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I'm cautiously optimistic about our starting rotation

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by bigtexxx, Jan 22, 2013.

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  1. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    I don't think we will be that bad off on the mound this year, given some assumed natural development from our young staff. Let me break it down:

    1. Lucas Harrell -- The guy was money after the all star game. 2.87 ERA. He's also exceptional at MMP -- 2.34 ERA for 2012. I look for him to have another high quality year in 2013.

    2. Bud Norris -- this guy is LIGHTS OUT at home. ERA of under 2 last season at MMP. However, on the road is another story. ERA of over 6. To me that's a focus and motivation issue. That can many times be corrected by quality coaching, and hopefully the new coaching staff can get him mentally ready to compete on the road.

    3. Jordan Lyles -- He's 22 years old and a former supplemental round draft pick. His stuff is very high quality. His results have not been consistent at all. His September gave us some room for optimism, posting a WHIP of 1.19 and an ERA of 3.58. But it was one month. Typically guys improve their consistency as they mature, and we need Lyles to do the same. The stuff is there.

    4. Alex White -- I watched him pitch at UNC and clearly he's a talent. This was evidenced by his selection with the 15th overall pick in the 2009 draft. He showed improvement towards the end of last year, and he had to pitch at Coors Field. I look for him to show well this year in Houston.

    5. Philip Humber -- we all know what his stuff is like when he's healthy. He threw a perfect game last year. I've been watching him pitch since 2002 when he was at Rice, and he's always had ridiculously good stuff. He played hurt last year (elbow flexor) and supposedly he's healthy again. Coupled with playing close to home (Carthage is where he grew up), this could be a great opportunity for him to bounce back strong.

    So yes, a lot of things need to fall into place, guys need to develop mentally, but I've got some optimism about the rotation as it stands now.
     
    #1 bigtexxx, Jan 22, 2013
  2. Astrocreep2012

    Astrocreep2012 Member

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    Bedard

    add Bedard to the list.
     
    #2 Astrocreep2012, Jan 22, 2013
  3. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    yeah I guess, although he had a bad year last year -- hopefully it's not just aging. He'll be 34 in March. I'd hate to see him take starting innings away from any of the other 5 I listed....although I do see some value in having a 6 man rotation this year in the sense that it could be an opportunity to give a vet an opportunity to show what they can do so we can then trade them before the deadline.
     
    #3 bigtexxx, Jan 22, 2013
  4. Astrocreep2012

    Astrocreep2012 Member

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    According to Lunhow, they want a lefty in the rotation, and they see Bedard a more likely candidate than Dallas.
     
    #4 Astrocreep2012, Jan 22, 2013
  5. Astrocreep2012

    Astrocreep2012 Member

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    But yeah I agree, this rotation has improved and NOONE is talking about it.
     
    #5 Astrocreep2012, Jan 22, 2013
  6. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    lol they want a lefty in the rotation? Seriously he said that? I mean I get the basic principle of his idea, but on a team that will be challenged to lose fewer than 100 games this shouldn't stand in the way of either developing arms or showcasing players as trade bait. Especially when we're talking about a 34 year old guy in Bedard. I wasn't impressed with Keuchel last year.
     
    #6 bigtexxx, Jan 22, 2013
  7. Astrocreep2012

    Astrocreep2012 Member

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    He'll have to IMPRESS in Spring training. Maybe his AL experience will help???


    The quote: Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Bedard is likely to take a spot in the Houston rotation this year behind right-handers Bud Norris, Lucas Harrell and Jordan Lyles. He started on Opening Day for the Pirates last year.

    "When you have a lot of right-handers in the mix and to have a left-hander with his type of Major League experience and success and track record, it can only help us," Luhnow said. "He's got a strong chance to be in our rotation all year long, and we're hoping that's the Erik Bedard that's had tremendous success already in his big league career."
     
    #7 Astrocreep2012, Jan 22, 2013
  8. NIKEstrad

    NIKEstrad Member

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    I think lefty / veteran gives Bedard a chance. The oldest guy in the rotation you mentioned is Humber, and I think Norris has the most career wins of those guys with 28.

    If Bedard is healthy, I think it'd be good to have him as a veteran presence on the team.

    Also, inevitably guys will be injured/miss starts. We'll see how they pitch in the spring to see who starts in the rotation....
     
