Touche...I suppose instead of throwing out specific rounds (which still would be accurate had I stated 1-10, rather than 1-11), I should have limited my conclusion to the overarching premise that this FO does their homework and signs their top picks. Nonetheless, for 2012, I'll fall back on the extenuating circumstances of having two huge signability players in Ruiz and McCullers taking away any leftover pool money for the likes of Virant. I think that scenario is unlikely to repeat itself going forward, particularly this year. W/ re: 2014, there is less money left on the table after the 1-1 signing. Yes, there is only one signability player, in Nix, who will likely command less than either McCullers or Ruiz did individually. Still, Marshall will be looking for 2nd or 3rd round money, which the Astros likely wouldn't be able to offer even if they didn't sign Nix (which again, I am assuming they plan on doing after using an early round pick on him).
Also remember the Astros can spent up to 5% of their total bonus pool of around 13 million without losing future picks. That should be a not insubstantial ~650k they can offer on top of whatever savings they made in rounds 1-10. Nix is the only top ten pick that will definity require a substantial above-slot bonus. What kind of run they can make at Marshall might depend on that number.
As further food for thought, Ben Smith (Rd. 17) is another late round pick that will likely be asking for greater than the $100K allotment.
I guess he signed, or will be signing... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hey Mom... Mom!! It took me 22 years but I got my first job! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— Trent Woodward (@Twoodward_3) <a href="https://twitter.com/Twoodward_3/statuses/475364874961170444">June 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Look at their stats...a couple guys couldn't hit .300 in college or strikeout more than a batter an inning...I'm really hoping these guys are just late bloomers with raw tools.
And dozens and dozens of players hit over .300 in college year in and year out that never even sniff AAA.
To me the only interesting thing is that they loaded up on corner positions. Big bats with average or worse glob. I'm not against it or anything in theory, but it feels like our prospects are already leaning towards the power side and still lack depth in terms of up-the-middle positions. I think DeShields and Correa are the only projectable potential starters among our prospects.
Fontana is pretty much the prototype Luhnow player, I think he could be an everyday player in the bigs. However he will be an awesome utility guy, probably one of the best in the league.
Is that really so bad with Altuve, Marwin Gonzalez (maybe the most improved position player), Villar (Struggling with nagging injuries and typical development issues. I think will hit like last year and at the start of the year) all under contract for the next 4-5 years. Correa undoubtedly upgrades the SS position. But I think DeShields is going to be blocked ultimately. He'd be great enough to start on several teams but on the Astros with Altuve still having 3-4 years on his team friendly contract) and Correa probably under a contract like Singleton's for 6-7 years. He's going to have to compete for a reserve role with Villar, Gonzalez and even Tony Kemp (who's looking like he can rise up quickly and all-around a better player). I think if he doesn't move to CF either when Fowler hits free agency and walks or (hopefully) backs up Fowler, who is re-signed).
So you believe the Astros are richer up the middle than in corner positions? And therefore going with big bats shores up more of a need? I stand corrected then. I guess my feel for the Astros system is lacking.
Altuve is still young. Fontana and Torreyes project as fringe 2nd division starters. Kemp projects as a role player with a chance at starter or bust. Correa and Villar look to provide decent depth at SS. Between Fowler, Springer, Deshields, and Phillips, Astros have good depth in CF. As far as up the middle, 2nd, SS, and CF seem covered provided Correa doesn't become a bust.
Okay. It seems I'm very wrong in thinking our young player talent skews more towards corner positions. I take back what I said. I was just going by BA lists and I don't see highly rated ones up the middle.
