With both Lane and Willy T struggling it may be time to take a look at Luke Scott again. Just remember that ball that he hit in the post season that was inches foul, he would have been the hero instead of Burke later. He is hitting .310 with 18 HRs at Round Rock. Looking good Luke ! I can not help but think it may be time to bring him up and give him some time again. Another left handed power bat in our lineup would work wonders. Also, he has a plus arm. Thoughts? DD
Lane's been better of late. Your replacement for Willy is Burke, I think. We'll see. I wouldn't be shocked if they called up Luke, but I wouldn't bet on it either.
If Lane keeps struggling .209 BA, then they would have to look at Luke, right? Move Preston to RF, Burke in CF, and Scott in LF.....that could be a very productive OF. DD
Lane is batting 0.300 with an OPS over 0.900 this month. I do think, if Burke is going to play every day (which it looks like he is), Willy T should be swapped for Luke Scott. Willy provides nothing sitting on the bench, except being a fast runner who can't steal bases. Luke Scott gives you some left handed power off the bench, especially when Lamb is in the lineup.
I would imagine so. I do hope they call him up at some point. He's wasting away in AAA at this point (kind of like Lane did for a while), and he's not going to improve unless he gets to face major league pitching.
This is exactly what I was thinking, all he lacked last year was confidence and you only get that by playing.....look at Burke now... DD
actually, i'm comfortable with willy as a defensive substitution in the 9th with burke going to 2nd to be the defensive substitution. but i understand what you're saying. either way, frankly, is fine with me.
I think that's the ideal scenario, but the one big drawback is that Burke's shoulder could pop out at any time, and I don't think we want to go extended periods with Lane or Bruntlett or whatnot in centerfield. Wide coverage of our huge CF has been a huge part of our success the past two seasons with Beltran/Willy. I'm not sure Burke is much better, but he's a guy you can play when he's hot and then stick Willy back in when he's not. He seems extraordinarily streaky, which is great for a part-time player.
Definitely true - I didn't think of that. In a one-run game, that's the team I'd like to see in the field. He seems to be stuck in that situation where he can't improve on the bench, but he's not good enough to play now, but he's might be too valuable to send to AAA.
Luke Scott will be in Houston, Tuesday. Mark my words. Luke Scott will be in Houston ,Tuesday, for a medical examine. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1507057&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
this is what irks me about Willy T. he can outrun a slow grounder, but can't steal a base to save his life. maybe Garner just doesn't send him, but there's been numerous occasions when he's on first and i'm pulling my hair out for him to steal.
That isn't the best news you could hope for. Obviously, it isn't affecting him offensively. I would like to see either him or Jimerson get a callup if Willy isn't going to play much. In Jimerson, at least you get some pop off the bench, with very good speed for a defensive/pinch running role. Willy needs some time in AAA to get the confidence back. It might be worth it to have him start learning to switch hit. If he could hit lefty some, he'll get on base a lot more with his speed. Sometimes, it's that extra step out of the box that makes a difference.
Willy T has played sparingly lately but is 3 of 7 (BA .429) in the last seven games. These are not pinch hitting at bats, he has played in 2 games and played well since Burke started playing in his place. I do not believe there is anything wrong with his swing. I think he is trying to change his approach at the plate and be more of a hitter and less of a bunter. He has attemtped far less bunts this year than last. Infields have adjusted to him a bit and he is struggling to adjust himself. Baseball is a game of adjustments more than any other sport. If a player has a weakness, you try to exploit it. Its the players job to play to his strengths and minimize the wealnesses. He will learn nothing playing in AAA that he cannot learn in the show.
Except for the fact that him "learning" it can cost us games, as opposed to him figuring it out in AAA.
Willy should be in Round Rock to work on switch hitting and hitting the ball harder. He also needs to work on his defense and base running skills. He still has many options so he could be sent down to RR. Luke Scott is killing the ball at AAA. He has nothing more to prove at AAA. He was hitting the ball well after he got called up again last year. Bruntlett is a better CF than Willy anyway so he could be the backup. Scott, Lane, and Wilson could play CF if needed. Willy is still young and still has a lot of room to grow. Don't waste him on the bench.
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1507057&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Outfielder Luke Scott will fly to Houston on Tuesday in order to be examined by team medical director Dr. David Lintner. Scott, currently playing for Triple-A Round Rock, has had a left elbow issue since Spring Training. Scott, who turns 28 on June 25, was hitting .301 (72-for-239) with 18 homers and 48 RBIs through Wednesday. "It hasn't hurt his hitting," Purpura said. "It's playable, it's just nagging."
