There is a reasonable argument that says his poor splits are due to the adjustments he had to make playing at altitude for half his games. I hope he gets in enough games to prove himself. The effects he says he was forced to make adjustments for are real but I believe sometimes they are overthought and cause problems like his. If that is the case he is the best second baseman in camp.
I'm not sure Matthews is close enough for that. I suspect the mid-term plan is 2B Parades, 3B Smith and Melton as a platoon CF. McCormick and Meyers stay in the rotation, while Guillorme, Rodgers, Gamel are out unless one makes a big step forward early in the year.
Word. Of the 5 relatively high ceiling prospects who should graduate this season (Smith, Melton, Dezenzo, Whitcomb, Matthews), if Houston can get one really, really good bat and another acceptable everyday player, that would be a big win. Swapping out Rodgers for Smith or Matthews and Gamel for Melton or Dezenzo in the lineup would seem to be likely upgrades. Houston can totally live with Pena and Meyers at the bottom of their lineup against RHP if their other 7 guys are good. (Their lineup against LHP may be the best in the league as-is.)
I noticed the Astros have changed their approach at the plate this season. Am I correct in assuming it was Reggie Jackson who made the Astros super-aggressive at the plate in past seasons?
I don't know about being aggressive. We've been trying to avoid strike-outs like the plague and homerun numbers were actually down.
I'm optimistic that he can be successful. It's not like he didn't make contact. It's about adjusting his launch angle.
Sparks and others have mentioned recently we were near the bottom of the league in opposing pitcher's pitch counts last year, and Astros have changed philosophy to work the count more.
Yeah, I can't imagine this isn't the thing or the hope for where this is going. This is my sort of most suspected thing that I'm hoping for. Other chances if the placeholders don't work out would be perhaps Whitcomb at 2b. Dezenzo in RF. Both those guys I think can hit as average big league hitters, maybe a little more upside than that.
Is there a rule that states Cam Smith can't be starting at 3B on opening day? Moving Paredes solves a defensive liability at 3B and Cam Smith would surely be no worse than Rodgers at the plate. So to recap: 2B Paredes 3B Smith
Listening to the broadcast, and it sounds like Altuve made a great play at the wall in left. Look forward to seeing that highlight. Between this and the play earlier in the week, he's giving me optimism he can make this work.
