But there will be some more rotating with the lineup to keep some guys fresh. For what, it's not clear.
Coop on Blum, who admittedly is not 100%:
We decided to go back to playing Blum at third. I'm going to kind of rotate Keppinger a little bit. Like yesterday (Miguel) Tejada got a day off. Today Matsui's getting one. Maybe Wednesday I might even try to give Lance (Berkman) one … just to keep Keppinger in there. He's swinging the bat pretty good .”
True? Keppinger does have a four-game hit streak going (4x17, with 2HRs). So I guess that qualifies for great offense with this club.
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Paulino will definitely get the start tomorrow:
“We think (Paulino) deserves an opportunity to pitch. I think it's a good situation for him. He just threw an inning, almost two innings, on Saturday. He should be fresh for Wednesday. He's going to go out and throw a bullpen, just a light pen to touch and feel and kind of get ready for Wednesday. He'll go on Wednesday, and(Brian) Moehler will go on Tuesday. We have not decided on Friday.”
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Coop, on sliding Pence down to 7th:
“(Jeff) Keppinger's been swinging the bat pretty well in the second hole, and (Miguel) Tejada's been hitting fifth recently. I'm a big believer in breaking up righthanded hitters when I can, and (Geoff) Blum slides right in there. That's the reason he's hitting seventh. It's not any kind of punishment or anything, if that's what you think. That's just the way it falls out. It ain't nothing special from that in my standpoint.”
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Trainees of the Month
First time we try this with Eddie's Farm, but you can bet we'll be all over it in 2010.
Round Rock
Tommy Manzella: .337/.374/.459 with 9 XBH-17 RBI.
Josh Muecke: 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 7 games/4 starts. Has allowed 15 homers all season, just two since the All-Star Break
Corpus
Drew Locke: Until getting his hand broke up, Locke was hitting .391/.446/.609 in 28 games in August.
Danny Meszaros: In 20IP in August, Meszaros had a 1.80 ERA/1.40 WHIP. Pre All-Star Break, Meszaros had a 6.04 ERA. Since? 1.98 ERA.
Lancaster
Koby Clemens: Hit .375/.436/.702 with 7HR/31RBI with 21K:12BB
Leandro Cespedes: 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA, and improved his K:BB ratio from 28:20 in July to 27:13 in August.
Lexington
Federico Hernandez: Hit .306/.327/.429 in August, improving his OPS by .303 from July.
Jordan Lyles: Though he went 0-2 in August, he had a 2.89 ERA/1.18 WHIP, striking out 28 and walking just six batters.
Tri-City
Barry Butera: Followed up a July in which he hit .211/.310/.250 with a .374/.424/.462 month.
Dallas Keuchel: Dude can't catch a break in the win column. Went 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA/1.09 WHIP, striking out 24 and walking seven in 34IP.
Greeneville
Aaron Bray: Our own Adopted Aaron Bray. Only Gastro to hit .300 over the month of August, with a .300/.398/.363, and has had five multi-hit games in his last ten games.
Jose Cisnero: Went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA/1.07 WHIP, with batters hitting .146 off him all month long.
GCL Astros
Nestor Santana: Hit .292/.370/.354.
Mark Jones: In six appearances (11.1IP), Jones gave up one earned run for a 0.79 ERA.
Round Rock
Tommy Manzella: .337/.374/.459 with 9 XBH-17 RBI.
Josh Muecke: 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 7 games/4 starts. Has allowed 15 homers all season, just two since the All-Star Break
Corpus
Drew Locke: Until getting his hand broke up, Locke was hitting .391/.446/.609 in 28 games in August.
Danny Meszaros: In 20IP in August, Meszaros had a 1.80 ERA/1.40 WHIP. Pre All-Star Break, Meszaros had a 6.04 ERA. Since? 1.98 ERA.
Lancaster
Koby Clemens: Hit .375/.436/.702 with 7HR/31RBI with 21K:12BB
Leandro Cespedes: 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA, and improved his K:BB ratio from 28:20 in July to 27:13 in August.
Lexington
Federico Hernandez: Hit .306/.327/.429 in August, improving his OPS by .303 from July.
Jordan Lyles: Though he went 0-2 in August, he had a 2.89 ERA/1.18 WHIP, striking out 28 and walking just six batters.
Tri-City
Barry Butera: Followed up a July in which he hit .211/.310/.250 with a .374/.424/.462 month.
Dallas Keuchel: Dude can't catch a break in the win column. Went 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA/1.09 WHIP, striking out 24 and walking seven in 34IP.
Greeneville
Aaron Bray: Our own Adopted Aaron Bray. Only Gastro to hit .300 over the month of August, with a .300/.398/.363, and has had five multi-hit games in his last ten games.
Jose Cisnero: Went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA/1.07 WHIP, with batters hitting .146 off him all month long.
GCL Astros
Nestor Santana: Hit .292/.370/.354.
Mark Jones: In six appearances (11.1IP), Jones gave up one earned run for a 0.79 ERA.
Employees of the Month: August
Employees of the Month for August! Winners get 10% off in the Astros County store, and a parking spot up front for the month.
Position Player
This one was close. I almost gave it to Jason Michaels, whose .355/.375/.742 month was fun to watch, but he only had five starts (because you'll naturally want to sit someone who's swinging the bat like that). But this one goes to Michael Bourn, who hit .309/.385/.423 in August with eight extra-base hits, scored 16 runs (a week's worth for the Astros), and stole 11 bases.
Pitcher
Goes to Jose Valverde. Nine of his 20 saves this season were in August, where he posted a 1.15 ERA in 15.2IP, striking out 19 and walking just five, giving up 2ER all month long.
Position Player
This one was close. I almost gave it to Jason Michaels, whose .355/.375/.742 month was fun to watch, but he only had five starts (because you'll naturally want to sit someone who's swinging the bat like that). But this one goes to Michael Bourn, who hit .309/.385/.423 in August with eight extra-base hits, scored 16 runs (a week's worth for the Astros), and stole 11 bases.
