Sosa Viciously Taunts Giants, Astros Win 3-1
by David Coleman on Aug 26, 2011 12:00 AM CDT
in Houston Astros News
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PrintHenry Sosa will not wow many people with his performance. He's going to have a relatively low strikeout rate and a variable walk rate. He has proven, however, that he can pitch in the major leagues.
Sure, Sosa gets hit around sometimes against better lineups, but that fits the description of many pitchers in the majors. He might not even be part of a rotation for a contending team, but he can be a useful part now.
Which is a good description to the rest of the Astros team. Jordan Schafer hit a home run (I know, I was shocked too). Jimmy Paredes is proving to be a competent third baseman. Heck, even Carlos Corporan showed off why he's on the roster, making some very nice throws to gun down would-be base stealers. When you hit below the Mendoza line, you have to be a good defender.
I'm also always surprised to see Wilton Lopez' numbers. It seems like he's been more erratic than he's been, as his ERA is now under 3.00 and he's only got five losses in 57 appearances. I think that's the problem with relievers..their losses get magnified and the successes get diminished because they are so fleeting.
I mentioned a while back that the Astros are playing the role of litmus test for real contenders. In four games against San Fran so far, I've seen nothing to indicate they could make the playoffs this year. Sure, the pitching is very solid, but the hitters? I'm not ruling anything out, mind you, just saying judging from their play against Houston, I wouldn't expect a repeat.
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Sosa up to 97mph.
Carlos Lee and Beltran was funny as was us beating the Giants again.
If i were Arnold Rothstein id pay Ryan Braun all the money he
wants to stop going on homer streaks against the poor Astros....
am i the only one?
by ccislanders on Aug 26, 2011 12:06 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I really liked the line up tonight
JD played in 24 games and has 24 RBI’s he might catch Carlos Lee by the end of the season. Even though Carlos is hitting under .200 this month he is still hitting 4th and playing 5 games a week.
Mill has to messing with us right???/
Lee should not be batting 4th
He started there as the veteran/power threat but hasn’t been much of either lately. He needs to be batting 6-7-8. For once I agree with you…shitz crazy yo!
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 1:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I would go
Schafer
Altuve
Bogusevic
Martinez
Paredes
Lee/Downs
Barmes
Doesn’t Matter they all suck
Pitcher
by Neil Leininger on Aug 26, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
This was a good game to watch. Nice tight ballgame with few mistakes by either side. I really liked the way the Astros played. They had good defense all around the diamond, good base running, good pitching, and a few clutch hits. But this was the type of game I half-expected the Astros to blow in the 9th inning. But hand it to Melancon and a terrific defensive play by Carlos Lee to save the win.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:12 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I really liked this game
We didn’t score a lot but we had pretty good defense, good base running, and Sosa really impressed tonight. I think he can be a really good pitcher in the future (inserting foot into mouth about the Keppinger trade.) Schafer still doesn’t impress me as a hitter but I do like his speed so if they can teach him the Mikey approach to shoot it the other way he has a chance. I have a feeling…next year, Its Gonna Happen!
Ps I wanna see what Harrell can do in the ML
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 12:15 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Astros could easily lead the league in steals next year
with full seasons for Schafer, Bogusevic, Altuve and Paredes.
Schaffer
Im intrigued about this guy. As an Astros fan Im always looking half full but I like what I see so far. I looked up his history and this guy has been pretty solid while healthy. (which hasnt been a lot). If he can stay out the training room and keep a decent obs with some pop, he could be more then stop gap (big if know) He could be an underated plater in the Bourn trade. Point is I think he can be more then a stop gap, at least he has that potential. FINGERS CROSSED
by Graff21 on Aug 26, 2011 12:44 AM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
If Nick Williams is our next CFer
I agree that Schaffer can be more than a stop gap player. He’s coming into his prime, has plus speed and showed tonight he has some power. He probably won’t be near the base stealer Mikey was but IF Williams is our pick then I wouldn’t mind seeing Schaffer as our CFer for the next 4-5 years.
As I’ve said in the past though, I think having the best CFer in the game for so long spoiled us. Having anybody other than Michael Bourn in CF is an automatic step down, so we have to remember to go easy on the new guys.
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 1:02 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't assume the pick will be Nick Williams
There have been a lot of people seemingly making that assumption lately. Right now the first overall pick is wide open. Also, George Springer could potentially stick in center field, as well.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
by OremLK on Aug 26, 2011 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also mark Appel had a really solid tournament run with team USA according to baseball america
by Astro Dave88 on Aug 26, 2011 9:05 AM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I like Schafer.
