jeez . and SF's last couple of relievers have some pretty nasty stuff. Good on us for getting a couple of runs.
I seriously cannot wait for the robo zone. The number of missed calls on outside and high pitches last night was infuriating. It felt like all. Hicks had to do was get it within 2-3 inches of the zone, and he was getting the call. Baseball is already a super challenging sport; I'm sick of human error adding to the challenge.
They need Smith and/or Dezenzo to break out this year or they are going to need to acquire a lot at the deadline to get some more bats. Having Dezenzo on the bench is a pretty good way of ensuring that at least he doesn't have that opportunity. r****ded.
I actually think a Rodgers/Dezenzo platoon across 2B/LF makes a decent amount of sense, although it would have to supersede the plan to organize the lineup around hiding Altuve defensively. Really, I just don’t want Dubon in the lineup very much for the next 5-6 weeks; he should only be playing when Paredes or Pena want/need a day off. He’s a low-ceiling, known quantity, so any games he plays just prevents further evaluation of one of the other 3 higher ceiling options (Rodgers, Dezenzo, McCormick).
We have got to see what Dezenzo can do...burying him on the bench makes no sense. He has positional versatility, get him in the damn games. If he sucks, fine, but let us determine that first before not playing him.
Chas buried too and we kinda gotta see if he’s back to his old self. I think he had a hit and a walk in his one start but then was sat right back down.
I totally agree about Dezenzo and McCormick needing more at bats to evaluate. They need to be getting consistent ABs. But I have never seen the pull with Rodgers. There's a reason the crappy Rockies of all teams cut bait. The idea that Rodgers, 28, with a 90 career OPS+ in 1700 ABs, is some high upside player, doesn't hold for me. Dubon is 2 years older, with a career 87 OPS+, and nearly identical career WAR in fewer games. Not saying Dubon has upside. I'm saying Rodgers doesn't really, either. The team might not be willing to give him much of an opportunity if he's not quick lightening in a bottle. 6 ABs isn't a fair shot, but then again he's got 231 career games on the road with a road OPS+ of 73. That's a big sample size of putrid. I bet it's a short leash this season.
I see the logic in the theory that a previously very highly touted prospect with excellent exit velocity and defensive value who has been stuck in a franchise that is notoriously shitty at player development might have some upside. I don’t necessarily think it’s going to pan out, but I do see the logic. And I definitely think Rodgers is a higher ceiling player than Dubon; Rodgers has been a weak hitter because he hits the ball on the ground too much, but he does hit the ball hard (harder on average than Altuve’s career marks, Rodgers’ average EV is roughly the same as Correa and Springer). Dubon is a weak hitter because he has no power.
Pick 9 guys and play them - stop with musical line ups. If Altuve is your left fielder, keep him there. If Rogers is your second baseman, stick him there for 60 days and leave him there short of him turning into Jose Abreu. If Smith is your right fielder --- start him 90% of the time. Espada is annoying as **** because he tinkers and over thinks things...... he isn't smart enough to tinker like he does, and he lacks the social skills to think as much as he does. He needs to just be a good model around the team, keep everyone happy and let his smarter bench coaches and GM handle the tactical parts of the game. Seriously - he needs to go and learn about Joe Torre and other managers that didn't get cute.
I don't mind the Astros giving Rodgers a chance. His issue is hitting the ball on the ground, and going back to his rookie season has complained internally that the Coors Field experience has messed up his swing. I also don't agree that he has never shown anything. It was only a couple years ago when Rodgers was a 4.5 WAR player that was a Gold Glove winner and an All Star.
Dubon should never start vs a RHP. I realize he is not alone among Astros who are weak vs RHP, but he is a utility player, not even a platoon starter, and even at his best, his bat has the least impact.
The damn over-managing. Let them play it out. If player x, y, or z ain't cutting it after so many starts, then cross that bridge.