Pitcher
Goes to Jose Valverde. Nine of his 20 saves this season were in August, where he posted a 1.15 ERA in 15.2IP, striking out 19 and walking just five, giving up 2ER all month long.
Eddie's Farm: August 31
Round Rock
A 5-run 7th inning pretty much did it in as Albuquerque surged to a 6-4 win over Round Rock. Chris Johnson was 2x3, Brian Esposito was 2x4 with an RBI, and Mark Saccomanno was 2x4 with a 2-run homer. Billy Sadler, in a tune-up for joining Houston, threw 3IP, 4H/1ER, 2K:1BB. Andy Van Hekken threw 3IP, 3H/3ER, 0K:2BB, Casey Daigle had his 8th BS of the year with 1IP, 3H/2ER, and Roy Corcoran had the only scoreless outing of the staff.
Corpus
Those head-hunting, season-ending Missions were up 7-1 by the end of the 4th, and won 7-2. Six hits were scattered among six Hooks, with Van Ostrand and Moresi getting the two RBIs. Sergio Perez dropped to 10-11 with 4IP, 10H/7ER, 5K:3BB while Danny Meszaros threw 4IP, 2H/0ER, 1K:1BB.
Lexington
The Legends defeated Greenville 3-2 on the strength of Brad Dydalewicz's 8th win of the year. Jay Austin (2x4) had the only multi-hit game, but Pellegrini, Diaz, and Jackson each had RBIs. Dydalewicz (nickname? anyone? Dydo?) threw 5.2IP, 7H/2ER, 3K:1BB and Kyle Godfrey threw 3.1IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:1BB for his 3rd save of the season.
Tri-City
Tri-City did what they've done a lot of this season, losing 4-2 to Aberdeen. The ValleyCats got multi-hit games from Goebbert, Martinez, and Kemp. Dallas Keuchel got the loss with 4IP, 3H/3ER, 3K:3BB, while Kirk Clark and Mike Modica threw 5IP, 3H/1ER, 9K:1BB (7Ks from Clark).
Greeneville
6-2 loss by the Gastros at the hands of Princeton last night. Oscar Figueroa and Kyle Miller were both 2x4. Juri Perez only lasted 0.1IP, recording a strikeout before getting pulled (I'll find out why, but methinks it's injury-related. I'm a regular Sherlock.), David Martinez came in and threw 4.2IP, 7H/6ER, 2K:2BB while Travis Smink and Joan Belliard threw 4IP, 5H/0ER, 2K:2BB in relief.
A 5-run 7th inning pretty much did it in as Albuquerque surged to a 6-4 win over Round Rock. Chris Johnson was 2x3, Brian Esposito was 2x4 with an RBI, and Mark Saccomanno was 2x4 with a 2-run homer. Billy Sadler, in a tune-up for joining Houston, threw 3IP, 4H/1ER, 2K:1BB. Andy Van Hekken threw 3IP, 3H/3ER, 0K:2BB, Casey Daigle had his 8th BS of the year with 1IP, 3H/2ER, and Roy Corcoran had the only scoreless outing of the staff.
Corpus
Those head-hunting, season-ending Missions were up 7-1 by the end of the 4th, and won 7-2. Six hits were scattered among six Hooks, with Van Ostrand and Moresi getting the two RBIs. Sergio Perez dropped to 10-11 with 4IP, 10H/7ER, 5K:3BB while Danny Meszaros threw 4IP, 2H/0ER, 1K:1BB.
Lexington
The Legends defeated Greenville 3-2 on the strength of Brad Dydalewicz's 8th win of the year. Jay Austin (2x4) had the only multi-hit game, but Pellegrini, Diaz, and Jackson each had RBIs. Dydalewicz (nickname? anyone? Dydo?) threw 5.2IP, 7H/2ER, 3K:1BB and Kyle Godfrey threw 3.1IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:1BB for his 3rd save of the season.
Tri-City
Tri-City did what they've done a lot of this season, losing 4-2 to Aberdeen. The ValleyCats got multi-hit games from Goebbert, Martinez, and Kemp. Dallas Keuchel got the loss with 4IP, 3H/3ER, 3K:3BB, while Kirk Clark and Mike Modica threw 5IP, 3H/1ER, 9K:1BB (7Ks from Clark).
Greeneville
6-2 loss by the Gastros at the hands of Princeton last night. Oscar Figueroa and Kyle Miller were both 2x4. Juri Perez only lasted 0.1IP, recording a strikeout before getting pulled (I'll find out why, but methinks it's injury-related. I'm a regular Sherlock.), David Martinez came in and threw 4.2IP, 7H/6ER, 2K:2BB while Travis Smink and Joan Belliard threw 4IP, 5H/0ER, 2K:2BB in relief.
Boone back with the Big Boys
Here's your after-school special on Aaron Boone's improbable return to the Majors, less than six months after open-heart surgery.
Update on Locke, Johnson
Zachary Levine has a new minor league notebook up, with some updates.
It's true about Corpus outfielder Drew Locke, who was hit on the hand by a pitch in Sunday's win over San Antonio by pitcher Stephen Faris. He'll be in a cast for 6-8 weeks.
Ricky Bennett:
“Our plans were to send him to play winter ball. More than likely, he'll be out for the winter.”
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Chris Johnson has managed to turn around a rough 1st half to a pretty good season overall in Round Rock.
Levine notes he had a 9:1 K:BB ratio in the first half, but that's down to 2.75:1 in the second.
Express hitting coach Ron Jackson:
“We've made some adjustments with him at the plate, especially closing his stance up a little bit. The key is his front shoulder. With it being open, it never got back closed.”
