2022 Astros Minor League Thread

This. The Astros likely had him come from the pen as he might be needed out of the pen depending on what happens during the year at the MLB level. Pitchers can be creatures of habit, and whine when they are used in a different way. This keeps them from getting set in their ways.

 

Yeah...this is not a new thing at all.

 

You can apparently access PCL games on Savant now by pasting in the MiLB game ID. Here's Brown's pitches from last night:

Fairly impressive.

 

I am quickly moving into “do NOT trade Hunter Brown” territory.

 

Pretty neat trick. Here's the game Donato and Dubin played in:

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/game...lter=&resultFilter=&hf=playerBreakdown#664953

Dubin rocking a 2900 RPM cutter and a 3K RPM slider.

 

James’ velocity is way down. Not a good sign.

I was very surprised they don’t have Dubin stretched out. I think he can make an elite reliever, but with his upside I figured they’d stretch him out until it was certain he couldn’t be a good SP.

 

I was intrigued by James' few performances to end the season last year but yeah he's not going to be playing professionally for long with those numbers.

 

So far the pitching in the lower levels seems like it sucks.

 

There are several pitchers already on the forty man roster ahead of him. I do not believe they will bring him up till there is reason to believe he is ready to stay up. If a temporary need brings someone up it will be someone already on the roster.

 

Not as SP that I can tell. Solomon, and maybe Dubin?

 

If Josh James is still hovering around 91 with a low 80's slider after a few more starts he's likely at the head of the line for the next 40 man casualty. In this day and age that's basically junk pitcher stuff.

As for the SP options, with 33 games in 34 days coming up, I would be shocked if we don't see 6 man rotation and/or tandem action. No way we go through that stretch with the standard 5 man and single inning relievers setup. I'm sure Bielak will be one of them added, and wouldn't be surprised at all if Bermudez and Dubin make their debuts.

I think they will hold off on Hunter Brown til later in the season unless he starts dominating and forces their hand.

 

I think it depends on whether the need is short term or long term. If they need a spot start I think the pecking order would be Solomon, Bermudez, then Bielak (of course based on who is rested). They aren’t calling up Brown for a spot start. If none of those 3 were available, they might call up Dubin and try to get him thru 3 innings.

If the need was more serious I still think Solomon would be the pick. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they called up Brown if there was a permanent opening in the rotation.

 

The roster crunch really hurts Brown.

In order for him to pitch in Houston there will need to be a vacancy and an existing pitcher will need to be dealt, waived, or put on 60 day IL.

I think he will be in Houston in 2023 but too many arms ahead of him in 2022

Framber, Verlander, Urquidy, and L.Garcia all have rotation spots that won't be taken away unless injured.

Odorizzi is 5th now ( I don't know why) and there needs to be a reason for him to lose his spot.

Javier is sitting and waiting for the first opening. Cluck has said his future is as a starter and the team wants him in the rotation.

McCullers was not put on 60 day IL when the team needed a roster spot so clearly thevteam expects him back sooner rather than later.

Once he is back there are 7 starters ahead of him not 6.

Until then thevteam won't waste losing a player to waivers and starting his MLB service clock for a short term need. They will go with Solomon Bielak or Bermudez if a 7th starter is needed.

The pen is just as crowded with 10 pitchers needing to get cut back to 8 in 2 weeks.

Too many arms already on the 40 man for the team to start his service clock.

 

Anyone know what's up with Colin Barber?