Some thoughts after 12 games

[juliogotay]

Schaefer- Not in Bourn's class defensively but he may end up a substantially better offensive player.

Altuve- I think he'll be here a long time. I'm not seeing DeShields or Paredes eventually beating him out.

Harrell- I like him. He's not getting these guys out with smoke-n-mirrors.

Maxwell- Good athlete. Not sure that he's a ballplayer. Doesn't look very instinctive at age 28. Probably won't be in a Houston uniform at the All-Star break.

Wright- I hate this but he may be walking his way out of town.

Bogusevic- I really like the idea of him in RF but a big hit now and then would make me feel a lot smarter.

Rhyner Cruz- Very close to being very good.

I reserve the right to change my mind about all of the above tomorrow.

[Mr. Happy]

I agree with you on just about all points, except that I've had enough of WW. Yesterday.

[VirtualBob]

I agree with you on just about all points, except that I've had enough of WW. Yesterday.

I agree ... pulling for Rule 5 guys to make it is fun, but WW (or should we rename him BB?) has had his chances.

[pots]

I agree ... pulling for Rule 5 guys to make it is fun, but WW (or should we rename him BB?) has had his chances.

Xavier and Abad are your AAA options.    All having at least one failure at the big league level.  Might as well let Wesley try to work through it before given one of the other guys a try again.

[MusicMan]

Xavier and Abad are your AAA options.    All having at least one failure at the big league level.  Might as well let Wesley try to work through it before given one of the other guys a try again.

The problem is, WW's had multiple failures at the big league level.

[geezerdonk]

Pretty much mirrors my thoughts.
The sooner they get rid of Wright, the better.
Also, can't say Castro is awful defensively, but he sure isn't very good. Looks like he has a long way to go to be an adequate major league catcher.

[Ron Brand]

Pretty much mirrors my thoughts.
The sooner they get rid of Wright, the better.
Also, can't say Castro is awful defensively, but he sure isn't very good. Looks like he has a long way to go to be an adequate major league catcher.

He does. I think he was rushed because of his status as high pick and he didn't fail miserably in the minors, plus they had a deep hole at catcher and weren't going to spend anything to fix it. I doubt he's had the kind of teaching he needs, but maybe he'll get some now from Snyder.

[Taras Bulba]

He does. I think he was rushed because of his status as high pick and he didn't fail miserably in the minors, plus they had a deep hole at catcher and weren't going to spend anything to fix it. I doubt he's had the kind of teaching he needs, but maybe he'll get some now from Snyder.

Anyone else think that Castro is a tad frail to be a major league catcher?

[JimR]

He does. I think he was rushed because of his status as high pick and he didn't fail miserably in the minors, plus they had a deep hole at catcher and weren't going to spend anything to fix it. I doubt he's had the kind of teaching he needs, but maybe he'll get some now from Snyder.

development was set back by injuries, too.

[roadrunner]

It's completely unfair to judge Castro at this point.  He's 3 weeks into his first full rookie season and he's coming off ACL surgery.  He hasn't been great but let's see what happens.  His double off the wall last night was probably the hardest ball an Astro catcher has hit since Ausmus hit the game tying homer off Farnsworth in '05.

[Ron Brand]

development was set back by injuries, too.

How does that work, anyway? Obviously, he couldn't squat or run much, but in a case like that what sort of developmental work would a player be able to get if his leg was out of commission for a while? Video study of hitters to prepare in calling games? I know he did some batting work as he progressed, but I don't know how much he'd be able to get in the other areas of his game.

[roadrunner]

Schaefer- Not in Bourn's class defensively but he may end up a substantially better offensive player.

Altuve- I think he'll be here a long time. I'm not seeing DeShields or Paredes eventually beating him out.

Harrell- I like him. He's not getting these guys out with smoke-n-mirrors.

Maxwell- Good athlete. Not sure that he's a ballplayer. Doesn't look very instinctive at age 28. Probably won't be in a Houston uniform at the All-Star break.

Wright- I hate this but he may be walking his way out of town.

Bogusevic- I really like the idea of him in RF but a big hit now and then would make me feel a lot smarter.

Rhyner Cruz- Very close to being very good.

