Brown is an interesting guy. I believe that Brown believes that Whitcomb is ticketed for the outfield eventually, but I also believe that he is willing to let his coaches coach and if they think it will work, will let them try it out. What is clear to me is that Brown values flexibility a lot - and the ability to play players at multiple spots. We are seeing a very fluid infield and outfield.
It also sets up a scenario where they can basically get the best 9 bats in the line up regardless of position if they decide to do that from time to time. No one has told me this, but this reeks of something that they plan to "fix" at some point, be that a trade for Arenado or a player on the roster performing well or a trade at the deadline. They are a bat short of where they want to be - and they will deal with it until something gives.
I think they figure one of their young players (Dezenzo, Melton, Matthews, Smith, Whitcomb) will emerge fairly early in the season. Even if it’s an OF who displaces Meyers or McCormick, that makes it palatable to play Dubon (or Rodgers or Guillorme) at 2B everyday and still have 6 good hitters in the lineup even against RHP.
That is very possible and would be the best outcome. Every team needs young players to emerge, but a solid starter emerging from the group of outfielders in the Astros system would set the team up very well. I spoke to someone with the Astros player development about bullpen pitching - and he told me that at the end of the day, the Astros like their internal options more than they liked the guys available in free agency and trade. They think that there are enough talented guys ready for innings, that they will be able to get good pitching by the playoffs.
Lets hope Arenado changes his mind and one of the young guys comes through in the OF. If Smith tears it up in AA do you think Dana will be aggressive with him and move him up to the MLB roster by the all star break? I'm hoping for an Arenado trade or one of the young guys to come through. Them Smith being brought up by the All Star break to play RF. Best Case scenario. The Bullpen worries me, but if things dont workout this will be an easy fix at the deadline IMHO.
I think Dana Brown has shown he will promote guys quickly. At this point it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Smith starts off in AAA and is in Houston by Jun 1.
The wrench in that is the extra draft pick the Astros get if he wins ROY. That may be the extra motivation they need to let him break camp if the other options aren't impressive.
I don’t think they’ll promote Smith unless they expect him to stay up. So it would take a significant injury. If one of Dezenzo or Whitcomb don’t make the opening day roster then they would be first up as an injury fill in imho.
He’s a bad defensive 2B and it will get worse as he ages and he’s signed for like 4 or 5 Pre years. Ideally he’d be the DH but Yordan needs to do that 120+ times a year and he’s signed for the same amount of time more or less as Jose. Hes a midget so he can’t play 1B. That leaves LF. Not hard to understand. I’ve seen enough to believe it will work. It’s more important to see him getting to balls in the gap than dropping fly balls to him. That will stop when he gets more reps/fully acclimated. Right now he’s thinking more than playing. He will get the hang of it, internalize, and that will all stop (probably).
