Anyone know what happened to these two? Jason Lane was supposed to be a great hitter in the majors someday, and I know he played for the big club last year, so why haven't we heard more about him. More importantly, why hasn't Kirk Saarloos made the Astros' roster? In his second stint with the Stros, he pitched solidly, so where is he??
Lane's probably good enough to play in the big leagues now, but as always, the Astros have a glut of outfielders. Biggio moving out to center didn't help him any. Don't know about Saarloos.
Saarloos is in spring training with the Astros looking to make the team. He had a great month of July (1.77 ERA), but August and September were bad with respect to ERA. In August his ERA was over 5.00 and in September he was 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA, hardly numbers deserving an automatic spot on the team. Although he is 2-0 this spring, he has give up 7 ER in 6.1 innings for a 9.95 ERA. Right now Robertson has been their best and most consistent starter in the spring. What more do you want to hear about Lane? He's been hitting well this spring and there have been articles written about him in the Chronicle and on the Astros web site. He should probably make the team, but it is a numbers game.
I took Saarloos with the last pick in my two fantasy drafts. I picked him up after he got hammered in his first three games. Won 3 straight after that, while allowing 2 runs total I think I hope he makes the team and emerges like Houston farm club pitchers like to do. RoyO/Miller/Saarloos are gonna be unstoppable.
I think both will make the club... I suspect that Lane will get spot duty for RH... Sarloos will be in the BP, but I think he'll be more effective...
We already have five set outfielders - Berkman, Biggio, Hildalgo, Hunter, and Merced. If we do keep another on the 25 man roster, I think they'd pick the Rule 5 Draft pick Hall over Lane. He's struggled at the plate, but his speed is apparently blazing, which is a very useful tool to have. I don't think they'll give him up if they don't have to.
Lane is still very young too. He'll benefit more from playing a year or two more as a full time AAA outfielder, than as a bench player in Houston. Either through injury, or as contracts start to expire, he'll get his chance.
