With their 10th Round pick (301st overall) the Astros selected 6'3" 195lbs RHP Kyle Serrano, a junior out of the University of Tennessee.
Kyle Serrano, the son of Dave Serrano - who resigned as the head coach of Tennessee in the last week of the season - had Tommy John Surgery after sustaining an elbow injury in his first start of the 2016 season. As a result, Serrano appeared in 9.2IP (nine games) for the 2017 Volunteers with a 3.72 ERA in 2017, with his season cut short in April because of "unspecified health reasons." He was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 29th Round in 2013.
When he left the program on April 21, UT's Twitter account said:
We ask for the respect of privacy for Kyle, his family and the team at this time.
He's the first Tennessee draftee for the Astros since Tyler Duffy in the 2011 draft (20th Round).
On Cape Cod in 2015, Serrano struck out 38 batters (eight walks) with a 3.68 ERA in 36.2IP.
Coming into 2017, Serrano was #93 on Baseball America's Top 100 draft prospects list.
The slot for the 301st overall pick is $133,500.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label 2017 Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017 Draft. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
9-271: Michael Papierski
With their 9th Round pick (271st overall) the Astros selected 6'3" 195lb (LSU says 6'4" 225lbs) switch-hitting catcher Mike Papierski out of LSU.
Apparently known more as a defensive catcher, Papierski (originally drafted in the 16th Round of the 2014 draft by Toronto) threw out 22 of 62 runners in 2017 - through last Saturday. He hit .260/.414/.455 with 8HR, 42K:38BB.
But that's misleading, SECCountry says that on April 21, he was hitting .200 before LSU hitting coach Micah Gibbs told him to add a leg-kick to his swing. Over his last 23 games (as of yesterday), BIG PAPI (YEAH?! GET IT?!) hit .328 with five home runs.
LSU says that he started out as a switch-hitter, but has hit exclusively from the right since the last 13 games of the 2016 season.
On the question of whether or not he will sign, it apparently has to do with getting drafted in the top 10 rounds. LSU head coach Paul Mainieri:
There are so few really good defensive catchers out there. It's one position where everybody will agree there's a tremendous shortage. His defensive skills make him a tremendous prospect. Of late he's started to swing the bat much better as well.
The slot for the 271st overall pick is $141,600.
Apparently known more as a defensive catcher, Papierski (originally drafted in the 16th Round of the 2014 draft by Toronto) threw out 22 of 62 runners in 2017 - through last Saturday. He hit .260/.414/.455 with 8HR, 42K:38BB.
But that's misleading, SECCountry says that on April 21, he was hitting .200 before LSU hitting coach Micah Gibbs told him to add a leg-kick to his swing. Over his last 23 games (as of yesterday), BIG PAPI (YEAH?! GET IT?!) hit .328 with five home runs.
LSU says that he started out as a switch-hitter, but has hit exclusively from the right since the last 13 games of the 2016 season.
On the question of whether or not he will sign, it apparently has to do with getting drafted in the top 10 rounds. LSU head coach Paul Mainieri:
There are so few really good defensive catchers out there. It's one position where everybody will agree there's a tremendous shortage. His defensive skills make him a tremendous prospect. Of late he's started to swing the bat much better as well.
The slot for the 271st overall pick is $141,600.
8-241: Corey Julks
With their 8th Round pick (241st overall) the Astros selected 5'10" 185lb (UH says 6'1" 200lbs) righty CF Corey Julks, Clear Brook grad and a junior out of the University of Houston.
Julks was a 2017 1st team American Conference member, 2017 1st team All-American Conference member, 2017 American Championship All-Tournament Team member. In 59 games, Julks hit .335/.426/.572 with 12 doubles, six triples, and nine homers with 35K:35BB. He also stole 15 bases in 20 attempts.
Julks was the 88th-ranked outfielder by Baseball America, rounding out the Top 500 at...500, and was the 45th-ranked draft prospect out of Texas. He was 8x17 with a homer, 4RBI, and six runs scored for UH in the NCAA tournament.
Watch Julks steal home against Tulane.
The slot for the 241st pick is $158,100.
Julks was a 2017 1st team American Conference member, 2017 1st team All-American Conference member, 2017 American Championship All-Tournament Team member. In 59 games, Julks hit .335/.426/.572 with 12 doubles, six triples, and nine homers with 35K:35BB. He also stole 15 bases in 20 attempts.
Julks was the 88th-ranked outfielder by Baseball America, rounding out the Top 500 at...500, and was the 45th-ranked draft prospect out of Texas. He was 8x17 with a homer, 4RBI, and six runs scored for UH in the NCAA tournament.
Watch Julks steal home against Tulane.
The slot for the 241st pick is $158,100.
7-211: Parker Mushinski
With their 7th Round pick (211th overall), the Astros selected 6'0" 230lb LHP Parker Mushinski out of Texas Tech.
Mushinski, a reliever, threw 37.2IP, 24H/9ER, 47K:25BB in 31 appearances with a .185 BAA.
He is Baseball America's 59th-ranked LHP prospect.
A noted Rangers fan, Mushinski told RedRaiders.com:
It doesn't really matter on the team that selects me. I'm just looking forward to playing the game that I have loved all my life.
Mushinski's high school head coach Ricky Griffin said:
What he did when he got to college was put his nose down and work. He improved himself as a player every single year, and everything he's receiving now I promise you he worked for.
Mushinski, who I'm gonna guess is nicknamed "Mush," was an All-Big 12 honorable mention winner, and was a 1st Team 2017 Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
The slot for the 211th pick is $195,300.
