So late Thursday night the Astros traded Peyton Battenfield and Cal Stevenson to Tampa Bay for RHP Austin Pruitt.
Pruitt, 30, was born in The Woodlands (aka Fenway/Yankee Stadium Southwest) and went to the University of Houston. In 199.2IP for Tampa from 2017-19, Pruitt has allowed 222H/108ER, with 147K:50BB, for a 4.87 ERA / 1.36 WHIP. Is it impressive? No. Is it projectable? Sure.
Peyton Battenfield was the Astros' 9th Round pick in 2019. At Tri-City this season Battenfield threw 39.1IP, 23H/7ER, 46K:15BB (1.60 ERA / 0.97 WHIP). He'll be 23 next August.
Cal Stevenson was acquired by the Astros on July 31, 2019 in the trade that brought Joe Biagini and Aaron Sanchez from Toronto for Derek Fisher. Aaron "Not The Guy From Chopped" Sanchez threw the first 2/3 of a no-hitter and was never heard from again, and Biagini was funny and was also never heard from again. This closes the book on the Derek Fisher trade. Long may it remain in our collective amnesia.
Austin Pruitt, whose first name I have initially typed as "Jeremy" on no fewer than three occasions already in this post, is out of options. So, as McTaggart notes, he will either make the back end of the rotation, or he will go to the bullpen. Luhnow:
We're going to give him a chance to compete. He's started in his Major League career, so he's capable. He's got two different breaking balls, a good fastball and really good command, which means he should be able to get through some innings.
Tags also notes the spin-rate on Pruitt's curveball, which ranks 9th in MLB. Keep in mind Pruitt is also coming over from Tampa, who is really good at this sort of thing, and not the trash-ass Pirates, who didn't know how to use Gerrit F. Cole. That said, he only threw his curve 13% of the time in 2019. That's probably going to go up.
Dean Deetz was DFA'd to make room on the 40-Man Roster.
*The Astros avoided arbitration with Carlos Correa, who signed for 2020 for $8m. They also avoided arbitration with Chris Devenski, who will make $2m in 2020. At the time of writing, there's no word regarding the arbitration cases of George Springer, Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock, and Aledmys Diaz.
*Alex Bregman is MLB.com's pick to still be an Astro in 2030.
*FanFest isSaturday, January 18. And Altuve, Bregman, Yordan, Kyle Tucker, Forrest Whitley, Aledmys Diaz, and others are scheduled to attend.
*FanGraphs' Craig Edwards: How winning and financial power affect free agent spending.
*125 Essential Movies according to Martin Scorsese.
*Charles Pierce: Parchman State Prison is like the vestibule of hell. It's not alone in Mississippi.
*Smithsonian Magazine: The Charlatan of the Ozarks still looms over the haunted Crescent Hotel.
*Medium: I body-hacked for 10 weeks to try to live forever.
*A Musical Selection:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Cal Stevenson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cal Stevenson. Show all posts
Friday, January 10, 2020
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Wrapping up a crazy 2019 Astros MLB Trade Deadline
What looked to be the dullest trade deadline in recent memory...
Turned out to be one of the most exciting in Astros history. I don't believe we've seen a crazier trade deadline for the Astros. You can read up on all the acquisitions and how the rosters look. There's even a post up on payroll outlook. Things are looking pretty good for 2019.
The Astros have quite possibly the most formidable rotations in the league. Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke are future hall of famers. Gerrit Cole is on his way. Wade Miley is a nice Dallas Keuchel replacement. (Charlie Morton, who?) Whoever slides into the fifth spot will be moved to the bullpen for the playoffs. Which begs the question, "Who is the Astros fifth starter?"
Aaron Sanchez is a candidate. So is, Brad Peacock, when he comes back. Jose Urquidy is likely getting sent back to Triple A after tonight's start (he was just pulled as I was typing this). My bet is Sanchez will slide into the fifth spot for the time being. Depending on how well he does, Peacock will either slide back into the rotation or move to the bullpen. He was, after all, quite dominate in the 2017 World Series coming out of the bullpen. Sanchez will also likely slide into the bullpen for the playoffs. Again, depending on how well he does over the remaining two months of the season.
Martin Maldonado will replace Max Stassi, who was sent to the Los Angeles Angels for two low level prospects. Stassi is one of my favorite players in baseball, because he created a baseball moment I'll never forget and forever appreciate. While at Spring Training in 2015, he took time during one of his catching defensive drill breaks to come over and hand my daughter a ball. Not throw her a ball or ask her to come to dugout. He came over and handed her a ball.
I've rooted for him ever since and will continue to do so even if he's not an Astros. Max Stassi is a saint.
Back to Maldonado. He's the new Jed Lowrie for Jeff Luhnow. After failing to reach an agreement over the winter. The Astros found themselves with an opportunity to re-acquire Maldonado after failing to do so from Kansas City. He provides a small offensive upgrade will keeping the same defensive and receiving skills of Stassi. All this at the cost of a recently DFA Tony Kemp. Which we'll get to in a minute.
How amazing is it that Luhnow in the span of week was able to trade three players either DFA or soon to be DFA. Luhnow found suitors for Tyler White, Tony Kemp, and Max Stassi and got something in return. I have never seen that before and it speaks to the depth of the Astros organization. It's not every day DFA players get traded. Two went to contenders that are very likely to make the playoffs. One went to six games out of a wild card spot. Welcome to the Golden Age of Astros baseball.
Tony Kemp. I'm going to miss him. A lot of people are going to miss him. He's provided us with some great memories both on and off the field. He has set the standard for what a hug should be. I wish him the best and look forward to checking in on Cubs games every once and a while.
Lost in all the acquisitions is Joe Biagini (I had to triple check the spelling of his last name). I love this guy immediately because of this tweet.
He looks fun. And more importantly you always have to wonder what Luhnow and Brent Strom are up to when they acquire a pitcher with a 3.86 ERA and a 4.45 FIP and a really good curve that he's only throwing 7% of the time. This on top of Cal Stevenson and the already mentioned Sanchez for Derek Fisher. As Astros County put it, "Derek Fisher. That's it. Seriously. I looked. I looked for a long time."
I had meetings right at the deadline, so I missed the frantic hour after the trade deadline when deals were being reported left and right. I took the next hour to catch up and then drove home with the radio blasting Taylor Swift's new songs ME! and Calm Down (I hope I don't get fired for linking Taylor Swift on this blog. WORTH IT!).
It's been an exciting day. Take it all in, because I don't think this happens again for a long time.
We just witnessed the dullest trade deadline in ages.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2019
Turned out to be one of the most exciting in Astros history. I don't believe we've seen a crazier trade deadline for the Astros. You can read up on all the acquisitions and how the rosters look. There's even a post up on payroll outlook. Things are looking pretty good for 2019.
The Astros have quite possibly the most formidable rotations in the league. Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke are future hall of famers. Gerrit Cole is on his way. Wade Miley is a nice Dallas Keuchel replacement. (Charlie Morton, who?) Whoever slides into the fifth spot will be moved to the bullpen for the playoffs. Which begs the question, "Who is the Astros fifth starter?"
Aaron Sanchez is a candidate. So is, Brad Peacock, when he comes back. Jose Urquidy is likely getting sent back to Triple A after tonight's start (he was just pulled as I was typing this). My bet is Sanchez will slide into the fifth spot for the time being. Depending on how well he does, Peacock will either slide back into the rotation or move to the bullpen. He was, after all, quite dominate in the 2017 World Series coming out of the bullpen. Sanchez will also likely slide into the bullpen for the playoffs. Again, depending on how well he does over the remaining two months of the season.
Martin Maldonado will replace Max Stassi, who was sent to the Los Angeles Angels for two low level prospects. Stassi is one of my favorite players in baseball, because he created a baseball moment I'll never forget and forever appreciate. While at Spring Training in 2015, he took time during one of his catching defensive drill breaks to come over and hand my daughter a ball. Not throw her a ball or ask her to come to dugout. He came over and handed her a ball.
Back to Maldonado. He's the new Jed Lowrie for Jeff Luhnow. After failing to reach an agreement over the winter. The Astros found themselves with an opportunity to re-acquire Maldonado after failing to do so from Kansas City. He provides a small offensive upgrade will keeping the same defensive and receiving skills of Stassi. All this at the cost of a recently DFA Tony Kemp. Which we'll get to in a minute.
How amazing is it that Luhnow in the span of week was able to trade three players either DFA or soon to be DFA. Luhnow found suitors for Tyler White, Tony Kemp, and Max Stassi and got something in return. I have never seen that before and it speaks to the depth of the Astros organization. It's not every day DFA players get traded. Two went to contenders that are very likely to make the playoffs. One went to six games out of a wild card spot. Welcome to the Golden Age of Astros baseball.
Tony Kemp. I'm going to miss him. A lot of people are going to miss him. He's provided us with some great memories both on and off the field. He has set the standard for what a hug should be. I wish him the best and look forward to checking in on Cubs games every once and a while.
Lost in all the acquisitions is Joe Biagini (I had to triple check the spelling of his last name). I love this guy immediately because of this tweet.
We’ll miss you, Joe Biagini. Here’s a few of the lighter moments he brought us. pic.twitter.com/KoM8fAPhgh— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) July 31, 2019
He looks fun. And more importantly you always have to wonder what Luhnow and Brent Strom are up to when they acquire a pitcher with a 3.86 ERA and a 4.45 FIP and a really good curve that he's only throwing 7% of the time. This on top of Cal Stevenson and the already mentioned Sanchez for Derek Fisher. As Astros County put it, "Derek Fisher. That's it. Seriously. I looked. I looked for a long time."
