Um, the Astros signed 25 of their first 26 picks this year, and within the first two weeks, at that. They've been pretty damn good the last two years at getting picks signed...
...while sticking to Bud's recommended slot allowances. We were among the bottom handful of teams in total expenditure over the first 10 or 11 rounds. I guess we went with quantity over quality this year which may not be an entirely bad approach. I believe we went over slot on a couple of players last year, correct? Either way, anything is better than doing little to nothing in the draft. I just feel like this organization needs to be overactive in terms of both quantity and quality given how depleted the system is.
Gervacio's had a nice showing with the big club. I'm not sure what is long-term prospects are though.
Tejada's been looking like early-season Tejada recently. Uncle D, sign him to a 4-year max contract now!
Blum with an outstanding effort there... barehanded grab and throw to first. I thought it was an infield single for sure. I don't think it's a lack of effort with most of these guys, before or after Cooper. I think some of them just aren't playing well, for whatever reasons other than lack of effort. With a veteran-laden team, I don't think lack of motivation was a major factor in the outcome of this season. Cooper made a lot of mistakes but I don't think failing to motivate them (or demotivating them for that matter) was likely one of them. This group shouldn't need much, if any, of that. I'd blame Cooper for mishandling the pitchers/bullpen and being too aggressive on the basepaths above anything else.
I think that number is really misleading. The Astros draft these players that will sign for less or equal to slot. Their 2nd round pick this year was commited to a Junior College. Their 3rd round pick commited to Kenneshaw State. These players were easy to sign as a result.
Went to the game tonight, 4th row behind the dugout. Surprised so many showed up and even though WE SUCK the crowd was pretty decent noise wise. Still cannot believe beers are 8 ****ing dollars.
And yet for some reason, our scouting team thinks these guys are good prospects. You do realize that there is no such thing as a can't miss prospect in baseball right? Mike Piazza, a great player, was drafted in the 62nd round. He was a multiple time All-Star. Nobody thought he was going to be a major leaguer when he was drafted. This type of thing happens a lot in baseball. Conversely, everybody and their dog thought that Chris Burke was destined for greatness when the Astros took him #1 overall. Same thing with Phil Nevin. It is a crapshoot.
Yea I went with my buddy and we were shocked to see how many people actually showed up but then saw a kid with the bobblehead. Darn the Stros are a boring team lol we left at 8-4 to watch the UH game at Little Woodrows.
They are shutting down Bud Norris because he has set a career high in pitches, so we get to look forward to Wilton Lopez starting.
It's not a total crapshoot. There's a very strong correlation between draft position and major league success. Nevin was an all-star and had a 12 year career. Burke wasn't the top pick in the draft, and was not that hyped going into the draft that year. He was mishandled by the astos, but he did heavily contibute to a world series team. The astros should have the chance for some more budget flexibility going into next season. With a top ten pick every round, and hopefully some extra picks from FA's, I hope they reallocate more money to the draft so that Heck can choose whomever he feels is best regardless of bonus demands.
It's not a crapshoot - there is a definite correlation between round drafted and major league success. And if you pick people due to financial considerations, that's great that you're signing them, but it does mean you're less likely to get useful talent.
is this true once you get out of the first few rounds? there are roughly a million rounds of the baseball draft!
I know, but it was the 3-5 years ago and their failure to sign some, that the minor leagues are paying for it now..... DD
