By Michael N
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on July 10, 2000.
As you all doubtless recall, this past off-season outfielder Carl Everett was traded to the Boston Red Sox for a AA shortstop (Adam Everett) and mid-A left-handed starter (Greg Miller). The wailing and moaning from most corners of Astros fandom was immediate and loud.
Here are some of the words I used at that time:
“The 15th day of December 1999. Mark it down, Astro fans, as a day that may tell the fortunes of this baseball team for many years to come and confirms fiscal sanity is more important to Drayton McLane than fielding the best team possible.”
“In summation, I absolutely hate the financial realities that forced this deal… Welcome to baseball by checkbook balance. We may as well get used to it and hope like hell the Astro scouting department has hit a couple of homers.”
Even in retrospect, the trade of Carl Everett did not foretell and is not responsible for the Astros titanic crater job in the first half of the 2000 season. The lion’s share of the blame belongs on the shoulders, elbows and arms of the Astro pitching staff. But the rest of the commentary holds up, and the latest words from Gerry Hunsicker regarding a youth movement seem to confirm these thoughts. The Astros have to make a decision soon – by the off-season or possibly even by the July trade deadline – on whether they are willing to spend perhaps as much as 50% or more of the 2001 payroll on Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Moises Alou. If not, expect more trades for very young and likely raw talent the organization would like to have around for many years and at a fraction of the cost.
Now some may remember my request for questions anyone might have for New Orleans Zephyrs players a couple of weeks ago. In typical TZ-style, I floated the softball question and it was not hit hard… it was bludgeoned beyond recognition. Everyone is very welcome for that opportunity to swing for the fences. Armed with these queries from fellow Astro freaks, which were so clearly designed to elicit insightful responses… Strike that. Start over.
New Orleans
I entered the Zephyr clubhouse a few hours prior to the July 2 home game versus Oklahoma. There was a giant U-shaped couch inside, where a couple of players I did not immediately recognize were watching the White Sox v. Red Sox tilt on TV. There was no one else in the clubhouse – except for someone lying down on the side of the couch facing me, with only his feet showing off the end. I crept around the back to see a thin guy I immediately recognized as Adam Everett. My initial impression was that not only was he physically as advertised… my goodness he looked so young.
When asked if he had a minute to talk Everett said, “sure just hang on” as he watched James Baldwin strike out another hapless BoSox player en route to a 8-2 win. We found a table and after introductions sat down. Before being asked a single question Everett asked that I tell readers of this column, “I know I’m not having a successful season at the plate by any measure but please don’t give up on me because I know I can hit.” Appealing to the fans already. If he does make it to the next level, that attitude will serve him well.
My first question to him was if he felt any pressure from the organization or from within because he was the centerpiece of the trade for Carl Everett who is having such a successful year for Boston. “From the organization? No, not at all. From within? I can’t really think about that kind of stuff. I already put a ton of pressure on myself to succeed and the adjustment this year has been tough enough without any additional pressure. The only way you can change people’s perceptions or meet their expectations is by playing hard and producing. That’s what I’m trying to do… and all I can do, really.”
Since the subject of adjustment was brought up, I asked him to describe changing organizations and the move from AA to AAA. “Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to really compare the organizations but let’s just say that I’m very happy to be a part of the Astros’ organization. But as far as the difference in AAA, let me give you an example. Were you here last night? (I wasn’t.) We were down 8-1 late in the game. I came up with no one on base and saw 5 consecutive sliders on the outside corner of the plate. That’s the kind of thing that happens in AAA that you don’t see in the lower levels. In A and AA ball when you get a 3-1 or 2-0 hitter’s count you could pretty much count on getting a fastball to hit. Here I’m facing pitchers who have been around a long time. Most have been in the majors and have really good command. They aren’t prospects still trying to work on control or whatever. Thankfully guys like Tripp Cromer, Marc Sagmoen, Chris Truby and others who have either been in the majors or been around a long time have been willing to work with me on this. Even Tim Bogar who has been struggling with Houston has called me a couple of times to tell me to stay on an even keel and keep working hard. I’m grateful for that.”
On the subject of any attempt to put on weight he said, “… the organization hasn’t really said anything to me but, yeah, I’d like to get bigger and stronger. I’m just not sure how to do it. I wouldn’t want to do it the wrong way and hurt other areas of my game. But, honestly, I don’t think it’s an issue.”
When asked to do a personal evaluation of his strengths and weaknesses, Everett replied “I really pride myself on busting my tail every single day. I know I have a lot to learn and the only way I’m gonna learn is by working hard. My teammates seem to respect me for that and their respect is important to me. I think I play pretty good defense and I can run a little bit. But clearly where I need the most work is at the plate. It’s not a matter of a lack of confidence; it’s just the results. Anyone can see I’m not hitting well, or as well as I’d like anyway. But the only way I’m gonna improve is by going out there and taking my lumps and trying to learn something from each at-bat.” I reminded him of a particular at-bat from Friday when he got fooled badly on an off-speed pitch and then later that at-bat took the same pitch up the middle for a single. “That’s what I mean,” he said. “Those are the good at-bats. But there have been too many times where I’m either trying to do too much with a pitch or getting fooled. But I’ll come around… I know I will.”