Johnson:
“It's helped me see the ball a little bit more. A little bit less movement at the plate, which helps me just focus on the baseball a little bit more.”
Levine:
As a result, he's more discriminating with his pitch selection, a product of his quieter swing. Now Johnson appears to be hitting for more power.
It's true about Corpus outfielder Drew Locke, who was hit on the hand by a pitch in Sunday's win over San Antonio by pitcher Stephen Faris. He'll be in a cast for 6-8 weeks.
Ricky Bennett:
“Our plans were to send him to play winter ball. More than likely, he'll be out for the winter.”
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Chris Johnson has managed to turn around a rough 1st half to a pretty good season overall in Round Rock.
Levine notes he had a 9:1 K:BB ratio in the first half, but that's down to 2.75:1 in the second.
Express hitting coach Ron Jackson:
“We've made some adjustments with him at the plate, especially closing his stance up a little bit. The key is his front shoulder. With it being open, it never got back closed.”
Johnson:
“It's helped me see the ball a little bit more. A little bit less movement at the plate, which helps me just focus on the baseball a little bit more.”
Levine:
As a result, he's more discriminating with his pitch selection, a product of his quieter swing. Now Johnson appears to be hitting for more power.
Recap for G131 - Astros at Cubs
Basically the only thing that would salvage this season for me is if the Astros finish ahead of the Cubs. And Roy threw 7 strong IPs to help that cause, as the Astros took game one of this series with a 5-3 win. The Astros did a rare job of beating up Rich Harden, and Carlos Lee was El Hombre of the night. Let's do the thing:
Roy: 7IP, 6H/2ER, 3K:1BB, 22/28 first-pitch strikes, 24/68 non-contact strikes (15 called:9 swinging)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1HR, 2/4 FPS, 4/9 NCS (2c:2s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2K, 2/3 FPS, 6/9 NCS (1c:5s)
What is surprising me about Roy this season - who got his 8th win of the season - and needs two more wins in what looks to be around five starts to reach 10 wins, a mark he has reached in every season of his career - is the lack of strikeouts. Roy has recorded fewer than five strikeouts in 15 of his 27 starts in 2009. That's already two more than in 2008, when he had 5+ strikeouts in 19 of his 32 starts. 2007? His K/9 rate of 6.5K/9 innings in 2009 is at its lowest since 2007, which was also 6.5 - the lowest of his career. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Roy's 3.80 ERA is currently the highest of his career.
Offensively, Carlos Lee had it going on - something about the fans in left field - with a 2-run double and a 2-run homer. Michael Bourn had the other RBI for the Astros, and with a walk and a hit, Bourn has reached base in 24 straight games. In August, Miguel Tejada has gone 21x100 and has lowered his average from .325 to .303. So he won't be getting the Employee of the Month for August.
Berkman was 1x3 with two walks, so while his batting average is at .276 - the lowest since his 34 game stint with the Big Club in 1999 (.278 average in 2007) - his OBP is .406, highest on the team.
Pitch Count Hero: Berkman and Bourn - 25 pitches in 5 PAs each (Berkman 1x3; Bourn 1x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada - 12 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: Carlos Lee - provided 4RBI on the night with two big hits.
Goat of the Game: Tejada. Clearly struggling, 1x4 with 3Ks, and a falling BA.
Roy: 7IP, 6H/2ER, 3K:1BB, 22/28 first-pitch strikes, 24/68 non-contact strikes (15 called:9 swinging)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1HR, 2/4 FPS, 4/9 NCS (2c:2s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2K, 2/3 FPS, 6/9 NCS (1c:5s)
What is surprising me about Roy this season - who got his 8th win of the season - and needs two more wins in what looks to be around five starts to reach 10 wins, a mark he has reached in every season of his career - is the lack of strikeouts. Roy has recorded fewer than five strikeouts in 15 of his 27 starts in 2009. That's already two more than in 2008, when he had 5+ strikeouts in 19 of his 32 starts. 2007? His K/9 rate of 6.5K/9 innings in 2009 is at its lowest since 2007, which was also 6.5 - the lowest of his career. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Roy's 3.80 ERA is currently the highest of his career.
Offensively, Carlos Lee had it going on - something about the fans in left field - with a 2-run double and a 2-run homer. Michael Bourn had the other RBI for the Astros, and with a walk and a hit, Bourn has reached base in 24 straight games. In August, Miguel Tejada has gone 21x100 and has lowered his average from .325 to .303. So he won't be getting the Employee of the Month for August.
Berkman was 1x3 with two walks, so while his batting average is at .276 - the lowest since his 34 game stint with the Big Club in 1999 (.278 average in 2007) - his OBP is .406, highest on the team.
Pitch Count Hero: Berkman and Bourn - 25 pitches in 5 PAs each (Berkman 1x3; Bourn 1x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada - 12 pitches in 4 PAs
Man of the Match: Carlos Lee - provided 4RBI on the night with two big hits.
Goat of the Game: Tejada. Clearly struggling, 1x4 with 3Ks, and a falling BA.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Locke done for the year
Professional raker and Double-A prospect Drew Locke is done for the year after getting HBPed. Zachary Levine is tweeting it's a broken hand and Locke will not be ready for winter ball.
Pump the brakes, Nolan
Captip to Street for a link following up on Justice's tweet earlier today about Nolan shifting the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate to Round Rock.
The Oklahoman's Matt Patterson:
Oklahoma and the Rangers are midway through a four-year player development contract that is set to expire in 2010. Any discussions about the team leaving before that agreement is idle speculation, said Rangers director of minor league operations John Lombardo.
Lombardo:
"It's ridiculous. We're obligated to fulfill that agreement, and we want to fulfill it. We have no intentions of moving the team before that agreement is up, and we've had no internal discussions whatsoever about moving out of Oklahoma City. We're more than happy with Oklahoma City and have no intention of changing directions...
