Abraham Toro played SS for Sugar Land last night. It wasn’t out of a lack of other options either, as De Goti, Hinojosa, and Sierra were all also in the lineup. Like Straw, Toro is a raw baseball player. He’s been a plus defender at 3B based mostly on athleticism, so there may be some defensive upside left for him. I think he will be an above average MLB hitter once he gets established, so if he can show he can play SS, he very well could be like an Aledmys Diaz (who hopefully does a better job of staying healthy).
Him being capable of filling in occasionally at SS would also allow them to jettison Robel, freeing up some space on the 40 man.
Alex McKenna hit his 10th HR tonight. George Springer High A: 11.2% bb, 26.2% k, .316/.398/.557, 143 wRC+ Alex McKenna High A: 11.3% bb, 31.7% k, .298/.387/.612, 171 wRC+
I think Jones needs to go to a crummy team where he can get 200 pa in an everyday role. I think he would be an above average hitter, with upside for a lot more.
The Astros seem to agree with you since they put him on the 40 man, and appear reluctant to take him off
So Austin Pruitt has emerged from whatever wormhole he was stuck in. He allowed a double and an unearned run on an error in the 1st inning for Fayetteville.
I wonder if Elias has any interest in some of our players. Toro or Jones getting more consistent PA in BAL could be a good fit, obviously with more pieces. I feel like we don’t see 3-team trades often, but BAL seems to be a good match on paper. Surely Elias has some level of interest in our farm...
It has been a little odd that over the last few years there haven’t been more deals with Milwaukee and Baltimore, especially for those non-elite prospects like Jones. I suppose it likely just hasn’t made since for the Astros.
1st impression bias is big in baseball. Though, I don't think Robel will be a good player, but he could be a backup. For Astros, he's such a huge dropoff from the other guys it probably makes him look even worse. No matter the talent level, there will always be below average MLB players on MLB teams.
Right. Plus my post was (I thought) clearly tongue in cheek, thus the smiley. I have no idea what kind of player he can be. I do think it is a problematic that the Astros utility guys outside of Aledmys haven't distinguished themselves. As long as the core remains healthy it's not too big of a concern but if they have to rely on someone for 2+ weeks, it will hurt.
I’d say McCormick has been more than fine as a backup OF option. It’d be better if Straw weren’t so fringey, but that’s a nice cheap OF option. But yeah, the backup IF options like Taylor Jones have looked not just so so, but completely overmatched.
