Zach Levine has some info on Brandon Lyon, who threw 25 pitches in minor-league camp to hitters:
Lyon:
"The weather obviously wasn't cooperating where I could go outside and get in a game situation, but as far as the way my arm felt, everything felt good. I think it's a good stepping stone to the next step. I started working everything in. Fastball, curveball, cutter, changeup.”
Arnsberg:
"All of his pitches are pretty tight. He threw a couple sliders that he got underneath, but he stayed in mechanics real well.”
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Saturday, March 13, 2010
With or Without Lance
Zach Levine has an interesting, and by "interesting" I, of course, mean "Depressing" look at the lineup should Berkman miss Opening Day and beyond.
McTaggart has Matsui batting second and Feliz batting fifth, to which Levine responds:
The point is that although I think McTaggart nailed where the Astros will go with it, this lineup is unsightly. This appears, naturally, considerably worse than the lineup that was third worst in the league last year.
With Berkman back in the lineup, Levine proposes putting Pence in the #2 hole, Castro/Towles hitting fifth, and the pitcher hitting 8th.
It also asks too much of the young catcher to protect Carlos Lee from walks, but I'd almost rather Castro or Towles do it than Feliz.
Towles projects for an OPS 20 points higher than Feliz according to Baseball Prospectus, and Castro will at least have his handedness to offset some of the pitch-around tendency against a righty.
Whatever happens, and I currently have all the faith in the world in Brad Mills that he'll put something together that makes sense, but the Berkman injury takes 2010 to a different level.
If Berkman comes back healthy - and there's no reason to think that he won't - and struggles, then the decision to pick up his 2011 option becomes easier. If he is injury riddled, and struggles, then it's a little bit more difficult. I would imagine that, unless Berkman hits .320 with 35 HRs and 120 RBI, Wade would lean towards the buyout, and then bringing him back at a reduced rate. Because after last year's numbers, and presuming a down year, he's not a $15 million player.
I also think that we, as Astros fans, are prepared for a down year, but not for this reason. There is no clear back-up plan for life without Lance.
McTaggart has Matsui batting second and Feliz batting fifth, to which Levine responds:
The point is that although I think McTaggart nailed where the Astros will go with it, this lineup is unsightly. This appears, naturally, considerably worse than the lineup that was third worst in the league last year.
With Berkman back in the lineup, Levine proposes putting Pence in the #2 hole, Castro/Towles hitting fifth, and the pitcher hitting 8th.
It also asks too much of the young catcher to protect Carlos Lee from walks, but I'd almost rather Castro or Towles do it than Feliz.
Towles projects for an OPS 20 points higher than Feliz according to Baseball Prospectus, and Castro will at least have his handedness to offset some of the pitch-around tendency against a righty.
Whatever happens, and I currently have all the faith in the world in Brad Mills that he'll put something together that makes sense, but the Berkman injury takes 2010 to a different level.
If Berkman comes back healthy - and there's no reason to think that he won't - and struggles, then the decision to pick up his 2011 option becomes easier. If he is injury riddled, and struggles, then it's a little bit more difficult. I would imagine that, unless Berkman hits .320 with 35 HRs and 120 RBI, Wade would lean towards the buyout, and then bringing him back at a reduced rate. Because after last year's numbers, and presuming a down year, he's not a $15 million player.
I also think that we, as Astros fans, are prepared for a down year, but not for this reason. There is no clear back-up plan for life without Lance.
Other Meat Wagon updates
Some updates on the injury front:
Alberto Arias' trapezius injury is solely inflammation, and he could get back to throwing today.
In the same article, we see that Jason Castro is back and feeling better after being out for two days with a stomach bug, with a 102-degree fever.
You may have already seen this, but yesterday Zach Levine assessed the threat level of various injuries within the organization. This was posted obviously before Berkman's surgery, but let's take a look:
Jose Vallejo: The second baseman acquired last year tops the list not because he was going to be a big leaguer this year but because he's the only one whose career appears to be in jeopardy.
Brandon Lyon: Unless we hear that there's been a setback, this is being treated as just a late start to the season.
Jiovanni Mier and his sore shoulder: The top pick from the Astros' 2009 draft class has resumed a throwing program, but general manager Ed Wade said "it's still not progressing the way we want it to."
We also see that Matt Nevarez is experiencing some shoulder soreness, though not on the level that Mier is, apparently; and that Jon Gaston has an "undisclosed foot injury," and has been sent to Houston for an examination and to get a pad to wear on the inside of his cleats.
All in all, we're not the Mets (and I think we can all thank God for that), but it's not a whole lot of fun.
Alberto Arias' trapezius injury is solely inflammation, and he could get back to throwing today.
In the same article, we see that Jason Castro is back and feeling better after being out for two days with a stomach bug, with a 102-degree fever.
You may have already seen this, but yesterday Zach Levine assessed the threat level of various injuries within the organization. This was posted obviously before Berkman's surgery, but let's take a look:
Jose Vallejo: The second baseman acquired last year tops the list not because he was going to be a big leaguer this year but because he's the only one whose career appears to be in jeopardy.
Brandon Lyon: Unless we hear that there's been a setback, this is being treated as just a late start to the season.
Jiovanni Mier and his sore shoulder: The top pick from the Astros' 2009 draft class has resumed a throwing program, but general manager Ed Wade said "it's still not progressing the way we want it to."
We also see that Matt Nevarez is experiencing some shoulder soreness, though not on the level that Mier is, apparently; and that Jon Gaston has an "undisclosed foot injury," and has been sent to Houston for an examination and to get a pad to wear on the inside of his cleats.
All in all, we're not the Mets (and I think we can all thank God for that), but it's not a whole lot of fun.
Berkman is damaged, but not too bad
Good news on the Berkman front as Big Lance had his left knee surgery today, and no ligament or meniscus damage was found:
Mills:
"From what I understand, they were able to clean everything up and there was no cartilage damage and he's fine. The level of concern has gone way down because of that. The doctor says he's fine, so we'll just go off of him and getting him ready and strong."
The projected return seems to be the same: 2-4 weeks.
Mills:
"From what I understand, they were able to clean everything up and there was no cartilage damage and he's fine. The level of concern has gone way down because of that. The doctor says he's fine, so we'll just go off of him and getting him ready and strong."
The projected return seems to be the same: 2-4 weeks.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Berkman needs surgery, could miss Opening Day
So says Brian McTaggart. This is a huge blow - obviously - with major impact on the organization. Let's look (whilst I have a break):
1. The Astros now need a first baseman. Because, and I have no information to back this up, but I'm guessing this is not a 2-week injury - which is the soonest McTaggart says he can come back. So Blum could be seeing a lot more time in the lineup. And this could impact the IF6 spot, as well.
2. This impacts the possibility of the Astros picking up Berkman's option in 2011. $2m is a lot more attractive than $15m if Berkman has a dodgy knee.
What do you think?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
What is fluid on the knee?
According to Dr. Jonathan Cluett, Berkman's knee water is troubling.
Draining the fluid just means it will come back, as we've seen from the previous post that Berkman has had the knee drained twice in under two weeks.
Cluett:
For example, meniscus tears and ligament injuries can cause fluid to collect. Furthermore, tearing of small blood vessels can cause fluid to accumulate within the knee, this is commonly seen in patients with an ACL tear.
Excess fluid around the joint can accumulate in the bursa, a condition called prepatellar bursitis. While the fluid is not actually within the knee joint itself, prepatellar bursitis also causes swelling, or water on the knee.
Ultimately Berkman's knee will need surgery, as it's pretty much syringes (for draining - don't get any ideas) and cortisone shots from here on out.
Draining the fluid just means it will come back, as we've seen from the previous post that Berkman has had the knee drained twice in under two weeks.
Cluett:
For example, meniscus tears and ligament injuries can cause fluid to collect. Furthermore, tearing of small blood vessels can cause fluid to accumulate within the knee, this is commonly seen in patients with an ACL tear.
Excess fluid around the joint can accumulate in the bursa, a condition called prepatellar bursitis. While the fluid is not actually within the knee joint itself, prepatellar bursitis also causes swelling, or water on the knee.
Ultimately Berkman's knee will need surgery, as it's pretty much syringes (for draining - don't get any ideas) and cortisone shots from here on out.
Berkman's knee has more fluid than what was on the field in Viera today
According to McTaggart, Lance has had to have his knee drained twice since jacking it up in camp last week. He'll be examined by team physician David Lintner.
And Lintner will be busy, as he also will be examining Alberto Arias' back, and now apparently Jiovanni Mier, who is experiencing from shoulder discomfort.
And Lintner will be busy, as he also will be examining Alberto Arias' back, and now apparently Jiovanni Mier, who is experiencing from shoulder discomfort.