...From our understanding, the Astros are very happy with their relationship with Round Rock,. That would be against the rules anyway. We have an agreement, and to break it, Major League Baseball would become involved along with Houston. To my knowledge, the only time that (agreements broken) has happened is when a big-league club moves into a market that had previously had a minor league team in it.”
OKC RedHawks co-owner Scott Pruitt:
"There's no indication we've received from them at any time that they're anything but ecstatic about having their Triple-A team here. They love the accessibility to Arlington, they love the stadium and being involved in this market.”
The Oklahoman's Matt Patterson:
Oklahoma and the Rangers are midway through a four-year player development contract that is set to expire in 2010. Any discussions about the team leaving before that agreement is idle speculation, said Rangers director of minor league operations John Lombardo.
Lombardo:
"It's ridiculous. We're obligated to fulfill that agreement, and we want to fulfill it. We have no intentions of moving the team before that agreement is up, and we've had no internal discussions whatsoever about moving out of Oklahoma City. We're more than happy with Oklahoma City and have no intention of changing directions...
...From our understanding, the Astros are very happy with their relationship with Round Rock,. That would be against the rules anyway. We have an agreement, and to break it, Major League Baseball would become involved along with Houston. To my knowledge, the only time that (agreements broken) has happened is when a big-league club moves into a market that had previously had a minor league team in it.”
OKC RedHawks co-owner Scott Pruitt:
"There's no indication we've received from them at any time that they're anything but ecstatic about having their Triple-A team here. They love the accessibility to Arlington, they love the stadium and being involved in this market.”
Matchup for G131 - Astros @ Cubs
Well...at least college football starts this weekend. The Astros are four games back of the Cubs, and two back of the Brewers, for fourth place in the NL Central, and are playing like the 66-96 team Baseball Prospectus thought they were (they are who they thought they were) at the beginning of the season.
Roy Oswalt
In the four starts since returning from injury, Oswalt has thrown two quality starts (one of them a gem), and two disaster starts. Roy is 7-5, and is in real danger of not winning ten games in a season for the first time in his career.
Last three starts:
Career vs. Chicago: 12-12 (28 starts), 3.86 ERA/1.27 WHIP, 174.2IP, 135K:30BB
Career @ Wrigley: 6-5 (14 starts), 4.71 ERA/1.26 WHIP, 84IP, 63K:11BB
2009 road record: 4-3 (15 starts), 4.07 ERA/1.18 WHIP, 90.2IP, 65K:23BB
2009 vs. Chicago: 0-1 (3 starts), 3.68 ERA/1.02 WHIP, 14.2IP, 11K:1BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .246/.306/.411, 56K:20BB
vs Lefties: .273/.315/.414, 63K:18BB
When swinging at the first pitch (82): .373/.382/.653, 12XBH
After First-Pitch Strikes (354): .218/.255/.312, 86K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (230): .284/.371/.488, 33K:27BB
RISP: 27x124, .218/.336/.339, 30K:18BB
Runners on: 53x235, .238/.320/.396, 46K:24BB
2OwRISP: 10x57, .175/.329/.228, 18K:9BB
Rich Harden
Last three appearances:
In the eight starts Harden has made since the All-Star Break, only one of them hasn't been a quality one, and that one (7/31 @ FLA) was because he only went 5IP, 5H/2ER, 11K:3BB, and his pitch count was running up on him.
Career vs. Houston: 1-1 (3 starts), 5.30 ERA/1.55 WHIP, 18.2IP, 19K:7BB
2009 vs. Houston: 1-1 (2 starts), 4.85 ERA/1.59 WHIP, 13IP, 11K:6BB
Career @ Wrigley: 5-5 (19 starts), 4.34 ERA/1.24 WHIP, 101.2IP, 128K:45BB
2009 @ Wrigley: 3-5 (12 starts), 5.98 WHIP/1.40 WHIP, 61.2IP, 67K:28BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .213/.314/.393, 74K:34BB
vs Lefties: .243/.312/.424, 69K:18BB
When swinging at the first pitch (42): .343/.361/.571, 4XBH (2HR)
After First-Pitch Strikes (244): .205/.240/.323, 91K:8BB
After First-Pitch Balls (238): .232/.381/.479, 52K:44BB
RISP: 21x86, .244/.350/.407, 24K:14BB
Runners on: 40x175, .229/.335/.406, 53K:27BB
2OwRISP: 10x42, .238/.385/.238, 14K:9BB
Roy Oswalt
In the four starts since returning from injury, Oswalt has thrown two quality starts (one of them a gem), and two disaster starts. Roy is 7-5, and is in real danger of not winning ten games in a season for the first time in his career.
Last three starts:
| Date-Opp | IP | H/ER | K:BB | GB/FB | Pit/Str |
| 8/16 @MIL | 6 | 8/5 | 5:2 | 8/12 | 94/65 |
| 8/21 vA'I | 7 | 3/0 | 2:0 | 15/9 | 100/71 |
| 8/26 @StL | 6 | 10/3 | 3:1 | 11/13 | 99/70 |
Career vs. Chicago: 12-12 (28 starts), 3.86 ERA/1.27 WHIP, 174.2IP, 135K:30BB
Career @ Wrigley: 6-5 (14 starts), 4.71 ERA/1.26 WHIP, 84IP, 63K:11BB
2009 road record: 4-3 (15 starts), 4.07 ERA/1.18 WHIP, 90.2IP, 65K:23BB
2009 vs. Chicago: 0-1 (3 starts), 3.68 ERA/1.02 WHIP, 14.2IP, 11K:1BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .246/.306/.411, 56K:20BB
vs Lefties: .273/.315/.414, 63K:18BB
When swinging at the first pitch (82): .373/.382/.653, 12XBH
After First-Pitch Strikes (354): .218/.255/.312, 86K:11BB
After First-Pitch Balls (230): .284/.371/.488, 33K:27BB
RISP: 27x124, .218/.336/.339, 30K:18BB
Runners on: 53x235, .238/.320/.396, 46K:24BB
2OwRISP: 10x57, .175/.329/.228, 18K:9BB
Rich Harden
Last three appearances:
| Date-Opp | IP | H/ER | K:BB | GB/FB | Pit/Str |
| 8/11 vPHI | 7 | 2/2 | 6:2 | 6/11 | 87/54 |
| 8/19 @SD | 7 | 1/0 | 8:3 | 6/6 | 103/62 |
| 8/26 vWSH | 6 | 5/2 | 5:2 | 8/8 | 95/66 |
In the eight starts Harden has made since the All-Star Break, only one of them hasn't been a quality one, and that one (7/31 @ FLA) was because he only went 5IP, 5H/2ER, 11K:3BB, and his pitch count was running up on him.
