By: Joshua Reese
Spring Training for the Houston Astros this year, won't be filled with many hotly contested position battles. Most of the jobs going into Spring Training are locked up by either returning starters or big-named veterans brought in by Jeff Luhnow and his staff during the offseason.
While it doesn't look like there is much room for a non-roster invitee to come in a wow A.J. Hinch and win a job, he does know he might need some help down the line.
"I'm looking forward to (Francis) Martes," A.J. Hinch said during the team's annual luncheon. "Just because I know over the course of the entire season and the development track that he's been on there's an opportunity he may help us at some point, similar to how (Lance) McCullers or similar how (Chris) Devenski did last year."
Baseball America rated Francis Martes as the 15th best prospect in all of baseball and the Astros best overall prospect.
At 21 years old Martes has really come on to the seen for the Astros over the past two years and just last year at double-A he posted a 3.30 ERA in 22 starts.
During the offseason, it was rumored that teams were calling and checking in on Martes, including the Chicago White Sox who were willing to trade Jose Quintana for a package that included him but the Astros turned it down.
Martes seems to clearly be a part of the teams future, depending on how impressive he is this Spring, he could be making an impact on the team sooner than expected.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Astros see Dallas Keuchel bouncing back
By Joshua Reese
2106 was not the greatest of seasons for Houston Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Just a year earlier he was one of the most dominat pitchers in the game and was rewarded with the A.L. Cy Young, but in 2016 Keuchel had an up and down year and was ultimately shut down at the end of the season.
At times Keuchel showed he was that Cy Young level pitcher, but he wasn't able to sustain that same level throughout the year and with weeks left in the regular season, the Astros shut him down in order to give his arm a break.
Now with pitchers and catcher just days away, the question is can Keuchel return back to the ace level starter fans had grown accustomed to seeing the past few seasons?
"He's a good pitcher there is no question about that and even last year he showed it at times," Jeff Luhnow said. "He was dealing with some health issues last year and that's why he got shut down at the end (of the season), he's feeling good, he's feeling confident."
The Astros are hoping that last season was more of a regression to the mean after the unbelievable 2015 had when he posted career numbers everywhere including pitching an extra 32 more innings than he had been used too.
"We saw it with Corey Kluber," Luhnow said drawing a parallel between the Cleveland Indians ace and Keuchel.
What Luhnow is referring to is Kluber's poor 2015 which was sandwiched in between a 2014 Cy Young and a third place finish for the award in 2016.
Kluber, however, wasn't shut down in 2015, like Keuchel was this past season, but the theory by Luhnow is pretty solid.
All signs from 2016 do point towards Keuchel's arm being over taxed, so with the added rest, it's not crazy to think that the breaded lefty can't regain his form.
The Astros don't plan on using Keuchel very much during Spring Training so the guy that will show up opening day should hopefully look a lot closer to the guy he was in 2014-2015 than the guy he was last year.
2106 was not the greatest of seasons for Houston Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Just a year earlier he was one of the most dominat pitchers in the game and was rewarded with the A.L. Cy Young, but in 2016 Keuchel had an up and down year and was ultimately shut down at the end of the season.
At times Keuchel showed he was that Cy Young level pitcher, but he wasn't able to sustain that same level throughout the year and with weeks left in the regular season, the Astros shut him down in order to give his arm a break.
Now with pitchers and catcher just days away, the question is can Keuchel return back to the ace level starter fans had grown accustomed to seeing the past few seasons?
"He's a good pitcher there is no question about that and even last year he showed it at times," Jeff Luhnow said. "He was dealing with some health issues last year and that's why he got shut down at the end (of the season), he's feeling good, he's feeling confident."
The Astros are hoping that last season was more of a regression to the mean after the unbelievable 2015 had when he posted career numbers everywhere including pitching an extra 32 more innings than he had been used too.
"We saw it with Corey Kluber," Luhnow said drawing a parallel between the Cleveland Indians ace and Keuchel.
