that was actually brought up in the article. i think this being a young team that has also been historically bad the last few years; this is a great a idea. no reputation required here, you've got to earn you're job. that's porter's message and i like it.
Here are two of my early predictions: Chris Carter will be a starter. Brad Peacock will be in the starting rotation.
I hope you are right. When you look at what Carter did in Oakland last year, I could easily see him hitting 35 long balls playing half his games in the juice box
I'm with you. He seems intent on big picture...changing philosophy and self-concept. Love it. Plus, when he referenced "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, I was sold. Great book. It's what I've been preaching about Houston sports teams for quite a while...that being content with being good was getting in the way of trying to be great.
Its only for ST. They have to "earn" the right to get a name on their jersey. I kinda like it... and in this day and age of constant information, having names on the back of jerseys (in all sports) really aren't all that necessary.
I was mostly joking, especially after they talked about nobody knowing each other in a previous article I read. I like the philosophy behind it.
Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros): Lucas Harrell will throw Astros' spring training opener. Bud Norris on the mound for Kissimmee opener.
Scheduled pitchers for Saturday: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lucas Harrell, Sam Demel, Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, Brett Oberholtzer and Chia-Jen Lo scheduled to pitch Saturday vs. Phils.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/304013034492420096">February 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bo Porter was on 790 with Matt Thomas this afternoon. Great listen. Here are some highlights... All quotes are Porter's. Also I put in a couple of brief summaries. -Approximately :41: 62 players currently in camp, the smallest in the league. Porter says this was on purpose. Translation: The powers-that-be are trying to get the prospects at-bats against "other people's major league players that we know are major league players." -1:22: On players whose chances of making the major league roster are uncertain -2:22: Outfield. On Rick Ankiel: Power numbers have been there, but battled injuries in Washington. Completely healthy, he is a left-handed power bat who can play all 3 OF positions with a plus-plus arm. Consummate professional. -3:30: 2 or 3 guys who could be a potent 3-4-5 in the lineup -4:25: Porter is really high on Greene. I doubt he'll say this, but I think he's the early favorite to be the starter on Opening Day. -5:15: Long-term success -6:20: On Jarred Cosart: "has been throwing the ball tremendous... electric arm, plus-plus velocity, it's swing-and-miss secondary stuff... he's poised... he's one of those guys that has a lot of energy on the mound, he gets after people, and he really attacks the zone." On Jonathan Villar: "knocking on the door of being an everyday player in the big leagues." -7:25: Matt: 2B, catcher set. "You have, comfortably, my guess, the first 3 spots in the rotation, is that fair to say?" -8:25: Pitchers Norris, Harrell, Lyles will be in the rotation Strength of system has been the depth of starting pitchers Bullpen was a weakness last season, mainly due to the lack of long relievers Like "bringing another starter into the game" Matt: 2 guys currently in camp may become long relievers in Houston. Porter hasn't gone to anyone regarding that, but is looking for roster balance Porter: "Can't have 7 1-inning guys in the bullpen" Need 2 innings-eaters in there as well -9:55: Brett Wallace will play 3B some nights, in addition to 1B and DH -10:10: Matt asks about the importance of the DH All DH candidates can actually go into the field and play a position. Allows other everyday players a day off.
This is nonsense. Mills did not want and thus would not use long relievers. Bullpen was weak because the bullpen was weak.
Surprised they consider Dominguez a lock at 3B. Figured he was the favorite, but figured Wallace would at least have a chance. Reading the whole thing, sounds like RF is the only true open spot, with a 4th OF probably still getting plenty of ABs. I had favored Fernando to be in RF, but with a possible suspension, I feel his chances have substantially decreased. J.D. would be my next choice.
I still get a feeling that Carlos Pena doesn't make this team. If he struggles while Carter, Wallace, and Freiman tear it up in the spring, what would be the point of keeping Pena? I realize they'd have to eat his large contract (relative only to the rest of the team), but I see little reason to keep him. Especially if he's going to put up another season south of the Mendoza line.
So, last season you could get a lot of Astros games televised outside the blackout area (e.g. in North Texas) just on FSN on DirecTV without the MLB Season Pass package. I guess this season we won't be seeing any Astros games because they are on CSN unless you buy the MLB Season Pass package. Who the hell in their right mind would buy that package to watch this team? So, I can look forward to an extremely occassional viewing on ESPN or something...where there probably won't be many games televised because the Astros have zero appeal as worst team in baseball. I can also watch the games when they play the Rangers I guess. Watching baseball is boring anyway but now they won't even televise it to bore you with unless you pay for it? Good luck with that. I guess the hope is CSN signs a contract with the various providers to pick up their channel.
A few tweets from today... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> rotation next few days: Harrell on Saturday, Norris on Sunday, Humber on Monday, Bedard home Tuesday, Lyles in Tampa, White on Wed.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/304312642909114368">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Video of Roger Clemens throwing live BP on Wednesday and subsequent interview. <a href="http://t.co/4LL9gLDV" title="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25605913">mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp…</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a></p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/304315007791923200">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Also, the team is having/had an intrasquad scrimmage today, with Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett serving as captains. Here are their picks... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Team Everett:Altuve,Greene, Jason Castro, Fernando Martinez, Rick Ankiel, Brett Wallace, George Springer, Nate Freiman, Marwin Gonzalez.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/304338769266479105">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Team Ensberg:Maxwell,Dominguez, Carlos Pena, Chris Carter, Jonathan Villar, J.D. Martinez, Delino DeShields, Carlos Corporan,Barnes</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/304339031968321536">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Who ya got?
Morning tweets, courtesy of Brian T. Smith... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' intrasquad lineup -- with Morgan Ensberg apparently hitting three times, thanks to a late change. <a href="http://t.co/pbAj5NwyEP" title="http://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/304578995691864065/photo/1">twitter.com/ChronAstros/st…</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/304578995691864065">February 21, 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>' lineup Sat vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Phillies">#Phillies</a>: Greene, M. Gonzalez, Maxwell, Carter, Martinez, Freiman, Dominguez, Corporan, Crowe. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/304583180336390145">February 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Wouldn't read too much into that lineup. Crowe, Freiman in. No Altuve, Castro.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/304583335290761216">February 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Altuve's playing today in intrasquad.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/304583474868793344">February 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