Mushinski, a reliever, threw 37.2IP, 24H/9ER, 47K:25BB in 31 appearances with a .185 BAA.
He is Baseball America's 59th-ranked LHP prospect.
A noted Rangers fan, Mushinski told RedRaiders.com:
It doesn't really matter on the team that selects me. I'm just looking forward to playing the game that I have loved all my life.
Mushinski's high school head coach Ricky Griffin said:
What he did when he got to college was put his nose down and work. He improved himself as a player every single year, and everything he's receiving now I promise you he worked for.
Mushinski, who I'm gonna guess is nicknamed "Mush," was an All-Big 12 honorable mention winner, and was a 1st Team 2017 Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
The slot for the 211th pick is $195,300.
6-181: Jake Adams
With their 6th Round pick (181st overall) the Astros selected 6'3" 240lb (some say 6'2" 250lbs) first baseman Jake Adams, a junior out of the University of Iowa (moment of silence for Bo Porter).
Adams is a power-hitting 1B with questionable defense. He hit an NCAA-leading 29 home runs in 61 games to become the B1G Ten (did I do that right?) conference player of the year. This season he hit .335/.417/.747, 57K:29BB in 245 ABs.
Jim Callis:
This guy swings for the fences. When he connects, it goes a long way. There are going to be some questions. It's a long swing - how's that going to play when you're seeing 95mph when you get to the upper level of the minors? - and it's a bat-only guy. You'll try to play him at first - there's no real alternative - might be more of a DH.
Adams also was 3rd in the NCAA in total bases (183), 4th in SLG (.747), and 7th in RBIs (72). He led the B1G Ten in HR, RBI, SLG, Runs, and Total Bases. He had 27 multi-hit games in 2017. The 29 home runs are a B1G Ten record.
He's Iowa's highest-drafted player since 1999 (Wes Obermueller, 2nd Round). Adams told Mark Berman:
If you want to come out and see a home run, I'm the guy you want to come watch. Just excited to get in that organization and give Houston fans something to look forward to.
I love him already.
The slot for the 181st overall pick is $249,600.
Adams is a power-hitting 1B with questionable defense. He hit an NCAA-leading 29 home runs in 61 games to become the B1G Ten (did I do that right?) conference player of the year. This season he hit .335/.417/.747, 57K:29BB in 245 ABs.
Jim Callis:
This guy swings for the fences. When he connects, it goes a long way. There are going to be some questions. It's a long swing - how's that going to play when you're seeing 95mph when you get to the upper level of the minors? - and it's a bat-only guy. You'll try to play him at first - there's no real alternative - might be more of a DH.
Adams also was 3rd in the NCAA in total bases (183), 4th in SLG (.747), and 7th in RBIs (72). He led the B1G Ten in HR, RBI, SLG, Runs, and Total Bases. He had 27 multi-hit games in 2017. The 29 home runs are a B1G Ten record.
He's Iowa's highest-drafted player since 1999 (Wes Obermueller, 2nd Round). Adams told Mark Berman:
If you want to come out and see a home run, I'm the guy you want to come watch. Just excited to get in that organization and give Houston fans something to look forward to.
I love him already.
The slot for the 181st overall pick is $249,600.
5-151: Nathan Perry
With their 5th Round pick (151st overall) the Astros selected 6'3" 215lbs lefty-hitting/righty-throwing catcher Nate Perry out of Bassett High School in Virginia.
Baseball America ranked him #9 in the state of Virginia, #314th in their Top 500, and the 28th-best catching prospect.
Back in April his head coach thought he'd go in the 10th-15th Round. Head Coach Grant Wickline:
He's one of the best catchers I've seen. We're averaging five or six (scouts) a night coming to see him.
Perry said opposing pitchers simply stopped pitching to him:
I'll probably see six or seven pitches. One or two might be fastballs, but they're nowhere near the zone.
This year, he hit .462 with a .606 OBP, with 2K:17BB. In his entire high school career, he struck out 12 times. TWELVE.
Perry is a University of Virginia commit, but the slot for the 151st overall pick is $326,600, so we'll see. Nope, wait, he's already said he'll sign.
Wickline:
The Astros are going to notice that there's no one that's going to outwork him. His work ethic is outstanding. It's something that you can't teach.
Baseball America ranked him #9 in the state of Virginia, #314th in their Top 500, and the 28th-best catching prospect.
Back in April his head coach thought he'd go in the 10th-15th Round. Head Coach Grant Wickline:
He's one of the best catchers I've seen. We're averaging five or six (scouts) a night coming to see him.
Perry said opposing pitchers simply stopped pitching to him:
I'll probably see six or seven pitches. One or two might be fastballs, but they're nowhere near the zone.
This year, he hit .462 with a .606 OBP, with 2K:17BB. In his entire high school career, he struck out 12 times. TWELVE.
Perry is a University of Virginia commit, but the slot for the 151st overall pick is $326,600, so we'll see. Nope, wait, he's already said he'll sign.
Wickline:
The Astros are going to notice that there's no one that's going to outwork him. His work ethic is outstanding. It's something that you can't teach.
4-121: Peter Solomon
With the 121st overall pick (4th Round), the Astros have selected 6'4" 190lb RHP Peter Solomon, a junior out of Notre Dame.
MLB.com's scouting report said that Solomon broke out in the Cape Cod League last summer (0.54 ERA in 33IP), and is Notre Dame's best pitching prospect since wide receiver Jeff Samardzija in 2006. This season he threw 54IP, 47H/23ER, 61K:28BB.