ST8: Astros v. Nationals
Today's Spring Training game between the Astros and Nationals has been rained out.
McTaggart says that Oswalt will throw BP in Kissimmee in order to get work in because of said rain out.
In other, who-knows-if-it's-related news, Felipe Paulino will start Saturday's game at St. Louis instead of Wesley Wright.
McTaggart says that Oswalt will throw BP in Kissimmee in order to get work in because of said rain out.
In other, who-knows-if-it's-related news, Felipe Paulino will start Saturday's game at St. Louis instead of Wesley Wright.
Jake Goebbert is a lot more comfortable
The Northwest Herald has a piece about 2009 13th-round pick Jake Goebbert:
Goebbert:
“It’s a struggle, especially when you’re used to getting at least one hit a game. You just have to deal with the bumps and bruises of pro ball the best that you can...
...It taught me a lot. Each month, I feel like I made progress. I learned a lot about the weaknesses in my swing and I was able to work on those. I’m very excited, I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable.”
Goebbert:
“It’s a struggle, especially when you’re used to getting at least one hit a game. You just have to deal with the bumps and bruises of pro ball the best that you can...
...It taught me a lot. Each month, I feel like I made progress. I learned a lot about the weaknesses in my swing and I was able to work on those. I’m very excited, I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable.”
Were you feeling optimistic? Read this
Zach Levine's article on the Astros' search for 15 more wins. I'm not even going to pull anything, just read it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Mills, and the dreaded Cause For Concern
In Brian McTaggart's recap of today's loss to the Marlins, he has this quote from Brad Mills:
"The thing was they didn't miss too many balls. Is it a cause for concern? You never like it. You just don't like it, but Wandy is a guy that might not have been hitting his spots and they didn't miss them. The ball was coming out of his hands fine and he looks good and feels good. It's not a cause for concern. The guys stayed aggressive with the bats. The conditions aren't the best, but they [the Marlins] didn't miss too many balls offensively."
Okay, so there have been a lot of walks and a lot of runs given up - this being the second out of seven games in which the opposing team's offense has scored 15+ runs. When do we sound the alarm? Is it overreacting?
Right now, yes. This was Wandy's second start of the Spring, and he'll get stretched out more. Right now you have a group of hitters who are trying to distinguish themselves, and a group of pitchers who are trying not to get injured. Listen to Wandy (via Zach Levine):
Today I wanted to throw the ball down and throw my changeup and my breaking ball. I felt fine, I just missed my spot. I felt perfect, I wasn't sore. I need more innings. It's fine because next time, I've got four innings."
Pitchers are working on getting the feel for their pitches, and are missing spots. So at what point do we start to worry? A week? Two weeks? End of March? We can get all jazzed up about J.R. Towles hitting over .500, but in the same way that the pitchers will start to ramp up, hitters will do the same thing. But it's hard to justify giving a backup job to a guy hitting .111. So, yes, there's a double-standard, in that Wandy can get away with giving up four earned runs, but if Gary Majewski does the same thing - he might not survive Spring Training.
"The thing was they didn't miss too many balls. Is it a cause for concern? You never like it. You just don't like it, but Wandy is a guy that might not have been hitting his spots and they didn't miss them. The ball was coming out of his hands fine and he looks good and feels good. It's not a cause for concern. The guys stayed aggressive with the bats. The conditions aren't the best, but they [the Marlins] didn't miss too many balls offensively."
Okay, so there have been a lot of walks and a lot of runs given up - this being the second out of seven games in which the opposing team's offense has scored 15+ runs. When do we sound the alarm? Is it overreacting?
Right now, yes. This was Wandy's second start of the Spring, and he'll get stretched out more. Right now you have a group of hitters who are trying to distinguish themselves, and a group of pitchers who are trying not to get injured. Listen to Wandy (via Zach Levine):
Today I wanted to throw the ball down and throw my changeup and my breaking ball. I felt fine, I just missed my spot. I felt perfect, I wasn't sore. I need more innings. It's fine because next time, I've got four innings."
Pitchers are working on getting the feel for their pitches, and are missing spots. So at what point do we start to worry? A week? Two weeks? End of March? We can get all jazzed up about J.R. Towles hitting over .500, but in the same way that the pitchers will start to ramp up, hitters will do the same thing. But it's hard to justify giving a backup job to a guy hitting .111. So, yes, there's a double-standard, in that Wandy can get away with giving up four earned runs, but if Gary Majewski does the same thing - he might not survive Spring Training.