Career vs. Houston: 1-1 (3 starts), 5.30 ERA/1.55 WHIP, 18.2IP, 19K:7BB
2009 vs. Houston: 1-1 (2 starts), 4.85 ERA/1.59 WHIP, 13IP, 11K:6BB
Career @ Wrigley: 5-5 (19 starts), 4.34 ERA/1.24 WHIP, 101.2IP, 128K:45BB
2009 @ Wrigley: 3-5 (12 starts), 5.98 WHIP/1.40 WHIP, 61.2IP, 67K:28BB
Let's do the splits:
vs Righties: .213/.314/.393, 74K:34BB
vs Lefties: .243/.312/.424, 69K:18BB
When swinging at the first pitch (42): .343/.361/.571, 4XBH (2HR)
After First-Pitch Strikes (244): .205/.240/.323, 91K:8BB
After First-Pitch Balls (238): .232/.381/.479, 52K:44BB
RISP: 21x86, .244/.350/.407, 24K:14BB
Runners on: 40x175, .229/.335/.406, 53K:27BB
2OwRISP: 10x42, .238/.385/.238, 14K:9BB
So the Astros will be facing Harden, after all
David Kaplan is reporting Harden will be staying with the Cubs.
Berkman: Calf still bothering him?
In a fantasy baseball article lamenting the loss of Berkman's power, Jason Grey wonders if his calf is still jacked.
Coop:
"I see him running, running hard, so I don't think that's an issue anymore. He's still getting extra-base hits, scoring from second with ease. I just don't think his swing is where he wants it to be."
Grey:
I watched Berkman from several angles this weekend, and it was apparent there are still some timing issues with his swing. Even with the assumption that pain in Berkman's calf is no longer an issue, it's possible that fighting through the problem has caused him to compensate or slightly alter his stroke in some fashion. Berkman is still making the same contact, but not really driving the ball as well I've seen him. A few times during this past weekend, his hands were late getting to the ball from the left side, sapping some of the power in his swing, and he's not getting the leverage with his lower half, leading me to suspect that trying to compensate for the calf muscle has caused some problems with his swing.
Thankfully, Berkman has at least hit for some average while balls aren't clearing the fence, hitting .294 since the break as his batting average continues to rebound from a slow start that saw him hitting just .162 after the first month and .230 at the end of May. However, based on what I saw this weekend, he's going to need to get back in rhythm or perhaps make a slight mechanical adjustment to expect a good power outburst in the final month.
And what has the Tout Wars Champion noticed about Michael Bourn?
Michael Bourn's performance this season hasn't surprised me. This is kind of what I've expected, and what's he's capable of. The fact that he fell so flat last season was the surprise. I did expect some struggles in his first season with a full-time starting job, but the depth of those struggles were unexpected. However, Bourn has bounced back nicely this season, ranking as a top-10 outfielder in our Player Rater. The speed has obviously still been there, and he's brought the batting average up. His batting average on balls in play is .370, which is probably a tad high even for someone with the Bourn's wheels. While his average does have a little bit of luck involved, it's legitimate.
One of the biggest changes in Bourn's game this year is being much more aggressive with fastballs early in the count. Last year, he was trying too hard to draw walks and see pitches trying to get ahead. That often works in the minors, but in the big leagues taking the first two pitches can mean you're quickly down 0-2.
Bourn:
"You try to be patient, because as a leadoff hitter you think you need to take as many pitches as you can, but I learned you have to hit the way you hit no matter where you are in the order and not try to change things. I feel like I have a pretty good eye, but if it's in the strike zone I'm swinging. Every so often, I'll go up there to take the first pitch no matter what, but usually if it's a good strike I'm going to swing."
Grey:
Last year, Bourn wouldn't always stay back and behind the ball, instead lunging or reaching at it, and it threw off his swing path. He would drift forward, and when you do that your head is moving and everything looks faster. Last year, the book was that he could be beaten with fastballs, but that's definitely not the case this season, as he's become a very good fastball hitter. He's done a much better job of consistently staying back, and he's able to go to the opposite field, thus we're seeing the results. This is the version of Bourn we can expect going forward.
Coop:
"I see him running, running hard, so I don't think that's an issue anymore. He's still getting extra-base hits, scoring from second with ease. I just don't think his swing is where he wants it to be."
Grey:
I watched Berkman from several angles this weekend, and it was apparent there are still some timing issues with his swing. Even with the assumption that pain in Berkman's calf is no longer an issue, it's possible that fighting through the problem has caused him to compensate or slightly alter his stroke in some fashion. Berkman is still making the same contact, but not really driving the ball as well I've seen him. A few times during this past weekend, his hands were late getting to the ball from the left side, sapping some of the power in his swing, and he's not getting the leverage with his lower half, leading me to suspect that trying to compensate for the calf muscle has caused some problems with his swing.
Thankfully, Berkman has at least hit for some average while balls aren't clearing the fence, hitting .294 since the break as his batting average continues to rebound from a slow start that saw him hitting just .162 after the first month and .230 at the end of May. However, based on what I saw this weekend, he's going to need to get back in rhythm or perhaps make a slight mechanical adjustment to expect a good power outburst in the final month.