That trouble throwing strikes sent Solomon to the bullpen. MLB.com, who had him ranked #86 on their draft board:
His best pitch is a 92-94mph fastball that tops out at 96, though both his hard curveball and slider can be plus offerings at times...He has a loose arm and a fairly simple delivery, so there's nothing glaring that should hamper his control, but it's becoming increasingly likely that he'll be a reliever in pro ball.
Back in January Solomon was BA's 19th-ranked college prospect, and the 46th-ranked RHP prospect earlier this week. In May he was #141 on BA's Top 200 draft prospects list.
Here's Christopher Crawford's scouting report on Solomon. A scout wrote:
I think the stuff might really play up in relief, but that'd be disappointing, because he has shown the stuff to be a number three.
The slot for the 121st overall pick is $437,400.
MLB.com's scouting report said that Solomon broke out in the Cape Cod League last summer (0.54 ERA in 33IP), and is Notre Dame's best pitching prospect since wide receiver Jeff Samardzija in 2006. This season he threw 54IP, 47H/23ER, 61K:28BB.
That trouble throwing strikes sent Solomon to the bullpen. MLB.com, who had him ranked #86 on their draft board:
His best pitch is a 92-94mph fastball that tops out at 96, though both his hard curveball and slider can be plus offerings at times...He has a loose arm and a fairly simple delivery, so there's nothing glaring that should hamper his control, but it's becoming increasingly likely that he'll be a reliever in pro ball.
Back in January Solomon was BA's 19th-ranked college prospect, and the 46th-ranked RHP prospect earlier this week. In May he was #141 on BA's Top 200 draft prospects list.
Here's Christopher Crawford's scouting report on Solomon. A scout wrote:
I think the stuff might really play up in relief, but that'd be disappointing, because he has shown the stuff to be a number three.
#Astros might have gotten the steal of the draft, Peter Solomon @NDBaseball Explosive 92-96 mph, + curveball, + slider. Let him try to start— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 13, 2017
The slot for the 121st overall pick is $437,400.
3-91: Tyler Ivey
With their 3rd Round pick (91st overall), the Astros selected 6'4" 195lb RHP Tyler Ivey out of Grayson Community College in Denison, Texas.
In 12 appearances for Grayson, Ivey threw 78IP with a 2.08 ERA and 122 strikeouts - 5th in all of the NJCAA and his 14.08 strikeouts per game ranked 2nd. Ivey, a former Aggie who transferred after his freshman season, had a 3.56 ERA for A&M in 2016.
After A&M walked-off a win against UT in 2016, Ivey appeared to give the Horns-down gesture, and hilarity ensued.
This is somewhat of a surprise pick as Ivey was not ranked by MLB.com and doesn't have a scouting profile of him. Baseball America ranked Ivey as the 125th-best RHP coming into the draft. He does have a 90-94mph fastball and a repertoire of four pitches.
The slot for the 91st overall pick is $597,800.
In 12 appearances for Grayson, Ivey threw 78IP with a 2.08 ERA and 122 strikeouts - 5th in all of the NJCAA and his 14.08 strikeouts per game ranked 2nd. Ivey, a former Aggie who transferred after his freshman season, had a 3.56 ERA for A&M in 2016.
After A&M walked-off a win against UT in 2016, Ivey appeared to give the Horns-down gesture, and hilarity ensued.
This is somewhat of a surprise pick as Ivey was not ranked by MLB.com and doesn't have a scouting profile of him. Baseball America ranked Ivey as the 125th-best RHP coming into the draft. He does have a 90-94mph fastball and a repertoire of four pitches.
Wow, @astros go with a surprising pick in JUCO RHP Tyler Ivey. Was very good at times as a Fr. At A&M, but makeup an issue. Live arm.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersD1) June 13, 2017
The slot for the 91st overall pick is $597,800.
Monday, June 12, 2017
CB-75: J.J. Matijevic
With the Competitive Balance pick (75th overall), the Astros selected 6'0" 200lbs lefty-hitting 2B J.J. Matijevic, a junior out of the University of Arizona. He was drafted in the 22nd Round of the 2014 draft by Boston.
Matijevic got on the radar in the Cape Cod League last summer, hitting .357 with 5HR/25RBI in 31 games for Falmouth.
Tucson.com profiled Matijevic and noted his bat speed, as well has his maturity:
JJ Matejevic's bat speed is preposterous. Opposite-field home runs at cavernous Hi Corbett Field are as rare as cool summer days in Tucson. Matijevic's team-leading 10 homers for the Arizona Wildcats included an opposite-field shot.
Matijevic:
I've worked for everything I've accomplished in my life, and I will continue to work as hard as I can. I know I still have a long way to go. But I'll always be that good teammate.
An unnamed AL scout said:
One of the best college hitters in the country, and that's a very valuable commodity, especially in this draft. The concerns over what position he is going to play are what's primarily holding him back at this point.
For Arizona this season, Matijevic played in 59 games (240 ABs), hitting .383/.436/.633 with 30 doubles, ten home runs, 38K:23BB. Matijevic:
In the Cape, it's the top guys in the country and the coaches are unbelievable. The whole competition was my biggest takeaway.
MLB.com wrote:
Scouts always thought he had raw power, and he's finally learning to turn on the ball and pull it, showing the pop needed for his profile. He'll need to hit because as a below-average runner and below-average defender, he is likely limited to first base, with an outside shot of being able to handle left field.
John Sickels wrote:
Matijevic is the type of polished hitter who will make short work of A-Ball, but whether he becomes a possible regular first baseman or just a good role player may not become apparent until he reaches Double-A or Triple-A.
