While the phrase, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." actually defies logic, the counterpart, "You take 100% of the shots you miss." is logical. Fortunately, we embrace delusion for propaganda purposes. It's like me, totally uninterested in basketball, finding a home on a board started by basketball fans. It isn't logical, but I embrace it.
Least interesting spring training ever? 2 open spots deep bench and 3 open spots deep bullpen, and I suspect we already know, barring injuries, who breaks camp. give me kessinger and cabbage for the final 2 position players and Bielak, Souza and Whitley for the final 3 bullpen guys. Unless they can trade Bielak. I don’t think they will release him for nothing. He’s not super valuable but he’s also good to have as a guy who can get you through 3-5 starts somewhat competently, and he’d be fine in long relief as the 7th guy in the bullpen.
I mean, it's pretty much like every spring training in recent seasons. We haven't went into camp with very many question marks since the run began.
There are also usually a few guys that surprise us. Hoping Leon shines and has cut down on his strikeouts. He could be a weapon.
I agree with all of this. I think Bielak needs to be traded because I would like to see a younger, high ceiling guy have his spot on the roster. France is a cheaper, better fit for his role once he isn't needed in the rotation. But Bielak won't be released which means he takes that spot if not traded. I think he could bring back a lottery ticket that Brown feels has tools and a chance at a MLB future.
Bielak probably gets the long reliever spot in the pen. I think every body is convicting France of sitting on his laurels all summer. I expect to see him come to camp with enough improvements to change some minds.
I'm sure France has worked very hard to make this team and the rotation. I just don't think he has the ceiling or stuff to become a top 4 guy which means he will have big value but always be looking to be upgraded. But if the Astros were deep enough in SP to have him in Bielak's role that is a big step up IMO.
Yeah- in years past though we did have one or two interesting guys to look at. Starting with Tucker and then some of the pitchers, and Yainer/Lee last year, even if not a lot of spots some interesting guys. This year I guess Whitley sort of qualifies if you squint enough, but yeah, less interest this year than others because less interesting guys vying for the roster spot crumbs.
It’ll certainly be worth seeing how Melton, Dezenzo, and Corona perform against big league caliber pitchers. They probably don’t have much of a chance of breaking camp, but we will get a little sample of how overmatched they might be.
He is the one I'm very interested in watching. Since we traded for Cabbage he has gotten most of the talk. Leon has a higher upside and the same K issues. I'm hoping we see him take a big step forward. Lettuce see
I think because France doesn't have the raw stuff to be a front line SP, an ace, people get down on him too quick i mean I would love for the Astros to run 5 Aces out there, but... I think if Healthy he is great as an end of the rotation guy
Spring Training....it is great at first having baseball back, but then it seems like it lasts forever until real baseball is back.
I’m interested. How does Javier physically look? Is Brown mature? Coleman healthy? Whitley going to be a big leaguer? Abreu healthy? Diaz work hard on framing and learning the staff? Meyers arm better? McCormick lose the 10-15 lbs they quietly asked him to or is he viewing himself as a corner guy? Is Pressly going to keep smiling watching Hader in the 9th?
