Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Tuesday Morning Hot Links

Scott Feldman struck out three in a 5-3 loss to the Nationals. 

*The biggest news of the day was that Evan Drellich is headed back to Boston to cover the Red Sox for the Boston Herald. So with Jose de Jesus Ortiz's impending departure to St. Louis, Drellich to Boston, and the mysterious parting of ways between the Astros and Amanda Rykoff, there are a lot fewer people covering the Astros now.

*Scott Feldman's changeup is starting to take shape, and A.J. Hinch noticed that his velocity is back.

*Richard Justice basically wrote a love letter to George Springer.

*A.J. Hinch hinted (hinchted?) that the Astros could carry 12 pitchers and 13 position players to open the season. That would mean that the final bullpen spot is between Wandy, Neal Cotts, and Dan Straily and allow the Astros to bring along a lefty like Preston Tucker plus whomever comes out as 1B.  (Try this route if you have trouble)

*Here's McTaggart on the race for the last bullpen spot.

*Dan Straily, out of options, is throwing 94mph and has a fingerboard.

*J.D. Alleva - who was a national amateur scouting supervisor - is no longer with the team.

*The Astros' outfield was ranked 7th in baseball by MLB.com.

*Carlos Correa took a picture with Lebron James.

*Scott Miller has the heart-breaking story of Tommy Hanson.

*Before you go, the 2015 Grizzlies got their rings: