A couple of things for you this morning...
*The County Mountie wrote up options at 1B and SP options in free agency.
*Chris Devenski, who did not get selected in last year's Rule 5 draft, finished 4th in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
With Correa winning the award in 2015 and Devenski receiving votes in 2016, it's the first time since Mitch Meluskey/Lance Berkman (2000) and Roy Oswalt (2001) that the Astros have had players receive votes for ROY in consecutive seasons.
Just as an aside, and I'm sure that I'll get my dander up about it soon enough, but how in the actual hell did Lance Berkman - who hit .297/.388/.561 with 21 homers in 114 games - finish 6th! Behind Meluskey! - and Rafael Furcal, who hit .295/.394/.382 in 131 games, win the damn thing?
*Jayson Stark's MLB Awards Week piece says that Mike Trout should win the AL MVP award, but Mookie Betts will win it.
*The Astros are Anthony Castrovince's Most Interesting Team in the AL West. Castrovince:
The Astros are loaded with young talent, but they are also loaded with needs, and the flexibility they've "bought" themselves by, you know, not spending much money in recent years means they can address those needs...in meaningful, eye-catching ways.
*Former Astros prospect Matt Duffy (who ended 2016 in the Rangers' organization) has signed with Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese League.
*Joe Thatcher, who ended his nine-year MLB career in 2015 with the Astros (22.2IP) has retired.
*Former Astros reliever Anthony Bass, who played in Japan last season, is now a free agent and looking for an MLB team.
*In honor of Buck O'Neil's birthday on Sunday, Joe Posnanski reposted Buck's Best Day.
*Houston celebrity chef Bryan Caswell - who was responsible for some of the nicer dining options at Minute Maid Park - will no longer be associated with Jim Crane's new downtown establishments to focus on his own ventures. CultureMap has a press release from Crane indicating that Caswell's other ventures prevented him from devoting the time Crane wanted him to devote.
This post has been updated to show that Rafael Furcal hit .295 in 2000, not .395 as I put at 5:25am.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Anthony Bass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthony Bass. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Friday, January 8, 2016
Friday Morning Hot Links
Be sure to check out The Batguy's and Not Hank's pieces on Bagwell and the HOF, in addition to these fine Grade-A links:
*Evan Drellich writes that, despite having addressed the team's offseason goals (reliever, outfield), the Astros are one more deal short of a good winter
*Reid Laymance says the numbers are tilting Bagwell's way.
*Jayson Stark has five lessons from the 2016 HOF voting.
*Ronny Torreyes, who was protected by the Astros instead of Delino DeShields in the 2014 Rule 5 draft, was DFA'd by the Dodgers to make room for new pitcher Kenta Maeda.
*New Tri-City ValleyCats hitting coach Dillon Lawson is coming from Southeast Missouri State (where he held the same job), and took the position based on the recommendation from former player Alex Winkelman, who spent the end of 2015 in Tri-City.
*Former Astro great Anthony Bass - part of a trade with the Rangers and Mariners that sent Tom Wilhelmsen to Texas - has asked for his release from Seattle to go play in Japan.
*Read about Al Bacosa, the 1,389th player chosen in the 1988 draft - one spot before Mike Piazza.
*Evan Drellich writes that, despite having addressed the team's offseason goals (reliever, outfield), the Astros are one more deal short of a good winter
*Reid Laymance says the numbers are tilting Bagwell's way.
*Jayson Stark has five lessons from the 2016 HOF voting.
*Ronny Torreyes, who was protected by the Astros instead of Delino DeShields in the 2014 Rule 5 draft, was DFA'd by the Dodgers to make room for new pitcher Kenta Maeda.
*New Tri-City ValleyCats hitting coach Dillon Lawson is coming from Southeast Missouri State (where he held the same job), and took the position based on the recommendation from former player Alex Winkelman, who spent the end of 2015 in Tri-City.
*Former Astro great Anthony Bass - part of a trade with the Rangers and Mariners that sent Tom Wilhelmsen to Texas - has asked for his release from Seattle to go play in Japan.
*Read about Al Bacosa, the 1,389th player chosen in the 1988 draft - one spot before Mike Piazza.
Friday, November 21, 2014
So Let's Recap the 40-man News
As expected, a flurry of moves - from all teams, not just the Astros - occurred just prior to the Thursday 20 roster deadline at midnight ET. A large number of players were DFA'd, waived, claimed, and added to various rosters all around baseball. Lets look at what the Astros did.
But firstly, a large nod - well, a bow, really - in Batguy's direction for looking at the habits of the Astros in the Rule V Drafts since the late 1990's. Really worth a read if you haven't already. And secondly, thanks to Framin' Mike Fast - or at least someone who knows about the November 20 deadline with a google account called "Mike Fast" - for stopping by and answering a question. ZOMG!!! Someone who actually knows about baseball (other than the other 17 learned readers that frequent these web-pages) actually reads this blog. And is good enough to comment after stopping laughing at my crappy, uninformed analysis. Excellent!!
Lets look at what actually happened.
Added to the 40-man were Vincent Velasquez, Ronald Torreyes and - at the 11th hour, according to the previously linked MLBTR page - Michael Feliz.
Subtracted from the 40-man roster were Anthony Bass (I guess we have to disconnect the 534-8455 bullpen phone number now - not that it was either funny, clever or used much) and Josh Zeid. Zeid was subsequently claimed by the Tigers, who, like, really need bullpen help. Given that his sesamoid bones in his foot were playing up all year (ie. he was pitching with an injury) and he has decent velocity, that is probably a great grab for them.
By my count, the 40-man sits at 39 now. Feliz isn't listed on the publicly-listed roster at the time of writing this, which sits at 38. I am guessing that the webpage-update-programmer is asleep in bed, as they should be.
