Buck has been a nice surprise and Shuck would be nice for a little speed off the bench. I just don't see a spot for Cust; however, if he had 4 or 5 HR's this spring my tune would be different. I guess maybe I'm just to the point where I don't want to see many re-treads on this team. You are correct about Paredes...he was rushed last year. He's young enough that some seasoning at AAA would do him well, plus as soon as they dump C. Lee he'll be right back up while CJ/Wallace plays first (until Singleton is ready).
I don't think Cust makes it, since his contract is guaranteed. Buck has posted great spring training numbers every year, so I wouldn't much stock in them, but since Cust has been terrible coming off a terrible year, I think he gets in. Shuck is in 100% for me. Once Jason was traded, his spot was solidified, IMO. McTaggert released his expected 25-man which included Buck and Shuck, and no Cust.
Just saw on Crawfish Boxes (Footer twitter) that they are moving Paredes to 2B. Guess they are rolling with CJ/Wallace at 3B. It certainly won't be Caminiti-esque in the field at third this year. http://www.twitvid.com/OTZU9
Back to 2nd? Interesting decision since 3B is obviously a weaker position for us. Assuming Wallace goes back to AAA, will he be playing 3B with Hinze at 1B? Maybe just a way for everyone to get ABs?
Interesting, I thought they viewed Altuve as the long term option.. Or at least until DDJ learns how to hit.
I think that is it. The Astros will carry 2 utility IFs this season, Matt Downs plus somebody who can play short on a daily basis. I suspect that the other utility spot would be either Angel Sanchez or rule 5 pick Marwin Gonzalez.
Here's who is left in Astros camp...<br /><br /><u>Pitchers</u><br />Fernando Abad, <s>Juan Abreu</s>, David Carpenter, <s>Xavier Cedeno</s>, <s>Paul Clemens</s>, Rhiner Cruz, <s>Jorge De Leon</s>, Enerio Del Rosario, Zach Duke, Sergio Escalona, J.A. Happ, Lucas Harrell, Livan Hernandez, <s>Arcenio Leon</s>, Wilton Lopez, Jordan Lyles, Brandon Lyon, Brett Myers, Bud Norris, <s>Lance Pendleton</s>, <s>Aneury Rodriguez</s>, Fernando Rodriguez, Wandy Rodriguez, Henry Sosa, <s>Jose Valdez</s>, Kyle Weiland, Wesley Wright, <s>Henry Villar</s><br /><br /><u>Catchers</u><br />Jason Castro, Carlos Corporan, <s>Rene Garcia</s>, Landon Powell, <s>Humberto Quintero</s>, Chris Snyder, <s>Chris Wallace</s><br /><br /><u>Infielders</u><br />Jose Altuve, <s>Delino DeShields</s>, Matt Downs, Marwin Gonzalez, <s>Diory Hernandez</s>, Chris Johnson, Carlos Lee, Jed Lowrie, Scott Moore, <s>Jimmy Paredes</s>, Angel Sanchez, <s>Jonathan Singleton</s>, Joe Thurston, <s>Jonathan Villar</s>, Brett Wallace<br /><br /><u>Outfielders</u><br /><s>Brandon Barnes</s>, Brian Bixler, Brian Bogusevic, <s>Jason Bourgeois</s>, Travis Buck, Jack Cust, <s>Jake Goebbert</s>, <s>Fernando Martinez</s>, J.D. Martinez, Jordan Schafer, Justin Ruggiano, J.B. Shuck, <s>Brad Snyder</s>, <s>George Springer</s> <hr/> I suspect the Astros will break camp with 12 pitchers (5 starters and 7 relievers), 2 catchers, 6 infielders (4 starters and 2 utility) and 5 outfielders.
Possibly Bixler. He's probably been the most versatile and can play short. I'm hoping it is Gonzalez, though he has done the least of the 3 in ST.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/03/23/astros-send-out-six-including-paredes-johnson-favorite-for-third-base-job/ I'm really liking this Luhnow guy. Maximizing a players potential rather than trying to get too cute and move guys around....what a concept.
Bixler plays both OF and iF. If the Astros decide to carry 13 pitchers out of spring training (which has been rumored), Bixler could be the OF5 and the second utility infielder. I do not like the idea of carrying 13 pitchers.
Never thought the day would come. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jack Cust breaks an 0-24 in camp with a single, pinch hitting for Bud Norris. Astros lead 1-0 over the Nats, B3.</p>— Brett Dolan (@Astrosradio) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astrosradio/status/183249249469874176" data-datetime="2012-03-23T17:50:00+00:00">March 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Anyone know why Bud only went 3? He had no hits, 1 BB and 3 K. Seems like he should be nearing 80-90 pitches at this point.
I can only assume they wanted to see some of the guys competing for the last couple of spots in the pen.
They wouldn't make that move now, with 2 spring starts remaining. It is also highly doubtful Wandy doesn't get the opening day nod.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell each pitched 3 no-hit innings to lead the Astros past the Nationals, 5-1: <a href="http://t.co/vMhhuxd9" title="http://atmlb.com/GLs5Vt">atmlb.com/GLs5Vt</a></p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/183275781739397120" data-datetime="2012-03-23T19:35:26+00:00">March 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bud Norris was preemptively limited to 3 IP by triceps soreness but got through it well, Mills said. Normal from here.</p>— Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) <a href="https://twitter.com/zacharylevine/status/183273699766575105" data-datetime="2012-03-23T19:27:09+00:00">March 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