Everett spoke with me for about 15 minutes that afternoon. I don’t claim to be any authority on minor league players as people but Adam Everett impressed the hell out of me on a personal level in that short time. You know that feeling you get when in the presence of a young person who is so visibly self-confident, yet humble? The kind of kid who will not only listen and give thoughtful responses, but also look you square in the eye? That’s the kind of young person you expect to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to, and that is what I saw in Adam Everett.
Quite by chance, the weekend I picked to head to New Orleans the Zs were playing the Oklahoma RedHawks. DeMarlo Hale, who happened to be Adam Everett’s manager at Trenton last year, manages the Okies. So after talking to Everett, I went to the visitor’s clubhouse to look for coach Hale. When told where he could be found, I walked over and introduced myself asking if he had a moment to talk. Hale immediately said, “you are here to talk about Adam Everett, aren’t you?” I replied that I was and he told me to grab a chair. I didn’t have to say another word for the next 5 minutes as Hale raved about his former shortstop.
Some may think DeMarlo Hale was just patronizing me when he spoke in such glowing terms as he did about Everett, but they have never seen or met DeMarlo Hale. I cannot imagine there is a single ounce of bullshit in the man. He’s an imposing figure who speaks in a calm, deliberate manner. There were no glib words or any rambling. It was clear he meant every word he said. Here is but a sampling of the praise he had for Everett:
“Adam Everett is a quality kid. Period. His maturity as a professional ballplayer is very high as is his approach to the game. I never saw him get too high or too low and that is rare in a kid his age.”
“Talent-wise there is no question he is a major league caliber shortstop. None.”
“You have to recognize that this is only his second full year of pro ball and he’s already in AAA. He’s seeing almost major league quality pitching and he’s still in the development stage as a hitter. But he’ll surprise you. I know he’s not big, but he generates good bat speed and has pop in his bat for a guy his size.” (Everett is listed at 6’1″, 167 but I’d guess he’s closer to 160.)
“I am now in my 8th year of managing in the minor leagues and I can honestly say that Adam Everett is a special player. I can count on one hand the number of kids I could say that about among the guys I’ve had on my teams.”
High praise indeed. But this is not just a puff piece: in the two games I saw (yeah, limited sample size…) Adam Everett did little to show he’s ready to hit major league pitching. The physical tools are there. He has a nice, short stroke and good bat speed but there’s not a lot of polish. He was generally fooled by good off-speed stuff and even when he did make contact it seemed he was trying to do too much with the pitches. It was reminicent of Lance Berkman when he came up last year with the Astros and repeatedly kept trying to pull junk on the outside part of the plate. That, for the most part, was the Adam Everett I saw at the plate.
But, my goodness, what a wonderful shortstop he was those two nights. Everett made plays ranging far to his left and right. He showed great leaping ability on a liner and gunned a guy at first after laying out into the hole for a ball. At least three beeg tine “wows” were shared by the entire crowd for his glove work in the two games.
Houston did not trade Carl Everett for a guy who is just a slick fielder, though. Adam Everett needs to grow up as a hitter and Astro fans are going to have to be patient with him. It looks as though Everett will not be the answer to the Astros’ deficiencies at shortstop this year or likely the first part of next season. Perhaps knowing that were Everett in AA Round Rock, he would be the second youngest position player on the team (Carlos Maldonado and Aaron McNeal are younger) might add some perspective. In fact, of the Round Rock pitching staff, only Wilfredo Rodriguez was born in a year after Everett’s birth year of 1977.
It is my early judgement that patience by the Astros will be rewarded. Hopefully there is no contractual obligation to move him up or panic felt in the front office to remove the stain of losing C4. Adam Everett is a quality kid who possesses the natural skills to be a major league shortstop for a very long time. You don’t rush a fine wine.
Greg Miller – Quietly Gaining Respect
Despite having a successful season in mid-A ball during the 1999 season, Greg Miller was considered by many members of the media as just a throw-in or “the other guy” in the Everett-Everett trade. Houston’s front office staff knew better and the Minor Opinions initial review of the trade compared very favorably the mid-A results of Miller and Wilfredo Rodriguez as 19-year olds.
Miller does not possess the rocket launcher arm of Rodriguez, but he’s another big lefthander with a solid repertoire of pitches and good control. When assigned to Kissimmee, Miller was the youngest player on the Cobras roster and one of the younger players in the league. In the first half of this season he’s more than held his own against the older competition.