The Morris Daily-Herald has a big bag of bummer for us
There are some major eyebrow-raisers in this preview of the 2010 Astros, starting with Humberto Quintero getting the nod as C1. Let's go to the italics:
The emergence of Rodriguez in 2009 and the addition of Myers should mean that Oswalt shouldn't have to carry an otherwise lackluster rotation ... which is good, given that he no longer looks like one of the game's elite starting pitchers.
And on the bullpen:
Either Lindstrom or Lyon should win the closer's job. No matther what, they'll be a huge downgrade from the departed Jose Valverde...I wouldn't trust either Norris or Moehler in a full-time starting role if I was an Astros fan. Nor would I count on guys like Byrdak, Chris Sampson and Wesley Wright being consistent out of the bullpen.
So to sum up: Don't think highly of Lindstrom or Lyon. Or Bud Norris. Or Brian Moehler. Or Tim Byrdak. Or Chris Sampson. Or Wesley Wright.
The emergence of Rodriguez in 2009 and the addition of Myers should mean that Oswalt shouldn't have to carry an otherwise lackluster rotation ... which is good, given that he no longer looks like one of the game's elite starting pitchers.
And on the bullpen:
Either Lindstrom or Lyon should win the closer's job. No matther what, they'll be a huge downgrade from the departed Jose Valverde...I wouldn't trust either Norris or Moehler in a full-time starting role if I was an Astros fan. Nor would I count on guys like Byrdak, Chris Sampson and Wesley Wright being consistent out of the bullpen.
So to sum up: Don't think highly of Lindstrom or Lyon. Or Bud Norris. Or Brian Moehler. Or Tim Byrdak. Or Chris Sampson. Or Wesley Wright.
Recap for ST7: Astros v. Marlins
What Happened?
The Marlins got out to a 12-0 lead before cruising to a 16-4 win over the Astros. The Marlins were 7x16 with RISP, and the pitching failed as Wandy, Paulino, and Majewski threw for a combined 5IP, 12H/10ER.
Why They Lost
Well, allowing 12 runs in the first five innings has something to do with it. Mike Stanton and Dan Uggle went back-to-back off Wandy in the 1st for three runs, and a throwing error by Edwin Maysonet led to two unearned runs for Wandy. The Astros were 1x8 w/RISP and left six on base. The Marlins also enjoyed eleven extra-base hits - six doubles, two triples, and three homers.
Astros pitching
We've discussed Wandy, and Paulino gave up three hits and two walks in his IP, and Majewski allowed three hits and one walk in his one IP. The youngsters were more impressive, with Henry Villar throwing a perfect inning, and Fernando Abad giving up 2H/1ER, and a strikeout in 2IP. Less impressive was Wesley Wright, who gave up three hits and walk that led to three earned runs.
Astros batting
Chris Johnson hit a two-run shot off Chris Volstad in the 5th inning, while Drew Meyer and Edwin Maysonet had the other two RBI. And let's give it up for Drew Locke, who hit a pinch-hit double for his first hit of the Spring. Otherwise, it was a big pile of nothing.
0-fers: Sullivan (0x3, BB), Lee (0x2), Bourgeois (0x2), Towles (0x3)
Positional Battles
Catcher
Towles: 0x3, 4LOB (.533 for the Spring)
Cash: 0x1, (.000)
OF5
Romero: 0x1 (.400)
Bogusevic: 0x1, K
Bourgeois: 0x2 (.000)
IF6:
Navarro: 1x1 (.250)
Shelton: 0x1 (.300)
Johnson: 1x3, HR, 2RBI
Man of the Match
This one goes out to Henry Villar, who was the only pitcher able to keep all his Marlins off the bases.
Goat of the Game
Gary Majewski. 1IP, 3H/4ER, 1K:1BB
The Marlins got out to a 12-0 lead before cruising to a 16-4 win over the Astros. The Marlins were 7x16 with RISP, and the pitching failed as Wandy, Paulino, and Majewski threw for a combined 5IP, 12H/10ER.
Why They Lost
Well, allowing 12 runs in the first five innings has something to do with it. Mike Stanton and Dan Uggle went back-to-back off Wandy in the 1st for three runs, and a throwing error by Edwin Maysonet led to two unearned runs for Wandy. The Astros were 1x8 w/RISP and left six on base. The Marlins also enjoyed eleven extra-base hits - six doubles, two triples, and three homers.
