I think there's a cap on how much teams can spend on international players now. It's some sort of sliding system (ie, the Astros, as the league's worst team, can spend more than others), but I'm curious to see how it plays out. I do want to see us making more bets on the young international players that are a few years away, potentially. For the rest, I think it's kind of a wait and see. I don't know enough about the minor league coaching staff to know if they're top or not. They brought back Everett and Ensberg, who I think are pretty good baseball guys. I'm curious as to what Crane does to attract fans. I knew a guy who worked in an analytics capacity for the Pirates. He used to do the kind of analysis to look at the impact of signing a marginal player for a few million (think a Clint Barmes type) vs. having a Friday night concert series at the ballpark, and which would be more profitable. The answer was the latter. In some respects the move to the AL may help, as there may be some curiosity about the teams we have not seen on a regular basis. At the same time, no more Cards/Cubs games.
Question for those who keep up with Spring Training on a yearly basis. How far into ST before the prospects are sent down to the minor league club's ST? I'm interested in taking a trip to Kissimmee the 2nd week in March, but don't want to go see Erik Bedard and Rick Ankiel compete for roster spots... Really want to check out some of the young guys. Worth it or would they be sent down already?
You will likely still get a fair amount of the young guys. Go either way. It's a great experience for a baseball fan no matter who's playing. Tickets are cheap and the seats are close.
That's true. The club will usually move up some of the younger guys if they need bodies to fill a roster, especially on split-squad days. Check Twitter and the transactions page on the Astros' site to see who's going where.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> open Grapefruit League play one month from today against the Phillies in Clearwater. See you there.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/294124053004951552">January 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
MLB.com: Bernie Pleskoff on Robbie Grossman What stuck out in the article was that Pleskoff believes that Grossman could have a Brian Giles-type career path. Had an incredible stint in the Arizona Fall League too.
Played against him from when I was 13 to 18. Use to get the better of our battles up until highschool where he hit an absolute bomb off me in the playoffs. Pretty sure it still hasn't dropped. Would be cool to see him make it.
I like the Brian Giles comparison. Grossman profiles similar to Brian Giles when he was with San Diego. I can't imagine him being like the monster Giles was in Pitt.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Luhnow said Jake Elmore will compete with Greene, Gonzalez for playing time at SS during spring training. Latter two have lead.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/298593666803585025">February 5, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Please disregard if you are part of the 60% without this channel. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>CSN Houston will air 10 Astros Spring Training Games in 2013. Is an increase of 8 games compared to 2012. 1st will be 2/28 vs. NYY.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/298922318854488064">February 5, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' spring training games against Yanks, Cards, Nationals, Braves, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, Marlins, Nats, Cubs on @<a href="https://twitter.com/csnhouston">csnhouston</a>.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/298922392577781760">February 5, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Spring Training hasn't officially begun, but that hasn't deterred many of the position players from making the journey out to Kissimmee. In fact, Justin Maxwell has been there all week. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Justin Maxwell arrived in Kissimmee on Monday. Started hitting early this year. Focusing on arm strength.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/300255172947480576">February 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Justin Maxwell said primary goal this season is to make center field his position. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/300255488845688833">February 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Brett Wallace in the cage early Saturday at <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' spring training complex in Kissimmee, Fla. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a> <a href="http://t.co/QziIYilU" title="http://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/300251910349389824/photo/1">twitter.com/ChronAstros/st…</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/300251910349389824">February 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Everyone from Carlos Pena to Lucas Harrell and Brad Peacock have shown up during the last few days. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/300252866399055872">February 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Some late-morning/early afternoon links: Brian McTaggart: New-look Astros kick off a new era Ultimate Astros: Kissimmee postcard: Astros are so new even they’re unsure who’s who Astros County: Spring Training Day 1 Updates And 2 from The Crawfish Boxes: Monday's Three Astros Things Astros Spring Training 2013: Pitchers And Catchers Reported Monday
I actually expected them to have MORE games than ever this year. On par with the other regional networks that broadcast nearly ALL of the spring training games. Guess its a cost issue? Not sure what else CSN Houston has on during ST game hours.
I'm very much looking forward to watching Chris Carter get a full season of ABs. Seems like an easy guy to root for.
Astros don't have last names on the back of the jersey. http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...rs-humbers-perfect-game-loosens-up-clubhouse/