I whiffed on DDS, thinking that he would be added, but as Evan Drellich/Jeff Luhnow elegantly pointed out, it is waaaaay easier to stash a pitcher in the back of the 'pen than short-hand your bench with a guy whose hitting may be questionable. The counter argument would be something along the lines of "gosh, it is a weak FA market at CF this year, lets take a flyer on this guy", whereas the counter-counter argument would be "the Astros already have 5 guys (including Aplin) above DDS on the depth chart who can man an at-least-passable CF". I won't even bother with the counter-counter-counter argument, which would be something about the additional possibility of an infield-gig.
I find this process so interesting - which probably says more about me than the actual process. MLBTR has been frenetic all day. There must be tactics employed by teams - like shoving everyone through on waivers when there are a lot of other transactions in the hope that the teams that are looking to acquire talent may either not realise a valued player is trying to slip through, or that teams have already gorged themselves on talent from other clubs already. There must be counter-intelligence - like "Team A will grab Player B if he is available, so lets add him to the roster, or wait until Team A's 40-man is full". Those subtleties will be lost on the casual observer, but it must be pretty intense for those participating. All because young talent is important, cheap, and hard to get.
I also find it interesting that the Astros have left one spot on the 40-man free - perhaps with a specific target in mind for the Rule V draft, or perhaps looking to get a good waiver-claim in. Or to add Mike Trout in a trade. Time will tell.
My guess is that this process has really tightened up over the last decade - for all teams - because of a huge change in how talent is perceived. Teams can't afford to whiff on players they like anymore. Everyone is looking for an edge, and it is a fine line between success and failure.
Anyhow, the gist of all of this is that Delino DeShields Jr, Jandel Gustave, Roberto Pena, Mitch Lambson (who would have been extensively scouted in Arizona recently) and Danry Vasquez (who is apparently having a good winter season) are all available to be nabbed in the December Rule V draft. All of those guys scream "lottery ticket" to me (perhaps not Lambson, but he is a reliever) and perhaps Johan Santana would have as well. We will find out what the other teams think.
In terms of those definitely staying, Ronald Torreyes seems to have an interesting mix of skills at a very young age, despite doubtful scouting opinions regarding his build and stature, and how it will impact on his power. Vincent Velasquez and Michael Feliz are a couple of good, mid-rotation righties with a chance to be better, so the Astros thought it important to protect them. None of these guys are going anywhere, unless they are outrighted or traded between now and April.
The whole thing is fascinating. Lets see what happens next.
Update: Apparently, Feliz may have been initially left off the 40-man because the extra roster flexibility was needed for a trade, but Evan Drellich appears dubious about this explanation, and wonders whether the FO reassessed its position with an hour to go. Like I said, fascinating!
But firstly, a large nod - well, a bow, really - in Batguy's direction for looking at the habits of the Astros in the Rule V Drafts since the late 1990's. Really worth a read if you haven't already. And secondly, thanks to Framin' Mike Fast - or at least someone who knows about the November 20 deadline with a google account called "Mike Fast" - for stopping by and answering a question. ZOMG!!! Someone who actually knows about baseball (other than the other 17 learned readers that frequent these web-pages) actually reads this blog. And is good enough to comment after stopping laughing at my crappy, uninformed analysis. Excellent!!
Lets look at what actually happened.
Added to the 40-man were Vincent Velasquez, Ronald Torreyes and - at the 11th hour, according to the previously linked MLBTR page - Michael Feliz.
Subtracted from the 40-man roster were Anthony Bass (I guess we have to disconnect the 534-8455 bullpen phone number now - not that it was either funny, clever or used much) and Josh Zeid. Zeid was subsequently claimed by the Tigers, who, like, really need bullpen help. Given that his sesamoid bones in his foot were playing up all year (ie. he was pitching with an injury) and he has decent velocity, that is probably a great grab for them.
By my count, the 40-man sits at 39 now. Feliz isn't listed on the publicly-listed roster at the time of writing this, which sits at 38. I am guessing that the webpage-update-programmer is asleep in bed, as they should be.
I whiffed on DDS, thinking that he would be added, but as Evan Drellich/Jeff Luhnow elegantly pointed out, it is waaaaay easier to stash a pitcher in the back of the 'pen than short-hand your bench with a guy whose hitting may be questionable. The counter argument would be something along the lines of "gosh, it is a weak FA market at CF this year, lets take a flyer on this guy", whereas the counter-counter argument would be "the Astros already have 5 guys (including Aplin) above DDS on the depth chart who can man an at-least-passable CF". I won't even bother with the counter-counter-counter argument, which would be something about the additional possibility of an infield-gig.
I find this process so interesting - which probably says more about me than the actual process. MLBTR has been frenetic all day. There must be tactics employed by teams - like shoving everyone through on waivers when there are a lot of other transactions in the hope that the teams that are looking to acquire talent may either not realise a valued player is trying to slip through, or that teams have already gorged themselves on talent from other clubs already. There must be counter-intelligence - like "Team A will grab Player B if he is available, so lets add him to the roster, or wait until Team A's 40-man is full". Those subtleties will be lost on the casual observer, but it must be pretty intense for those participating. All because young talent is important, cheap, and hard to get.
I also find it interesting that the Astros have left one spot on the 40-man free - perhaps with a specific target in mind for the Rule V draft, or perhaps looking to get a good waiver-claim in. Or to add Mike Trout in a trade. Time will tell.
My guess is that this process has really tightened up over the last decade - for all teams - because of a huge change in how talent is perceived. Teams can't afford to whiff on players they like anymore. Everyone is looking for an edge, and it is a fine line between success and failure.