I like Nick Williams too at this point.
by PeteyNhtown on Aug 26, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Coleman had that nice article about high school outfielders going number 1 overall. I thought it was pretty encouraging. I hope he’s a worthy number 1 and not just the best of a weakish draft.
by MadMartygan on Aug 26, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
On a different note
Baltimore is on a 4-game winning streak and we don’t appear to be in any danger of losing the first overall pick.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Thats what I like to hear!
:D As long as we don’t come close to losing the #1 pick, I’m fine with winning. I mean we’ve already suffered through the majority of the season. Loss after loss we’ve watched our team become the “Lastros” and there’s no point in coming around now. Just think about the talented stud that is gonna emerge to go #1 next year…Its Gonna Happen
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 12:58 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Schafer
Count me in as someone who has been pleasantly happy with his performance this year. I know that I can’t read to much into an extremely small sample size and that the odds are against him as far as ever producing a single season that eclipses Bourn, but the fact that he has that potential excites me.
We were able to watch Bourn develop into that fringe star player that he was right before our eyes and the fact that there’s a chance of that happening again with a guy that is four years younger would be very nice.
by conroestro on Aug 26, 2011 1:59 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Pleasantly happy?
Not for sure what that means. Meant to say pleasantly surprised.
by conroestro on Aug 26, 2011 2:01 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I have to agree, except...
I don’t think defensively, or on the basepaths, he’ll ever be as good as Bourn.
Of course, Bourn is really a tough act to follow in those respects, but Schafer I think will have a bit more upside offensively than Bourn will.
Long term, I’m not really sure how Schafer fits in to the Astros plans. Is he just a stop-gap until George Springer is ready or is he going to be the longterm solution? He has shown at the minor league level that he has the skills to be a good major league player, he just hasn’t shown it on a consistent basis at the major league level yet.
Even though this is a lost season for our Houston nine, I really love the fact that all these young guys (Schafer, Paredes, Martinez, Sosa, etc.) are actually getting to play and even winning some games too. These are the perfect low-stress situations for these guys to get playing time in and develop further.
Sosa
I actually see a little bit of Bud Norris (when he first came up) in Sosa’s stuff. Hard 91-94, T97 fastball with some life, slider flashes plus, WIP changeup. Sosa’s slider isn’t quite as good or as consistent, and the same goes for his changeup, but the fastball and command may actually be just a hair better. I disagree with David about Sosa’s basic profile, I think he will succeed or fail based on his strikeout numbers, which have been above average in the minors.
The big worry for me is that Sosa is already 26 and if his secondary pitches aren’t consistent now, will they ever be? If he were two or three years younger I would feel better about him following a Bud Norris type career path. As it is, his inconsistency will likely limit him to a 4th/5th starter or middle relief role. But the fastball is good and the slider shows flashes, so who knows, maybe there could be a bit more in there.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
I put Zeke Astacio on him after 3 pitches
hr/9 will be trouble and decreasing k/9 as he goes along.
Bud hides his ball way better so his fb gets a bump. Also, slider is a different type. I think that is a very hopeful comp.
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
Might want to read fully before replying
I already said don’t think it’s likely he can follow Norris’ career path due to lack of consistency and age. There are undeniable similarities in their stuff and pitching style though.
Too early to leap to a complete judgment on Sosa, but I guess that’s never stopped you before, so why would it now…
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
OHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Burn…
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 11:20 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
might want to be civil while replying
you mentioned none of the points I made. It was a perfectly relevant response.
you made a judgment on Sosa and when I comp him it is different? No. Same stuff.
If you wanna delve back into my predictions on any player through my posts here or minorleagueball since they started this SBNation go ahead. You are gonna find that I am close on many.
So instead of getting pissy get better.
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
I will say about Sosa
He looks like what would come out of an Astocio and Del Rosario love child. Can anybody tell me why he has no mid section? His legs go to his shoulders, its weird…
For a comp, I don’t think Bud is the best fit, but I can’t think of someone that does. A really good fastball and lesser off speed stuff with inconsistant command. When he’s on after he learns how to pitch and gets better calls than what the ump gave last night, he could be a really good #3-4 starter
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 11:45 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I noticed that while watching the game this morning
Sosa’s got a extremely v shaped body, with a very narrow mid-section
Sosa’s minor league K rate was a notch or so below Norris’ K rate in the minors (about 20% lower K/PA). While their pitch repertoire may be similar, I think Sosa will fall short of Norris in the strike out department.
