His extension allows his stuff to play up to throw the hitters timing off a touch. Plus he has great command
So let’s assume Pena has leveled up, in which case he’s a legit quality leadoff hitter. Here is how I see where each everyday player’s ideal fit is in the lineup: 1. SS Pena: assuming his breakout is legit 2. ??? 3. DH Alvarez: assuming he comes back healthy 4. 3B Paredes: stud 5. ??? 6. 1B Walker: miscast in the 4 hole, much better fit at 6 7. C Diaz: not a middle of the order hitter this season 8. ??? 9. CF Meyers: assuming he comes back to earth So the Astros need a #2, #5, and #8 hitter from RF, LF, and 2B. Any of their remaining players can legit hit 8th except for Dubon. To me the 2 big questions are: 1. How much of Altuve’s decline is permanent and can he still be a middle of the order hitter? He has looked more like a bottom of the order guy this season but it’s hard to tell how much if any of that is physical decline. 2. How good can Cam Smith and/or Zach Dezenzo be this season? I think both guys have potential to be star level hitters who can hit 2nd or 5th but neither has been that level of hitter so far. If they could trade for a 2B that can legit hit 2nd, they’d probably be fine and could figure out the 5 hole between Altuve, Smith, and Dezenzo.
I think Diaz rebounds and will be a solid #5. They are going to give Altuve a lot of rope to bat second. If the decline is real and sustained his contract and stature with the Astros is a real problem. Dezenzo I think is ready for #6 and Cam #8 for now. 2nd base and Altuve are the biggest problems this team has. I guess it was just a non-starter to give Dezenzo reps at second, because that would’ve allowed us to cement our lineup with both Cam and Dezenzo getting max AB’s. Unless we are making a major trade this should be a development year for our young position players with still enough pitching to be competitive for the WS. I really don’t think we should give up much of our young studs for rentals or vets with 2 years control. Walker and Diaz have showed signs of coming around, Dezenzo looks like a solid major league hitter. We are stuck with a declining Altuve and he will never be benched, so we really have room for one bat. The question is where does that bat play. If it’s second base then Cam will either have to be CF when/if Myers falters or he will have to wait a year.
But Alvarez 3@2 (best hitter in the team goes there) Altuve 3 (less loss of faith for a veteran hitter and stalwart/ where the book says your 5th best hitter should hit). Beyond that hit Dezenzo in one spot and can in the other. Cam is fast and an on base guy either the high walk rate/ maybe hit him 8th and play base running games with him and meyers in the 8th/9th spot. As long as the right 9 play I don’t really care where they hit. The right 9 in some configuration is Diaz. Walker, Altuve, Pena, Paredes, Dezenzo, Meyers, smith, Yordan.
I'm not here to discuss "The Catch" I'm here to say he has given me no reason this year to hitch my wagon to him. With Jake being on a heater so far this season, and Cam being the supposed future, innings are tough to come by for him. As a result, he won't get the at bats to get into any sort of Rythm. I don't hate on Chas. He was part of a team that won a world Series with "US" but sometimes the fit just isn't a fit. I hope we trade Chas, not because I necessarily want him gone, but for him to get a fresh start with a team that can utilize him on a regular basis.
Since April 7, Dezenzo has the second best xwOBA on the team following Alvarez. Jake Meyers is third on that list while both Walker and Altuve are <.300. Not something I saw coming in March.
22 JV = 25 Hunter 22 Framber = 25 Framber 22 Javier > 25 Arrighetti 22 Garcia > 25 Blanco (maybe) 22 Urquidy > 25 Wesneski (even if Wesneski is ok) 22 SP Depth: Odorizzi, eventually LMJ 25 SP Depth: Gusto, maybe Garcia, Javier So 22 gets the edge on SP What made that staff so special was the depth in the pen though. Pressly, Abreu, Stanek, Montero were dominant, Neris and Maton were very good. That team could throw some special arms at your ass late in games.
This years pen has a chance to be really special too. They can throw 5-6 quality arms out there at anytime.
He has the highest ceiling on the team outside of Alvarez as a hitter, imo. If he could lift the ball a little more often he could do tremendous damage with his elevated EVs even with mediocre BB/K numbers.