Anyhow, the gist of all of this is that Delino DeShields Jr, Jandel Gustave, Roberto Pena, Mitch Lambson (who would have been extensively scouted in Arizona recently) and Danry Vasquez (who is apparently having a good winter season) are all available to be nabbed in the December Rule V draft. All of those guys scream "lottery ticket" to me (perhaps not Lambson, but he is a reliever) and perhaps Johan Santana would have as well. We will find out what the other teams think.
In terms of those definitely staying, Ronald Torreyes seems to have an interesting mix of skills at a very young age, despite doubtful scouting opinions regarding his build and stature, and how it will impact on his power. Vincent Velasquez and Michael Feliz are a couple of good, mid-rotation righties with a chance to be better, so the Astros thought it important to protect them. None of these guys are going anywhere, unless they are outrighted or traded between now and April.
The whole thing is fascinating. Lets see what happens next.
Update: Apparently, Feliz may have been initially left off the 40-man because the extra roster flexibility was needed for a trade, but Evan Drellich appears dubious about this explanation, and wonders whether the FO reassessed its position with an hour to go. Like I said, fascinating!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Tranzactionz: International Edition
Turns out that Kevin Chapman's triumphant return was more short-lived than Wade LeBlanc's Astros career. Less than 24 hours after being promoted, Chapman is back to OKC, as Anthony Bass makes his official return.
Today also marks the beginning of the international signing period, for which the Astros once again have the largest pool to spend - $5,015,400. Jeff Luhnow has promised that Houston will be active, and that's already been true, as Jesse Sanchez reports two signings so far: RHP Franklin Perez and SS Miguelangel Sierra. Each signed for $1 million.
Perez, 16, is a 6'0", 180 lb. pitcher from Maracay, Venezuela. MLB.com has him ranked #21 in their top 30 international free agents this year; Baseball America ranks him #15. Sierra, also 16, is a 6'0", 160 lb. right-handed hitter from Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela. MLB.com ranks him #23 in their top 30, while Baseball America has him #19. You can read their profiles and watch video on MLB.com over here, and on Baseball America over here.
UPDATE: Sanchez now reports that Houston has also signed C Brandon Benavente from Venezuela for $250,000, and they are aiming to ink MLB.com #20/BA #25 prospect OF Ronny Rafael from the Dominican Republic.
Today also marks the beginning of the international signing period, for which the Astros once again have the largest pool to spend - $5,015,400. Jeff Luhnow has promised that Houston will be active, and that's already been true, as Jesse Sanchez reports two signings so far: RHP Franklin Perez and SS Miguelangel Sierra. Each signed for $1 million.
Perez, 16, is a 6'0", 180 lb. pitcher from Maracay, Venezuela. MLB.com has him ranked #21 in their top 30 international free agents this year; Baseball America ranks him #15. Sierra, also 16, is a 6'0", 160 lb. right-handed hitter from Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela. MLB.com ranks him #23 in their top 30, while Baseball America has him #19. You can read their profiles and watch video on MLB.com over here, and on Baseball America over here.
UPDATE: Sanchez now reports that Houston has also signed C Brandon Benavente from Venezuela for $250,000, and they are aiming to ink MLB.com #20/BA #25 prospect OF Ronny Rafael from the Dominican Republic.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Moar Tranzactionz!
Our fearless Masked Marvel was correct in one prediction, that Enrique Hernandez is being promoted from OKC to take Jonathan Villar's spot. But joining him on the flight to Houston will be LHP Kevin Chapman, and the biggest surprise: 21-year-old outfielder Domingo Santana.
Hernandez, 22, is a righty-hitting super-utility guy who will be making his first trip to the big leagues. This season for the RedHawks, he's been hitting a robust .337/.380/.508, with 8 HR and 31 RBI in 264 AB. He has played all four infield positions and all three outfield positions for OKC this year, but he's spent the majority of his time in the minors at 2B (357 games total), followed by SS (46 games) and LF (40 games). He was the Astros' 6th-round draft pick in 2009 out of American Military Academy in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Chapman, 26, we know from his 3.2 IP of 12.27 ERA with Houston back in April this year, following a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 IP last August/September. But he's been pretty darn solid since the Astros sent him down after April 16, to the tune of a 0.94 ERA in 28.2 IP, with 37:21 K:BB, good for a sweet 11.6 K/9, and a less sweet 6.6 BB/9.
Santana is a surprise because Jeff Luhnow said two days ago that he "still has some developing in Triple A." But he is Houston's #7 prospect, according to MLB.com, and he's acquitted himself quite nicely at OKC so far, putting up a .304/.383/.502 slash line with 13 HR and 52 RBI in 319 AB, while only 5.7 years below the league average age (!). The strikeouts are a problem - 99 this year, and 714 in 2079 Minor League AB, good for a 34.3% career K rate - but Astros fans really ought to be used to that by now. Santana, of course, is the last remaining piece of the 2011 Hunter Pence trade to reach the majors, alongside fellow current Astros Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and Jonathan Singleton. So we can conclude from this that Ruben Amaro, Jr. was clearly responsible for the Ground Control hack (with some Ed Wade assistance), and this is Luhnow exacting revenge by making Amaro cry in his oatmeal again.
So Anthony Bass replaces Jerome Williams (as expected), and Hernandez replaces Villar. But no word yet on corresponding moves for Chapman or Santana. With Dexter Fowler already having missed the last four games due to back issues, Santana's rushed promotion could be a sign that Fowler is DL-bound. Chapman could be replacing most anybody, though possibly Dallas Keuchel is also DL-bound and Brett Oberholtzer is still around to take Keuchel's rotation spot. We shall see.
UPDATE: The Astros have made the promotions official, as well as placing Fowler on the DL. No official word on Anthony Bass yet, interestingly, though he also just said he's back in Houston. So for now it's just Hernandez/Santana/Chapman in, and Williams/Villar/Fowler out.
UPDATE #2: Evan Drellich says Bass is still "a day or two away."
