To me, the last spot is between Liriano and White. Liriano sucks and White seems like he's good, but I'm guessing Liriano gets it.
121 plate appearances is not enough to right off a guy. Versus other minor leaguers, he's the one the one that plays LF (i.e. a position that having a minor leaguer develop would be a huge boost), and it would have been helpful to see if he could recover after one atrocious month. Those extra 100 ABs that he could have gotten over Aoki in June, July would have been nice to see Fisher have. Maybe Fisher adjusts. Maybe he doesn't. 121 ABs is only enough to show he wasn't immediately ready to handle MLB pitchers first adjustment to him.
absolutely love Seattle. That city treated us so well. Cant wait to go back. Walking around in my Stros hat and was surprised how many people told me hope yall go all the way
Keuchel let an inning get away from him in his last outing, but for the most part he has looked like the Dallas Keuchel we need over his last 5 starts. Decent K numbers, limited walks, and a ton of ground balls.
Yes. The team may elect to take extra position players, as they won't need an 8-9 man bullpen. White's problem is his only value is his bat. It figures that the locks are: Beltran (It sucks, but I can't imagine it not happening) Marwin Marisnick Maybin Reddick Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Gurriel McCann Gattis Devenski Giles Gregerson Harris Keuchel McCullers McHugh Morton Musgrove (debatable, but hard to say he isn't our 2nd most reliable reliever right now) Peacock Verlander That leaves 2 open spots. Right now the favorites are probably a LHP (I really hope not as you can't trust any of the 3) and probably Derek Fisher, whose speed/power and LHB are probably more attractive than White's bat.
I moved here 2 month ago, and people have been very welcoming here. Some really nice folks, there has been lot of genuine concern for those affected by Harvey.
Who said anything about "writing him off"?? I thought he got a fair chance to get everyday AB's and see if he could make an early impact. I understand, most players have a learning curve... and its rare for them to succeed right away.... and at this point, the Astros aren't in the position for anybody to get major OTJ training if there are other better options available. I was most dissapointed with his defense... his arm wasn't as accurate/strong as touted, and he did misplay enough fly balls to suggest he isn't a "natural" out there. Things to work on for next year where he should get a chance to win the DH/OF spot from opening day... but I'm also hoping he's not another Preston Tucker.
Yep - most reports said he didn't have the best instincts either, which is why he ended up in LF when he has the speed for CF. Some AAA reports had said he was showing improvement in routes and tracking, but that didn't really show up from what we've seen in the majors. The bat will hopefully play. He showed impressive plate discipline early on, but then pitchers adjusted... we'll see how he counters.
I was talking about wishing he had more ABs over Aoki (specifically June and July in case that isn't clear). You seem to have disagreed with this statement. Considering Fisher despite slump, not being a natural out there, and OTJ training, he has played as well as Aoki. Only reason I can see why not giving Fisher Aoki's ABs in June and July is that you are writing off Fisher (i.e. it doesn't matter that Aoki got those ABs) unless you think Liriano is a big addition to the team. Finding out Fisher wasn't 100% ready before July deadline would have also been helpful.
I wasn't writing off anybody... just saying that he did eventually get a fair number of AB's to determine if he should/could be called on to be an everyday player for this year. Experience does matter... Maybin/Marisnick, while they don't have anywhere near the ceiling Fisher may have, are still higher enough floor guys with viable MLB experience to get the starts going forward. I know the "process" suggests that our minor league guys are ready to hit the ground running after promotion... but I'd say we've seen enough hiccups/learning curve issues to suggest that it isn't as fool-proof as once thought of. All MLB promotees need time.... some a lot more than others.
If a player is injured, he can be replaced on the roster. They would have to sit out the next series (unless it is a concussion, which is 7 days). Keeping a 3rd catcher would be a poor use of the roster.
I'm sorry for assuming you were writing him off. My comment wasn't about a fair number of ABs versus other minor leaguers. It was in regards to ABs versus Aoki. Aoki had already shown he is no longer good enough to be an everyday player on a playoff team this year. Based on their performances this year and age, it is unlikely playing one or the other would have given the Astros significantly different results. Worst case seems to be Astros are about where they are if Fisher played in Aoki's place. There is a possibility Fisher makes an adjustment with a few more ABs that he can't get as race is too close now and there are better options now. There is also a possibilty that Astros figuring out he's not ready sooner leads them to trade for another outfielder.
Did Aoki really get that many more AB's though? Were there that many more games where just Aoki (and not both of them) were in the lineup? I don't recall a single point this year where Aoki was an "everyday" player. I also don't recall Fisher sitting for many games in a row, un-used. I thought he did get fairly regular playing time once he was promoted due to the Springer injury... and then was a regular once Aoki was traded. There was a stretch of games where Springer, Marisnick AND Reddick were banged up... can't recall if it was all at the same time, but that would have led to the possible lineups where both Fisher and Aoki saw time. I agree that Fisher getting more exposure would help them figure out sooner what he can or cannot do. He does have things to work on... and hopefully he can hit the ground running starting next year.