I reserve the right to change my mind about all of the above tomorrow.

Agree with all of this and would like to add that MarGo/Lowrie have both been impressive early.  I was somewhat worried when Barmes left (but understood why), and both of these guys have filled in nicely.

[HudsonHawk]

The problem is, WW's had multiple failures at the big league level.

Exactly. I really thought Wright would be better than he is.

[Matt]

Altuve- I think he'll be here a long time. I'm not seeing DeShields or Paredes eventually beating him out.
 

Not sure on the thinking behind Altuve batting 8th but I'm thinking he needs to be moved to 7th and drop the catchers down to 8th.

[Mr. Happy]

Exactly. I really thought Wright would be better than he is.

I have to admit that after the first pitch by WW (a 91 MPH fastball on the inside corner at the knees), it's been a steady decline. It's like he fell in love with that sweeping slider and can't get out of that relationship. I've had enough of seeing him toss. I suspect that if he does that again in a close ball game, a roster move will be made.

[juliogotay]

Not sure on the thinking behind Altuve batting 8th but I'm thinking he needs to be moved to 7th and drop the catchers down to 8th.

I like Altuve in the 2 hole. I'd like to see him get more ABs than in the lower of the order. He is one of the best hitters on the team and showing discipline this year.

[juliogotay]

I have to admit that after the first pitch by WW (a 91 MPH fastball on the inside corner at the knees), it's been a steady decline. It's like he fell in love with that sweeping slider and can't get out of that relationship. I've had enough of seeing him toss. I suspect that if he does that again in a close ball game, a roster move will be made.

G. Lucas reported over the weekend that after a loss against Miami Mills was particularly steamed about WW walking the one man he faced. That was before last night's effort.

[VirtualBob]

I like Altuve in the 2 hole. I'd like to see him get more ABs than in the lower of the order. He is one of the best hitters on the team and showing discipline this year.

NTTAWWT?

[pots]

Mills was particularly steamed

Did he raise an eyebrow? Tug at his collar?  Hesitate to say something nice?

[pots]

I like Altuve in the 2 hole. I'd like to see him get more ABs than in the lower of the order. He is one of the best hitters on the team and showing discipline this year.

I got crazier than that.   I moved JD and Lee down 1 and inserted The Altuve in the 3rd spot.  The Altuve doesn't seem to be bothered with runners on base and he's the toughest out in the line up (IMHO).  I'd like a little more power, but he's got gap power.  

[Matt]

I like Altuve in the 2 hole. I'd like to see him get more ABs than in the lower of the order. He is one of the best hitters on the team and showing discipline this year.

Well yeah me too but Mills is hitting him down in the order right now and he's been up with zero people on base lately but has been stinging the ball. There were a few times that the 7 hitters didn't get runs home and made the third out before The Altuve could get to the plate.

[Bench]

I think Schreefer sums it up nicely:

“We’re in every game,” said Jordan Schafer who went 2-for-4. “It’s not like we’re getting blown out. We’re in every game and we just have to do the little things right throughout the game to get wins there. Little things are costing us games and we have to tighten up on that.”

[Mr. Happy]

I think Schreefer sums it up nicely:

“We’re in every game,” said Jordan Schafer who went 2-for-4. “It’s not like we’re getting blown out. We’re in every game and we just have to do the little things right throughout the game to get wins there. Little things are costing us games and we have to tighten up on that.”

Yep. Those little things mean the difference between 100-62 and 62-100.

[Gizzmonic]

Yep. Those little things mean the difference between 100-62 and 62-100.

**COUGH** outs on the basepaths **COUGH**

[Bench]

I like Altuve in the 2 hole. I'd like to see him get more ABs than in the lower of the order. He is one of the best hitters on the team and showing discipline this year.

You got him there tonight. 

[Mr. Happy]

Interesting lineup tonight. Downs starts at 3B, and Gonzalez at SS, hitting eighth. Castro still hitting seventh, I guess based on his double from last night.

[juliogotay]

You got him there tonight. 

And he brings the big stick.

[geezerdonk]

I take it back - Castro is awful.
The only major league catcher I ever saw with worse defensive skills was Vic Janowicz.