I had meetings right at the deadline, so I missed the frantic hour after the trade deadline when deals were being reported left and right. I took the next hour to catch up and then drove home with the radio blasting Taylor Swift's new songs ME! and Calm Down (I hope I don't get fired for linking Taylor Swift on this blog. WORTH IT!).
It's been an exciting day. Take it all in, because I don't think this happens again for a long time.
Wait.
The Astros blew up the Trade Deadline after the 3pm Deadline acquiring Cal Stevenson, Joe Biagini, Aaron Sanchez, and - holy crap - Zack Greinke. And that's after re-acquiring Martin Maldonado earlier in the day.
The Return
Martin Maldonado.
You know Machete.
Joe Biagini
Looks like a Strom Special.
Biagini - a 29-year old reliever - won't be a free agent until 2023. In 50IP in 2019, he has allowed 50H/21ER, 50K:17BB, 3.78 ERA / 3.80 xFIP. He has an 81% LOB rate this season, AND his HR/9 rate has declined from 2018 to 2019.
Aaron Sanchez
Sanchez - a 27-year old righty starter - has had some, uh, issues this year, but he looks like another project for the analytics team and Strom. Sanchez is 3-14 with a 6.07 ERA belied by a 5.04 FIP and a 5.09 xFIP. In 112.1IP he has allowed 131H/76ER, with 99K:59BB. The Astros have likely seen something fixable in all of that. He won't be a free agent until 2021.
Sanchez also has three options remaining, so maybe the Astros don't bring him up immediately and instead send him to Triple-A.
Cal Stevenson
Stevenson - a 22-year old lefty-hitting outfielder - is hitting .298/.388/.393 in High-A. He was the Blue Jays' 10th Round pick in 2018, so this is just his second professional season, and his first full pro season, in baseball.
Rainier Rivas
The Astros get 18-year old Rainier Rivas from the Angels for Max Stassi, made expendable by the arrival of Martin Maldonado. Rivas was hitting .400/.512/.543 in the DSL and has come to the States in the Arizona League, where he's hitting .260/.309/.440. He's an 18-year old 6'3" 220lb lefty-hitting outfielder. That's crazy.
Raider Uceta
Uceta is the other piece in the Stassi trade. Also 18, also a lefty, Uceta has spent all of 2019 in the Arizona League, where he's hitting .278/.341/.373
Zack Greinke
Just a future Hall of Famer. Some initial thoughts on this one...
Greinke will be 36 in October, but that hasn't stopped him from putting in a career year in a career full of career years. In 141IP in 2019, Greinke has allowed 115H/45ER, 128K:18BB, 2.84 ERA / 0.94 WHIP (which leads the National League). He has a 7.11 K:BB ratio. And he's about to get deployed by the Astros' coaching staff. He's a thoughtful fella, likes analytics, so pitching under Hinch and Strom and with Verlander and Cole is probably going to work out pretty well.
The Astros are taking on $53m of the $80.5m remaining on Greinke's contract. Doing so probably precluded Arizona insisting on Kyle Tucker and/or Forrest Whitley. It gives the Astros easily the best Top 3 in all of baseball, which will of course carry over to October. This is insane.
This move also adds an immediate placeholder for Gerrit Cole's spot in the rotation after this season, when Cole is eligible for free agency. Remember that Lance McCullers, Jr. comes back in 2020, as well. So the Astros will waltz into 2020 with Verlander-Greinke-McCullers and then some Wade Miley-type guy who we don't even think about and then we look up and see he has a 2.98 ERA and then possibly Forrest Whitley, the #1 pitching prospect in baseball, who will spend September learning from Verlander, Cole, and Greinke, and then Spring Training, as well. There is no reason to be upset about this trade.
The Send-Off
The Astros are losing the following.
To Toronto: Derek Fisher. That's it. Seriously. I looked. I looked for a long time.
To Arizona: J.B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer, Corbin Martin, and Josh Rojas. If you read this blog, I don't have to give you the breakdown of who the Astros sent to Arizona, but I will try to give you a reason to not be all that broken up.
Bukauskas: He's not Forrest Whitley. The 1st Round pick in the 2017 Draft, Bukauskas has had a rough go of it. He has walked 54 batters in 85.2IP at Corpus and has a 5.25 ERA / 1.58 WHIP. At Double-A, where he is admittedly a couple of years younger than his competition.
Martin: He's not Forrest Whitley. Promising pitcher, had Tommy John surgery, and won't pitch until 2021.
Rojas: He's not Kyle Tucker. Utility guy who was really putting it together at Round Rock. Can play 2B/3B/LF and did so hitting .310/.402/.586 at Triple-A. He's 25, but was also a 26th Round pick in 2017. The Astros have Aledmys Diaz.