On playing 2B, Matijevic said:
I'm a lot farther ahead this year at second than I was last year. I'm not there yet, I still have a lot more work, but I've definitely gotten better at it. Just getting that first quick step is really it for me.
Matijevic is a 2nd-Team All-American...as a DH, and had him ranked as the 70th-best prospect going into the draft.
The slot for the 75th overall pick is $767,400.
Matijevic got on the radar in the Cape Cod League last summer, hitting .357 with 5HR/25RBI in 31 games for Falmouth.
Tucson.com profiled Matijevic and noted his bat speed, as well has his maturity:
JJ Matejevic's bat speed is preposterous. Opposite-field home runs at cavernous Hi Corbett Field are as rare as cool summer days in Tucson. Matijevic's team-leading 10 homers for the Arizona Wildcats included an opposite-field shot.
Matijevic:
I've worked for everything I've accomplished in my life, and I will continue to work as hard as I can. I know I still have a long way to go. But I'll always be that good teammate.
An unnamed AL scout said:
One of the best college hitters in the country, and that's a very valuable commodity, especially in this draft. The concerns over what position he is going to play are what's primarily holding him back at this point.
For Arizona this season, Matijevic played in 59 games (240 ABs), hitting .383/.436/.633 with 30 doubles, ten home runs, 38K:23BB. Matijevic:
In the Cape, it's the top guys in the country and the coaches are unbelievable. The whole competition was my biggest takeaway.
MLB.com wrote:
Scouts always thought he had raw power, and he's finally learning to turn on the ball and pull it, showing the pop needed for his profile. He'll need to hit because as a below-average runner and below-average defender, he is likely limited to first base, with an outside shot of being able to handle left field.
John Sickels wrote:
Matijevic is the type of polished hitter who will make short work of A-Ball, but whether he becomes a possible regular first baseman or just a good role player may not become apparent until he reaches Double-A or Triple-A.
On playing 2B, Matijevic said:
I'm a lot farther ahead this year at second than I was last year. I'm not there yet, I still have a lot more work, but I've definitely gotten better at it. Just getting that first quick step is really it for me.
Matijevic is a 2nd-Team All-American...as a DH, and had him ranked as the 70th-best prospect going into the draft.
The slot for the 75th overall pick is $767,400.
2-56: Corbin Martin
With their 2nd pick of the 2nd Round (56th overall), the Astros selected 6'2" 200lb Texas A&M RHP Corbin Martin. Martin graduated from Cy-Ranch. Martin made the 2016 All-Cape Cod League team as a closer, with a 1.15 ERA after striking out 22 batters (three walks) in 15.2IP.
MLB.com wrote that Martin has a 95-96mph fastball that can hit 98mph, and that:
His curveball can be just as nasty, featuring plenty of power and depth at its best, and he can also get swings and misses with his mid-80s slider...If he can't do a better job of harnessing his stuff, it's still good enough that he could be a late-inning bullpen weapon.
He was the 20th-ranked RHP, according to Baseball America, and 55th overall in their Top 500.
Martin joined A&M's rotation in late March, but spent most of his college career as a reliever. This season Martin threw 86IP, 84H/32ER, 94K:37BB and a .253 batting average-against. On May 19 Martin threw 8IP, 8H/2ER, 12K:1BB against #16 Arkansas.
Like his counterpart taken four picks earlier, Martin had success as a power-hitting outfielder, as well. John Sickels at MinorLeagueBall wrote:
He may not advance as quickly as some college arms, but there's upside here as a mid-rotation arm or as a power reliever.
Jake Kaplan said the Astros plan to stretch him out as a starter.
Click that link for some video, as well.
AstrosFuture profiled Martin back in April and wrote:
On one end, he has great stuff, a high-powered fastball and has had a solid season. On the other, he has struggled with command and has a career walk rate of 5.7 BB/9.
This pick came courtesy of the Cheatin'-Ass Cardinals. Thanks, Cardinals!
MLB.com wrote that Martin has a 95-96mph fastball that can hit 98mph, and that:
His curveball can be just as nasty, featuring plenty of power and depth at its best, and he can also get swings and misses with his mid-80s slider...If he can't do a better job of harnessing his stuff, it's still good enough that he could be a late-inning bullpen weapon.
He was the 20th-ranked RHP, according to Baseball America, and 55th overall in their Top 500.
Martin joined A&M's rotation in late March, but spent most of his college career as a reliever. This season Martin threw 86IP, 84H/32ER, 94K:37BB and a .253 batting average-against. On May 19 Martin threw 8IP, 8H/2ER, 12K:1BB against #16 Arkansas.
Like his counterpart taken four picks earlier, Martin had success as a power-hitting outfielder, as well. John Sickels at MinorLeagueBall wrote:
He may not advance as quickly as some college arms, but there's upside here as a mid-rotation arm or as a power reliever.
Jake Kaplan said the Astros plan to stretch him out as a starter.
Click that link for some video, as well.
AstrosFuture profiled Martin back in April and wrote:
On one end, he has great stuff, a high-powered fastball and has had a solid season. On the other, he has struggled with command and has a career walk rate of 5.7 BB/9.
This pick came courtesy of the Cheatin'-Ass Cardinals. Thanks, Cardinals!
2-53: Joe Perez
With the 53rd pick in the draft (2nd Round), the Astros selected 6'3" 210lbs Joe Perez out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Archbishop McCarthy has won three straight state titles (this one over Lance McCullers' alma mater), and Perez was the Miami Sun-Sentinel's Class 6A-1A Player of the Year.
