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Astros Open Forum: What Did We Learn From the 2019 Spring Training.

Tell us what YOU learned.

By William Metzger(bilbos)
MLB: Spring Training-Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Spring Training is over. It was fun while it lasted, but tomorrow real baseball begins. The best players in the world, in the biggest and best stadiums, filled with the electricity of excited fans about to see their first real game in months.

For all but one team, last year was a disappointment. But it’s a new season, and a new hope. Starting tomorrow.

Let’s take one last look back. What did we learn from Spring Training? Did the Astros Spring Training make you feel less or more optimistic about the coming season? Why? Tell us below.

Here are a few observations of my own, just to get the conversation started.

  1. Carlos Correa looked like a new man, recovered from his back injury and swinging with aggression we never saw last year. I expect a big season. Of course, as I say this, Carlos may miss Opening Day with a “stiff neck.” Geez.
  2. Forrest Whitley looked dominant at times, and maybe it’s just bad luck, but he also gave up three home runs in 15 innings. With just 26 innings pitched in AA it looks like he still needs a little more seasoning in the Minors before he’s ready for the Bigs.
  3. Nick Tanielu played well enough to “play his way” onto a lot of clubs that won fewer than 100 games last year by his performance this Spring. It’s not just the 18 hits in 51 AB’s, the six doubles and 5 home runs, but the consistency. Throughout Spring Training his OPS never dropped below 1.200, and he only had 6 strike outs. If he stays hot in AAA, and if a player or two goes down, just maybe he’ll get a chance to prove himself against the best.
  4. There were other hot bats waiting for someone to falter; Myles Straw, Derek Fisher, Garrett Stubbs. And some others who need to hit much better in the regular season than they did this Spring; Aledmys Diaz, Tyler White, Max Stassi. What will the roster look like in May?
  5. What if Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick continue like they have this Spring? Who’s odd man out when the pitching staff expands to 13? Or when Kyle Tucker forces his way up? If he does. Was Tucker’s rather weak Spring too reminiscent of his play in the Big Leagues last season?

There’s more to say. Tell us what you think. Who else surprised you? Who disappointed?

What did you learn from the 2019 Spring Training?

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