With Oswalt out day-to-day, the Astros have seemingly called up Bud Norris. He'll be uniform today! http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=6114496&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou I hope they keep him starting in the big leagues, not just a reliever.
This is exactly what I want to see. Instead of trying to trade for guys, let's give these young guys a shot. For this team to do anything, it needs to catch lightning in a bottle, and having a prospect go nuts is a much better (and more exciting) way to do it than hoping some mediocre journeyman pitcher suddenly has a magical season (though it worked fairly well last year with Wolf...).
Only 2 things can possibly happen today to add him to the roster... 1. Oswalt goes on DL 2. Someone gets sent down/DFA'd/released I'm hoping for Ortiz to get DFA'd/released. I don't think you send Arias or Fulchino down right now. Unless someone else goes on the DL other than Oswalt, IMO, getting rid of Ortiz is the only move that makes sense.
Tch, spoke too soon. Lineup has been posted, Hampton is pitching: http://espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290729116
Well, at least he got some work in today. I didn't see him pitch just the lonely box score. How'd he look?
Looked pretty good got to 96mph on a few pitches...did have a bit of control issues but not unexpected...All around nice start to a promising career.
I didn't see the game but from the highlights, he seems to be able to locate that 96mph fastball pretty well, he got some strikeouts with it.
Looks like we our old Buddy will get his due this SUNDAY! --------------------- Norris may make start for Oswalt Prospect debuts Wednesday, may fill in Sunday vs. Cards http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=6127006&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
His future as a starter rests in his ability to throw the changeup. Fastball/Slider pitchers like Norris generally move to the bullpen because as the game wears on, hitters easily adapt (i.e. when Octavio Dotel was a starter). Obviously, this team is in dire need of starting pitching. Hopefully Bazardo is next.
Agreed with respect to Norris long term prospects, but Bazardo has the same type of pitch palette (and arguably with a weaker fastball)? http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=3143&position=P