Perez was drafted as a 3B by the Astros, where MLB.com said he was a 5th-6th Round talent. But he has far higher upside as an RHP...down the road after he gets Tommy John surgery, tomorrow, apparently.
Baseball America had him ranked as the #99 prospect in their Top 500, noting that Perez hit 99mph
MLB.com:
When he's 100% he has one of the most explosive fastballs, especially in the high school ranks.
He has a 92-97mph fastball and an "inconsistent" slider that "flashes plus." Perez threw 18.2IP in four games, going 4-0, allowing 12H/5ER, 40K:13BB.
But that's down the road, as Perez was, again, drafted as a 3B. This Spring, Perez hit .526/.581/1.145 - you read that correctly - with 4K:10BB, 14 2B, 9 HR in 76 at-bats.
Perfect Game wrote of Perez (in June 2016):
...Took an outstanding BP, showed big bat speed and raw pull power, used his lower half very well, ball explodes off the bat...Big arm strength at third base. Potential primary pitcher in the future, has limited present experience on the mound.
Perez has a commitment to the University of Miami, which may change given the $1.3m slot for the 53rd overall pick, though he wants to pitch and play 3B. Perez:
At UM, I'm going to do both and hopefully I get to do both for as long as possible.
Jake Kaplan said the Astros' plan is to develop Perez as a 3B.
Perez was drafted as a 3B by the Astros, where MLB.com said he was a 5th-6th Round talent. But he has far higher upside as an RHP...down the road after he gets Tommy John surgery, tomorrow, apparently.
Baseball America had him ranked as the #99 prospect in their Top 500, noting that Perez hit 99mph
MLB.com:
When he's 100% he has one of the most explosive fastballs, especially in the high school ranks.
He has a 92-97mph fastball and an "inconsistent" slider that "flashes plus." Perez threw 18.2IP in four games, going 4-0, allowing 12H/5ER, 40K:13BB.
But that's down the road, as Perez was, again, drafted as a 3B. This Spring, Perez hit .526/.581/1.145 - you read that correctly - with 4K:10BB, 14 2B, 9 HR in 76 at-bats.
Perfect Game wrote of Perez (in June 2016):
...Took an outstanding BP, showed big bat speed and raw pull power, used his lower half very well, ball explodes off the bat...Big arm strength at third base. Potential primary pitcher in the future, has limited present experience on the mound.
Perez has a commitment to the University of Miami, which may change given the $1.3m slot for the 53rd overall pick, though he wants to pitch and play 3B. Perez:
At UM, I'm going to do both and hopefully I get to do both for as long as possible.
Jake Kaplan said the Astros' plan is to develop Perez as a 3B.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Sunday Morning Hot Links
*Mike Fiers was absolutely brilliant yesterday, throwing 7.1IP, 2H/1R (0ER), 8K:2BB. It was his longest outing since August 21, 2015, when he no-hit the Dodgers. In his last three starts (since his rotation resurrection) Fiers has thrown 18.1IP, 14H/4ER, 20K:6BB. For all the crap I gave him to start the season, he has turned it around lately. Astros win 3-1.
Hinch:
This is the best stuff I think he's brought into the game this season and I think it was a combination of everything but everything seemed to be working off his change up. He could throw it any count, he threw some nasty ones that looked like split-fingers.
Fiers:
You guys got some false advertisement early this year. But this is how I pitch and this is the pitcher I am. I'm just going to continue that for the rest of this year.
Sounds good, Mike. Fiers' Game Score of 78 is the highest of the season by any Astros starter, and the 11th 70+ Game Score of the season.
*More Fiers:
I had a really good bullpen before the game and I just knew I was throwing my good stuff. When I feel like that, I feel like I'm one of the best pitchers in the league.
Kole Calhoun, on Devenski, who escaped a jam in the 8th:
He throws hard and has a good changeup. He's got probably a 10-12 miles an hour difference. It's a good pitch, has a good bottom to it. He threw me a couple good ones.
*There are 99 games remaining in the regular season. The Astros are 15-4 since getting swept by Cleveland. They have 12 10+ hit games in that stretch, and four 9-hit games. As a team they have an .813 OPS.
*Yuliesky Gurriel has a 10-game hitting streak, hitting .359/.372/.615 in that span.
*Brian McCann's homer in the 2nd matched the longest streak in franchise history at 18 games.
*Dallas Keuchel is not going to rush to get back on the mound:
I decided to shut it down, and here we are. It's kind of a bad spot to put the bullpen in. I didn't really know how I was going to feel until I started to warm up [on Wednesday]. I wanted to do something now and not revisit it later in the season when we're getting ready for the playoffs and hopefully playing in October.
*Thanks to the Cheatin-Ass Cardinals, the Astros have four picks tomorrow (five of the first 100), the first day of the 2017 MLB Draft. Jake Kaplan has a preview. Assistant GM Mike Elias:
I actually think this is a pretty good class. I'm glad we have the picks. There's a lot of players we like with those picks, and we're going to grab five of them in the first 100.
*Corpus Christi lost last night, sending their record to 30-31, but pitcher Kyle Smith has been on fire. After throwing 6IP, 3H/1R (0ER), 8K:1BB, Smith has allowed 25H/3ER, 38K:7BB in his last eight starts (40IP). The Astros got Smith in a July 2013 trade with the Royals for Justin Maxwell.
*Corpus' Jon Singleton and Akeem Bostick had been suspended for some reason.
*Here's the Korea Times, on foreign-born managers (like former Astros bench coach Trey Hillman) changing the game.