Hernandez, 22, is a righty-hitting super-utility guy who will be making his first trip to the big leagues. This season for the RedHawks, he's been hitting a robust .337/.380/.508, with 8 HR and 31 RBI in 264 AB. He has played all four infield positions and all three outfield positions for OKC this year, but he's spent the majority of his time in the minors at 2B (357 games total), followed by SS (46 games) and LF (40 games). He was the Astros' 6th-round draft pick in 2009 out of American Military Academy in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Chapman, 26, we know from his 3.2 IP of 12.27 ERA with Houston back in April this year, following a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 IP last August/September. But he's been pretty darn solid since the Astros sent him down after April 16, to the tune of a 0.94 ERA in 28.2 IP, with 37:21 K:BB, good for a sweet 11.6 K/9, and a less sweet 6.6 BB/9.
Santana is a surprise because Jeff Luhnow said two days ago that he "still has some developing in Triple A." But he is Houston's #7 prospect, according to MLB.com, and he's acquitted himself quite nicely at OKC so far, putting up a .304/.383/.502 slash line with 13 HR and 52 RBI in 319 AB, while only 5.7 years below the league average age (!). The strikeouts are a problem - 99 this year, and 714 in 2079 Minor League AB, good for a 34.3% career K rate - but Astros fans really ought to be used to that by now. Santana, of course, is the last remaining piece of the 2011 Hunter Pence trade to reach the majors, alongside fellow current Astros Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and Jonathan Singleton. So we can conclude from this that Ruben Amaro, Jr. was clearly responsible for the Ground Control hack (with some Ed Wade assistance), and this is Luhnow exacting revenge by making Amaro cry in his oatmeal again.
So Anthony Bass replaces Jerome Williams (as expected), and Hernandez replaces Villar. But no word yet on corresponding moves for Chapman or Santana. With Dexter Fowler already having missed the last four games due to back issues, Santana's rushed promotion could be a sign that Fowler is DL-bound. Chapman could be replacing most anybody, though possibly Dallas Keuchel is also DL-bound and Brett Oberholtzer is still around to take Keuchel's rotation spot. We shall see.
UPDATE: The Astros have made the promotions official, as well as placing Fowler on the DL. No official word on Anthony Bass yet, interestingly, though he also just said he's back in Houston. So for now it's just Hernandez/Santana/Chapman in, and Williams/Villar/Fowler out.
UPDATE #2: Evan Drellich says Bass is still "a day or two away."
Transactionz! (Two of them)
Two largely unsurprising transactions tonight.
Jerome Williams was DFA'd. A number of people around the team have commented that he treated people very well, and was generally a pleasure to be around. Evan Dellich on Twitter:
However, 5.91 ERA through 45-and-two-thirds wasn't getting it done, so he is gone, possibly to Oklahoma, but they have plenty of pitching there.
And Jerome Williams:
Jonathan Villar has been optioned back to OKC as well. I was really impressed with Villar early in the season, but he seems to have lost concentration on defence over the last few months, and his woes at the plate are well documented (batting averages by month, March -> June: .241, .156, .200; extra-base hits by month: 11, 4, 3).
No word on the corresponding move yet. Anthony Bass will take one of the slots. My pick is that the Astros will showcase Marwin Gonzalez for a trade, and Enrique Hernandez will get his feet wet as a utility guy. However, I have been wrong before, and it will probably happen again.
Stay tuned.
Jerome Williams was DFA'd. A number of people around the team have commented that he treated people very well, and was generally a pleasure to be around. Evan Dellich on Twitter:
"Jerome Williams was a treat to be around. Performance is performance, but he treats people extraordinarily well."
However, 5.91 ERA through 45-and-two-thirds wasn't getting it done, so he is gone, possibly to Oklahoma, but they have plenty of pitching there.
And Jerome Williams:
"Just wanna say good luck to all of the guys on the @astros was a pleasure playing with you guys. Front office and coaching staff, good luck."
Jonathan Villar has been optioned back to OKC as well. I was really impressed with Villar early in the season, but he seems to have lost concentration on defence over the last few months, and his woes at the plate are well documented (batting averages by month, March -> June: .241, .156, .200; extra-base hits by month: 11, 4, 3).
No word on the corresponding move yet. Anthony Bass will take one of the slots. My pick is that the Astros will showcase Marwin Gonzalez for a trade, and Enrique Hernandez will get his feet wet as a utility guy. However, I have been wrong before, and it will probably happen again.
Stay tuned.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday Morning Hot Links
*Last night's last-second, turn-three-points-into-one-point USMNT match with Portugal has me the most Sports Depressed since this.
*Annual reminder of why we have an Electoral College: Jose Altuve is 4th in All-Star voting.
*Matt Albers will throw bullpen sessions at Minute Maid this week.
*Anthony Bass' rehab outing at Quad Cities was delayed by rain. Also, QC's Chan Moon was promoted to Lancaster to replace Carlos Correa.
*"It's difficult to imagine what the Astros were thinking when they let (J.D. Martinez) go..."
*Jake Cosart - brother of Jarred Cosart - signed a below-slot deal with the Red Sox.
*Annual reminder of why we have an Electoral College: Jose Altuve is 4th in All-Star voting.
*Matt Albers will throw bullpen sessions at Minute Maid this week.
*Anthony Bass' rehab outing at Quad Cities was delayed by rain. Also, QC's Chan Moon was promoted to Lancaster to replace Carlos Correa.
*"It's difficult to imagine what the Astros were thinking when they let (J.D. Martinez) go..."
*Jake Cosart - brother of Jarred Cosart - signed a below-slot deal with the Red Sox.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Wednesday Morning Hot Links
While we try to figure out what to write next, Czech out these lynx:
*#AstrosCatfish.
*Bo Porter is still pissed about the 2012 NLDS, and sees similarities between that Nationals team and the 2014 Astros.