I think there is a possibiity that Sosa will end up as more of a groundball pitcher than Norris. Sosa’s GB rate has been inconsistent in the minors, and the sample sizes at various stages small, but I see some potential for a well above average GB rate. (Norris is fairly consistent in his GB rate in his career…basically an average to slightly above average GB rate.) Watching Sosa in the majors, he seems to be successful when he locates his FB low in the strike zone, while Norris has some success with the high hard FB. If Sosa can become a 46 – 49% GB pitcher, combined with his velocity, that could be a successful combination.
As far as Zeke Astacio, he was a different type of pitcher; he threw a splitter, and his success depended on the splitter. If it flattened out, he was in trouble.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
JD Martinez
I am really liking this guy; please don’t let him be this years Chris Johnson
by PuhlRuhles on Aug 26, 2011 4:48 AM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
Chris Johnson was a bad prospect who had a good rookie year
J.D. was a good prospect, slightly downgraded on a wait-and-see type basis because he isn’t toolsy. Not comparable really – not that you are comparing them, I know. But you shouldn’t be too worried. Anything can happen, but he looks legit (unlike CJ).
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 26, 2011 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I hear people mentioning missing Bourn a bit in center but with Bogey in right I havent heard much about missing Pence. I told that to alot of people talking about us trading Hunter Pence. I liked Hunter alot but I didnt think we would miss him that much and its especially nice to see these young guys able to take some walks
I think alot of that has to do with JD Martinez having a solid second half to the season so we can somewhat forget about pence
by Astro Dave88 on Aug 26, 2011 9:10 AM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I think JD can probably match Pence offensively.
He’s not the defender Hunter is though.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
We actually had a really good OF
With Pence and Bourn—it was the only real strong area for the team. It will be hard to surpass that production overall, but maybe we can come close if JD and Schafer hit close to their realistic ceilings, and we get a surprise contribution from someone like Bogey, Goebbert, etc.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Depends on what you’re looking at.
Defensively they should, offensively is less of a sure thing.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Defensively is automatic getting Lee out of the OF. I think Bogey is same or not better than Hunter and Shafer im still on the fence. Offensively i think overall numbers will be better as an avg
when do we start over-hyping the
shit out of Bogusevic? I think he will be a good option for 2012 in RF. He’s got that nice even .3/.4/.5 slash line that suggests his numbers aren’t too inflated by one factor. .432 BABIP over August, guess that is quite high, but his season OPS (including rough start) is 2 points lower than JD Martinez’s.
Add good defense and plus speed, I’d like to see him get a shot next year even if he isn’t a prospect.
Remember that ridiculous two weeks Angel Sanchez had in April?
I think bogey is a .280/ 20 homer/ 350 obp, which would be pretty valuable I think. He’s already 27 but he spent his early years pitching so I think there’s still some improvement he can make
by Astro Dave88 on Aug 26, 2011 10:51 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Bogey was never that good in the minors
Need to look at his track record and adjust expectations accordingly. I think it’s unlikely that Bogey will ever hit 20 homers in a single season.
He’s lighting it up right now, but I still see him as a bench player. Can’t hurt to give him a shot at consistent playing time next year, but if he winds up being even a decent regular, I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Would y'all agree with a Seth Smith to Bogey?
With a cannon arm.
by YohannDookeyblue on Aug 26, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
…that’s possible. Seth Smith had better offensive stats in AAA, but it was at Colorado Springs which may be more of a batter’s park.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
J.D. Martinez has had a surge of power
and he never hit 20 in a season. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Bogey develops some power as well. He is after all in the prime of his career and has only been hitting on a full-time basis the last three years.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree with this^
Bogey was a no doubt bat at Tulane and we inexplicably made him a SP. He just now may be getting his mojo (mechanics, timing, swing) back, and Mike Barnett is THE MAN. (Only coach we should keep IMO/) So I could see him hitting 20.
by YohannDookeyblue on Aug 26, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
We know that Martinez made specific changes in his batting to get more loft and improve his home run numbers. I think that accounts for the change relative to his previous minor league stats.
I’m not saying that Bogey couldn’t make similar changes…it’s just that I haven’t read of anything like that for him. As I’ve said before, Bogusevic has to decrease his groundball rate in order to achieve a higher HR ceiling. I think that would require some adjustments to his approach.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is from the article in the Chron about Bogey yesterday
I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily figured it out or anything and am going to be a 30-home-run hitter. But it’s a natural progression. Everybody tells me kind of the last thing that comes is the power. You learn how to hit. You learn how to hit fastballs. You learn how to hit breaking balls. As you progress, you learn how to drive balls.