And what has the Tout Wars Champion noticed about Michael Bourn?
Michael Bourn's performance this season hasn't surprised me. This is kind of what I've expected, and what's he's capable of. The fact that he fell so flat last season was the surprise. I did expect some struggles in his first season with a full-time starting job, but the depth of those struggles were unexpected. However, Bourn has bounced back nicely this season, ranking as a top-10 outfielder in our Player Rater. The speed has obviously still been there, and he's brought the batting average up. His batting average on balls in play is .370, which is probably a tad high even for someone with the Bourn's wheels. While his average does have a little bit of luck involved, it's legitimate.
One of the biggest changes in Bourn's game this year is being much more aggressive with fastballs early in the count. Last year, he was trying too hard to draw walks and see pitches trying to get ahead. That often works in the minors, but in the big leagues taking the first two pitches can mean you're quickly down 0-2.
Bourn:
"You try to be patient, because as a leadoff hitter you think you need to take as many pitches as you can, but I learned you have to hit the way you hit no matter where you are in the order and not try to change things. I feel like I have a pretty good eye, but if it's in the strike zone I'm swinging. Every so often, I'll go up there to take the first pitch no matter what, but usually if it's a good strike I'm going to swing."
Grey:
Last year, Bourn wouldn't always stay back and behind the ball, instead lunging or reaching at it, and it threw off his swing path. He would drift forward, and when you do that your head is moving and everything looks faster. Last year, the book was that he could be beaten with fastballs, but that's definitely not the case this season, as he's become a very good fastball hitter. He's done a much better job of consistently staying back, and he's able to go to the opposite field, thus we're seeing the results. This is the version of Bourn we can expect going forward.
August 31, 2000-2009
The Astros are currently 62-68, 14GB of the Cardinals heading into play on August 31. How does that compare to the past ten seasons (without the Wild Card)?
2008: 70-66, 15GB
2007: 60-64, 9GB
2006: 65-68, 6GB
2005: 69-62, 14GB
2004: 68-63, 18.5GB
2003: 71-64, tied for 1st
2002: 72-62, 2.5GB
2001: 78-55, 4 games up
2000: 55-78, 20GB
2008: 70-66, 15GB
2007: 60-64, 9GB
2006: 65-68, 6GB
2005: 69-62, 14GB
2004: 68-63, 18.5GB
2003: 71-64, tied for 1st
2002: 72-62, 2.5GB
2001: 78-55, 4 games up
2000: 55-78, 20GB
Astros might face Harden tonight. Or they might not.
Because the Twins put in a waiver claim on Rich Harden, and the Cubs have until today to work out a trade. This will affect today's matchup post, so stay tuned...
The Albany Times-Union is just mean
Profile on the upcoming close of the 2009 Tri-City season.
Sports Editor Mark McGuire:
Maybe there's a more meaningless game than the Tri-City ValleyCats facing the Aberdeen IronBirds tonight at Bruno Stadium. Perhaps the Tuesday night game. That's the best I can do.
ValleyCats manager Jim Pankovits:
"Unfortunately we didn't have a chance to play a lot of meaningful games involving a pennant race. We struggled in just about every phase of the game. They certainly have a body of work that is full of adversity that they can call on down the road -- how they dealt with it positively or negatively. Certainly it was a learning experience in that respect."
McGuire:
For all the ineptitude, you can't say the ValleyCats underachieved; that would presume talent. While a small handful of players such as third baseman Erik Castro and shortstop Barry Butera may have gotten themselves on the radar of the parent club, the ValleyCats are too starved for power, speed and pitching to ever have been considered a contender.
And then this:
Enough. The fans and local management (which has no say on player personnel) deserve better.
The ValleyCats' franchise agreement with the Astros expires after 2010. Consider next season a make-or-break one -- not just for the to-be-determined players, but the Astros-ValleyCats union. Granted, the won-loss record of a Class A team is not paramount to the Major League club. But unless the Astros make demonstrable strides in getting some talent -- any talent -- to Troy (start by improving college scouting), then Tri-City owner Bill Gladstone should be looking elsewhere for a big-league affiliation.
So this morning we hear from Justice that Round Rock sucks enough to perhaps get taken away from the Astros. And that the NYPL team might suck enough to get taken away from the Astros after 2010. Rough year, huh?
Sports Editor Mark McGuire:
Maybe there's a more meaningless game than the Tri-City ValleyCats facing the Aberdeen IronBirds tonight at Bruno Stadium. Perhaps the Tuesday night game. That's the best I can do.
ValleyCats manager Jim Pankovits:
"Unfortunately we didn't have a chance to play a lot of meaningful games involving a pennant race. We struggled in just about every phase of the game. They certainly have a body of work that is full of adversity that they can call on down the road -- how they dealt with it positively or negatively. Certainly it was a learning experience in that respect."
McGuire:
For all the ineptitude, you can't say the ValleyCats underachieved; that would presume talent. While a small handful of players such as third baseman Erik Castro and shortstop Barry Butera may have gotten themselves on the radar of the parent club, the ValleyCats are too starved for power, speed and pitching to ever have been considered a contender.
And then this:
Enough. The fans and local management (which has no say on player personnel) deserve better.
The ValleyCats' franchise agreement with the Astros expires after 2010. Consider next season a make-or-break one -- not just for the to-be-determined players, but the Astros-ValleyCats union. Granted, the won-loss record of a Class A team is not paramount to the Major League club. But unless the Astros make demonstrable strides in getting some talent -- any talent -- to Troy (start by improving college scouting), then Tri-City owner Bill Gladstone should be looking elsewhere for a big-league affiliation.