[jbm]

I don't recall him being this bad the first time up, even though it was a short time. I also don't recall hearing about him being a defensive liability in the minors.

I'm chalking it up to the injury, and hoping it is something that will be overcome with time.

[Navin R Johnson]

They mentioned on the broadcast last night that the coaches want to work with Castro on blocking pitches but don't want to put the extra stress on his knees since he is just getting healthy.   I am hoping he can make it thru the year and get some winter ball practice in.

[astrosfan76]

I don't recall him being this bad the first time up, even though it was a short time. I also don't recall hearing about him being a defensive liability in the minors.

I'm chalking it up to the injury, and hoping it is something that will be overcome with time.

But, he held on to the ball!!!!

[Reuben]

Mills said there has been some concern recently about the number of pitched balls that have been getting past Castro, which could be a product of him still getting back into game shape as well as getting familiar with the pitching staff.

Castro and catching coordinator Matt Sinatro worked on some drills last weekend to address it.

"It was about a week ago we were taking notice of it, and we've talked to him about it," Mills said. "I know what he's coming back from and know what he missed last year with the knee situation. We're getting a bit more familiar with how the knee is going to feel, how it moves, how the pitchers are pitching and so forth."

Link
Amazingly, I think he just tagged with his first official Passed Ball of the year; guess the pitchers are getting saddled with a lot of tough-luck WPs.

[Fredia]

wonder if that would have changed last night game outcome

[Mr. Happy]

Link
Amazingly, I think he just tagged with his first official Passed Ball of the year; guess the pitchers are getting saddled with a lot of tough-luck WPs.

There have been some pretty bad scoring calls on the wild pitches. This is the big leagues. Balls in the dirt are supposed to be blocked with the body. This ole' stab thing is very old already.

[juliogotay]

I never understood Castro in the first round.

I've also admitted to myself that  Norris won't ever be an ace pitcher. JD explained it to me. Two-pitch pitchers don't look so baffling the 3rd time around the order.

[Mr. Happy]

I never understood Castro in the first round.

I've also admitted to myself that  Norris won't ever be an ace pitcher. JD explained it to me. Two-pitch pitchers don't look so baffling the 3rd time around the order.

Well, in retrospect, a catcher really has to be something special to warrant a one. I didn't see Castro play at Stanford, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. But JD is right about Bud. He's a reliever/closer in waiting.

[HudsonHawk]

There have been some pretty bad scoring calls on the wild pitches. This is the big leagues. Balls in the dirt are supposed to be blocked with the body. This ole' stab thing is very old already.

Right...it's the Big Leagues.  Pitchers are supposed to be able to throw the ball 60 feet on the fly.  Not that the catcher shouldn't be able to help out the pitcher, but any ball that hits the dirt is a wild pitch.  Period.

[JackAstro]

Right...it's the Big Leagues.  Pitchers are supposed to be able to throw the ball 60 feet on the fly.  Not that the catcher shouldn't be able to help out the pitcher, but any ball that hits the dirt is a wild pitch.  Period.

This. Pitches that don't make it to the catcher are wild, and rightfully so. You'd hope that your catcher could do a respectable job blocking most of them, but it's not a passed ball if he can't.

[Andyzipp]

This. Pitches that don't make it to the catcher are wild, and rightfully so. You'd hope that your catcher could do a respectable job blocking most of them, but it's not a passed ball if he can't.

It's really, really surprising to me that pitchers have a different opinion on this than do catchers/position players.

[Uncle Charlie]

I haven't seen many of his ABs, but what's the thought on Bogusevic in 2012?  He seemed to turn the corner last year but has regressed this year.

[juliogotay]

I haven't seen many of his ABs, but what's the thought on Bogusevic in 2012?  He seemed to turn the corner last year but has regressed this year.

I don't know that he's regressed. His hitting is not what you want but it is still very early in the year to say he's regressed IMO. He's just struggling at the plate hopefully and will come around. He may be streaky. Last year he had a great streak surroundibed by alot of what he's doing now.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Going back to the subject line of this thread, I think they lose 100+ games.  This run of losses is just the start.

[JackAstro]

It's really, really surprising to me that pitchers have a different opinion on this than do catchers/position players.