*ESPN: Hidden trends of the MLB draft
*Nick Cafardo says Kansas City's Jason Vargas and Oakland's Sonny Gray are the two most-asked about pitchers in trade talks. Tampa Bay's Alex Cobb and Miami's Edinson Volquez could also be on the move.
*Congratulations to Deer Park (from a Pasadena Boy) on winning the 6A State baseball title.
*There are some factors that work in the USMNT's favor as they play in Estadio Azteca tonight. (My dad will be there.)
*TIL that Adam West was once kicked out of an orgy for insisting on staying in character as Batman.
Hinch:
This is the best stuff I think he's brought into the game this season and I think it was a combination of everything but everything seemed to be working off his change up. He could throw it any count, he threw some nasty ones that looked like split-fingers.
Fiers:
You guys got some false advertisement early this year. But this is how I pitch and this is the pitcher I am. I'm just going to continue that for the rest of this year.
Sounds good, Mike. Fiers' Game Score of 78 is the highest of the season by any Astros starter, and the 11th 70+ Game Score of the season.
*More Fiers:
I had a really good bullpen before the game and I just knew I was throwing my good stuff. When I feel like that, I feel like I'm one of the best pitchers in the league.
Kole Calhoun, on Devenski, who escaped a jam in the 8th:
He throws hard and has a good changeup. He's got probably a 10-12 miles an hour difference. It's a good pitch, has a good bottom to it. He threw me a couple good ones.
*There are 99 games remaining in the regular season. The Astros are 15-4 since getting swept by Cleveland. They have 12 10+ hit games in that stretch, and four 9-hit games. As a team they have an .813 OPS.
*Yuliesky Gurriel has a 10-game hitting streak, hitting .359/.372/.615 in that span.
*Brian McCann's homer in the 2nd matched the longest streak in franchise history at 18 games.
*Dallas Keuchel is not going to rush to get back on the mound:
I decided to shut it down, and here we are. It's kind of a bad spot to put the bullpen in. I didn't really know how I was going to feel until I started to warm up [on Wednesday]. I wanted to do something now and not revisit it later in the season when we're getting ready for the playoffs and hopefully playing in October.
*Thanks to the Cheatin-Ass Cardinals, the Astros have four picks tomorrow (five of the first 100), the first day of the 2017 MLB Draft. Jake Kaplan has a preview. Assistant GM Mike Elias:
I actually think this is a pretty good class. I'm glad we have the picks. There's a lot of players we like with those picks, and we're going to grab five of them in the first 100.
*Corpus Christi lost last night, sending their record to 30-31, but pitcher Kyle Smith has been on fire. After throwing 6IP, 3H/1R (0ER), 8K:1BB, Smith has allowed 25H/3ER, 38K:7BB in his last eight starts (40IP). The Astros got Smith in a July 2013 trade with the Royals for Justin Maxwell.
*Corpus' Jon Singleton and Akeem Bostick had been suspended for some reason.
*Here's the Korea Times, on foreign-born managers (like former Astros bench coach Trey Hillman) changing the game.
*ESPN: Hidden trends of the MLB draft
*Nick Cafardo says Kansas City's Jason Vargas and Oakland's Sonny Gray are the two most-asked about pitchers in trade talks. Tampa Bay's Alex Cobb and Miami's Edinson Volquez could also be on the move.
*Congratulations to Deer Park (from a Pasadena Boy) on winning the 6A State baseball title.
*There are some factors that work in the USMNT's favor as they play in Estadio Azteca tonight. (My dad will be there.)
*TIL that Adam West was once kicked out of an orgy for insisting on staying in character as Batman.
Friday, June 9, 2017
Friday Morning Hot Links
*The Astros went 8-2 on this 10-game road trip with a 6-1 win over the Royals after the Astros scored five runs in the 9th. They're in the middle of a stretch in which they play 25 games in 26 days. Will Harris, on the road trip:
...It was crazy this thing started in Minnesota (the Memorial Day Miracle). It seems like it was so long ago, you know? It's been a strange one, no doubt. To go 8-2, we're all looking forward to getting back home. Having the eight wins under our belt on the road trip, it's the best road trip I've been a part of since I've been on this team.
*McTaggart notes that, in their last 53 games (April 11) the Astros are averaging 6.0 runs per game.
*Lance McCullers had thrown 6.1 no-hit innings before Lorenzo Cain tripled and later scored to tie the game at 1-1. He ended up throwing 7IP, allowing the bullpen a little bit of a break. Harris and Devenski threw the 8th and 9th. Cain, on McCullers:
He was locked in tonight. His stuff was pretty nasty. Nice two-seamer that started off the plate and backdoored it, or started on the plate and ran in on the hands. Filthy stuff tonight.
*McCullers now has 72 strikeouts on his curveball. Next highest in the Majors is Jerad Eickhoff, with 42.
*McCullers' start last night was the first time in 12 games that an Astros starting pitcher went 7IP (Musgrove, May 26).
*Josh Reddick drew a lead-off walk in the 9th and scored on Jose Altuve's 430-foot home run, his longest of the season. It was Altuve's 69th career home run. When Reddick leads off an inning (38 PAs), he's hitting .367/.500/.633 with 3K:8BB.
*So Dallas Keuchel's "illness" scratch may not be entirely true. After putting Keuchel on the 10-Day DL, Hinch said this:
He's going on the DL for a minimum of 10 days. That brings concern in its own right. Being symptomatic with the same injury from earlier in the year is concerning, but until we see him and talk with him, and get another report from the doctor, we just won't know. I'm not sure what goes into these pinched nerves, or what the doctors' plan will be to get him better.
