First releases have popped up on the transactions page... C Nerio Rodriguez flashed some potential but never stayed healthy enough to capitalize on it. Rodriguez only played 5 games for Asheville last season and did not play at all this year. OF Richi Gonzalez signed for $310,000 in the 2019 IFA period. He had a cannon of an arm, which resulted in his inclusion in the 2019 Prospect Handbook at #27 before making his pro debut. Despite making steady improvements on offense, he was limited to 21 games in the FCL last year and didn't play at all this season.
This could be one coach who got fired whining to Schwab about how “everything is a mess”. Let’s wait and see which coaches are gone and where they end up.
Trying to think of players who were not promoted and could have a gripe. Seems at least at the major league level the Astros were generous (out of injury and need) with AAA promotions to the Big Leagues. The Astros even traded Bloss, Wagner, Loperfido giving them an opportunity. Maybe at the lower levels?
Or when the minor league coaches and those in charge of player development say a certain player is ready... and they're not... there's a communication gap that needs to get sorted out. Nobody here is an "expert" on the lines of communication between the minor league coaches, advisors, and the Astros front office... tons of middle-men involved in these things. Brown maybe not even spear-heading any of these decisions and it could all be the actions of the player development head (who took over for Goodrum?)
High A C John Garcia is literally the only position player prospect I can see who might have a gripe about not being promoted this season. There are more guys who would have a gripe about being rushed (Dezenzo, Matthews, Melton). On the pitching side there aren’t any pitchers who appear to be held back. It took Aaron Brown awhile to get moved up to AAA and I’m sure Forrest Whitley has whined to someone that he should have been in the majors all season.
I agree with Whitley, but I don’t see this report as anything to be concerned about. Given the penalties we were saddled with, I think our minor league system is in pretty good shape and talking heads like these guys are just looking for clicks and know nothing about why decisions are being made. I trust Brown and his team to make the right decisions concerning the minor leagues.
True, but these weren't issues when Luhnow was here. Everybody was on the same page and we saw the results. Now it appears that Brown's wanting to change the metrics that built a dynasty instead of building on what Luhnow built. Changing a proven formula is risky at best and foolish at worst. Have you noticed that most of Luhnow's people are gone. Crane needs to hire Sig or Petula as Chief of Baseball Operations and get back to the proven formula IMHO. Will Crane do this? Not a chance.
I think it's foolish to not change. This is a copycat league (sorry for the cliché) and the way to stay on top is continue to adjust and exploit things nobody else is doing. Brown has still been here less that 2 full years. He was unable to make any changes prior to 2023. He made some major changes before 2024 and all these coaches worked under them for the first time. There is bound to be friction and differences of opinion with those who worked under Click and even more for those who were here under Luhnow. Baseball people are people set in their ways. I trust Brown for identifying talent and he has a Long list of contacts and years of experience to draw from. The jury is still out on how well he runs the organization or develops the talent. It's been said that Sig has no desire to have the responsibility/commitment of being a #1. Petula's record speaks for itself. I have no idea how he would do as the #1 but would be very excited to have him back in the organization. Regardless, I think Brown deserves and should have at least 1-2 more seasons before having someone placed above him. He hasn't even completely transitioned the organization into his own, or had any of "his" guys develop and become regular players for the Astros yet. MLB is a marathon more than a sprint which applies to more than just the 162g season.
Who took over for Goodrum? That's who should be in charge of this stuff. Brown has experience in this role (as he did it in Atlanta), so it wouldn't be out of his element if he did have to micro-manage this... but I want my GM focusing on the big league team, and I want the director of minor league operations/player-development focusing on this stuff. As far as what happened in the past, part of what led to the axes to grind (and eventual banishments) is how they were eliminating scouts, eliminating coaching positions, and calling for minor league teams to be dissolved/contracted.... revisionist history on your end.
Yeah, definitely not the first time there has been some criticism about how we run our minor league operation that has turned out a number of contributors over the years.
When Brown came in, here stated more people, not less, we're needed in the minor league operations/scouting. Just a random thought, but I wonder how many of those people are upset because duties have been taken away as the department is expanded?
I'm fine with eliminating every position that's not absolutely necessary. That's called running a business properly. The Stros need to find a way to get back to their proven methods of success.
Yes. There was a lot of consternation in baseball circles about the changes Luhnow brought to the Astros.