To me that says he’s making adjustments and still learning. I think the recent power he’s shown especially to the opposite field is what gives me hope that he could be a 20 HR guy.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
What was Bogey’s minor league GB%. Having trouble finding anything beyond this year.
by MadMartygan on Aug 26, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
FirstInning.com has the GB rates. Bogusevic consistently has one of the higher groundball rates (53% – 69%) you will see. It reminds me of Bourn. By the time a hitter reaches the majors, their groundball rate is one of the most dependable hitting statistics…more predictable than their HR, K, or BB rate. Whether Bogusevic’s “lost time” as a hitter changes that conclusion, I don’t know, but I am skeptical.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
his minor league MO
was that he hit the top half of the ball too often, leading to huge GB% as mentioned. His GB% has dropped down to about 50%, so perhaps he has made some positive adjustments.
He has a pretty constant BB rate. If he could bat .300, get on base .350, hit 10/15 HR and steal 20 bags and play good defense, I would be happy with that in 2012.
Keep in mind that even if he becomes a consistent 50% GB hitter that it is still a very high GB rate. Only 8 qualified NL hitters have GB rates higher than 50% this season. They are: Maybin, Bonifacio, Bartlett, Pence, Theriot, Bourn, Desmond, McGehee. It’s not impossible to hit HRs with a 50% GB rate, as evidenced by Pence at 51%, but it’s a harder task given the fewer balls hit in the air.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
A few points I would like to make
I don’t fully buy into Martinez’s recent power surge. It increases his stock slightly, but I’m not jumping on the "Martinez has 70 power!" bandwagon just yet-right now I think he can hit about 20 homers, give or take a few, and that’s as much because he has adjusted his swing path as because of the statistical surge.
Martinez’s career ISO in the minors is .209. Bogey’s is only .127. Martinez has been on 20-homer pace in every pro season except of his career except last year (when he hit 18). It appears the only reason he never topped 20 is that he only had one year with a full season’s plate appearances in the minors.
Martinez is 23, Bogey is 27. Bogey’s development was indeed disrupted, but he’s been at AAA since 2009 and has shown little actual progress in that time; Martinez has been leapfrogging levels like a madman since entering the organization.
All of that said I’m not saying it’s impossible that Bogey is in the process of a real breakout. I just think it’s very unlikely that he is suddenly a middle of the order/number five type hitter when a couple months ago he was starting to look like a quadruple A outfielder.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
And at this point I would have to agree with you that he’s a 4th outfielder or even a cost effective stop gap for the RF position at the very least. But that’s at the very least and he has potential to be a regular starter who’s more than just a stop gap.
I also don’t think it’s fair to say he was close to being a AAAA player because of the way the organization has handle him. He’s only been hitting for three years and for a college player that’s a rather typical climb through a farm system. The fact that he has picked up hitting so quickly is what gives me hope. Now if two years we saw no development then I would classify him a AAAA player.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that Bogey could hit 20 HRs in a season and maybe have 20 or so steals.
At this point if Bogey can keep us his hitting pace, then I’d view him as a everyday starting type of player.
by PeteyNhtown on Aug 26, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I’d gladly take that along with some solid defense.
by MadMartygan on Aug 26, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Bogey
True, but he switched to a hitter later in his career, so he may still have untapped potential. If we take off our sabermetric hats for a second and put on our scout hats, Bogusevic has the kind of physical tools that are hard to match. If his production ever matches his tools, look out.
Let’s not forget that the .400+ BABIP for CJ over a month and a half in 2010 and Wallace in March/April set fans’ expectations too high for them too. I’m content to see what happens with Bogey, hope for the best, but not over-hype at this time.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
When do you start giving him some credit
If Mills would have played him the first 3 times he came up he might not be such a mystery right now. He was with the team for 7 weeks before this last time only got one start and had only 35 AB’s or so. The guy could have been a pitcher or a hitter out of Tulane.
hmmm
that’s pretty sparse playing time.
Orem LK mentioned on twitter that Boggy went backwards at AAA this season. Perhaps being knocked back and forth didn’t help. Obviously you like a player to show character and not get in a huff over being sent down.
Up till August he really has just rotted on the bench. Sitting on the bench can drive you crazy, just ask Chris Burke.