What Luhnow is referring to is Kluber's poor 2015 which was sandwiched in between a 2014 Cy Young and a third place finish for the award in 2016.
Kluber, however, wasn't shut down in 2015, like Keuchel was this past season, but the theory by Luhnow is pretty solid.
All signs from 2016 do point towards Keuchel's arm being over taxed, so with the added rest, it's not crazy to think that the breaded lefty can't regain his form.
The Astros don't plan on using Keuchel very much during Spring Training so the guy that will show up opening day should hopefully look a lot closer to the guy he was in 2014-2015 than the guy he was last year.
Astros happy with where Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers are at
By Joshua Reese
If the Houston Astros are going to get where they want to go (a deep playoff run), the offense needs to hit home runs and starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers need to stay healthy.
Last year both were not healthy and both did not finish the season. Without them, it was no surprise the Astros failed to make that final push in the final month of the year, falling just a few games shy of the second wild card spot.
Both McCullers and Keuchel were shut down last year and now both guys are starting to get back into the swing of things again. With Spring Training imminent, the Astros are just fine with where both their stud pitchers are with their health.
"They're both on the mound, they're feeling good, and I'm expecting them to be in our rotation come the start the season," Jeff Luhnow said.
The Astros will be smart with both guys and they aren't expecting either to throw a ton in Florida.
"We're not going to extend them in Spring Training," Luhnow said. "They'll probably be among the last guys to start games."
While they won't be getting much work in Palm Springs the Astros say it's for good reason, they want both to pitch for them a long time.
If the Houston Astros are going to get where they want to go (a deep playoff run), the offense needs to hit home runs and starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers need to stay healthy.
Last year both were not healthy and both did not finish the season. Without them, it was no surprise the Astros failed to make that final push in the final month of the year, falling just a few games shy of the second wild card spot.
Both McCullers and Keuchel were shut down last year and now both guys are starting to get back into the swing of things again. With Spring Training imminent, the Astros are just fine with where both their stud pitchers are with their health.
"They're both on the mound, they're feeling good, and I'm expecting them to be in our rotation come the start the season," Jeff Luhnow said.
The Astros will be smart with both guys and they aren't expecting either to throw a ton in Florida.
"We're not going to extend them in Spring Training," Luhnow said. "They'll probably be among the last guys to start games."
While they won't be getting much work in Palm Springs the Astros say it's for good reason, they want both to pitch for them a long time.
With a bigger and better team the Astros are ready for what's ahead
By: Joshua Reese
With the Super Bowl over, the world will now turn its attention on to baseball.
If you've checked out of baseball news to focus on football, let me first welcome you back and secondly let me tell you the Houston Astros are going to enter spring training - which is days away - with some sky high expectations.
One of the many reasons the Astros had a down year was because they had some key positions underperforming. So General Manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff spent the whole offseason making upgrades.
Goodbye underproductive outfielders Carlos Gomes and Colby Rasmus, hello proven veterans Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Nori Aoki. Audios Jason Castro and his strikeouts, hello Brian McCann and his home runs.
All four bats were brought in to help solve the team's top-heavy lineup.
Last year most of the offense came from George Springer, Jose Altuve or Carlos Correa - in the later part of the year they got more contributions but for the lion share, that was about it - now with the additions, Luhnow has helped extend A.J. Hinch's lineup and help make the offense dangerous 1-9, something that could not be said in season's past.
"We've added some credibility on the position player side, to fill in some of the gaps on the guys that we have lost, we're going to miss the free agents that we lost but we responded some guys that have done some things in this game," A.J. Hinch said. "(Josh) Reddick's played a lot of playoff games, McCann has played in some huge markets and some really big games, Aoki's played in the world series, you can't just substitute that type of experience."
What killed the Astros last season was the slow start that they had. The team started off the month with seven wins in April and from there on they had an uphill battle the rest of the season.
Now with all the veteran additions to the team, Luhnow believes they are much better equipped if the Astros get off to another slow start.
