If Abreu just had a 50 OPS+, a mere 50 --- instead of his -20 (WTF!!) --- the Astros have 5 more wins.
Peña is a prototypical 2 hole hitter, but if they move him the lineup falls off hard after Diaz. Maybe Loperfido can be that bottom of the lineup guy that produces allowing them to flip Peña and bregman. I’m also ready to see what Leon can do in CF. Chas could quickly become the odd man out.
Pena has a 4% walk rate. He is doing a great job of avoiding strikeouts and using his speed. But he’s also getting a little lucky. He is not a prototypical #2 hitter. Altuve and Tucker are the 2 guys Houston has the profile as typical #2 hitters on a contending team. Pena is hitting like a #5 or #6 hitter but over his career has been more like a #7.
Normal Alvarez is the prototypical No. 2 hitter. Alvarez has really fallen apart when he hasn't batted No. 2 this season. Also, Peña bats better in the No. 5 spot (and No. 8) if one believes in that kind of thing. On CF, the Astros CFs are hitting the 2nd best in the majors. Caveat: Normal Alvarez is also the protypical No.1, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9 hitters.
oof....I miss the last Astros social media person. There is so little effort in the tweets these days....or X's....
Very impressed and surprised at Singleton's emergence since Abreu went down (and really before that). I was more than ready to DFA him, he is seizing his opportunity so far. I was excited when we got him back last year and wanted to see him finish his story, and I was disappointed after he did little after that one Angels game. I hope he does it this time.
I was thinking the same thing. His horrible performance and struggle was likely affecting all the other players. It was sure affecting the fans.
The things that nobody talks about. 1) Singleton has talent. He has tools. He was the 30th overall top prospect in MLB according to mlb.com in 2011. 2) This is his 3rd year back after not playing pro ball for 4 years. 2022 he was in AAA the whole season while he reaclimatated. 2023 he split between 2 organizations in AAA and MLB for each. Performing in MLB at a high level is very difficult and transitions can impede that. I'm not saying Singleton will be a star nor that he should be the starting 1B on this team, but it should not be surprising that he is having some success. This team has been starving for positive, productive bench players the past few years. He is showing that he can bring that to this team.