That was my point
I have really liked the guy since we drafted him and I have been plugging his name all year especially as bad as we have been. I still think that the franchise growth has been stunted this year by holding on to Hall so long not releasing JMike, Sanchez, Lee and I really didnt like the Paulino trade. I like Barmes but he is very unorthodox and I think we had stop gap in Manzo for two years for a tenth of the price.
I have to agree
I think JD will really be suited in LF, as he doesn’t look all that great defensively.
He does have one heck of a cannon arm, though!
Hunter was not a good defensive OF
and Bogusevic has a better arm.
by Neil Leininger on Aug 26, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
those two could be quite a force as duo in LF&RF
does anyone know what Schafer’s arm strength/accuracy is like?
It’s supposed to be good. We haven’t seen enough yet with the Astros yet.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
How was Pence not a good defensive OF?
He’s posted positive defense metrics in 3 of the 4 seasons he’s been in RF for a significant amount of time.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Both Fangraphs and Baseball-reference have him a subpar Defensive player this season
-4.9 Fld
-0.3 dWAR
Last season he was at
1.4 Fld
-1.1 dWAR
Bogusevic is a better defender than Pence.
by Neil Leininger on Aug 26, 2011 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions
all that sticks in my mind with Pence
is 1) those catches he’d make falling/ running back to the warning track in RF.
2) that basket catch he dropped and booted into foul territory earlier in the season.
hot/cold.
When using defensive metrics you don’t analyze on just one season if you don’t have to. Carlos Lee has posted positive numbers in the outfield this season, that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly an outstanding outfielder, nor does it mean he’s been better than Pence this year.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I didn't I used the last 2 years.
He had great years according to FanGraphs in 2008 and 2009, while his dWAR has been <= 0 every year except his rookie season.
Simply stated Pence is not an elite defensive player, and probably used his + athletism to help him make up for his inability to track fly balls with any type of consistency.
by Neil Leininger on Aug 26, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Did you really just say that?
by Its Gonna Happen on Aug 26, 2011 3:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Did anyone else see Myers warming up to come in last night if Melancon got in trouble?
What was Mills thinking with this one? As many Hr’s as Myers has given up this year
could of just been a bullpen session.
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by Timothy De Block on Aug 26, 2011 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions
JD’s speculation was that Myers held back his side session earlier in the evening because of the possibility that a short night for Sosa (on 3 days rest), combined with a short bullpen, made him an emergency pitcher. After it was clear that Myers would not be needed, then he took his regular side session.
by clack on Aug 26, 2011 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sosa said he was pitching like he normally does last night.
He said that in his first two games, he was concentrating on hitting his spots, and that he lowered his velocity to make sure he did. Last night, he said that he threw the ball normally, and the results showed. He got up to 97 mph.
If he can continue to hit 97, he could be a #5, maybe even a #4 guy, in our future rotation.
On Schafer, I wasn’t that surprised he hit a HR. He’s got a good swing and good bat speed. He’s played very well so far. Couple of multi-hit games, and 3 runs last night is the icing on the cake.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
I didn’t hear that about Sosa, but it definitely makes sense as his velocity was clearly up in last nights game.
I was somewhat puzzled in the first two games as I heard when we got the guy in the Kepp trade that you never give up on a mid nineties plus fastball, but in those games he was low nineties and bottomed out at 89.
by conroestro on Aug 26, 2011 9:53 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Also, who else is psyched about Domingo Santana?
He’s had a very impressive first 10 games with Lexington:
BA – .361
Runs – 9
RBIs – 13
HRs – 4
2Bs – 2
BBs – 5
Ks – 7
I know it’s too early to tell on a guy like Santana, but man, this is an incredible start.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Aug 26, 2011 9:44 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The most promising thing is the improvement in BB/K for me
We already knew he had power, the biggest thing is walking more and striking out less for him, and he’s done that so far.
Not a lot of sample size like you said, but that’s trending in the right direction, which is nice to see.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
I've watched him on MiLB.tv, and I'm surprised his K/BB rate was as bad as it was when he was in Philly's system.
Like Nash (yes, Telvin Nash), he has great recognition for the strike zone. I think the reason Nash strikes out a lot is maybe his approach. I’ve never seen either of them swing at bad pitches.
In fact, 2 days ago, Santana was in an 0-2 count, and layed off of a high fastball and 3 pretty good breaking balls to draw the walk.
If both Nash and Santana can both improve their approaches at the plate, they should be fine. Santana’s has looked really good so far. Hopefully this 5/7 ratio isn’t a fluke.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Aug 26, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Walks
are not a major factor for me in lower level prospect evaluation. K’s matter a ton. Great to see him with such a relatively low K rate so far with the Stros.
