Check out the stats for this guy at Round Rock! IT looks comparable to Oswalt's when he pitched there. From everything that I've read about Rodrigo, it looks like the 'Stros have another power-pitching prospect about ready to blossom in the big-leagues soon. Get your act together Shane cuz this guy is coming fast! Looks like Redding has overtaken Milicki already so you're next Mr. Reynolds!
I think so. He was thought to be 21-22 years old, but he really is 24 years old. Still young enough to be considered one of our "young guns" though!
The stats for Kirk Saarloos (also at Round Rock) are better than Rosario's. Saarloos: 8-1 1.59 ERA 68 IP - 69 Ks, 19 BBs Rosario 7-2 1.91 ERA 66 IP - 56 Ks, 26 BBs
I like Saarloos, don't get me wrong. BUT Saarloos' upside is somewhat limited. His fastball is 87-88mph which doesn't mean he can't be successful, but he probably won't dominate. I look for him to be on club SOONER than Rodrigo, probably in the long-relief role that we so desperately need! But for Rodrigo, this guy has the requisite "power pitching tools"! Fastball is in the 93-95mph range w/ a slider and change-up. With a little more seasoning, he's following in the footsteps of Roy and Carlos!
Well, can't win 'em all and arm problems have limited further development for Wilfredo. But IF that's the case, how do you explain the "young guns" already on the big-league team? The current track record for the 'Stros is very good so I'm looking for Rodrigo to be a part of the rotation VERY soon!
Wilfredo was said to be another Randy at best. Damn, i wish he didnt have all of those elbow problems. i wouldnt give up on him too fast though, some magazines say he's the 'stros future #2 starter, which is saying a lot considering the current young rotation. As for Rosario, he could be a valuable trade commodity or one heck of a 5th starter. Oswalt Hernandez Miller Redding Rosario Wild Card: Wilfredo Rodgriquez
Well, even when Wilfredo gets healthy, he still has to conquer his control problems. I don't think he will ever amount to much at this point. It is hard enough to get past the wildness when a guy has a live arm like him, but to do so while fighting the injury bug is rough stuff. I like the new direction the Astros are taking. Pitching, pitching and more pitching. Not only do we have excellent prospects in AA right now, but the Astros draft that just took place featured a buttload of picks by the Stros taking players with live arms and good stuff that might need to work on their control or pitch variety a bit. Since we have such a great farm system, I think that is a smart strategy. In a year or two, we could have the best rotation in the league, and STILL have great prospects knocking on the door of those on the majors team at the time. That's a wonderful problem to have.
Don't forget about Robert Stiehl who's coming off shoulder surgery. He should be okay by next season! I too really like how the 'Stros are focusing on "re-stocking" their minor-league pitching!
I say go with that starting five in the NEAR future! Wouldn't Shane make an excellent set-up/long-relief guy?!
Uhhh, no. He'll either be traded or in the rotation next year; he's got an option for next year that automatically kicks in if certain performance levels are met (from what I'm told, he'll reach them easily if he stays healthy).
I doubt the 'Stros pick-up that option year so this could be Shane's last year here. Guess the "Young Guns" will get even younger next season...
On that Saarloos dude: Since April 24th, he's 8-0 with an ERA of 0.15. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 47.1 innings (covering seven starts). (according to posters on AstrosConnection) That's simply ridiculous.
Baseball America.com does a minor league review every day and Saarloos was at the top today. Daily Minor League Highlights For games of June 6 Compiled by SportsTicker Boston ROUND ROCK (TEX) RHP KIRK SAARLOOS won his ninth straight decision in the Express' 6-2 victory at Arkansas. Saarloos yielded two unearned runs, two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. He retired nine of the first 10 hitters and 11 straight between the fourth and seventh innings to improve to 9-0, 0.38 over his last 11 starts. The 23-year-old, who had a 1.17 ERA in 22 appearances out of the bullpen last season with Class A Lexington of the South Atlantic League, has been nothing short of dominant as a starter. The California native has not allowed an earned run over his last 47 innings, the longest streak in the minor leagues since 1995. A third-round selection of the Astros in the 2001 draft, Saarloos is currently the league leader in wins (9), ERA (1.43) and strikeouts (76). He has also limited opponents to just one home run and 21 walks over 75 innings.
Maddux has DOMINATED for over a decade without throwing much harder than 87-88 mph. I'm not saying Saarloos will, but it can be done. By the way, how do you pronounce his last name?