So this morning we hear from Justice that Round Rock sucks enough to perhaps get taken away from the Astros. And that the NYPL team might suck enough to get taken away from the Astros after 2010. Rough year, huh?
Wade, on call-ups
Further evidence on a lack of call-ups:
Wade:
"As best as possible, I would like to limit it to players who are going to get a chance to contribute. It doesn't mean there might not be a player or two here for atmospheric reasons, to learn about the big leagues a little bit, but by and large I don't believe in using September as rewards.
You start talking about [accruing] 30 days of big league service time and everything else that comes with it. As excited as players are to get promoted to the big leagues in September, when they get here and don't play, I'm not sure they're quite as enthralled as they thought they would be."
Interesting. Major League Baseball isn't as cool as we think, apparently.
Within this piece, we see Towles is "almost assured" of getting a spot. Sampson and Manzella are also strongly being considered.
"We want to win as many games as we can. We're committed to a lot of veteran players here, guys who have gone out there and battled for us all season long. I think they deserve the opportunities to continue to play. Can you find out some things about younger players in September? To some extent, but I've also been told by a lot of sage, veteran baseball people, 'Don't be fooled by what you see in Spring Training and don't be fooled by what you see in September.'
The players will be here to contribute when called upon, but my expectation is the bulk of the playing time will continue to go to the players who have gone out there and produced for us all season long."
Or, not produced all season long.
Wade:
"As best as possible, I would like to limit it to players who are going to get a chance to contribute. It doesn't mean there might not be a player or two here for atmospheric reasons, to learn about the big leagues a little bit, but by and large I don't believe in using September as rewards.
You start talking about [accruing] 30 days of big league service time and everything else that comes with it. As excited as players are to get promoted to the big leagues in September, when they get here and don't play, I'm not sure they're quite as enthralled as they thought they would be."
Interesting. Major League Baseball isn't as cool as we think, apparently.
Within this piece, we see Towles is "almost assured" of getting a spot. Sampson and Manzella are also strongly being considered.
"We want to win as many games as we can. We're committed to a lot of veteran players here, guys who have gone out there and battled for us all season long. I think they deserve the opportunities to continue to play. Can you find out some things about younger players in September? To some extent, but I've also been told by a lot of sage, veteran baseball people, 'Don't be fooled by what you see in Spring Training and don't be fooled by what you see in September.'
The players will be here to contribute when called upon, but my expectation is the bulk of the playing time will continue to go to the players who have gone out there and produced for us all season long."
Or, not produced all season long.
The Nolan Ryan Effect spreading to Round Rock?
Interesting tweet from Richard Justice this morning:
Round Rock Express may dump Astros and sign on with Rangers in 2010. Nolan Ryan must be tired of finishing last.
Round Rock Express may dump Astros and sign on with Rangers in 2010. Nolan Ryan must be tired of finishing last.
Eddie's Farm: August 30
Round Rock
Nashville used a 6-run 4th inning to beat the Express 7-3. Matt Kata was 3x4 with 2RBI, Reggie Abercrombie (2x5), and Bogusevic (2x4, RBI) had multi-hit games. Josh Muecke threw 5IP, 9H/4ER (7 total) and four relievers followed - three of them major-leaguers (Wright, Brocail, and Sampson), while Chad Paronto closed out the game. This was the second time Sampson has pitched since August 20, and surprise surprise, allowed 0ER in his those two games. So, rest. Who knew?
Corpus Christi
Corpus scored a go-ahead run in the 8th to defeat San Antonio 11-10. Jhon Florentino was 3x5, while JVO was 2x3 with a 2-run homer and 3RBI. Felix Molina and Nick Moresi had 2RBI each. Klingin' Kenny Baugh threw 2IP, 6H/7ER, 0K:3BB, and Ryan McKeller came in with 4IP of relief, 4H/2R (1ER), 4K:1BB. Weatherby blew the save, but got the win, while Evan Englebrook got his 8th save of the year.
Lancaster
Despite out-hitting San Jose 9-6, the JetHawks lost 4-1. Jack Shuck and Ebert Rosario had two-hit games. Chris Salamida threw 6.1IP, 5H/4R (1ER), 3K:3BB. Four errors (Rosario - 2, Cabral, and Salamida) led to the three unearned runs
Lexington
Lexington scored a run in the 12th to defeat Greenville 4-3. Jay Austin was 2x6 with an RBI, Brandon Wikoff was 2x5, and Suttle and Pellegrini each added RBIs - Suttle's RBI double providing the winning run. Jordan Lyles thrwe 5IP, 7H/3ER, 6K:0BB while Henry Villar, Brian Wabick, and Matt Nevarez threw 7IP, 5H/0ER, 7K:0BB in relief - Nevarez picked up the win.
Tri-City
Tri-City beat Aberdeen 6-3 thanks to Nick Stanley's 3x4 day, with a 3-run homer and 4RBI. J.D. Martinez was also 3x4 with a solo homer. Colton Pitkin threw 5IP, 4H/1ER, 2K:4BB for the win.
Greeneville
A 5-run 5th inning for Princeton was what sunk the Gastros 7-3. Kyle Miller was 2x3 with two doubles, Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x4 (hitting .436 in his last ten games, .316 in August). Jiovanni Mier hit a solo homer, and Carlos Mojica had the other two RBI. Luis Cruz threw 4.2IP, 8H/7ER, 3K:0BB while Jeiler Castillo and Scott Migl threw 4.1IP, 1H/0ER, 6K:2BB in relief.
Nashville used a 6-run 4th inning to beat the Express 7-3. Matt Kata was 3x4 with 2RBI, Reggie Abercrombie (2x5), and Bogusevic (2x4, RBI) had multi-hit games. Josh Muecke threw 5IP, 9H/4ER (7 total) and four relievers followed - three of them major-leaguers (Wright, Brocail, and Sampson), while Chad Paronto closed out the game. This was the second time Sampson has pitched since August 20, and surprise surprise, allowed 0ER in his those two games. So, rest. Who knew?