Shocking, I know. Being that "utility drunk" does not fall specifically into either category, I like to think of myself as a neutral arbiter, and therefore the final and binding opinion on the subject. This thread is now closed.

[Mr. Happy]

Right...it's the Big Leagues.  Pitchers are supposed to be able to throw the ball 60 feet on the fly.  Not that the catcher shouldn't be able to help out the pitcher, but any ball that hits the dirt is a wild pitch.  Period.

Typical catcher. You practice blocking balls in the dirt because it is a staple pitch when ahead in the count. If a pitcher can't make that throw because he's got an ole' statue back there behind the dish, he's lost a huge weapon. Do you even agree that Castro has very poor blocking technique with respect to balls on either side of him?

[VirtualBob]

Shocking, I know. Being that "utility drunk" does not fall specifically into either category, I like to think of myself as a neutral arbiter, and therefore the final and binding opinion on the subject. This thread is now closed.

Looks like one got by ... so is that a passed ball or a wild pitch?

[HudsonHawk]

Typical catcher. You practice blocking balls in the dirt because it is a staple pitch when ahead in the count. If a pitcher can't make that throw because he's got an ole' statue back there behind the dish, he's lost a huge weapon.

Typical pitcher.  You practice not bouncing pitches because you risk giving up bases.  I agree that a good catcher needs to be able to block pitches and give confidence to the pitcher to make pitches.  But I don't agree that when a pitcher throws one 37 feet, it's the catcher's fault.

Do you even agree that Castro has very poor blocking technique with respect to balls on either side of him?

I've not noticed him being particularly poor at blocking pitches, but I've not watched him a ton either.  He does seem pretty stiff back there.

[Mr. Happy]

Typical pitcher.  You practice not bouncing pitches because you risk giving up bases.  I agree that a good catcher needs to be able to block pitches and give confidence to the pitcher to make pitches.  But I don't agree that when a pitcher throws one 37 feet, it's the catcher's fault.

I've not noticed him being particularly poor at blocking pitches, but I've not watched him a ton either.  He does seem pretty stiff back there.

The 37 footer is on the pitcher. I agree. However, it's a much closer call on the 59 1/2 footer.

[JimR]

i am in the "if the ball bounces, it is a WP" camp. it is hard for me to say that a catcher who fails to block a ball in the dirt gets a PB.

do i lose my Pitcher's Union card?

[Mr. Happy]

i am in the "if the ball bounces, it is a WP" camp. it is hard for me to say that a catcher who fails to block a ball in the dirt gets a PB.

do i lose my Pitcher's Union card?

No, because you got one of the granite ones.

[Noe in Austin]

I would think that as a pitcher you'd have much more to blame a catcher for than blocking a ball you threw in the dirt. To me, if the catcher is lazy and does not move in and out of the box and only calls for a fastball and places his mitt dead red... I'm more pissed off than he failed to block the ball in the dirt (that is on me to begin with).

[Mr. Happy]

I would think that as a pitcher you'd have much more to blame a catcher for than blocking a ball you threw in the dirt. To me, if the catcher is lazy and does not move in and out of the box and only calls for a fastball and places his mitt dead red... I'm more pissed off than he failed to block the ball in the dirt (that is on me to begin with).

Lest anyone misunderstand me, I love catchers. A good catcher is in my opinion the pitcher's biggest advocate and best friend. My comments are really aimed at catchers who, as Noe said, are lazy and do the old ole' back stab at balls to either side of them without coming out of the box to meet the ball as they are taught.

[Limey]

Lest anyone misunderstand me, I love catchers. A good catcher is in my opinion the pitcher's biggest advocate and best friend. My comments are really aimed at catchers who, as Noe said, are lazy and do the old ole' back stab at balls to either side of them without coming out of the box to meet the ball as they are taught.

To sum up:

Pitchers don't like crappy catchers
Catchers don't like crappy pitchers

[Gizzmonic]

Shocking, I know. Being that "utility drunk" does not fall specifically into either category, I like to think of myself as a neutral arbiter, and therefore the final and binding opinion on the subject. This thread is now closed.

Don't feel too bad, JA.  You'd start at drunk for any other message board.  This board just happens to be '27 Yankees deep at that category.