*Grantland, and SI, on George Springer
*Anthony Bass is close to going on a rehab assignment, Jose Veras threw a bullpen session in Kissimmee, and a cable provider is looking to drop CSN Houston.
*Here is a fantastic article on how Brent Strom overhauled Shane Reynolds...in Venezuela in 1991.
*There will soon be more security measures in place at Minute Maid Park.
*Here is a newspaper that thinks David Carpenter still pitches for the Astros.
*Former Astro Carlos Pena signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers.
*Rough week in baseball. Here is a touching tribute to Richard Durrett. Rest in Peace, and pray for his family and friends.
*#AstrosCatfish.
*Bo Porter is still pissed about the 2012 NLDS, and sees similarities between that Nationals team and the 2014 Astros.
*Grantland, and SI, on George Springer
*Anthony Bass is close to going on a rehab assignment, Jose Veras threw a bullpen session in Kissimmee, and a cable provider is looking to drop CSN Houston.
*Here is a fantastic article on how Brent Strom overhauled Shane Reynolds...in Venezuela in 1991.
*There will soon be more security measures in place at Minute Maid Park.
*Here is a newspaper that thinks David Carpenter still pitches for the Astros.
*Former Astro Carlos Pena signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers.
*Rough week in baseball. Here is a touching tribute to Richard Durrett. Rest in Peace, and pray for his family and friends.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Tuesday Morning Hot Links
#win your #watercooler #and #rovell your #rovell
*The Astros enlarged the classic Craig Bjornson Spring Training photo and brought it to Arizona.
*Dallas Keuchel has thought about being an All-Star, does not think about WAR.
*Meat Wagon Update: George Springer tweaked his knee, while the Astros hope to get Matt Albers and Anthony Bass back before the All-Star Break.
*Keith Law has an (Insider-only) recap up of all AL drafts. Law refers to Brady Aiken as "the Clayton Kershaw starter kit."
*BP says 5th Round pick Jacob Nix "showed positive indicators of future growth last summer and followed it up with tangible steps this spring that showed progress towards his high upside projection."
*37th overall pick Derek Fisher and the Virginia Cavaliers are headed to Omaha.
*6th Round pick Brock Dykxhoorn only started playing baseball to stay in shape for hockey.
*17th Round pick Ben Smith was one of Baseball America's Top 51 college players - he had Tommy John surgery this spring.
*The Astros enlarged the classic Craig Bjornson Spring Training photo and brought it to Arizona.
*Dallas Keuchel has thought about being an All-Star, does not think about WAR.
*Meat Wagon Update: George Springer tweaked his knee, while the Astros hope to get Matt Albers and Anthony Bass back before the All-Star Break.
*Keith Law has an (Insider-only) recap up of all AL drafts. Law refers to Brady Aiken as "the Clayton Kershaw starter kit."
*BP says 5th Round pick Jacob Nix "showed positive indicators of future growth last summer and followed it up with tangible steps this spring that showed progress towards his high upside projection."
*37th overall pick Derek Fisher and the Virginia Cavaliers are headed to Omaha.
*6th Round pick Brock Dykxhoorn only started playing baseball to stay in shape for hockey.
*17th Round pick Ben Smith was one of Baseball America's Top 51 college players - he had Tommy John surgery this spring.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Bass to DL; Fields back up
So the Astros have placed Anthony Bass on the DL with a right intercostal strain and recalled Josh Fields from OKC.
Let's take a look at the bullpen on Opening Day, shall we:
Matt Albers
Anthony Bass
Kevin Chapman
Josh Fields
Brad Peacock
Chad Qualls
Jerome Williams
Albers is on the DL. Bass is now on the DL. Chapman has been sent down. Fields is now back after having as bad a two-week spell as a reliever can have. Peacock is in the rotation now because Harrell was DFA'ed. Qualls and Williams are the two stalwarts of the bullpen after 40 games. Impressive, huh?
Let's take a look at the bullpen on Opening Day, shall we:
Matt Albers
Anthony Bass
Kevin Chapman
Josh Fields
Brad Peacock
Chad Qualls
Jerome Williams
Albers is on the DL. Bass is now on the DL. Chapman has been sent down. Fields is now back after having as bad a two-week spell as a reliever can have. Peacock is in the rotation now because Harrell was DFA'ed. Qualls and Williams are the two stalwarts of the bullpen after 40 games. Impressive, huh?
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The GoatPen in one image
Want to know why the bullpen is the worst in baseball? Here are the four relievers with the most innings pitched so far this year:
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
From the Office of the County Clerk - G21: Astros @ Mariners
Collin McHugh (0-0, 0.00; Career: 0-8, 5.86) v Erasmo Ramirez (1-2, 7.50)
Boom Boom!! The Astros dip into their lucky-pitcher-grab-bag and draw a winner. Collin McHugh, blogger extraordinaire deservedly gets his first major-league win by throwing 6 2/3 scoreless. Second 2-game win streak of the year! To the recap!!
On the Mound
* Collin McHugh is the story of the night, with an equally efficient and nasty performance. In 89 pitches, he managed 6 2/3 innings, with an impressive 12 strikeouts, no walks and 3 hits. Mr McHugh is the new game-score season-record holder (80), threw 61 strikes, and kept the ball on the ground 50% of the time. He was helped by Alex Presley twice in the 2nd, who gunned down a gimpy Corey Hart at second for the first out, and then ran down a fly ball into the left field corner for the third out. He was also helped by Jason Castro in the 5th, with a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play to end the inning.
But the story was really the strikeouts. Nasty, nasty strikeouts. From Gameday, he was hitting both sides of the plate, and hitting the strike zone down with both breaking balls (slider to RHB, curve to LHB).
