Fontana will be an interesting watch. His OBP is just unreal with his ability to take walks, and this team will be in need of a man who can work a count. Sure, he may not be a long term answer depending on how our SS do prior to Carlos Correa coming up in a few years, but I think Fontana is a guy that could really become an intriguing piece in the process. Cisnero is my P. If he can keep the walk rate down in '13... then he deserves a ticket to Houston by year's end. I want to preface this by saying that I liked the signing of Bedard and Humber, but I kind of want to see the youngsters get a shot. I can live with 100 losses if we get to see these OKC pitchers get a shot by July if they deserve the chance. I would love to see Bedard do well just because he can get us something in return, but I wouldn't mind seeing some of these young guys either. They are the ones who I would go to MMP to see play.
Also: Jason Stoffel. Sexy walk rate for a late innings guy. If there is any "easy route" to the Astros, it is at RP. Will he be starting at OKC or CC this year? Or is it too early to tell?
There's been some great picks guys, man I'm pumped for the season to start! I already mentioned Santana and Tropeano but a few more names from me: -Preston Tucker, I swear he's the next Luke Scott. All hitter but can hold his own enough in other areas to make it to the big leagues. -Jonathan Villar, even with the bonehead mistake he made, there's a HUGE hole at SS above him and the guy's an athletic freak. Would love to see him live up to the potential. -Jimmy Paredes, he's kinda been forgotten after not doing much in his call up last year but he's still young, athletic, fast, has some power at the plate and a good arm in the field. This spring will be HUGE for him. -Kenny Long, this dude was ridiculous last year. Practically unhittable and had a 7/38 BB/SO in 22.1 IP. Very small sample size but he's at worst a lefty specialist but I think he has a chance to be a solid late-inning reliever. He does the most with the least amount of "talent". Super crafty pitcher and if you look at his college stats he's just picking up where he left off there. Should be on the fast track for sure.
I'll choose two people outside of the top 30 to keep things interesting. Pitcher - Jack Armstrong Jr. Hitter - Jonathan Meyer
Good find on Armstrong Jr. Our 3rd rounder from 2011 has pretty much been forgotten since his TJ surgery last Spring. Anyone know his status going into this season?
Nothing from his front, but I assume that no news is good news, because if there was, it would probably be about some setback in his recovery. Armstrong, provided that there are no setbacks, should be good to go this season, although where he starts off remains to be seen.
It seems he is only guy with power potential in system that doesn't strikeout a lot. He's a guy I will be keeping an eye on as well, but may get blocked by Carter if Carter can play LF.
I'm extremely excited to see what he does with his first full season in the minors! Quad Cities bound??
I went to the Saturday prospects game before opening day and have since been a huge fan of Domngo. A Springer/Santana outfield is scary. Also TELVIN NASH is kind of interesting.
Tucker is on a hot streak. Hitting for average, not striking out, hit two homers in last ten games. His lack of Ks is very encouraging to me even if doesn't have as much raw power of Springer or Santana.
1. Jake Buchanan 2.Vincent Valasquez 3.Andrew Aplin 4.Woj 5.Stassi I always check the top guys , but from the reports, these guys look like maybe we could see some success one day at the Juice Box.
Well... the 5 guys I've picked haven't been doing so hot. Teoscar Hernandez is still holding his own, and Mitch Lambson is showing improvement.
Looking back on this, Tucker's definitely had himself a great year relative to our expectations. Already in AA, where a low BABIP is holding him down currently. Could definitely see him having a nice little second half, starting next year in AA again, and being only a year away from the big club.
He is still a guy I am following that isn't a top prospect. I don't see the big power potential of some guys, but there are less than 100 guys that hit 20 hrs last season in MLB. I think if he can do that, his hitting and walking will make him a decent MLB player.
Tropeano has disappointed, but hasn't really been terrible. Still striking out nearly a batter per inning. Injury and tandem have possibly affected his results. Woj has been a beast and put himself back as a highly regarded prospect. Surprisingly though, NiTro has the better FIP, as Woj has a very low BABIP against him and a high strand rate. Of course, that is also in AAA as opposed to AA. Beast. He probably won't be outside the top 20 anymore. Clemens has struggled way too much with HRs. Quevedo has been screwed up by being a tandem pitcher. He continues to be better as a reliever, and I prefer he stay in a relief role. West has actually been way better than his 5+ ERA would lead you to believe. His FIP is nearly half his ERA. He's striking out more than a batter an inning. Santana has been okay. Not terrible, but has found himself challenged at AA. He's young enough that repeating AA next year won't be much of a concern. This year was about showing whether he deserved to be a big-time prospect, and the answer is currently no. Villar has had his 2nd good year at a level he is very young for. He belongs in Houston now, even if I don't see him being much more than Julio Lugo. Fontana has been good, but I'm actually disappointed. He started the season off hot, but really cooled off. He continues to have a great walk rate, but I would like to have seen some better hitting in Lancaster (he actually has a better OPS on the road). Heineman hasn't hit for average like he did last year, but he's hit a few dingers, which has never been part of his game. Don't know if he has changed his approach, but I can't imagine a guy going from no HR power to 8 HR exclusively due to the CAL. Mier needs to repeat CC. I still see a MLer, but he'll probably be 26-27 before getting there, and probably won't have a much better career than Tommy Manzella. With Correa/Fontana/Villar/Reynoso in the system, he's got almost no chance to ever see time with the Astros. Probably needs to go to another organization.
...and by "keep an eye on", of course I meant look for him to get designated for assignment. I think I'm the big loser in this picking game