Corpus Christi
Corpus scored a go-ahead run in the 8th to defeat San Antonio 11-10. Jhon Florentino was 3x5, while JVO was 2x3 with a 2-run homer and 3RBI. Felix Molina and Nick Moresi had 2RBI each. Klingin' Kenny Baugh threw 2IP, 6H/7ER, 0K:3BB, and Ryan McKeller came in with 4IP of relief, 4H/2R (1ER), 4K:1BB. Weatherby blew the save, but got the win, while Evan Englebrook got his 8th save of the year.
Lancaster
Despite out-hitting San Jose 9-6, the JetHawks lost 4-1. Jack Shuck and Ebert Rosario had two-hit games. Chris Salamida threw 6.1IP, 5H/4R (1ER), 3K:3BB. Four errors (Rosario - 2, Cabral, and Salamida) led to the three unearned runs
Lexington
Lexington scored a run in the 12th to defeat Greenville 4-3. Jay Austin was 2x6 with an RBI, Brandon Wikoff was 2x5, and Suttle and Pellegrini each added RBIs - Suttle's RBI double providing the winning run. Jordan Lyles thrwe 5IP, 7H/3ER, 6K:0BB while Henry Villar, Brian Wabick, and Matt Nevarez threw 7IP, 5H/0ER, 7K:0BB in relief - Nevarez picked up the win.
Tri-City
Tri-City beat Aberdeen 6-3 thanks to Nick Stanley's 3x4 day, with a 3-run homer and 4RBI. J.D. Martinez was also 3x4 with a solo homer. Colton Pitkin threw 5IP, 4H/1ER, 2K:4BB for the win.
Greeneville
A 5-run 5th inning for Princeton was what sunk the Gastros 7-3. Kyle Miller was 2x3 with two doubles, Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x4 (hitting .436 in his last ten games, .316 in August). Jiovanni Mier hit a solo homer, and Carlos Mojica had the other two RBI. Luis Cruz threw 4.2IP, 8H/7ER, 3K:0BB while Jeiler Castillo and Scott Migl threw 4.1IP, 1H/0ER, 6K:2BB in relief.
2012 is going to be awesome
In a nice profile of the Legends' heralded pitching staff:
Jordan Lyles:
"We're pretty young, but experience wasn't a factor. We came out and threw strikes and got people out."
Astros' minor-league pitching coordinator Britt Burns:
"I've been tickled to death with what (the starters have) accomplished this year. I'm really looking forward to next year, (seeing) them progress and, hopefully, finding their way to the big leagues sooner rather than later."
Lexington pitching coach Travis Driskill:
"They're all 20 and under, and they've all performed in a league where most of the guys are probably either college kids or have at least three or four years of pro experience. They've all done well, and all of them have thrown one game that you can say, 'Wow, that was a really good game!'"
Robert Bono:
"The biggest stride is probably keeping the ball down. And going in and out. Command of my fastball, that's been the biggest jump."
Brad Dydalewicz:
"My changeup has been a great pitch for me this year, so I've pretty well mastered that pitch. I really feel comfortable throwing it in any count. My ball is moving a lot and I've got a lot of sink on my two-seam (fastball)"
Kyle Greenwalt, on what changed from last year:
"My competitiveness on the mound. I just became more willing to allow guys to hit the ball and I just learned a lot. That's what our pitching philosophy has been all year: just pitch to contact. You don't need to strike guys out."
Jordan Lyles, who has already set the Lexington record for Ks in a season:
"Midway through the season I came away with a pretty decent curveball from Travis helping me, and our pitching coordinators. I've really grown to like it and I expect big things from it in the future."
Ross Seaton:
"The game's faster. I know everybody says that, but I didn't understand it until I got here. Everything just moves faster and you have to learn how to slow it down and keep it at your own pace. We can't control whether we score runs or not. And it's not in our control how many runs we give up, either. You can have great suff and get killed, and you can have awful stuff and throw a shutout. It's the way it is, and we're learning from it, and you 'just pitch' no matter what."
Jordan Lyles:
"We're pretty young, but experience wasn't a factor. We came out and threw strikes and got people out."
Astros' minor-league pitching coordinator Britt Burns:
"I've been tickled to death with what (the starters have) accomplished this year. I'm really looking forward to next year, (seeing) them progress and, hopefully, finding their way to the big leagues sooner rather than later."
Lexington pitching coach Travis Driskill:
"They're all 20 and under, and they've all performed in a league where most of the guys are probably either college kids or have at least three or four years of pro experience. They've all done well, and all of them have thrown one game that you can say, 'Wow, that was a really good game!'"
Robert Bono:
"The biggest stride is probably keeping the ball down. And going in and out. Command of my fastball, that's been the biggest jump."
Brad Dydalewicz:
"My changeup has been a great pitch for me this year, so I've pretty well mastered that pitch. I really feel comfortable throwing it in any count. My ball is moving a lot and I've got a lot of sink on my two-seam (fastball)"
Kyle Greenwalt, on what changed from last year:
"My competitiveness on the mound. I just became more willing to allow guys to hit the ball and I just learned a lot. That's what our pitching philosophy has been all year: just pitch to contact. You don't need to strike guys out."
Jordan Lyles, who has already set the Lexington record for Ks in a season:
"Midway through the season I came away with a pretty decent curveball from Travis helping me, and our pitching coordinators. I've really grown to like it and I expect big things from it in the future."
Ross Seaton:
"The game's faster. I know everybody says that, but I didn't understand it until I got here. Everything just moves faster and you have to learn how to slow it down and keep it at your own pace. We can't control whether we score runs or not. And it's not in our control how many runs we give up, either. You can have great suff and get killed, and you can have awful stuff and throw a shutout. It's the way it is, and we're learning from it, and you 'just pitch' no matter what."
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