"A.J. is going to have more weapons, last year Carlos (Gomez) got off to a slow start, Colby (Rasmus) got off to a slow start, but those were regular players, there really wasn't anybody to take their spot, this year if someone gets off to a slow start there's another player there and you can give him a shot," Jeff Luhnow said.
With the Astros on paper markedly better, the feeling is now World Series or bust and while Sports Illustrated did predict that 2017 would be the year they make it over the hump, Hinch understands he can't put the cart ahead of the horse.
"The A.L. West goes through Texas (Rangers)," Hinch said. "They've won the last two seasons, they've earned the distinction of entering every season as the favorite."
Something the Astros have not been able to do the past couple of seasons is beat those pesky Texas Rangers. In the two years that Hinch has skippered the team, the Astros have gone 10-28 against their I-45 north rivals.
The key going into every season isn't beat the Rangers and they'll be fine. But just last year instead of winning only four games against them, had they picked up just six more wins, you're looking at 90 wins and a playoff team.
This season Hinch will have a much better arsenal for the Rangers.
While spring training does breed plenty of hope for the upcoming season, the Astros on paper have positioned themselves to be one of the elite teams in all of baseball.
If the Astros take care of business like they hope, people in Houston might not only witness a Super Bowl this year, but they also might see a few World Series games as well.
With the Super Bowl over, the world will now turn its attention on to baseball.
If you've checked out of baseball news to focus on football, let me first welcome you back and secondly let me tell you the Houston Astros are going to enter spring training - which is days away - with some sky high expectations.
One of the many reasons the Astros had a down year was because they had some key positions underperforming. So General Manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff spent the whole offseason making upgrades.
Goodbye underproductive outfielders Carlos Gomes and Colby Rasmus, hello proven veterans Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Nori Aoki. Audios Jason Castro and his strikeouts, hello Brian McCann and his home runs.
All four bats were brought in to help solve the team's top-heavy lineup.
Last year most of the offense came from George Springer, Jose Altuve or Carlos Correa - in the later part of the year they got more contributions but for the lion share, that was about it - now with the additions, Luhnow has helped extend A.J. Hinch's lineup and help make the offense dangerous 1-9, something that could not be said in season's past.
"We've added some credibility on the position player side, to fill in some of the gaps on the guys that we have lost, we're going to miss the free agents that we lost but we responded some guys that have done some things in this game," A.J. Hinch said. "(Josh) Reddick's played a lot of playoff games, McCann has played in some huge markets and some really big games, Aoki's played in the world series, you can't just substitute that type of experience."
What killed the Astros last season was the slow start that they had. The team started off the month with seven wins in April and from there on they had an uphill battle the rest of the season.
Now with all the veteran additions to the team, Luhnow believes they are much better equipped if the Astros get off to another slow start.
"A.J. is going to have more weapons, last year Carlos (Gomez) got off to a slow start, Colby (Rasmus) got off to a slow start, but those were regular players, there really wasn't anybody to take their spot, this year if someone gets off to a slow start there's another player there and you can give him a shot," Jeff Luhnow said.
With the Astros on paper markedly better, the feeling is now World Series or bust and while Sports Illustrated did predict that 2017 would be the year they make it over the hump, Hinch understands he can't put the cart ahead of the horse.
"The A.L. West goes through Texas (Rangers)," Hinch said. "They've won the last two seasons, they've earned the distinction of entering every season as the favorite."
Something the Astros have not been able to do the past couple of seasons is beat those pesky Texas Rangers. In the two years that Hinch has skippered the team, the Astros have gone 10-28 against their I-45 north rivals.
The key going into every season isn't beat the Rangers and they'll be fine. But just last year instead of winning only four games against them, had they picked up just six more wins, you're looking at 90 wins and a playoff team.
This season Hinch will have a much better arsenal for the Rangers.
While spring training does breed plenty of hope for the upcoming season, the Astros on paper have positioned themselves to be one of the elite teams in all of baseball.
If the Astros take care of business like they hope, people in Houston might not only witness a Super Bowl this year, but they also might see a few World Series games as well.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Jim Crane wants a starter, chances are he'll get it.