Beer: He's not Kyle Tucker. 1st Round pick in 2018. He's also nine months older than Yordan Alvarez.
The Astros County Summary
Are you kidding? The Astros remade the bullpen and added Zack F. Greinke and didn't lose Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitley.
The Return
Martin Maldonado.
You know Machete.
Joe Biagini
Astros getting a guy with 88th percentile curveball spin, and elite vertical movement, but who only throws the pitch 7% of the time ... https://t.co/Arwwf5JsWY— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) July 31, 2019
Looks like a Strom Special.
Biagini - a 29-year old reliever - won't be a free agent until 2023. In 50IP in 2019, he has allowed 50H/21ER, 50K:17BB, 3.78 ERA / 3.80 xFIP. He has an 81% LOB rate this season, AND his HR/9 rate has declined from 2018 to 2019.
Aaron Sanchez
Sanchez - a 27-year old righty starter - has had some, uh, issues this year, but he looks like another project for the analytics team and Strom. Sanchez is 3-14 with a 6.07 ERA belied by a 5.04 FIP and a 5.09 xFIP. In 112.1IP he has allowed 131H/76ER, with 99K:59BB. The Astros have likely seen something fixable in all of that. He won't be a free agent until 2021.
Sanchez also has three options remaining, so maybe the Astros don't bring him up immediately and instead send him to Triple-A.
Cal Stevenson
Stevenson - a 22-year old lefty-hitting outfielder - is hitting .298/.388/.393 in High-A. He was the Blue Jays' 10th Round pick in 2018, so this is just his second professional season, and his first full pro season, in baseball.
Rainier Rivas
The Astros get 18-year old Rainier Rivas from the Angels for Max Stassi, made expendable by the arrival of Martin Maldonado. Rivas was hitting .400/.512/.543 in the DSL and has come to the States in the Arizona League, where he's hitting .260/.309/.440. He's an 18-year old 6'3" 220lb lefty-hitting outfielder. That's crazy.
Raider Uceta
Uceta is the other piece in the Stassi trade. Also 18, also a lefty, Uceta has spent all of 2019 in the Arizona League, where he's hitting .278/.341/.373
Zack Greinke
Just a future Hall of Famer. Some initial thoughts on this one...
Greinke will be 36 in October, but that hasn't stopped him from putting in a career year in a career full of career years. In 141IP in 2019, Greinke has allowed 115H/45ER, 128K:18BB, 2.84 ERA / 0.94 WHIP (which leads the National League). He has a 7.11 K:BB ratio. And he's about to get deployed by the Astros' coaching staff. He's a thoughtful fella, likes analytics, so pitching under Hinch and Strom and with Verlander and Cole is probably going to work out pretty well.
The Astros are taking on $53m of the $80.5m remaining on Greinke's contract. Doing so probably precluded Arizona insisting on Kyle Tucker and/or Forrest Whitley. It gives the Astros easily the best Top 3 in all of baseball, which will of course carry over to October. This is insane.
This move also adds an immediate placeholder for Gerrit Cole's spot in the rotation after this season, when Cole is eligible for free agency. Remember that Lance McCullers, Jr. comes back in 2020, as well. So the Astros will waltz into 2020 with Verlander-Greinke-McCullers and then some Wade Miley-type guy who we don't even think about and then we look up and see he has a 2.98 ERA and then possibly Forrest Whitley, the #1 pitching prospect in baseball, who will spend September learning from Verlander, Cole, and Greinke, and then Spring Training, as well. There is no reason to be upset about this trade.
The Send-Off
The Astros are losing the following.
To Toronto: Derek Fisher. That's it. Seriously. I looked. I looked for a long time.
To Arizona: J.B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer, Corbin Martin, and Josh Rojas. If you read this blog, I don't have to give you the breakdown of who the Astros sent to Arizona, but I will try to give you a reason to not be all that broken up.
Bukauskas: He's not Forrest Whitley. The 1st Round pick in the 2017 Draft, Bukauskas has had a rough go of it. He has walked 54 batters in 85.2IP at Corpus and has a 5.25 ERA / 1.58 WHIP. At Double-A, where he is admittedly a couple of years younger than his competition.
Martin: He's not Forrest Whitley. Promising pitcher, had Tommy John surgery, and won't pitch until 2021.
Rojas: He's not Kyle Tucker. Utility guy who was really putting it together at Round Rock. Can play 2B/3B/LF and did so hitting .310/.402/.586 at Triple-A. He's 25, but was also a 26th Round pick in 2017. The Astros have Aledmys Diaz.
Beer: He's not Kyle Tucker. 1st Round pick in 2018. He's also nine months older than Yordan Alvarez.
The Astros County Summary
Are you kidding? The Astros remade the bullpen and added Zack F. Greinke and didn't lose Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitley.
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