Short history of the 'stros and how we got here...*sigh*
by Snake Diggity on May 10, 2010 5:25 PM CDT
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In 2005, Houston was on top of the baseball world. They went to the world series and had 23 future MLBers in their farm system: Josh Anderson, Taylor Buchholz, Brooks Conrad, Hector Gimenez, Carlos Hernandez, Jason Hirsh, Tommy Manzella, Mark McLemore, Fernando Nieve, Hunter Pence, Chris Sampson, Mark Saccomanno, Drew Sutton, JR Towles, Ben Zobrist, Matt Albers, Jimmy Barthmaier, Sammy Gervacio, Juan Gutierrez, Troy Patton, Felipe Paulino, Chad Reineke, and Mitch Talbot. Out of this group, only 4 are currently on the 25 man roster (Pence, Manzella, Sampson, and Paulino).
In 2006, they did not make the playoffs and the draft only netted 4 players who are still in the system (Bud Norris, Chris Johnson, Sergio Perez, and Jimmy Van Ostrand).
In 2007, they had a losing record and a draft which only 3 years later has produced only 1 player above high A (Collin DeLome) and only 7 players total remain in the system.
2008 saw a slight rebound as Houston returned to a winning record and (at least to this point) appears to have had an above-average draft, producing Jason Castro, Jordan Lyles, and Jay Austin.
2009 saw the big league team stumble to a 74-88 record. The draft of course is still a long way from being judged, but seems to be about average.
Thus far in 2010, both the farm and the big league team are the worst in MLB.
How was this allowed to happen?! How can it be remedied?
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I don’t think everyone rates the Astros’ farm system as the worst in the majors. I have seen several ratings which show the Cardinals as worst. I have seen ratings as high as 23d or so for the Astros’ farm system. Now that’s nothing to brag about…well, unless your farm system had been the worst previously.
Regime change
The only answer is new ownership. The farm system has been systematically starved to cover the insane deals that brought the Astros their current roster. This dog needs to be put out of its misery.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Player Development
The Astros are going to have to take their lumps as far as the major league team is concerned. Unless McLane decides he wants to play Yankees or Red Sox with his wallet, we’ll all just have to suffer as the albatross contracts begin to expire.
IMO the Astros need to focus on player personnel from scouting, drafting, signing, development, minor league instruction, etc. The Astros’ farm system without what is looking like a very good draft in 2008 would be a complete joke (thats not saying much), 2009 looks like it could be decent. The key to getting better is not letting mistakes like the 2007 draft happen again or trading away prospects for run of the mill veterans. In short, commit to drafting and growing your own players, sign the best players (draft or international), promote promising position players aggressively, teach pitchers how to pitch to contact and not just rely on stuff.
As much as I hate to see it happen, trade off Oswalt and get at least one blue-chip prospect, I don’t buy the hype that Oswalt’s contract is too much for a team to take on, especially with how much other frontline starters have gotten. Put out feelers to see if anyone is interested in Berkman and if the price is right, move him. Ditto for Bret Myers. If McLane is so adamant about not trading Roy or Lance, then be smart in the draft and realize that what we currently have is going to be status quo for the forseable future until some of the farm hands start to come up.
There is no easy way out of the Astros’ current conundrum, but if they are smart with scouting and player development, they can get back to contention and stay there with a good foundation in place.
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3 game series vs Rockies @ Minute Maid Park
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Friday, Apr 6, 2012, 6:05 PM CDT |
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| Sat 04/07 | 6:05 PM CDT | |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 6:05 PM CST)
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