2016 Spring Training

Duffy's two-run blast

<iframe src='http://m.astros.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=547571083&topic_id=8879000&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

 

White's game-tying homer

<iframe src='http://m.astros.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=547772883&topic_id=8879000&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

 

Hernandez's go-ahead shot

<iframe src='http://m.astros.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=547796283&topic_id=8879000&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

 

Duffy's second home run

<iframe src='http://m.astros.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=547844083&topic_id=8879000&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

 

White & Reed weren't doing much before yesterday either. You have to think Duffy, White, Reed, Singleton, & Tucker will continue to get as much work in as possible.

 

I agree all those guys need and will get a longer look.

Singleton: The reason I pick on and focus on Singleton is because he has been around a while compared to the others. So, he has a past record/reputation to break out of while the others dont. His problem then is to show he isn't the same guy from the past. So far, he hasn't.

Reed: If we are talking about the battle to start the season at 1B, Reed isnt going to no matter what he does this spring, so we can pull him out of the race, for now.

Tucker: Until we know whether he can handle 1B defensively, we dont know whether he is in the race for starting 1B or not. Fortunately for him, he will probably be somewhere on the team if not at 1B, at LF or DH to keep his bat around.

Duffy: Isnt he primarily a 3B guy? His bat in the early going is making a case for him to make the team in some fashion.

White: He is the least known (to me) of this group. So I wont speculate.

 

Heard in an interview with Luhnow where he mentioned Valbuena could also be in the running for 1B in the event someone steps up who is better suited at 3B...I think that would mean Duffy (super long shot to Moran) could be in play at 3rd. It's highly unlikely given all the competition at 1B but the Astros are clearly keeping their options open.

 

As is often the case, we probably will have more than one viable candidate for each position. It will be interesting if they favor defense or offense, given the differences could boil down to which they prefer.

 

Singleton has done a good job defensively at 1b so far this ST.

Let shop his bat continues to hit for power

 

Continues?

 

Lol Yes after a good game yeaterday. White a double and single in three at bats, the single against miller.

 

Yankees were treating it like a playoff game. Pineda, Severino, Betances, & Miller.

 

Ive seen Luhnow even mention the talent still left on the market and possible trade deals being options

 

And they still took the L

:grin:

 

Small sample size, but from what I've seen I would prefer Duffy at 1st and Valbuena ar 3B. This is not meant to be an endorsement of Valbuena's defensive skill.

 

I suppose by next week, we start sending guys down and/or cutting guys loose?

 

agreed. If Duffy wins the 1B job, give it to him and keep Valbuena at 3rd where he is better suited anyways. Not a fan of shifting players around too much.

If Duffy is the choice to start at 1B and guys like White & Reed continue to do well in Spring Training as well, lI'd look for Luhnow to trade Valbuena around the trade deadline..slot over Duffy to 3B and bring up Reed at 1B --although maybe thats too risky on a team trying to win a world series. But man, it sure is a good problem to have when there are too many talented players and not enough roster spots

 

Valbuena is average-above average at 3B.

Duffy is most likely a below average 3B.

 

Valbuena isn't good enough that I think they'd worry about making a move like that in season if Duffy is playing well, as Marwin will back him up (and be a likely defensive replacement) and the team does have Moran available in the minors if need be.

That said, I would think Valbuena would most likely be dealt in a deal for some help elsewhere (backup catcher perhaps?), rather than a prospect.

 

I would put Valbuena at average last year, but still likely much better than Duffy. Defense is a skill that can erode quickly.