Why the hell not? All this recent excitement, Keuchel and McHugh pitching over their heads, Springer-mania, etc, has netted us the 3rd worst record, and a 2.5 game "cushion" over the last place Rays, who will not finish the season there. Still over half the season to play, and I think we've seen the best of what this team has to offer this season. I'd say there's a very good chance we will be in play for the 1st pick again.
Aiken didn't get the full slot... and there really wasn't an overwhelming #1 pick this year. I'm basically saying even if there was a bona-fied #1 pick out there... he'd have to be far and away better than the rest of the class (basically MLB ready) for this front office to give full slot. And I can't say I disagree with that strategy... even if Buxton, Bryant/Gray, and Rodon go on to all make the HOF.
He was without a doubt the consensus #1 pick at draft time. Agree that he wasn't in the Stras/Harper level that we'd ideally like, but they still took the consensus #1 pick. I think Appel pretty much was too.
I meant it as there were a number of players who they could have taken #1... and it wouldn't have really surprised anybody. Aiken was certainly a #1 pick candidate, not a reach, but so were Rodon and Kolek. Appel was not an overwhelming unanimous choice... but he was still in the running. In the end, I'll take the extra slot money and spread it around unless there's supreme talent that's so far and away better than the rest of the candidates.
Yeah, I agree with that, but I also think that Luhnow and company would agree, which you doubted in your first reply. I also think being year 4 of #1 picks, and a bunch of farm talent being on the verge of the big leagues would make it even easier to pay slot or over slot for a far and away consensus #1.
Way too early to prognosticate about this now or the Astros intentions... as of last year, Rodon was the far and away #1 that the Astros were likely going to pay slot or over slot to... now look what happened. This front office doesn't seem the type to get tunnel vision on just one guy (for good reason)... and when I say overwhelming #1 talent, I'm talking once in a generation-like talent (for which that person is not on the board next year). A consensus #1 is not the same as what I'm talking about (as Appel was a consensus #1... yet scouts were saying he projected as a #2 pitcher)... the Nats were lucky as hell to get those two guys when they did (they're the OKC thunder of MLB).
apparently we shouldn't have been discussing this in the game thread. i guess i'll start a 2015 draft thread next time. apologies, didn't know it was a problem.
Agreed... although there really wasn't much game discussion going on at all, and I think BBS's cluttered with constant new threads is an equally problematic situation. Back to the game thread... what does this team do with Grossman? And Feldman is settling into his career averages, which had to have been expected.
Grossman has got to be sent back down. He's 1 for his last 28 with 13 strikeouts. He hasn't had a hit in over 2 weeks. Seriously, it's getting ridiculous at this point.
I like Blum more than Ashby. Brown-Blum > Brown-Ashby > Ashby-Blum (basically meaning Ash is bring down the Blummer)
I dunno... he'll be back... I'm sure they try to give Blum some occasional home games. And Brown is always at the home games.
well, on the bright side, mchugh continues to impress? if we found 2 starting pitching gems in keuchel and mchugh, and tack on one more #1 pick, those are some pretty sizable positives to come out of this season. though the 2nd half of the season will be less than enjoyable.
