technically, Wojo being DFA'd is the corresponding move... since this had to happen regardless of Gomez going to the DL.
Astros needed new blood, and they got some today. Other than Altuve, Springer, Correa, and Rasmus nobody else seems like a major league hitter.
I was at the game last night, and Moran was even more feckless in person. Gomez might be the only person who looks more pathetic at the plate right now.
Wasn't at the game, but saw some of his plate appearances...His AB's have been atrocious. He looks scared at the plate, very indecisive, and frankly... not ready for the big leagues. Meanwhile, Bregman is racking out there.
Yeah "scared" is the word that comes to mind for me too. He has a very definite deer in the headlights thing going on while he's at bat. I'm hoping that he gets over it after it isn't so new to him, but for now, he just doesn't look like a major league baseball player yet.
He looks uncomfortable and looks like he is pressing. His confidence at the plate looks shot. Not getting that first hit will weigh on you.
While all these observations maybe true, its also true that 7 weeks ago, some of us (self included) thought he looked good enough to make the club for opening day.
And they're giving him his chance and he's clearly not quite ready. I think he sticks around until whenever the Super 2 cut off is this season and then they'll call up Bregman.
I think people underestimate the immediate pressure placed on someone when they are called up to the big leagues. The player presses more than normal...and it just comes down to balancing your nerves while staying focused and relaxed at the plate. And once you get into a situation where you're struggling to get your first hit, then the weight of the situation magnifies. Some players need more time in the minors, while others are just not cut out for a major league career. Moran clearly needs more time...the question really comes down to "how much time?". On the flip side, Kemp has shows some good things in a short period of time.
I was not a huge fan of the promotion when it happened. With Marwin, Valbuena, White and Gattis I didn't see any regular PA available for him. I thoughs we should have waited until he had the chance to start regularly, due to a trade or injury. He looks like a guy facing major league pitching for the first time, my opinion of him really hasn't changed despite the poor start.
He definitely does look like a guy that is seeing MLB pitching for the first time. He needs to see MLB pitching whether regular PAs or not to develop even if it is to show him what doesn't work so he can go down to AAA to fix it after failing.
Lyle Overbay. Should hit for average and a lot of doubles but little power. That's what I think his upside is...which isn't terrible. He just apparently needs more time in AAA.
And this is part of why I don't really believe there's much to the "mastering every level" theory behind player development in order to avoid future demotion... because you really don't know how any individual player is going to react to the first time they see MLB pitching. Some survive... some surprise/thrive... but most fail the first time, and require some sort of adjustment period. Everything is different.... quality of balls hit in batting practice, chartered planes, full-course spreads, 5 star hotels, palaces for ballparks... and this is all before experiencing the increased quality of play. The jump from AAA to the majors is exponential, and Moran has that deer-in-headlights look as if he's been dropped off in a new country and doesn't speak the language. I bet he doesn't even have a routine yet... let alone begun to work on the things he needs to work on. It will potentially come... but will take time.
I don't necessarily look for mastering every level, but for hitters, contact is key. Power numbers fluctuate a lot so it can be tough to judge in short stints. Moran has hit at every level (contact, but not for power). I suspect when he calms down, he'll hit at MLB level. Whether he hits enough to warrant being a starter, I'm less sure though still probably more on the Moran wagon than most. One thing I do know, it looks like there aren't going to be many at bats to go around for a guy like Moran in a couple of weeks. Two weeks isn't much time, but it looks like that is what he is going to get in the near future unless Luhnow goes wild at the trade deadline.
Agreed. Kinda still questioning why he was called up when he was, especially if there was still every intention to play Valbuena and Marwin regularly. He's lost some value just based on the call-up alone... whereas before, could have been propped up (based on minor league numbers) in potential future trades, as its looking more and more like Bregman will be a part of this team's potential future lineup.
I think Luhnow sees Bregman and possibly Reed coming up around June 8th. Luhnow likely wanted to see what Moran can do in majors as once those guy(s) are up...ABs are even more limited. Based on what is reported, Moran likely is valued significantly more by Astros than anyone else. Astros probably keep him even if it is as a backup unless he shows himself to be an MLB talent.
Yes, in general it is a tough adaptation and I don't doubt that Colin is experiencing all of this. His case is different however since has MLB bloodlines through his uncles and his brother so you would think he would be a little more prepared also being a pretty seasoned back coming out of college. I just have a hard time believing he will reach anywhere near his ceiling and it seems his floor is much lower than people thought based on his mediocre run in the minors so far. I always give an edge to guys who come from good bloodlines as they should be better prepared than anyone when their number is called but Moran is the exception and I guess I should view him as just another talented minor leaguer that is trying to figure it out and forget about his family as that is probably unfair to him. Hopefully he figures it out and just trusts his instincts. A good example of this was Delino Desheilds JR. contributing to the Rangers last year completely out of nowhere. He has since been sent down finally but I was shocked he was able to be effective right out of the gate his rookie season. It just seemed like he knew what to expect.