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 26, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Santana
He’s officially my new favorite prospect! I think getting out of the pitching heavy park In the phillies system will benefit. Imagine the outfield next year in Lancaster. Santana in right, springer in center and bailey/ adamson ( Ivey those 2 confused, can’t remember whose in AA already lol)
by Astro Dave88 on Aug 26, 2011 10:54 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Same here. I’m digging Santana. Singleton, you’ve been replaced as the crown jewel of the Pence trade! And stop calling me!
by Stupendous Man on Aug 26, 2011 11:00 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Singleton's crown jewel 1A
Cosart’s crown jewel 1B
And Santana’s crown jewel 1C for me. If they all hit their ceilings? I saw a tweet from a scout that said it would be like the Bartolo Colon for Sizemore, Phillips, Lee.
by YohannDookeyblue on Aug 26, 2011 11:52 AM CDT reply actions
I saw a tweet from a scout that said it would be like the Bartolo Colon for Sizemore, Phillips, Lee.
I think that was mentioned in one of Stark’s Rumblings & Grumblings. It is a comparison that’s been mentioned a lot, I think Sean alluded to it in the last podcast.
Going on ceiling alone (ignoring anything else), we now have the sort of guys we’ve been lacking for quite a while.
Singleton and Cosart are both excellent prospects, and certainly more heralded than Santana (not to mention safer bets to reach the majors). But I just have a feeling about Santana. He’s raw, but arguably has the highest ceiling of the three.
The fact that we got all three for Pence is pretty amazing.
by Stupendous Man on Aug 26, 2011 12:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
BTw....
Santana is #3 on BA’s Hotsheet this week. And Cosart is #11. NIIIIICE.
by YohannDookeyblue on Aug 26, 2011 12:07 PM CDT reply actions
Ha…I was just on my way to post that here.
So far, I couldn’t be any happier with the returns we’ve been getting on our haul from the Pence trade.
by Stupendous Man on Aug 26, 2011 12:38 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In OKC.
Our old fling, Dallas Keuchel, had a pretty nice start last night. Hopefully he’s rebounding from his disastrous first couple games.
7 in. 4 hits 1 er(on a homer). 0 BB 3 K 10/4 GO/FO.
Definitely Keuchel’s best start at OKC so far this year.
by conroestro on Aug 26, 2011 1:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Mills juggling with the lineup again....
Altuve batting 6th? Bourgeois batting 2nd, prbly cause you can’t put Altuve in the 2 spot especially when Bourgeois has had more experience by 4 months, just can’t do that.
Subber10 this is also Mills logic.
If i were Arnold Rothstein id pay Ryan Braun all the money he
wants to stop going on homer streaks against the poor Astros....
am i the only one?
by ccislanders on Aug 26, 2011 5:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Mybe Mills feels Mighty Mouse should work on his bb's?
I don’t know. Mills really stumps me.
Memo to Mills : We won last night. Use the winning lineup.
by YohannDookeyblue on Aug 26, 2011 6:15 PM CDT reply actions
Springer 0-1 with GO
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Springer getting his first start tonight.
by lawson3 on Aug 26, 2011 6:21 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
facebook on the astros page. twitter from mctaggert and footer.
If i were Arnold Rothstein id pay Ryan Braun all the money he
wants to stop going on homer streaks against the poor Astros....
am i the only one?
by ccislanders on Aug 26, 2011 6:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Seaton's line: 4-1/3IP 5H 1R 1ER 4BB 5K 84pitches-53 strikes 1st game of dbl header
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Springer 0-2
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Springer 0-3 2Go's 1K
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Sosa
Great game by him. My favorite line by Sosa (and I’m paraphrasing here) was “I was trying to get to big leagues for 7 years with San Francisco, I come to Houston and make it to the big leagues in a month, so I’m just really happy right now.”
HINZE BOMB!! 2run shot to LF
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
by StrosSouth on Aug 26, 2011 7:42 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Zeid is SP for Hooks tonight in 2nd game
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
by StrosSouth on Aug 26, 2011 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Maybe pushing him back until tomorrow night
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
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Current Series
3 game series vs Dodgers @ Dodger Stadium
| Fri 05/25 |
WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3)
SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2) |
3 - 1 win |
| Sat 05/26 |
WP: Kenley Jansen (4 - 0)
LP: Wesley Wright (0 - 1) |
3 - 6 loss |
|
Houston Astros
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 3:10 PM CDT Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. |
||
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 1:03 AM CDT)
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