He started by striking out the side in the first: 88mph cutter to Almonte, swinging; 92mph 4 seamer to Ackley, looking; 93mph 2-seamer to Cano, up and away, swinging. He also struck out the side in the third: 86mph cutter to Saunders, swinging; 93mph 4 seamer to Zunino, swinging; 93mph 2 seamer on Miller, swinging. More nasty on Ackley in the 4th - foul tip on an 87mph cutter, then Seager on a 73mph curve to end the fourth. In the fifth, Zunino on a well-placed 84mph slider, with Castro also making a great play to throw a strike to 2nd. First strikeout looking in the 6th (Almonte, looking at an 86mph cutter), and poor Ackley again (6K's in the series so far) swinging on a 74mph curve to end the 6th. His last strikeout was on the 240-million-dollar-man, Robinson Cano, on a 73mph curve, chasing down and away.
* Raul Valdes came in with two outs in the 7th, and may have been thinking that Collin McHugh's fingernails were a little too long. He promptly walked Kyle Seagar, then gave up a long home run to LF over the visitors bullpen to Justin Smoak. That reduced the lead to two, and put the Mariners back in the game. Put some tension back into the contest as well, likely making Collin a little nervous.
* But Anthony Bass came in, ended the 7th on one pitch, then worked around a one-out double in a scoreless eighth. Quietly having a nice season - now sporting a 2.45 ERA and 3.04 FIP.
* Josh Fields earned his second save in as many nights by striking out Robinson Cano on a full count, and retiring Corey Hart on a line drive to centre, and Kyle Seager on a soft grounder. He now sports an ERA of 2.00, FIP of 1.93
* Astros right-handed pitchers combined for 14 K's, adding to the 14 from last night. Astros left-handed pitchers: walked one.
At the Plate
* Most of the damage happened early. Jose Altuve flew out on the first pitch, Dexter Fowler walked on a full count, then Jason Castro drilled an 0-2 elevated fastball the opposite way, just over the LF wall, for a two run homer (his fourth). Fowler ended the night 1-4, BB, 1R, 2 LOBsters, whereas Castro went 2-4, BB, HR, 2 RBI.
* Next inning, Chris Carter banged a hanging slider down the left field line into the upper deck for an 0-2 one out home run. He finished 2-4, 2 RBI, K, after also being the architect of a bases loaded, one-out single to CF in the 8th.
(Credit to Erasmo Ramirez at this point. He managed 6 innings total, managing to sort out his early issues with a flat-breaking ball. He saved a pretty exhausted 'pen for the Mariners. Kudos.)
* Matt Dominguez was back at 3rd base, and hit home run to right CF (his fourth) that kept cutting away from Abraham Almonte in the 7th. He finished 1-4, HR but 4 LOB. Still, trending in the right direction.
* Alex Presley, 2-4, had a nice night offensively and defensively (with the abovementioned outfield assist and running warning-track grab).
* Altuve 0-4, BB; Springer 0-4, BB, 3K; Krauss 0-3, 3K... 'nuff said.
Turning Point
Erasmo Ramirez's inability to bury an 0-2 slider to Chris Carter (does he not know about his more mild-mannered alter-ego, Kris Karter??) led to a lead the Astros would never relinquish. This resulted in one of those impressive HR swings that Carter seems to bust out 50-odd times per season (I imagine that some of them go foul). He barely looks like he is swinging, yet the ball fangs off his bat like it was launched from a cannon. Then Carter nonchalantly waltzes around the bases with a kind of relaxed, neutral expression on his face. We saw it a bit in 2013. Only seen it once in 2014 - very seductive power.
Carter's HR landed up where Zunino's long strike landed last night, which got some recognition in the blogosphere for it's distance. To wit:
"Zunino just absolutely destroyed a ball that went foul that may have been fair that was challenged and found to be foul after all, possibly. Most watching said it was probably the farthest hit ball to that part of Safeco they had seen."
Well, Carter just hit one there as well. And it looked easy.
Man of the Match
Twelve filthy K's (presented above in detail), first ML win, subbing in at short notice for an injured ace... Collin McHugh busted out a great, slightly unexpected performance. Plaudits.
Goat of the Game.
The RHP's were great. Not so much the LHP. Would have been nice to (i) issue no walks as a team and (ii) shut the evil Mariners out. Raul Valdes has had a rough start to the 2014 ML season.
Please note for those of you out of the MLB.tv blackout zone tomorrow and with a decent inter-web connection, Astros (& brooms) v Mariners, 3:40 ET, Game of the Day.
Boom Boom!! The Astros dip into their lucky-pitcher-grab-bag and draw a winner. Collin McHugh, blogger extraordinaire deservedly gets his first major-league win by throwing 6 2/3 scoreless. Second 2-game win streak of the year! To the recap!!
On the Mound
* Collin McHugh is the story of the night, with an equally efficient and nasty performance. In 89 pitches, he managed 6 2/3 innings, with an impressive 12 strikeouts, no walks and 3 hits. Mr McHugh is the new game-score season-record holder (80), threw 61 strikes, and kept the ball on the ground 50% of the time. He was helped by Alex Presley twice in the 2nd, who gunned down a gimpy Corey Hart at second for the first out, and then ran down a fly ball into the left field corner for the third out. He was also helped by Jason Castro in the 5th, with a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play to end the inning.
But the story was really the strikeouts. Nasty, nasty strikeouts. From Gameday, he was hitting both sides of the plate, and hitting the strike zone down with both breaking balls (slider to RHB, curve to LHB).