Astros pitching
We've discussed Wandy, and Paulino gave up three hits and two walks in his IP, and Majewski allowed three hits and one walk in his one IP. The youngsters were more impressive, with Henry Villar throwing a perfect inning, and Fernando Abad giving up 2H/1ER, and a strikeout in 2IP. Less impressive was Wesley Wright, who gave up three hits and walk that led to three earned runs.
Astros batting
Chris Johnson hit a two-run shot off Chris Volstad in the 5th inning, while Drew Meyer and Edwin Maysonet had the other two RBI. And let's give it up for Drew Locke, who hit a pinch-hit double for his first hit of the Spring. Otherwise, it was a big pile of nothing.
0-fers: Sullivan (0x3, BB), Lee (0x2), Bourgeois (0x2), Towles (0x3)
Positional Battles
Catcher
Towles: 0x3, 4LOB (.533 for the Spring)
Cash: 0x1, (.000)
OF5
Romero: 0x1 (.400)
Bogusevic: 0x1, K
Bourgeois: 0x2 (.000)
IF6:
Navarro: 1x1 (.250)
Shelton: 0x1 (.300)
Johnson: 1x3, HR, 2RBI
Man of the Match
This one goes out to Henry Villar, who was the only pitcher able to keep all his Marlins off the bases.
Goat of the Game
Gary Majewski. 1IP, 3H/4ER, 1K:1BB
Tranzactionz
The Astros made a couple of moves, releasing Bryan Hallberg and reinstating former 11th-round pick Jacob Priday from the Inactive List.
Hallberg spent four seasons in the Astros' organization, going 17-24 in 127 games. Drafted in the 12th Round in 2006, Hallberg posted a 2.44 ERA/1.20 WHIP in 15 games (12 starts) in Tri-City, and followed that up with a 6.97 ERA/1.78 WHIP between Tri-City and Lexington. For Salem in 2008, Hallberg had a good year, going 5-8 in 49 games, with a 2.68 ERA/1.14 WHIP, and despite a good start to 2009, imploded down the stretch to finish at Lancaster with a 5.34 ERA/1.70 WHIP - and the lowest full-season K:BB ratio of his career.
2008 11th-Round pick spent all of 2009 on the inactive list. Between Tri-City and Lexington in 2008, Priday hit .216/.331/.324 in 102 ABs.
Hallberg spent four seasons in the Astros' organization, going 17-24 in 127 games. Drafted in the 12th Round in 2006, Hallberg posted a 2.44 ERA/1.20 WHIP in 15 games (12 starts) in Tri-City, and followed that up with a 6.97 ERA/1.78 WHIP between Tri-City and Lexington. For Salem in 2008, Hallberg had a good year, going 5-8 in 49 games, with a 2.68 ERA/1.14 WHIP, and despite a good start to 2009, imploded down the stretch to finish at Lancaster with a 5.34 ERA/1.70 WHIP - and the lowest full-season K:BB ratio of his career.
2008 11th-Round pick spent all of 2009 on the inactive list. Between Tri-City and Lexington in 2008, Priday hit .216/.331/.324 in 102 ABs.
Wednesday morning updates
McTaggart has some early updates for us:
-Lindstrom is jacked over his 2IP, 0H/0ER performance:
"I felt like a had a lit better command of my slider and that makes a big difference when I'm throwing it for strikes and using it the way I know. The new grip with Arnsberg is something I feel comfortable with. It worked out good and you have to continue to build on it and feel more comfortable with it."
-Lyon could throw live BP on Friday.
-Castro won't start today, but could be available on Thursday. Mills:
"He's got the stomach thing a couple of guys had in the bullpen the past week. We sent him home, and hopefully it's a one-day thing, which we think it is."
-The team doctors will check out Arias on Friday, but for now, it's no-go for AA.
-Lindstrom is jacked over his 2IP, 0H/0ER performance:
"I felt like a had a lit better command of my slider and that makes a big difference when I'm throwing it for strikes and using it the way I know. The new grip with Arnsberg is something I feel comfortable with. It worked out good and you have to continue to build on it and feel more comfortable with it."
-Lyon could throw live BP on Friday.
-Castro won't start today, but could be available on Thursday. Mills:
"He's got the stomach thing a couple of guys had in the bullpen the past week. We sent him home, and hopefully it's a one-day thing, which we think it is."