*Frankie Tuesday was called up and McHugh was transferred to the 60-Day DL. Now Keuchel, McHugh, Morton, and Musgrove are on the DL. 80% of the starting rotation. Martes will be used in long relief for now, Hinch said. So your rotation is now McCullers, Peacock, Fiers, Paulino, and...oh, hey Musgrove will rejoin the rotation on Monday.
*Hinch flat-out said Devenski will not shift to the rotation. If Musgrove can't go on Monday, Martes will be the starting pitcher against the Rangers.
*USA Today's Bob Nightengale said a whole lot of jinxy things in a column about the Astros' future yesterday. But two quotes stood out, from Correa and Keuchel:
Honestly, with the talent we have in here, and the way we've played, anything less than getting to the World Series would be a disappointment...I really believe this can be the year....I think we need one more guy, a No. 1 or No. 2 type of guy in the rotation, and another reliever. We get that, it would be a dream come true. And I think Jeff is going to get it done for us. I really do. This is the year.
Keuchel:
Usually you get one shot at this....We've got plenty of talented guys in here, so it's not to say we couldn't win a World Series right now, but pitching wins in the playoffs. I'd like to see us get somebody who can dominate...so if we're going to go out and get somebody, I'd rather get somebody who's a proven winner and who can dominate a game.
Beltran added:
I'm sure ownership will step up and do something to help us. I sure hope so, because I really believe this can be our time.
No pressure, Luhnow!
*Marwin should be back in the lineup tonight, as the Astros open a series against the Angels.
*With the draft beginning on Monday - it's amazing how 43 wins on June 9 will make you forget about the draft - the Astros held a workout at Minute Maid Park. Here's Brian McTaggart with an Astros draft preview.
*Pat Neshek said leaving Houston was the best thing that's happened to him:
I kind of became a bit player there. In 2015, I did a lot of 8th-inning stuff and I think I was second or third in the league in holds (Ed. Note: he was tied for 3rd in the AL in holds in 2015), but I had a bad final month where they kind of just gave up on me. In '16, I just became a 6th-inning righty specialist guy and it was awful. I knew I could do a lot more. So when the trade happened I was thrilled. This was the best thing that happened to me in a few years...I can understand why the Astros did it. They have a bullpen that's pretty well stocked over there. So I'm real happy to be out - if not I would rather have been a free agent than gone back there, which may sound crazy but it gets to the point where you want to do more. I would almost rather retire than do a role like I was doing for them. It was miserable.
A couple of notes about this:
1. He's right. In September 2015 he allowed 15H/6ER, 4K:4BB in 7.1IP, mostly in the 8th inning, and some of those were crucial games as the Astros handed the division to the Ramgers, with three losses and a blown save in 11 outings.
2. Remember later that offseason Neshek had a meatball of a bone spur removed from his foot.
3. In 2016 Neshek made 60 appearances. Ten of them were in the 6th inning. He was brought in to face one batter in the 6th inning five times. He faced three or more batters in an appearance 43 out of the 60 times he pitched.
4. Whatever, it doesn't matter.
*Hardball Times: A plea for imagination in baseball fiction
*Addison Russell was accused of domestic violence on Instagram.
*I'll be on the Alan Michael Show at 9:40 and Sports Radio 610 at 12pm.
*I'll be on the Alan Michael Show at 9:40 and Sports Radio 610 at 12pm.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Cheatin'-ass Cardinals popped for Ground Control breach
YOOOOO the cheatin'-ass Cardinals have - at long last - been punished by MLB for their breach into Ground Control.
Chris Cotillo is reporting that the Cardinals will forfeit their top two draft picks (#56 and #75) to Houston, as well as paying Houston $2 million as a fine. MLB investigators determined that only Chris Correa was aware of the breach into Ground Control. Correa, in addition to the 46-month prison sentence, has received a permanent ban from MLB.
So the Astros will have the #15, #53, #56, #75, and #91 picks in the Top 100 of the 2017 draft.
Buster Olney is reporting that the initial reaction around baseball is that the punishment of the Cardinals is "shockingly light."
The Astros seem okay with it, but what else are they going to say?
RedbirdDaily writes that the decision is a huge sigh of relief mainly because Manfred made his decision *after* the new CBA had been ratified, which limited the amount of the fine MLB could hand down. The delay in punishment also gave the Cardinals time to sign Dexter Fowler (thus giving their 1st Round pick to the Cubs) and also to spend money on international free agents. That's shady AF.
Okay, I've spent a decent amount of time thinking about this. I actually sort of believe the MLB investigators here that Correa didn't work within the rest of the Cardinals' organization to hack the Astros. Let's think about it for a second:
1) We find in the Chronicle's report from Saturday that Correa spent 2.5 years routinely accessing Ground Control by guessing the passwords of Sig Mejdal and other organizational staff.
2) Correa said he was looking to see if the Astros had taken the Cardinals' proprietary information, which is most definitely just a cover seeing as how...
a) he looked for 2.5 years
b) he referenced Ground Control at times that were critical to his own job description with the Cardinals - trade deadline, draft season, winter meetings.
3) The Chronicle pointed out Correa's heated relationship with Mejdal:
Documents also reflect the degree to which Correa was motivated by jealousy of the attention Mejdal received from Sports Illustrated for the Astros' data-driven attitudes toward scouting and player development. A June 2014 cover of SI famously pronounced the Astros, then coming off three consecutive 100-plus loss seasons, "Your 2017 World Series champs."
