So the bullpen competition as is stands. I actually expected Lo to make it Matt Albers Chad Qualls Kevin Chapman (has to be right?) Jesse Crain (likely to be on the DL) That leaves 4 spots Most Likely Jerome Williams Josh Fields Josh Zeid Anthony Bass Darrin Downs Less Likely Peter Moylan (NRI) Raul Valdes David Martinez Paul Clemens Jason Stoffel (NRI) Luis Cruz I'm guessing Williams as a long man, and Downs as a lefty specialist make it. Competition comes down to Fields,Bass and Zeid. Peter Moylan could still be a factor also, making a roster spot for him wouldn't be hard. Honestly surprised an NRI is the best he could find.
Moylan hasn't pitched a full season since 2010. I was hopeful for Moylan, but 5 walks and no Ks in 5 IP, is concerning. That fits what he has done in his brief seasons the last 2 years.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Official: Manager Bo Porter announced RHP Scott Feldman will be <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> Opening Day starter vs. NYY on April 1.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/445554116295553025">March 17, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Pirates&src=hash">#Pirates</a> aren't only team looking for 1B. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> calling around on group that includes Mike Carp, Mayberry, Tyler Moore. All unlikely fits</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/statuses/445936420407242752">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Horrid start for Kuechel today... I guess its between whoever sucks the least between him and Harrell for the 5th spot.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I try to be optimistic, but at this point it appears as though Astros' fans should accept that it's going to be another long season.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445981578079252481">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Help is on the way. There's an amazing collection of truly brilliant prospects in the minors, but it's tough to compete with so many holes.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445982108637732864">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I'm about to tell it to you straight based on my observations and discussions with several opposing scouts and coaches.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445982511181885440">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Astros' best player in camp is 19. His name is Carlos Correa. He's a year away.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445982621513027586">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If Jim Crane hired me & asked me what I'd recommend based on the talent at hand, I'd say <a href="https://twitter.com/Folty25">@Folty25</a> should be the closer.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445983012724166657">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It's March 18, and the Astros don't have a closer yet. The bullpen is WAY better, but nobody has stepped up and earned the closer's role.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445983321697570817">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>You have a bunch of sinker ball pitchers, but the starting shortstop is still growing into his position. He will make a lot of errors.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445983555509051392">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Opposing scouts late last year had practically all of the Astros' signs? They had fun in the stands telling each other what was coming.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445990545757061121">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Don't know if he should be THIS concerned about who the closer is going to be on a bad team. Folty is more valuable as a potential future starter.... not as a closer on a last place team.
According to a Scorecenter update and Jayson Stark's twitter, Astros are looking for a first baseman: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Pirates&src=hash">#Pirates</a> aren't only team looking for 1B. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> calling around on group that includes Mike Carp, Mayberry, Tyler Moore. All unlikely fits</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/statuses/445936420407242752">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think Jose is a swell guy...but I'm not sure he's a great baseball prognosticator. Way to out on a limb suggesting the Astros will struggle this season. Take that insider info straight to Vegas, Jose!
True. But we are getting close to asset management/decision-science time on him. If they're thinking he won't develop his secondaries no matter the development time, they may as well promote him to the big league pen now. We are overloaded with #3/4/5 starting prospects; they don't need him to be Bud Norris 2.0.
We used to bring starting pitching prospects up to work in the pen as they got their feet wet in the majors, then transitioned them to starting. I wouldn't be opposed to that approach for Foltynewicz. Only thing I don't want is to see guys like Harrell in the rotation, we have enough prospect types to look at in place of that
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mark Appel, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's Draft, says he'll make his Grapefruit League debut with one or two innings Friday vs. MIA.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/446327763817881600">March 19, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jose blamed Eduardo Perez Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>With an experienced bench coach like Dave Trembley, I'll bet you the Astros will be better at disguising/changing their signs in '14.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445991694107172864">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>To clarify, the signs weren't given by Bo Porter last year. Former bench coach Eduardo Perez had those duties. Trembley has them now.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/445993738658402305">March 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sure he ultimately may end up as a bullpen guy... as most guys with "stuff" in the minors end up transitioning to. However, I think it would be a waste to have him be the closer on what is likely a last place team. Inconsistent opportunities, inconsistent workload. Remember, even Brad Lidge was brought up as a starter (and even made a start in the big leagues) before being placed in the bullpen for good. Also, they could put "anybody" else back there, and they'd likely be able to get 3 outs while protecting a 3 run or less lead more often than not... and hell, they may be able to pawn that guy off on a contending team for prospects at the deadline. Finally, I'd be thrilled if he could be Bud Norris 2.0... meaning he's a definite #2/#3 rotation pitcher in the big leagues.
Cosart = filthy (15 up/15 down, 9 K's against the Nats). Still kinda wish he could be the opening day starter... seems he'd get much more of a boost from the packed house vs. somebody like Feldman (who will likely show consistent, but not electric, stuff... regardless of the setting).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Carlos Correa was hit in the hand by a pitch and left tonight's game. Will update when we know more.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/446440153335468033">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Man if Cosart could develop an out pitch it would literally solve all his major peoblems. K-Rate, Pitch Count and Walk rate. Seemed like he got to 2 strikes on every hitter last year.