-The team doctors will check out Arias on Friday, but for now, it's no-go for AA.
'77 Astros win a nail biter
Over at Play That Funky Baseball, your 1977 Astros defeated the Cardinals 7-6 on a bases-loaded strikeout by Joe Sambito to end the game.
Gee look, a one-run game! Underwood doesn’t exactly wow the Astros, putting 14 of the 23 guys he faces on base before his plug is pulled. Still, St. Louis battles back against Bannister, score two in the 7th to make it 6-5 but Ken Forsch gets out of a bases loaded jam to send it to the 9th—where Sambito whiffs Roger Freed to get out of a bases loaded jam and end the game. These two teams are separated by one wafer-thin mint.
W-Banister
L-Underwood
SV-Sambito
GWRBI-Cabell
Record: 3-2
GB: 1
Gee look, a one-run game! Underwood doesn’t exactly wow the Astros, putting 14 of the 23 guys he faces on base before his plug is pulled. Still, St. Louis battles back against Bannister, score two in the 7th to make it 6-5 but Ken Forsch gets out of a bases loaded jam to send it to the 9th—where Sambito whiffs Roger Freed to get out of a bases loaded jam and end the game. These two teams are separated by one wafer-thin mint.
W-Banister
L-Underwood
SV-Sambito
GWRBI-Cabell
Record: 3-2
GB: 1
Morning Updates
Got some updates via Twitter for you, Citizens:
Alyson Footer says that Jason Castro was sent home with a stomach flu. That must be one bad stomach bug, and is a blow to his Opening Day chances - particularly if J.R. Towles continues to rake.
McTaggart has your lineup for today's game against the Marlins:
1. Sullivan CF
2. Matsui 2B
3. Pence RF
4. Lee LF
5. Berkman 1B
6. Feliz 3B
7. Towles C
8. Maysonet SS
9. Wandy P
This is an interesting lineup, because it could be one that we see fairly regularly - with Bourn and Manzella getting the day off. I think it's the first game in which the pitcher has hit, and notice the flip of Pence and Berkman.
And, in response to a question through Twitter McTaggart speculates that Cory Sullivan is the front-runner for OF5, and it's hard to argue with that...
Alyson Footer says that Jason Castro was sent home with a stomach flu. That must be one bad stomach bug, and is a blow to his Opening Day chances - particularly if J.R. Towles continues to rake.
McTaggart has your lineup for today's game against the Marlins:
1. Sullivan CF
2. Matsui 2B
3. Pence RF
4. Lee LF
5. Berkman 1B
6. Feliz 3B
7. Towles C
8. Maysonet SS
9. Wandy P
This is an interesting lineup, because it could be one that we see fairly regularly - with Bourn and Manzella getting the day off. I think it's the first game in which the pitcher has hit, and notice the flip of Pence and Berkman.
And, in response to a question through Twitter McTaggart speculates that Cory Sullivan is the front-runner for OF5, and it's hard to argue with that...
Nocturnal Emissions: Vol. 6
Richard Justice chimes in with a fluff piece on reliever Tim Byrdak:
Tim Byrdak had finished a bullpen session the other day when new Astros coach Jamie Quirk approached him and smiled.
"So what clicked with you?" Quirk asked.
They’d met a dozen years earlier when Quirk was a coach for the Kansas City Royals and Byrdak was beginning what he hoped would be a long and successful major league career.
Simple question, complicated answer. Byrdak could have talked for an hour and not told Quirk the whole story. About all the times he’d been released, traded and injured or had doubted.
About 15 years in the minor leagues and the long bus rides, cold showers and trays of cold cuts. About all the pitches he tried and junked and sometimes tried again.
Byrdak is still around because he refused to believe all the people who doubted him. You don’t think I’m good enough? OK, you’ll see.
His wife, Heather, believed, too. She’s a huge part of this story. She once waited tables during the day and worked in a mall store at night while pregnant. Why? Tim’s dream became her dream...
...During those 15 years in the minors, Byrdak got up almost every day thinking he was one pitch away, maybe one opportunity away. An injury killed him here, a bad inning there.
There were tough times. Like when he was pitching for an independent league team in Joliet and making $2,000. That’s not even the worst of it. When Pete Rose Jr. was signed, there was one more veteran player than league rules allowed. Guess who the odd man out was.