By: Joshua Reese
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has made it known he wants another big time pitcher. He shared this vision with me early in the offseason and just recently during the "Diamond Dreams Gala" he shared this mantra again.
"We've made some great additions this year, we hope the guys live up to expectations," Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told Mark Berman of Fox 26. "Hopefully, we'll add another pitcher or two."
The edict from the owner is there, and the reports have been out there that the Astros are looking.
Usually, where there is smoke there is fire.
Going into spring training, the Astros have a lot of options.
1 - Dallas Keuchel
2 - Lance McCullers
3 - Collin McHugh
4 - Mike Fiers
5 - Charlie Morton
6 - Joe Musgrove
7 - Brad Peacock
8 - Chris Devenski
Of those names, only Keuchel and McCullers are guys that can or have the potential to carry a staff. But Keuchel is coming off a down season and McCullers is coming off of an injury-shorted season.
If they can add more arms that could help the Astros go from being a legit contender, to just give them the damn championship now.
The Astros won't lack offense going into next season, but having a cache of good to great pitchers is something that they just don't have.
Last year the two World Series participants had one common theme, great pitching.
The Chicago Cubs who would end up winning the championship had five great starters.
Defense, er pitching wins championships and right now the Astros aren't on the same level as other teams.
I've chronicled in the past the pitchers the Astros could be on.
The names that are out there hasn't changed and no doubt general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff are probably engaged in daily trade talks with multiple teams. While nothing has happened yet, chances are Luhnow will eventually find out the combination that will get something done.
The Astros are set up for plenty of years to come but snagging one or two top of the line starters could put them on a Cubs level of contention.
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has made it known he wants another big time pitcher. He shared this vision with me early in the offseason and just recently during the "Diamond Dreams Gala" he shared this mantra again.
"We've made some great additions this year, we hope the guys live up to expectations," Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told Mark Berman of Fox 26. "Hopefully, we'll add another pitcher or two."
The edict from the owner is there, and the reports have been out there that the Astros are looking.
Usually, where there is smoke there is fire.
Going into spring training, the Astros have a lot of options.
1 - Dallas Keuchel
2 - Lance McCullers
3 - Collin McHugh
4 - Mike Fiers
5 - Charlie Morton
6 - Joe Musgrove
7 - Brad Peacock
8 - Chris Devenski
Of those names, only Keuchel and McCullers are guys that can or have the potential to carry a staff. But Keuchel is coming off a down season and McCullers is coming off of an injury-shorted season.
If they can add more arms that could help the Astros go from being a legit contender, to just give them the damn championship now.
The Astros won't lack offense going into next season, but having a cache of good to great pitchers is something that they just don't have.
Last year the two World Series participants had one common theme, great pitching.
The Chicago Cubs who would end up winning the championship had five great starters.
Defense, er pitching wins championships and right now the Astros aren't on the same level as other teams.
I've chronicled in the past the pitchers the Astros could be on.
The names that are out there hasn't changed and no doubt general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff are probably engaged in daily trade talks with multiple teams. While nothing has happened yet, chances are Luhnow will eventually find out the combination that will get something done.
The Astros are set up for plenty of years to come but snagging one or two top of the line starters could put them on a Cubs level of contention.
Monday, January 16, 2017
The next Houston Astros super-duper star
By: Joshua Reese
Jose Altuve is a star. Carlos Correa is a star. Alex Bregman has so much hype behind him that he might as well be a star.
It's hard to think that Altuve will get much better, with having 26 home runs and 96 RBI's last season. Correa has had back to back 20 home run season's and is still one of the best shortstops in the league. Bregman's potential is unlimited but it's still unknown what he can do year after year.
The one person who often gets overlooked on the Astros is George Springer, but he's on the cusp of becoming baseball's next super duper star.
Springer does not get the same love as the others, but he's improved season over season and this year he's likely going to be adding center fielder to his title.