He started by striking out the side in the first: 88mph cutter to Almonte, swinging; 92mph 4 seamer to Ackley, looking; 93mph 2-seamer to Cano, up and away, swinging. He also struck out the side in the third: 86mph cutter to Saunders, swinging; 93mph 4 seamer to Zunino, swinging; 93mph 2 seamer on Miller, swinging. More nasty on Ackley in the 4th - foul tip on an 87mph cutter, then Seager on a 73mph curve to end the fourth. In the fifth, Zunino on a well-placed 84mph slider, with Castro also making a great play to throw a strike to 2nd. First strikeout looking in the 6th (Almonte, looking at an 86mph cutter), and poor Ackley again (6K's in the series so far) swinging on a 74mph curve to end the 6th. His last strikeout was on the 240-million-dollar-man, Robinson Cano, on a 73mph curve, chasing down and away.
* Raul Valdes came in with two outs in the 7th, and may have been thinking that Collin McHugh's fingernails were a little too long. He promptly walked Kyle Seagar, then gave up a long home run to LF over the visitors bullpen to Justin Smoak. That reduced the lead to two, and put the Mariners back in the game. Put some tension back into the contest as well, likely making Collin a little nervous.
* But Anthony Bass came in, ended the 7th on one pitch, then worked around a one-out double in a scoreless eighth. Quietly having a nice season - now sporting a 2.45 ERA and 3.04 FIP.
* Josh Fields earned his second save in as many nights by striking out Robinson Cano on a full count, and retiring Corey Hart on a line drive to centre, and Kyle Seager on a soft grounder. He now sports an ERA of 2.00, FIP of 1.93
* Astros right-handed pitchers combined for 14 K's, adding to the 14 from last night. Astros left-handed pitchers: walked one.
At the Plate
* Most of the damage happened early. Jose Altuve flew out on the first pitch, Dexter Fowler walked on a full count, then Jason Castro drilled an 0-2 elevated fastball the opposite way, just over the LF wall, for a two run homer (his fourth). Fowler ended the night 1-4, BB, 1R, 2 LOBsters, whereas Castro went 2-4, BB, HR, 2 RBI.
* Next inning, Chris Carter banged a hanging slider down the left field line into the upper deck for an 0-2 one out home run. He finished 2-4, 2 RBI, K, after also being the architect of a bases loaded, one-out single to CF in the 8th.
(Credit to Erasmo Ramirez at this point. He managed 6 innings total, managing to sort out his early issues with a flat-breaking ball. He saved a pretty exhausted 'pen for the Mariners. Kudos.)
* Matt Dominguez was back at 3rd base, and hit home run to right CF (his fourth) that kept cutting away from Abraham Almonte in the 7th. He finished 1-4, HR but 4 LOB. Still, trending in the right direction.
* Alex Presley, 2-4, had a nice night offensively and defensively (with the abovementioned outfield assist and running warning-track grab).
* Altuve 0-4, BB; Springer 0-4, BB, 3K; Krauss 0-3, 3K... 'nuff said.
Turning Point
Erasmo Ramirez's inability to bury an 0-2 slider to Chris Carter (does he not know about his more mild-mannered alter-ego, Kris Karter??) led to a lead the Astros would never relinquish. This resulted in one of those impressive HR swings that Carter seems to bust out 50-odd times per season (I imagine that some of them go foul). He barely looks like he is swinging, yet the ball fangs off his bat like it was launched from a cannon. Then Carter nonchalantly waltzes around the bases with a kind of relaxed, neutral expression on his face. We saw it a bit in 2013. Only seen it once in 2014 - very seductive power.
Carter's HR landed up where Zunino's long strike landed last night, which got some recognition in the blogosphere for it's distance. To wit:
"Zunino just absolutely destroyed a ball that went foul that may have been fair that was challenged and found to be foul after all, possibly. Most watching said it was probably the farthest hit ball to that part of Safeco they had seen."
Well, Carter just hit one there as well. And it looked easy.
Man of the Match
Twelve filthy K's (presented above in detail), first ML win, subbing in at short notice for an injured ace... Collin McHugh busted out a great, slightly unexpected performance. Plaudits.
Goat of the Game.
The RHP's were great. Not so much the LHP. Would have been nice to (i) issue no walks as a team and (ii) shut the evil Mariners out. Raul Valdes has had a rough start to the 2014 ML season.
Please note for those of you out of the MLB.tv blackout zone tomorrow and with a decent inter-web connection, Astros (& brooms) v Mariners, 3:40 ET, Game of the Day.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Winter Meetings Day 4
Your Winter Meetings Day 4 running post!
12:32pm: Rosenthal says the Tigers are signing Joba Chamberlain
12:20pm: The Rangers will offer Choo five years. Boras wants seven years.
12:11pm: The Tigers are in talks with Joba Chamberlain
11:39am: Evan Drellich says that landing Tanaka and/or Choo is not impossible, just not likely.
11:37am: Luhnow tells Evan Drellich that they're not making offers just to make offers.
11:36am: One GM says he thinks Houston is the likely landing spot for Shin-Soo Choo
9:56am: Morse deal is for $6m guaranteed + incentives
9:54am: Jon Heyman says Milwaukee and New York are meeting about Ike Davis and lists Houston among teams still looking for a 1B.
9:49am: Evan Drellich says injuries slowed Ravel Santana down, but "he's a five-tool guy"
9:15am: Morse's contract with San Francisco is for a base salary of $5m with incentives.
9:10am: Meanwhile, in court, the Rockets are taking over from the Astros as lead negotiators in the CSN Houston fiasco. Follow David Barron on Twitter for updates.
9:02am: Rick Ankiel is working out, but hasn't told Boras if he wants to play again. But he Will. Not. Pitch.
8:53am: The Astros made a strong push for Mike Morse, but ultimately Morse wanted to sign with San Francisco.
8:52am: The Astros did indeed send Patrick Schuster to the Padres to cpmplete the Anthony Bass trade.
8:45am: Michael Morse is nearing a deal with the Giants
8:44am: The Astros have "several offers" out to free agents.
