/.425. (.720 OPS) which is very close to his career .251/.300/.389 slashline. Better than Presley or Hoes, but I don't begrudge the Astros wanting some fresh faces after 3 years of JD.
First division problems. Guys need to perform or get pushed aside, I have no problem with that. Most pitching prospects don't get 3 seasons for a 'true evaluation' like Keuchel got.
Typically I'd agree, but the Astros don't really expect to contend until 2016. The idea of potentially losing out on a good, young MLB pitcher would be a much bigger concern. Feldman is a 31 year old BOR guy who is unlikely to make a long term impact with this franchise, he shouldn't be pushing any prospects aside.
I guess BR and Fangraphs aren't live because they both show the stats I listed. He went 2/5 with a HR and 2BB tonight and that definitely bumped his numbers. However, he only has 45 AB's on the season so SSS.
Number of factors to consider. Pitching to work on stuff or pitching to win. And the catcher. So no worries here. Plenty of time to get things worked out and throw caution to the wind for a few years.
Springer is coming around...it's a slow, but steady progression. I wouldnt even call it slow...it's just that I wanted him coming in and getting on base three times a game. :grin:
He sure looks more comfortable at the plate, it's awesome to watch. I'm waiting for that to show in the field too.