    #8 NIKEstrad, Jan 22, 2013
  9. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    SP Candidates:

    Lucas Harrell
    Bud Norris
    Jordan Lyles
    Alex White
    Philip Humber
    Erik Bedard
    Dallas Keuchel
    John Ely

    If we went with the young guns,

    1. Lucas Harrell
    2. Bud Norris
    3. Jordan Lyles
    4-5. Alex White / John Ely / Dallas Keuchel

    That would leave Philip Humber and Erik Bedard outside looking in, as it should be. The only reason to start with Humber or Bedard is to build value by the trade deadline.
     
    #9 No Worries, Jan 22, 2013
  10. boozle222

    boozle222 Member

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    What are the thoughts on Ely?
     
    #10 boozle222, Jan 22, 2013
  11. juicystream

    juicystream Member

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    The odds of Norris being traded or moving to the pen increase with every arm.

    Rotation for me would be:

    Bedard
    Harrell
    Norris
    Lyles
    White
     
    #11 juicystream, Jan 22, 2013
  12. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    John Ely

    In 2012 with Albuquerque he was 14-7 with a 3.20 ERA in 27 games and was selected to the Pacific Coast League mid-season All-Star team and the post-season All-PCL team. He was also named the PCL "pitcher of the year" after leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts (165). [9] On September 1, the Dodgers purchased his contract from the Isotopes and called him back up to the majors. On September 27, the Dodgers selected Ely as the team's "Minor League Pitcher of the Year."

    Ely's 2012 stats in AAA were dominate. He is ready for his full time MLB shot.
     
    #12 No Worries, Jan 22, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2013
  13. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    That's pretty impressive in Albuquerque, no (assuming his splits are equal)? The balls probably launch their much like they do in Denver.
     
    #13 Rocketman95, Jan 23, 2013
  14. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    just to play the other side of this, if Ely was so impressive, how did we land him for only Rob Rasmussen?
     
    #14 bigtexxx, Jan 23, 2013
  15. NIKEstrad

    NIKEstrad Member

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    He's basically 27, with almost no MLB success. Dodgers didn't want to use a 40 man roster spot on him, so off he went.

    Then again, the guy you listed as our ace, Lucas Harrell, was in an even lower situation last year -- we got him off waivers.

    Still, I'd peg this guy as no more than a rotation filler until he proves otherwise. It looks like Humber, White, Bedard, and Ely will compete for the last 2 rotation spots in spring training. Bedard may have a slight inside track due to the lefty/veteran status, but not much.
     
    #15 NIKEstrad, Jan 23, 2013
  16. RockFanFirst

    RockFanFirst Member

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    What is this...positivity about the Astros this season? Blasphemy!

    I'm with you, bigtexxx. I think the rotation does have the chance to be decent to good. I think it's easy just to pile on with everyone else and say "100-loss team again", but Luhnow has done a good job at changing the parts. Provided these guys develop this year, we might be in for a pleasant surprise.

    I also agree that Ely has a chance to make the rotation, probably moreso than Humber.
     
    #16 RockFanFirst, Jan 23, 2013
  17. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    How many of these guys would be anything more than a 5th starter on a MLB team. Wandy is better than Lucas and Lucas is our Ace? This team might be worse than the team last year if that is even possible. I hope some of these guys in the trades or draft picks show something.
     
    #17 Air Langhi, Jan 24, 2013
  18. juicystream

    juicystream Member

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    Last year Lucas Harrell was about the same as Wandy.

    We are replacing Edgar Gonzalez/J.A. Happ/Dallas Kuechel with better potential.

    Will Jordan Lyles be the guy we saw the last month of the season, or will he be terrible?
     
    #18 juicystream, Jan 24, 2013
  19. Progs

    Progs Member

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    [B2013 Astros going to Horrible 1st pick again
    2014 better talent is a year away in the minors right now like AA and AAA = Surprise team in the MAJORS...
    2015 with possibly Carlos Rodon being the ACE for the Stros we can see the Astros making a run to the playoffs...:cool:]...So we all have to be patient[/B]
     
    #19 Progs, Jan 24, 2013
  20. moonsh0t

    moonsh0t Member

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    Your hard-on for Rodon and posting in bold (lol at your last failed attempt) is getting annoying.
     
    #20 moonsh0t, Jan 24, 2013
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