8:43am: The Astros finalized the Anthony Bass trade by sending the first Rule 5 pick, Patrick Schuster to the Padres in exchange for cash.
8:39am: Rockies join the Astros in J.P. Howell interest
8:39am: The Cubs trade Brian Bogusevic to Miami for Justin Ruggiano.
8:31am: The Astros select knuckleballer Blaine Sims from Atlanta, who spent 2013 with the Braves' GCL, Low-A, and High-A teams, compiling an 8.44 ERA/2.04 WHIP with 56K:44BB.
8:26am: The Astros selected LHP Carlos Vazquez, from the Mets' Double-A roster.
8:25am: The Rays selected Enderson Franco off the Corpus roster. Franco had a 5.05 ERA/1.47 WHIP for Greeneville last season.
8:24am: Read our post on Ravel Santana.
8:19am: With the first pick in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Astros selected OF Ravel Santana from the Yankees. Santana will not have to be on the 25-Man roster - in minor-league phases, you just pay the draft fee and he's yours.
8:17am: Read our post on Patrick Schuster.
8:11am: The Astros didn't lose anybody in the Major League portion.
8:08am: The Astros passed with their first pick in the 2nd Round.
8:07am: Wait. The Padres just passed in the Rule 5 draft. So maybe Schuster isn't going to San Diego? So much confusion wow. As TCB reminded us, the Bass deal was for a PTBNL or cash. Maybe the Astros keep Schuster and just send fat stacks of nickels over to San Diego.
8:05am: Hooray! The White Sox didn't take Carlos Perez!
8:04am: The Astros select LHP Patrick Schuster from Arizona, and will send him to San Diego.
8:00am: Carlos Perez is an often-talked-about name to get selected in the Rule 5 draft.
The Anthony Bass trade with San Diego yesterday is a trade for the Padres to move up in this morning's Rule 5 draft. The Astros will pick first and send that player to the Padres.
12:32pm: Rosenthal says the Tigers are signing Joba Chamberlain
12:20pm: The Rangers will offer Choo five years. Boras wants seven years.
12:11pm: The Tigers are in talks with Joba Chamberlain
11:39am: Evan Drellich says that landing Tanaka and/or Choo is not impossible, just not likely.
11:37am: Luhnow tells Evan Drellich that they're not making offers just to make offers.
11:36am: One GM says he thinks Houston is the likely landing spot for Shin-Soo Choo
9:56am: Morse deal is for $6m guaranteed + incentives
9:54am: Jon Heyman says Milwaukee and New York are meeting about Ike Davis and lists Houston among teams still looking for a 1B.
9:49am: Evan Drellich says injuries slowed Ravel Santana down, but "he's a five-tool guy"
9:15am: Morse's contract with San Francisco is for a base salary of $5m with incentives.
9:10am: Meanwhile, in court, the Rockets are taking over from the Astros as lead negotiators in the CSN Houston fiasco. Follow David Barron on Twitter for updates.
9:02am: Rick Ankiel is working out, but hasn't told Boras if he wants to play again. But he Will. Not. Pitch.
8:53am: The Astros made a strong push for Mike Morse, but ultimately Morse wanted to sign with San Francisco.
8:52am: The Astros did indeed send Patrick Schuster to the Padres to cpmplete the Anthony Bass trade.
8:45am: Michael Morse is nearing a deal with the Giants
8:44am: The Astros have "several offers" out to free agents.
8:43am: The Astros finalized the Anthony Bass trade by sending the first Rule 5 pick, Patrick Schuster to the Padres in exchange for cash.
8:39am: Rockies join the Astros in J.P. Howell interest
8:39am: The Cubs trade Brian Bogusevic to Miami for Justin Ruggiano.
8:31am: The Astros select knuckleballer Blaine Sims from Atlanta, who spent 2013 with the Braves' GCL, Low-A, and High-A teams, compiling an 8.44 ERA/2.04 WHIP with 56K:44BB.
8:26am: The Astros selected LHP Carlos Vazquez, from the Mets' Double-A roster.
8:25am: The Rays selected Enderson Franco off the Corpus roster. Franco had a 5.05 ERA/1.47 WHIP for Greeneville last season.
8:24am: Read our post on Ravel Santana.
8:19am: With the first pick in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Astros selected OF Ravel Santana from the Yankees. Santana will not have to be on the 25-Man roster - in minor-league phases, you just pay the draft fee and he's yours.
8:17am: Read our post on Patrick Schuster.
8:11am: The Astros didn't lose anybody in the Major League portion.
8:08am: The Astros passed with their first pick in the 2nd Round.
8:07am: Wait. The Padres just passed in the Rule 5 draft. So maybe Schuster isn't going to San Diego? So much confusion wow. As TCB reminded us, the Bass deal was for a PTBNL or cash. Maybe the Astros keep Schuster and just send fat stacks of nickels over to San Diego.
8:05am: Hooray! The White Sox didn't take Carlos Perez!
8:04am: The Astros select LHP Patrick Schuster from Arizona, and will send him to San Diego.
8:00am: Carlos Perez is an often-talked-about name to get selected in the Rule 5 draft.
The Anthony Bass trade with San Diego yesterday is a trade for the Padres to move up in this morning's Rule 5 draft. The Astros will pick first and send that player to the Padres.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Astros Acquire Anthony Bass and a PTBNL for a PTBNL
The Astros pulled off a mini trade today, getting Anthony Bass and a PTBNL for a PTBNL. Bass was used primarily as a starter in 2012 and in the minors, but was exclusively a reliever for the Padres in 2013. His numbers are not exactly exciting. He had a 5.36 ERA with a 4.24 FIP. But, he is young, has a good fastball, and we got for essentially nothing, right? Anthony Bass + PTNBL - PTNBL = Anthony Bass. I think I have that math right.
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