Since coming to the majors Springer has been an above average right fielder and there is no reason to think he can't continue his great defensive play in center.
Being a great center fielder is a bigger deal than being a great right fielder.
Defensively Springer will be fine, but it's offensively where he could take the next step.
Last year he had nearly 30 homers, but ultimately finished the season with 29 homers and 82 RBI's while scoring 116 runs (seventh most in the MLB).
When Springer debuted in the majors he stuck out a lot, like a lot, lot, 33% of the time in fact. In the past two season's he's cut that down nearly 10%, he still strikes out at a high margin but it's not nearly as bad as when he broke into the bigs.
Last year Springer did a fine job batting leadoff, but he needs to go back to batting farther down the lineup. If he moves to clean up with Altuve, Bregman, and Correa in front of him, Springer could be looking at 120 RBI's pretty easily.
In 2013 before Springer got to the majors, he fell just short of having a 40/40 season, finishing with 36 homers and 39 stolen bases.
He hasn't had many stolen bases since coming to the big leagues with 30 in three years, but he can steal bases.
Springer has the power to hit 40 home runs, the speed to steal 10-15, hell maybe 20 bases and the potential to drive in 125 runs and if he's able to have a season like that he'd be entering Mike Trout territory.
When you think of the Astros you instantly think of Altuve or Correa, but if Springer is able to continue progressing like he has been, there is no reason to think he can't get to their level or maybe even slightly higher.
Jose Altuve is a star. Carlos Correa is a star. Alex Bregman has so much hype behind him that he might as well be a star.
It's hard to think that Altuve will get much better, with having 26 home runs and 96 RBI's last season. Correa has had back to back 20 home run season's and is still one of the best shortstops in the league. Bregman's potential is unlimited but it's still unknown what he can do year after year.
The one person who often gets overlooked on the Astros is George Springer, but he's on the cusp of becoming baseball's next super duper star.
Springer does not get the same love as the others, but he's improved season over season and this year he's likely going to be adding center fielder to his title.
Since coming to the majors Springer has been an above average right fielder and there is no reason to think he can't continue his great defensive play in center.
Being a great center fielder is a bigger deal than being a great right fielder.
Defensively Springer will be fine, but it's offensively where he could take the next step.
Last year he had nearly 30 homers, but ultimately finished the season with 29 homers and 82 RBI's while scoring 116 runs (seventh most in the MLB).
When Springer debuted in the majors he stuck out a lot, like a lot, lot, 33% of the time in fact. In the past two season's he's cut that down nearly 10%, he still strikes out at a high margin but it's not nearly as bad as when he broke into the bigs.
Last year Springer did a fine job batting leadoff, but he needs to go back to batting farther down the lineup. If he moves to clean up with Altuve, Bregman, and Correa in front of him, Springer could be looking at 120 RBI's pretty easily.
In 2013 before Springer got to the majors, he fell just short of having a 40/40 season, finishing with 36 homers and 39 stolen bases.
He hasn't had many stolen bases since coming to the big leagues with 30 in three years, but he can steal bases.
Springer has the power to hit 40 home runs, the speed to steal 10-15, hell maybe 20 bases and the potential to drive in 125 runs and if he's able to have a season like that he'd be entering Mike Trout territory.
When you think of the Astros you instantly think of Altuve or Correa, but if Springer is able to continue progressing like he has been, there is no reason to think he can't get to their level or maybe even slightly higher.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
The Astros forgot to upgrade centerfield, but don't fear they'll be ok
By: Joshua Reese
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
"#George #Springer robs #Jose #Abreu of #ahome #run" #baseball #mlb #sports pic.twitter.com/rD8ZUuxR8g— RussellHodson2 (@RussellHodson2) December 1, 2016
Ridiculous, George Springer. Just ridiculous. (Vine by @MLB) https://t.co/MKcpOU7uQz— alvadi vita (@AlvadiV) August 28, 2016
You probably don't want to run on George Springer... pic.twitter.com/CX3DalRL7J— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 7, 2016
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