Author Archive
‘Stros Bros Podcast 035
Richard is joined by the newest members of the Stros Bros, Brian Hamilton and Alex Sandoval, and they discuss Carlos Pena’s spot in the batting order, potential trade bait, prospects, and Reid Ryan joining the Houston Astros as the new President and CEO.
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- The Stros Bros
‘Stros Bros Podcast 033
Richard and Lee recap the Angels series, Bud Norris’ outstanding start, roster moves, minor leagues, discuss the interleague series with Pittsburgh, and share their All-Star Ballots.
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- The Stros Bros (more…)
Astros Feel Pressure From Disappointments
It seems that the only thing that you hear about the Astros in 2013 is that they are bad, really really really bad. Most of what you hear about the Astros is how they are bad enough to out do the 1962 expansion New York Mets’ worst record in the modern baseball era. Most recently, Buster Olney (whom I revere and respect) on the Baseball Tonight podcast simply trashing the Astros, saying that they were “non-competitive” in their most recent sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, the defending American League champion Detroit Tigers. Olney went on to talk about exactly how bad this team is, listing every possible statistic the Astros are on pace to set a new season worst record for, and summarized how they simply had their butts handed to them on a silver platter by the best team in the American League. (more…)
Astros Making Changes
Pat Sullivan/AP
A day that I that would have come much later than this early on, but Rick Ankiel was designated for assignment, along with Fernando Martinez, by the Houston Astros, and I feel this may be Ankiel’s final hurrah. Both players were hitting below the Mendoza Line (.200 BA in layman’s terms), Ankiel hitting five home runs and took only one walk in 65 plate appearances, and shockingly, he struck out a total of 35 times. Ankiel won the hearts of a few Astros fans early on in the Spring, captivating plenty more, including myself, with his Opening Night home run en route to defeat the Texas Rangers, but it has been all down hill for Ankiel and the Astros alike since that beloved Opening Night. (more…)
Astros After April
Photo credit: Houston Chronicle
Already we’re in May, the first full month of the Major League Baseball season is in the books and the Houston Astros, the team that everybody though was going to tank, is unfortunately tanking, but they are not alone in the Major League cellar. As of May 3rd, the Houston Astros are sitting at an overall record of 8-22, tied with the Miami Marlins for the worst in the league. A tale of two different teams, heading in opposite directions, yet are on congruent territory, last place in their respective leagues. I compare the Marlins to the Astros for a reason, I feel that the Marlins went through what the Astros did from 2006 to 2010 in one year, collapsing and having management trying to buy a World Series title; contrast to the Marlins however, the Astros did not have an owner whom single-handedly ruined baseball for the entire city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but Loria’s horrid past is unrelated. (more…)
‘Stros Bros Podcast 032
Richard and Lee discuss Brett Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens’ major league debuts, talk about Chris Carter, Robbie Grossman’s call-up, and give props to Jose Altuve
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- The Stros Bros
Astros Making Moves
After seven games played, 17 strike outs, and one hit in 27 plate appearances, the Astros optioned first baseman Brett Wallace to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and it comes a great news to me. I feel that Brett Wallace is on limited time in the Major Leagues and that he just isn’t going to pan out to be the highly touted prospect he once was. He’s had somewhat of a successful tenure in Houston, but I feel compelled to believe that he was transferred around from one organization to the next while never making an appearance at the Major League level is one of the more pieces of condemning evidence from early on the Brett Wallace was doomed to be a dud. I feel much more comfortable with Carlos Pena being at first base over Wallace, and even Chris Carter would be a better choice, in my opinion. After current highly touted prospect Jonathon Singleton had a breakout season in Double-A Corpus Christi, I came to the conclusion that barring an outstanding 2013 season, Brett Wallace was on borrowed time at the first base position in Houston, and the suspension of Singleton benefited Wallace as he was given sort of worry free situation about being able to hold onto the starting job at first without Singleton behind him, lurking and waiting for his chance to take the job away. (more…)
New Kids on the Trading Block
In 2012, the Houston Astros were not shy when it came to trading, and are no stranger to dealing players to teams who want to make additions before trying to make a run at the postseason, and they showed that virtually nobody off limit when they dealt Chris Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks days before the trade deadline in July. With am outstanding showing of potential in recent days by a few players, it seems that the Astros have some more potent trade bait on their hands with the recent power showing of Bud Norris, Lucas Harrell, and even Chris Carter are hypothesized to potentially be in trade talks later on in the season. (more…)
Minors Being Major
It’s no secret that the Astros have compiled one of the best minor league farm systems in baseball recently after their “fire sale” at the major league level, compiling the best prospects from around the league and bringing them into the Astros organization. Many predict that the Astros are years away from contention while the prospects are in the farm, developing and getting ready for the Major League, they are currently tearing through the Minor League. The brightest spot in the Astros farm system is Double-A Corpus Christi, boasting a roster consisting Astros first round picks, George Springer, Jiovanni Mier, and other up-and-coming prospects such as, Nick Tropeano, Asher Wojciechowski, Enrique Hernandez, Domingo Santana, and Jonathan Meyer. (more…)
