So it appears the projected opening day roster is shaping up to be: Outfield George Springer Carlos Gomez Colby Rasmus Jake Marisnick Preston Tucker Infield Tyler White Jose Altuve Carlos Correa Luis Valbuena Marwin Gonzalez ??????? Catchers Jason Castro ??????? Starting Pitchers Dallas Keuchel Collin McHugh Mike Fiers Doug Fister Scott Feldman Bullpen Josh Fields Ken Giles Luke Gregerson Will Harris Pat Neshak Wandy Rodriguez Tony Sipp So there appear to be probably two spots where there is some significant level of uncertainty, backup catcher and the last backup infield position. For those two spots, who is more likely than Roberto Pena at catcher and Matt Duffy at third base? Perhaps there is a surprise on the way, but these two make the most sense. Duffy probably gets sent back down when Evan Gattis returns. Who goes down when Lance McCullers comes back is beyond me, but someone will have to. And then things get really tough should everyone remain healthy and the Astros desire to bring up A.J. Reed and Colin Moran. Deciding who goes down to make a spot for one or both of those two is going to be a very difficult call for Luhnow and Hinch, to say the least.
That looks about right Mojo. Although I know why he wont, I kinda wish Moran was that 6th infielder. More than Duffy even.
By Labor day Colin Moran very well may be the 4th infielder, starting at third base. But the Astros brass apparently do not want to "start the clock" on either him or A.J. Reed just yet. Not until some time in June or later. But after that, we could see both of these guys advance to the big leagues and into the starting line-up of an Astros team that is almost universally expected to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Not that I disagree with that being the likely scenario, but when Gattis returns I personally would rather see Tucker sent back down. Gattis and Tucker are both DH's, and White is probably best suited to play DH, although I think he can be a tolerable 1B. Duffy would give us much more versatility, because he can competently handle 3B and 1B. Marwin even with his lack of experience out there, is already likely a better defensive OF than Tucker, who is a major liability. It would allow us much more flexibility to move guys around and play the matchup game instead of being restricted to having Marwin as the sole backup across the infield with a starting 3B who is restricted to platoon duty to start with.
If Tucker hits like the expect him to, I can see them finding a consistent role for him as the platoon DH with Gattis (who despite last year's anomaly, still hits left-handed pitching better than right-handed pitching). He's very likely to be the opening series DH vs the Yankees (who will have an all right-handed rotation this year). They'll stash him in the OF at times too... He just has to hit. He does have more upside than Duffy or Marwin at the plate. Marwin is already going to fill the versatile role that you're pegging Duffy for.
Lucroy trade. If Tyler White proves he is more than capable of hitting at 1B, does it give you more incentive to move AJ Reed for Lucroy. I think so.
Depends on what the front office really believes Reeds upside is If they think he is going to be a solid regular for many years, then yes If they think he is going to be Edgar Martinez, then no
No--both because of the fact that Reed still has more upside than White (even if White shows capability in the majors)...and more importantly, there's room for both of them on an AL team. And I'd rather have 2 really good players holding down the fort than continue to search for a longterm DH. (I'm a Gattis supporter, but I think Reed/White should overtake him in the next year or 2)
#futureace <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jarred Cosart walked 5, hit 2 batters and uncorked 2 wild pitches in 4 1/3 vs Mets Single A team today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/marlins?src=hash">#marlins</a>.</p>— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) <a href="https://twitter.com/clarkspencer/status/713794397515751424">March 26, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Magadan? Come on now... White has some .300 to go with that walk rate. I'm all on the Reed train with White filling in the mean time, but I think White's upside deserves more credit than that.
Poor man's Wade Boggs maybe. Including winter ball this year White hit exactly half as many home runs (21) as Magadan did in his entire 16 year career. I'll take his career .390 obp though.
Tonight would have been the last game for the Astros at Osceola County Stadium. However, due to rain, it has been cancelled.
sorry but I'm not giving up Reed for 2 years of Lucroy, especially as long as we have Castro on the team. Castro has the ability to rebound from last year and is a great defensive catcher. Lucroy is also coming off injury. I don't see having two potentially top catchers on the team as being a need. Reed has a ton of upside, he's a future All-Star no doubt. For me, Reed is off the table. He's the future at 1B and White would be an excellent potential DH. I think Reed's career > White's so I hang on to Reed, especially when starting catcher is not a huge need for the 'Stros.
back to back dingers from Correa and White! Ladies and Gentlemen, your opening day 1B: Tyler White. Dude is ripping it.
