Thursday Liftoff Links

by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2011 5:00 AM CDT in Link Dumps

While the Astros were playing the most meaningful game of the season, I was putting together these meaningful links for your meaningful day.

Down on the Farm

THT’s top 100 prospects, part 2
Players 26-50 on the top 100 fantasy baseball prospects list. Jonathan Singelton checks in at number 46 on the list, which is the first Astros. Could there be more after 50?

Farmstros: Rule 5 Eligible Players
The indispensable Farmstros with the players eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter.

THT’s top 100 prospects, part 3
Two Astros check in between the 51-75 rankings. George Springer at number 71 and Jarred Cosart at number 75.

Top 50 Pitching Prospects from 2007: In Review - Minor League Ball
Two Astros make the list. Unfortunately both are no longer with the club Troy Patton and Jimmy Barthmaier.

Appy Astros: Don't Run On.... Outfield Assist Leaders
Appy Astros looks at the arm guns in the Minor Leagues.

Pitchers in Review

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of: Henry Sosa - Seedlings to Stars - A Minor League Baseball blog
A very good article that breaks down what Henry Sosa has to offer in the rotation complete with Pitch F/X data.

Astros County: The Only Astros Blog That Matters: J.A. Happ: Season In Review
A good breakdown on the Happ's 2011 season.

Brett Myers: The Cardinals’ Final Obstacle | FanGraphs Baseball
We already know the outcome of the game but here's what FanGraphs had to say about Brett Myers.

Other Random Stuff Going on in Baseball

The Platoon Advantage: The 5th Wheel
An objective look at what the 5th playoff team adds to the postseason.

Analysis: Frank McCourt's Blood-Bath with Major League Baseball
I can't get enough of this Frank McCourt verse MLB battle. It appears McCourt is a man with nothing to lose.

Fun with Probabilities, Wild Card Edition - Beyond the Box Score
Bill Petti | Both the AL and NL Wild Card races have gone from perceived blowouts to neck and neck races during the final series of the season. What are the odds that these four teams would have played this good and bad over the past few weeks?

Astros Fan Confidence Poll

Last tallied on 09/28.

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Dan Johnson and Carlos Corporan

The Rays’ miraculous comeback is even more improbable if you realize how improbable it was that Dan Johnson would tie the game as a PHer. This article by Cameron at Fangraphs points out how bad Johnson has been this year. For an Astros’ comparison, Carlos Corporan has a runs created (wRC+) more than three times higher than Johnson. Imagine the Astros in that situation and putting the Astros’ season in the hands of Carlos Corporan’s bat.

by clack on Sep 29, 2011 6:49 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I wonder if any ’stros will be in the 75-100 prospect range, but 3 in the top 75 is pretty good (better than average).

There are a lot of interesting prospects in the Rule 5 Eligibility this year; doubtful that any of them get taken, but Clemens, Gaston, Hicks, Hinze, King, Meszaros, Storey, Steele, Urckfitz, and Wolf could all get a look. I imagine they’ll protect Clemens on the 40 man. A bad team could take Gaston, Steele, King, or Hinze and see if they can hit in the spring. A reliever-thin club could take Hicks, Meszaros, Storey, Wolf or Urckfitz.

It’s a shame that Gaston can’t get on base…his defense appears to be a plus plus tool to along with his power. Good to see King, Adamson, Ovando and a few other interesting prospects have plus OF arms (don’t run on…). Was surprised to see Shuck make that list.

I have hope for Sosa as a starter, but if he doesn’t make the rotation next season, give him a shot at closer.

Good to see a breakdown of Happ’s season. Both his luck stats and his late season turnaround point to him likely being an effective 4th or 5th starter next season and long term.

by Snake Diggity on Sep 29, 2011 9:25 AM CDT reply actions

I checked the 75-100 list and no Astros are on that list.

Follow my ramblings on Twitter .

by Timothy De Block on Sep 29, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

The Astros’ 40 man roster is full, and it will be interesting to see if the Astros try protect any of those players. Chron’s Richard Justice has already penciled in Hinze as the Astros’ first baseman next year, so he will be upset if Hinze is selected in the Rule 5 draft.

As for Shuck, I think he may be one of those cases where he shows up on the assist list because his arm draws an above average number of runners taking chances.

by clack on Sep 29, 2011 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don’t see anyway that the Astros wouldn’t protect Paul Clemens. The fact that some project him to be a bullpen arm, pitching at AA with success this season, and that he will be 24 next year and should have decent composure on the mound, I could see a team taking him and stashing him away in there bullpen all year. This would be similar to what the Astros did with Aneury Rodriguez this year. I would think he has to get protected.

Kody Hinze probably would be a safe bet to not get picked since his power disappeared at the AA level this year. Since he can’t play any others position besides 1st base he doesn’t have much utility player value, and is therefore unlikely to be tucked away on someones bench this year for a pinch hitter’s role.

by conroestro on Sep 29, 2011 2:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I know if I were another club

I would take a chance (Its not really a chance, as much as it is just a look), on Hinze AND Clemens. Both need to be protected.

by Its Gonna Happen on Oct 1, 2011 6:37 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Paul Clemens should and most liekly will be protected but Kody Hinze is not what

is numbers indicate. He’s benefited from playing in the Cal League and especially at playing his home games in Lancaster aka the Launching Pad.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Oct 4, 2011 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions

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