"They were going to put me on the disabled list so I could keep getting paid," Byrdak said, "but I told them, ‘No, this isn’t where I want to be. I’m trying to get out of this league.’ I remember one year a guy in another organization coming up to me in Double-A and saying, ‘You’re way too old, and you’re making too much money. You either figure this out, or your tail is going to be at home.’ "
Tim Byrdak had finished a bullpen session the other day when new Astros coach Jamie Quirk approached him and smiled.
"So what clicked with you?" Quirk asked.
They’d met a dozen years earlier when Quirk was a coach for the Kansas City Royals and Byrdak was beginning what he hoped would be a long and successful major league career.
Simple question, complicated answer. Byrdak could have talked for an hour and not told Quirk the whole story. About all the times he’d been released, traded and injured or had doubted.
About 15 years in the minor leagues and the long bus rides, cold showers and trays of cold cuts. About all the pitches he tried and junked and sometimes tried again.
Byrdak is still around because he refused to believe all the people who doubted him. You don’t think I’m good enough? OK, you’ll see.
His wife, Heather, believed, too. She’s a huge part of this story. She once waited tables during the day and worked in a mall store at night while pregnant. Why? Tim’s dream became her dream...
...During those 15 years in the minors, Byrdak got up almost every day thinking he was one pitch away, maybe one opportunity away. An injury killed him here, a bad inning there.
There were tough times. Like when he was pitching for an independent league team in Joliet and making $2,000. That’s not even the worst of it. When Pete Rose Jr. was signed, there was one more veteran player than league rules allowed. Guess who the odd man out was.
"They were going to put me on the disabled list so I could keep getting paid," Byrdak said, "but I told them, ‘No, this isn’t where I want to be. I’m trying to get out of this league.’ I remember one year a guy in another organization coming up to me in Double-A and saying, ‘You’re way too old, and you’re making too much money. You either figure this out, or your tail is going to be at home.’ "
Jockeying for OF5
Levine has a recap of the battle for OF5, between Yordany, Bogusevic, Sullivan, Romero, and Bourgeois.
Of principal need is someone who is fast to handle games where Bourn gets a day off, and is a defensive replacement for Carlos Lee. And if Blum is in the lineup, there aren't currently any lefties on the bench. So that would help. Cory Sullivan knows this:
"They have an outfield spot open where they would like a lefthanded hitter who can play all three spots and can run a little bit. I think that fits my ability well, and I’ll just go out and do what I can."
And Bogusevic knows that consistency is key for him:
"The main thing is my consistency with my hitting. I have to be able to bring the same thing to the table every day and not be so up and down."
But Levine has a little nugget from Ed Wade:
All three with major league experience are in camp as non-roster invitees, but Wade did not dismiss the possibility that a player already on the Astros’ 40-man roster would survive every cut.
Of principal need is someone who is fast to handle games where Bourn gets a day off, and is a defensive replacement for Carlos Lee. And if Blum is in the lineup, there aren't currently any lefties on the bench. So that would help. Cory Sullivan knows this:
"They have an outfield spot open where they would like a lefthanded hitter who can play all three spots and can run a little bit. I think that fits my ability well, and I’ll just go out and do what I can."
And Bogusevic knows that consistency is key for him:
"The main thing is my consistency with my hitting. I have to be able to bring the same thing to the table every day and not be so up and down."
But Levine has a little nugget from Ed Wade:
All three with major league experience are in camp as non-roster invitees, but Wade did not dismiss the possibility that a player already on the Astros’ 40-man roster would survive every cut.
Another Potential Minor-League Site
Zach Levine has word that, aside from the proposed site in Sugar Land, another Houston-area site has its eyes on a minor-league franchise.
The East Montgomery County Improvement District signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ventura Sports Group and Sugar Land-based Wallace Bajjali Development Partners to build a stadium in Montgomery County with the intention of hosting independent minor league baseball in 2012.
The site would be in Porter just off the U.S. 59 feeder road near the proposed intersection with the Grand Parkway extension.
Because the Astros won't waive their right to allow an affiliated team within their metropolitan area, The Porters would have to host an independent league team.
The East Montgomery County Improvement District signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ventura Sports Group and Sugar Land-based Wallace Bajjali Development Partners to build a stadium in Montgomery County with the intention of hosting independent minor league baseball in 2012.
The site would be in Porter just off the U.S. 59 feeder road near the proposed intersection with the Grand Parkway extension.
Because the Astros won't waive their right to allow an affiliated team within their metropolitan area, The Porters would have to host an independent league team.
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