<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Unnamed exec: "Our read is that Luhnow is going to want somebody fairly close to MLB. I'm betting that's Appel."<a href="http://t.co/7smQoulW" title="http://es.pn/JlYwLI">es.pn/JlYwLI</a></p>— Astros County (@AstrosCounty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosCounty/status/203578228261130242" data-datetime="2012-05-18T20:10:06+00:00">May 18, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
5 more games than us? Look at where Philly is with their pitching. Defending WS champs finished last year with the best offense in the NL, and have the best offense again this year.
I just got through looking at about 20 different draft boards. In all, only Buxton and Appel were mentioned as the 1st pick (no surprise). I didnt count, but id say Buxton lead by a very slight margin. One note did catch my eye. While Appel is ahead of other pitchers in this draft, he doesnt separate himself from the others by much. Where as Buxton seems the clear favorite among position players by a good amount. Food for thought.
I will still be happy with Appel, but I would prefer Buxton. I think Luhnow will go with the experienced, polished, college arm.
The question I have is this. What pitcher may be available at #41 and how much of a downgrade would he be compared to Appel if we were to take Buxton at #1?
Young team, great arms every night on the mound, finally turning into a winning team without their "marque" player if that's what anyone wants to call him, and a bright future ahead. I'd take that in a heartbeat over what I witnessed the last couple of years. Troll on though.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just heard Nick Williams has signed a letter of intent with Texas A&M - but don't be shocked if he ends up at a JC this fall instead.</p>— keithlaw (@keithlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/207685461353832450" data-datetime="2012-05-30T04:10:47+00:00">May 30, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
lol. just saw this post. the nats have 1 starting pitcher that they drafted in the 1st round. 1. and only 2 of their 5 were drafted by them, period. hey, it's ok posting without having a clue what the **** you are talking about, but please please leave the name-calling out of it, ok shmoopies?? stick to the hangout where you can make more meaningful contributions like telling people that you think st. arnold's beer is terrible and posting pictures of your bottle of whiskey. thanks.
Your point on one in the first round? Can you argue the Nats are getting good starting pitching and are actually winning and drawing big crowds now? We have **** for pitching in the minors, and I'm down with taking a nice pitcher close to ready for the majors (maybe 2-3 years out) and keep drafting pitchers if available. Anything to build up the arms in the farm system. Also, 2 of their five were drafted, so they used other farm guys/roster players as trade bait to trade for more arms in the majors? Yeah, kinda how you build a team, with a good farm system and sometimes trades are made. We have **** to even make a decent trade save for Altuve and Lowrie, and so far they look like long time keepers. You're right, I have zero idea what I'm talking about. I've not followed the 'Stros for over 30 years. Sorry for the pictures of things you would have to work hours for stocking shelves to buy. Just pocket change to myself.
I wouldn't say the Astros have nothing in the minors as far as pitching go. Cosart and Foltzy both are very promising and there are a few others in the lower levels.
I would love it if they could add more, and a college ace is what I would prefer over a high school kid who plays country ball.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Monday's first pick reportedly down to Appel, Buxton, or Correa <a href="http://t.co/JDBn9OCF" title="http://fb.me/1G5iZZYDi">fb.me/1G5iZZYDi</a></p>— Mike Tauser (@farmstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/farmstros/status/207851651950841857" data-datetime="2012-05-30T15:11:10+00:00">May 30, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/93SVG7iFVqc?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/93SVG7iFVqc?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
Down to two hitters and one pitcher? Methinks that is a 66.67% chance that the Astros are taking a hitter. Since Correa is already showing his power tool, he would be my choice over Buxton.
Man that is one big kid. I can see why most see him moving to 3rd base fairly soon. Personally, I know we have pretty decent depth in the outfield, but Buxton is still hard to say no to. The only thing he hasn't shown this year is his power, and that's because he's seen fewer balls to hit. Teaming him with Springer is awfully hard to pass up.