Faces in the Crowd: Tracking Prospects

Though the only drawback is that is always a day or two behind with the data.

The funny thing is, you could make the argument that Hogue fits one or more of my criteria! The Astros show their support by giving him consistent playing time, and he often plays a key position (CF) and does it well. I applaud the fact that he sounds like a hard worker and good clubhouse influence too. I wish him the best of success in the future.

allowed to air his or her opinions. If you don’t agree with someone’s opinion on their blog then you have the right to not read said blog again. On behalf of of the person wrote this article I apologize if this article offended you. Although I am a bit shocked that you have taken such offense to this article as though it were written about yourself. Im sure Mr. Hogue wouldn’t be nearly as offended as you are by this article since ballplayers must have thick skin since they routinely hear much worse by fans at their games. Just remember that this is an opinion blog and you have every right to not come here again and half to read anyone’s opinions ever again. You chose to come here and create an account today and read the article. Nobody forced you to do so. Just like with opinion TV you if you don’t like like don’t watch it.
P.S.- If you stay here, which I hope you do, we are a pretty tight group and tend to be respectful of one another’s opinions even if we disagree with them vigorously.

That’s what this blog is for. People can express their opinions about ballplayers. If a minor leaguer is that sensitive to fans expressing their opinions, then they probably can’t make it as a major leaguer anyway. As players move to the majors, they really go under the microscope and may get lots of criticism, whether deserved or not.

were here to have FUN and express opinions not destroy someones feelings……..just saying

I don’t think the author meant to disrespect Grant Hogue. He was simply stating how he chooses which players he is going to follow more closely. There is a lot to like about Grant’s game. But no amount of hustle or heads up plays will change the fact that he is 25 in high A ball and probably not on a “fast track” to the show. I don’t pour over many Grant Hogue box scores either. Sue me.

You are right that there is more than statistics. Thats why I grade players based on more than statistics. I read several reports a day. In fact, I talk to local fans of a few of these affiliates. I try to watch video of as many prospects as I can. But, being gritty and working your butt off doesn’t get you to the major leagues. I worked my butt off in HS and never got a scholarship to play basketball. Why? Because I didn’t have the talent. Not a knock on me.

Any guy who is drafted has a chance. But, the percentage of 25 year olds with mediocre statistics in High A ball reaching the majors is next to 0. That is prospecting. Figuring out which players have the best potential and chance to make it in the majors. Unfortunately for Grant Hogue, he has a tough hill to climb, and I’m sure he knows that. I like a lot of these “Grant Hogue types” a lot more as a person because they are thankful they are getting an opportunity to play the game and reach it, so they bust their butts. And, you have the opposite side, some of them who were born with talent feel entitled to have success and be promoted. Those guys typically don’t make it either. It requires a combination of skills, work ethic, and attitude to make it through the grind.

Hogue has two of them, but from reports I’ve read and first hand feedback, he’s not someone you expect to make it to the majors because of all the factors standing in his way. And that’s the cruel world these guys live in. They know that. Sure, he’s got a chance, but a very unlikely one.

(whom I had not heard of until this article) with a personal attack. He was using Mr. Hogue as a barometer of how he the author grades the potential of minor leaguers. A personal attack would most likely have consisted of a more direct approach such as describing Mr. Hogue as a poor defender or lousy hitter or had a poor work ethic or poor attitude (which I am not saying he is any of these because I still don’t know who he is or what his stats are and have been in past years) . Besides, the author implies that Mr. Hogue is a decent player. There have been a lot of decent players to see time in the show but then again there a lot of decent players who never even sniff the show. What is commonly referred to around here as the “bust rate” of minor leaguers is very high. Not every minor leaguer no matter how hard they try have the ability to make it to the big leagues. We here at TCB want all of our young prospects to succeed as that only benefits our beloved Astros who let’s face it, need all the helo they can get right now. I think you took this one just a little too personal.

I think I understand your main complaint about unfairly singling out Hogue. I meant no disrespect to him as a player.

Thanks for the feedback, and I agree with others that your opinions are welcomed here.

I hear mom calling, so I had better run :)

If you want to post some first hand accounts about particular Astros’ minor leaguers, I’m sure everyone on the blog would enjoy it.

J.D. Martinez recently mentioned that the Astros told him he was nothing more than organizational depth. Needless to say that’s been motivation for him to prove the organization wrong. He was drafted in the 20th round, Grant Hogue was drafted in the 35th round. I highly doubt the organization told Hogue something different than Martinez.

If you wish people not to generalize you probably shouldn’t use the same type of generalization in describing players with talent or those that use statistics to base their opinions. Not everyone has the opportunity to go see a live minor league game, but their are hundreds of scouting reports out there from people who do go to the game and a lot of the games are broadcast online now, which quite a few people on these boards take advantage of.