7Mo

The Cespedes thing is interesting. He must have been doing something he clearly shouldn't have when he broke that ankle. If memory serves, he said he "stepped in to a hole on his ranch". For him to give up that much guaranteed money, he clearly didn't want anyone to know what he was really doing.

Yes, but remember Altuve and Springer weren't Altuve and Springer until the Astro's sprinkled their magic developmental dust on them.

And add to that that Givens is likely gone before ST. It's certainly fair to say Rule 5 guys will have growing pains and that any adds will be low budget adds, ala Wojo/Brooks. Cobb should be healthy and pitch fairly well in comparison. I feel like we'll be improved just in terms of players being in the developmental system one more year and the defense should be improved to some degree. I think it helps us more than most teams by going back to a baseball rather than last years Titleist balls. Pitching may not make a huge jump but I believe it'll be better. Akin should spend most of the year with the O's. Better but not by a great amount until Kremer, Lowther, Baumann and that group start showing up in very late '20 or '21.

And don't discount having #31 and the biggest draft budget of any team.

I think the only significance is Stowers lives in San Diego. I saw a part of that interview and I think he kinda said he was worn out by the time pro ball started. Maybe I misunderstood.

That's a reasonable take. I'd counter with our guys knew him about as well as anyone available and they took him with the #2 pick. So they liked him more than a number of guys who could likely contribute. You raise a good point. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does.

He's had 2 years of that approach with the Astros so he should be a good example of what to expect going forward. Definitely an interesting guy to watch. Looking forward to ST to see how he does.

Curious what you think about Cole Wilcox, Hancock's teammate who might be available at 31.

Yes, the same Chris Holt. Here's a blurb: But upon reporting in February 2018 to the Astros’ complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Bailey was given a completely revamped plan of attack. His introduction to the Astros’ holistic approach came on Day 1 in a meeting with their two minor-league pitching coordinators at the time, Josh Miller and Chris Holt. Bailey learned he had a lot to refine. Miller and Holt emphasized to Bailey that his four-seam fastball has an elite spin rate — the quality that creates the illusion to a hitter that the pitch is rising. His curveball, however, needed work so he could throw it out of the same tunnel as his fastball, a staple of Houston’s pitching philosophy. Bailey had developed his curveball the previous season with a grip that was essentially self-taught. He left his first day as an Astro with a new spike-curve grip and instructions on how to use all four laces to his advantage to create more depth. Bailey’s experience is symbolic of the Astros’ cutting-edge processes in player development dating to about 2015. “The coaches have done a really good job of identifying how to work with each individual athlete,” said Jeff Luhnow, who’s in his eighth season as the Astros’ general manager. “We’ve always said that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to player development. It’s especially so in today’s world because you really can customize a player development plan for each athlete, and that’s what we do and that’s what we’ve been doing for the past three or four years. And I think our (coaches) have enough experience doing it now and our players trust our coaches and are willing to go ahead and take the plunge and try something new.”

There's an article on the Athletic by Jake Kaplan talking at length about Brandon Bailey and the Astros developmental program. To mirror what you're saying, from that article, 2 recent college draftees are playing catch the first day after being drafted by the Astros and their throws are tailing here and there, "sloppy" in their words. But with the Astros teaching backspin, within weeks, the side spin is gone and the "carry" or "hop" is there, straight and true. I haven't had the opportunity to scout like you have nor do I have the depth of experience. But I've caught guys with that backspin where you watch the arm, you think you recognize the speed, and then it jumps on you. Thanks for the explanation. And during the time I was typing this, the link to the article is posted above.

Easy now. I was just joking with you.

Add to that the idea that improvements continue to progress. They don't happen all at once. The articles on the Astros talk about things taking 2-3 years to click. I think stockpiling pitchers now is evidence of his confidence in the developmental program. He's picking out guys with the traits he wants, guys he believes can improve. I'm looking forward to tracking the minor league guys next year.

Boston is talking about an opener and a bulk. Hope we consider that as a 5th.

A question for the ages. What's he good for?

Yes but that can't be fixed now. Just have to deal with what we have. But there should be a limit on how long that's an excuse.

And it never hits if you don't play. I agree with you though. There are risks. Elias and company are making huge changes. No need to rush. This type of opportunity will be available next year too.

I was just poking fun at Phillip but I'd be happy to hear your explanation.

Did he explain it clearly and briefly if you don't understand it?

I would be too but no way that's possible. And maybe I'm a dreamer, ok, I'm positive I'm a dreamer, but if you took Reddick and Toro and gave up not much at all, Toro would bring 2-3 good (distant) prospects almost immediately. Or keep him for a year and let him prove himself. I'd feel confident that his value builds during that time. Then pay half of Reddicks contract in a trade and he gets you 2 (distant) good prospects/lotto tickets. It likely costs $6M-$7M to bring in 3-4-5 really good prospects. @weams says it's too early and I think he's right. But I hope we're looking at possibilities like that.

That's what an additional 30-45 days in '20 at AAA does for a player...... And I'd add some laughing emoji or something but I don't know how, or why, to do that.

Not to quibble but that Fangraphs post says he's strictly a first baseman. Well, now I see a quote saying he's a corner outfielder. So, um, nevermind. Cespedes was second in the minors in average exit velocity at 96 mph, according to FanGraphs.com lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen. Qualls said Cespedes, who’s primarily a corner outfielder, likely will be assigned to low Single-A Delmarva. “Cristopher Cespedes had kind of a breakout season,” Qualls said. “He had a .930 OPS. Just a real interesting toolsy kid as a 21-year-old. He still has a couple years of control and we liked a lot of his batted-ball metrics and thought he was a nice addition to our system.”

I hope it's ok if I miss the kiss and make up part. I do, in fact, know a Mary. And a Sherry, Kerri, Jeri, and Teri. None however make me merry.

Bailey is a really interesting dude. 5'9" guy who is really thoughtful and curious about all the technology. Connolly has an article on The Athletic about the Rule 5 results but there's a link in there focusing on what the Astros have done developmentally and how Bailey is really kind of a perfect example of what they do. Really good Jake Kaplan article.

I think you can count on Akin in '20. Elias has said he'll be given a chance to break camp with the big club. Even if that doesn't happen, I think he'll be up early and hopefully stay the rest of the year. Kremer probably has a good chance to be up late in '20.

AND an all star right fielder and all star second baseman. Might take a minute for them though.