"Mejdal was one of Correa's rivals," Chu wrote, noting that the two had "heated discussions" when both worked for the Cardinals. "And now, this rival was being praised, even though his team had not yet begun to win."
That's a pretty interesting read on it, and is - if true - why I believe MLB here. If Correa is motivated by jealousy, then he's going to want to upstage Mejdal and the Astros. Why? To show that he - Correa - is better than Mejdal. Correa was the Cardinals' scouting director. He would naturally want to show that he is better at his job than Mejdal or anyone the Astros had in place to make those decisions. So it's not going to benefit Correa if he runs to GM John Mozeliak or whomever to say "look what I stole from the Astros. Now promote me."
I now fully believe Correa was acting alone, if only because of the motive. What makes absolutely zero sense to me is why Correa leaked the information to Deadspin. The only plausible motive I can find, and it fits with the original one, is to make the Astros look bad. In that, he was successful. Everyone got a good chuckle out of the Astros asking for Xander Bogaerts in exchange for Bud Norris, offering Jarred Cosart and Delino DeShields for Giancarlo Stanton, or Lucas Harrell for Lucas Giolito. Between the losing, the CSN Houston debacle, the leaking, and the Brady Aiken saga, it was a rough few years for the Astros, PR-wise. Correa made that happen.
Ultimately, if Correa had just shut up and routinely accessed Ground Control for his own purposes like a decent thief, it would have been difficult for the Astros to notice. But Correa's hubris brought him down, by leaking the trade talks to Deadspin. That's when the Astros knew something was up, and all fingers pointed to the now-imprisoned Correa.
Chris Cotillo is reporting that the Cardinals will forfeit their top two draft picks (#56 and #75) to Houston, as well as paying Houston $2 million as a fine. MLB investigators determined that only Chris Correa was aware of the breach into Ground Control. Correa, in addition to the 46-month prison sentence, has received a permanent ban from MLB.
So the Astros will have the #15, #53, #56, #75, and #91 picks in the Top 100 of the 2017 draft.
Buster Olney is reporting that the initial reaction around baseball is that the punishment of the Cardinals is "shockingly light."
The Astros seem okay with it, but what else are they going to say?
Jose de Jesus Ortiz writes that Manfred/MLB had no choice but to hit the Cardinals hard.The #Astros statement: "This unprecedented award by the Commissioner's office sends a clear message of the severity of these actions.''— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2017
RedbirdDaily writes that the decision is a huge sigh of relief mainly because Manfred made his decision *after* the new CBA had been ratified, which limited the amount of the fine MLB could hand down. The delay in punishment also gave the Cardinals time to sign Dexter Fowler (thus giving their 1st Round pick to the Cubs) and also to spend money on international free agents. That's shady AF.
For "package deals," MLB banned the Red Sox from signing players for a year and removed 5 prospects. The Cardinals won't lose a top 50 pick.— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) January 30, 2017
It still defies logic that Chris Correa was the only person who knew about his hacking the Astros. Like, what, he kept the info to himself?— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 30, 2017
Okay, I've spent a decent amount of time thinking about this. I actually sort of believe the MLB investigators here that Correa didn't work within the rest of the Cardinals' organization to hack the Astros. Let's think about it for a second:
1) We find in the Chronicle's report from Saturday that Correa spent 2.5 years routinely accessing Ground Control by guessing the passwords of Sig Mejdal and other organizational staff.
2) Correa said he was looking to see if the Astros had taken the Cardinals' proprietary information, which is most definitely just a cover seeing as how...
a) he looked for 2.5 years
b) he referenced Ground Control at times that were critical to his own job description with the Cardinals - trade deadline, draft season, winter meetings.
3) The Chronicle pointed out Correa's heated relationship with Mejdal:
Documents also reflect the degree to which Correa was motivated by jealousy of the attention Mejdal received from Sports Illustrated for the Astros' data-driven attitudes toward scouting and player development. A June 2014 cover of SI famously pronounced the Astros, then coming off three consecutive 100-plus loss seasons, "Your 2017 World Series champs."
"Mejdal was one of Correa's rivals," Chu wrote, noting that the two had "heated discussions" when both worked for the Cardinals. "And now, this rival was being praised, even though his team had not yet begun to win."
That's a pretty interesting read on it, and is - if true - why I believe MLB here. If Correa is motivated by jealousy, then he's going to want to upstage Mejdal and the Astros. Why? To show that he - Correa - is better than Mejdal. Correa was the Cardinals' scouting director. He would naturally want to show that he is better at his job than Mejdal or anyone the Astros had in place to make those decisions. So it's not going to benefit Correa if he runs to GM John Mozeliak or whomever to say "look what I stole from the Astros. Now promote me."
I now fully believe Correa was acting alone, if only because of the motive. What makes absolutely zero sense to me is why Correa leaked the information to Deadspin. The only plausible motive I can find, and it fits with the original one, is to make the Astros look bad. In that, he was successful. Everyone got a good chuckle out of the Astros asking for Xander Bogaerts in exchange for Bud Norris, offering Jarred Cosart and Delino DeShields for Giancarlo Stanton, or Lucas Harrell for Lucas Giolito. Between the losing, the CSN Houston debacle, the leaking, and the Brady Aiken saga, it was a rough few years for the Astros, PR-wise. Correa made that happen.
Ultimately, if Correa had just shut up and routinely accessed Ground Control for his own purposes like a decent thief, it would have been difficult for the Astros to notice. But Correa's hubris brought him down, by leaking the trade talks to Deadspin. That's when the Astros knew something was up, and all fingers pointed to the now-imprisoned Correa.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)