I think Hunter Brown went 4 yesterday and looked quite the part. McCullers threw to live batters and touched 94mph. He will start a game next week or pitch in. do not know if he will be the starter.
I know betting on him is crazy, but if he can get back, it is a major boost to our BP, and with our offense being weaker this year, we need pitching. DD
The plan is to have him continue rehabbing, get some minor league innings in, and then return to the rotation when he's ready. I will believe it when I see it. I don't think his arm can handle the torque his pitches put on it, and I don't think he's a guy who can reinvent himself into a different pitch mix.
Well he already sort of did that when he pitched through the injury he eventually got surgery for… along with 2018 when he pitched late season/playoffs knowing he would need TJ surgery the second the season was done. Most arms (elbows) in baseball don’t survive two surgeries.
I really don't care about babying/protecting Lance's arm. He's an Astro for another 18-19 months and is a sunk cost. Get him built up and let it rip. Either the arm holds up or it doesn't.
At this point the Astros should let him juice up on all the PEDS he can. What do you got to lose with him anyways LOL
I know that's what he wants, but when you haven't pitched in two years you don't get to dictate how the team uses you. Personally, I feel he is best suited as a swingman (think Brad Peacock and early career Javier). He won't have to get his arm hot every other day like a normal relief pitcher, but it maximizes his production while also reducing his innings over the course of a season. He is good for a spot start, tandem start, or long relief.
Not saying that roster decisions should be based on ST stats, but: Gamel: .182 / .308 / .182 (11ab) Singleton: .115 / .172 / .115 (26ab) Guillorme: ,313 . ,316 / .313 (16ab) Rodgers: .263 / .300 / .421 (19ab) Dezenzo: .333 / .333 / .519 (27ab) Whitcomb: .182 / .217 / .318 (22ab) Smith: .450 / .560 / .850 (25ab) Other than Smith and Dezenzo, the rest aren't producing much offensively. Big Jon and his new physique hasn't gotten going, at all.
I don’t consider those stats meaningful at all, but if we’re looking at the eyeball test, I like what I’ve seen from Smith, Dezenzo, Guillorme, Whitcomb, and Rodgers (in that order). Singleton and Gamel both look old and lost so far. We’re talking about the 11th-13th guys, so it’s probably not really of much consequence unless they anoint Dezenzo or Smith as the everyday RF.
Sure, not meaningful, ST stats generally are not meaningful. Small sample, bunch of minor league pitchers and MLB guys trying stuff out. But like you said, this is a competition and most of them will lose out. Guillorme is such a tough profile to make work - almost no power, zero stolen base potential, good defender at 2B but a minus at SS and 3B for his career. If it's me it's Smith, Dezenzo, Whitcomb - give the kids a chance. We have enough openings at RF, 2B, and 1B to start the season to make it work. If they're not ready, figure it out from there. But all of them have much higher ceilings than the rest of these JAGs. Gamel would be my next choice, because he's a lefty and he played well last season in limited work. Think the back issue has slowed him during ST so far.
My starting lineup would have smith at 3rd, Dezenzo in RF and Paredes at 2B. Against LHP it would be Chas and Jake. Against RHP it would be Chas in CF.
It depends on how they want to allocate playing time. I certainly don’t see any scenario where Whitcomb and Guillorme both make the team. I don’t really like the idea of Dezenzo or Whitcomb making the team and rarely playing. If either guy is going to make the team, I think they need to play most days, either as the everyday 2B or RF or in a utility role that is often-used. I think there’s enough opportunity for Dezenzo to play regularly, but I’m not sure about Whitcomb. Guillorme is a great fit as a rarely used 13th position player on any team, and he is more than fine as the strong-side of a 2B or SS platoon, provided he hits 9th and whichever team he’s on has at least 7 good hitters. In the Astros case, of course I’d rather them find a really good everyday player at 2B (either a rebirth of Rodgers or Whitcomb breaking out), but I’m really optimistic if they go with a platoon of Guillorme and either Dubon or Rodgers. Guillorme rarely strikes out so at a minimum he will see pitches and put the ball in play, which is good for a bottom of the order hitter, even on a contending team. Gamel is similar; he’s a fine 13th man on any roster. And if he’s your #8-9 hitter as the strong side of a corner OF platoon, he’s fine there too. So there’s room for him on the roster unless Dezenzo takes the RF ab against RHP. I just don’t see a role for Singleton much beyond a designated PH for Pena or Meyers when the game is on the line against a tough righty. But also, I can see the team keeping Singleton under the idea that as the 13th person, you really need somebody who will be cool with not playing and can get along in the clubhouse, which they know Singleton can do. I think the hype will die down around Smith over the next week. But obviously if he makes the roster, it means a demotion for McCormick and means a lot less opportunity for Dezenzo.