After spending some time in Kissimmee over the last few weeks, both Gerry Hunsicker and Tim Purpura have singled out Miller for praise. And for good reason; in Miller’s last 4 starts, he has not allowed more than 2 earned runs and has lowered his season ERA from 4.28 to 3.65. Here are the combined numbers for the 4 starts and his season statistics:
Last 4 starts – 28 IP, 24 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 15 K. 1.93 ERA
Season stats – 103.2 IP, 96 H, 45 R, 42 ER, 33 BB, 63 K, 3.65 ERA
That Miller is allowing so few baserunners per nine innings while not striking many hitters out is a testament to his control. And while the low strikeout numbers are not a major concern of the organization, it is puzzling. Miller throws low-90s heat and has a good curve, so one would think he should be maintaining closer to a 1K/IP ratio as he has done in the past. This bears watching, though I think as he matures physically and gains experience those numbers will return to form.
Given his age and that he’s not exactly dominating hitters in the FSL, Miller may be a candidate to repeat high-A ball at least for the start of 2001. But if over the second half of this season he continues to throw as he has in his last four starts, it is entirely possible he will move up and be one of the youngest players in AA next year… where he would get his stiffest test yet.
Conclusion:
It’s not fair or in any way accurate to evaluate fully the return on the trade of Carl Everett at this time. Both Adam Everett and Greg Miller are unpolished gems unlikely to play prominent roles for the Astros for another year and three years, respectively. Meanwhile Carl Everett is tearing up Fenway Park and the entirety of the American League. So, looking at nothing beyond the here and now it seems as though Houston got fleeced.
But the reality is in 2002 or 2004 we may look back on this deal and not regret it for another second. Carl Everett is a wonderful player, but the Astros still have several good and young outfielders. Houston did not have a young, major league quality shortstop in the system anywhere close to being ready to play in the bigs and there isn’t an organization in baseball that would scoff at the opportunity of getting a quality young left-handed starter prospect.
The $21 million question (size of the C4 contract) is whether Adam and Greg will realize their potential and become contributors in Houston. If they do, Hunsicker did well in the trade. If not, the criticism he has received for the trade will then be justified. But the naysayers should bide their time. It’ll be 3-4 years before the winners and losers in this trade can be definitively judged.
General Organization Update
AAA – New Orleans
The Zephyrs are a .500 ballclub whose roster has been plundered by the big club on a consistent basis. Players who started the year in New Orleans now make up 20% of the Astros roster… Lance Berkman, Julio Lugo, Joe Slusarski, Chris Truby and Wade Miller. Having the team’s three best hitters, best relief pitcher and best starter taken away has ruined any chance the Zs might enjoy post-season play this year. There’s just not much positive to report from New Orleans. There are only 3 good prospects on the team; Adam Everett, Tony McKnight and Jason Green. Green is the most likely to get a call up before September expansion of the roster. I’m not sure any one of them will get the opportunity.
AA – Round Rock
The big news in the Austin area is no longer Keith Ginter, it’s Roy Oswalt. Oswalt has arguably been the best pitcher in the Texas League since his call-up from Kissimmee. In 9 starts, he’s gone 6-2 with an ERA of 2.55 in a hitter’s league. His strikeout to walk (74-14) and strikeout to inning pitched (74-60) numbers are just outstanding. He’s poised on the mound, throws mid-90s gas, a mid-80s slider and a low 70s curve that has screwed many a hitter in the Texas League into the dirt of the batter’s box. Oswalt is an absolute joy to watch pitch and a real comer in the Astro organization.
Ginter has been in a relative slump, but it’s not all bad news for him. In his last 11 games (including one PH appearance), Ginter is hitting .289 with a gaudy OBP of .488. The thumb may still be bothering him, but for the most part it seems Keith has become a predictable hitter. He almost always looks at the first strike and finds himself behind in the count all too often. He’s also getting the ball in the air, consistently hitting under the ball too much. But I still think he’s a fine hitter and will come out of this funk hopefully sooner rather than later.
The pitching staff has some nagging injuries and the call up to NO of closer Jason Green may give the first half champs a rougher go of it in the second half.
A – Kissimmee
The outlook is pretty grim for the Cobras. Roy Oswalt and Wilfredo Rodriguez are in Round Rock. Brad Lidge is out for the year with a broken arm and this is a team dependent on starting pitching for any success. There just isn’t enough hitting on this team for it to go anywhere.
Tim Redding continues to impress as a starter with his mid to upper 90s heat and is one of the top starters in the FSL. Travis Wade is the find of the year as the Cobras closer has allowed only 2 ER in 45.1 IP over 36 G. Yes, you read that right. 2 earnies in 45.1 innings is an ERA of 0.40.
Royce Huffman has been a consistent hitter all year and leads the Cobra offensive attack. He started the year at 3B but has been moved to 2B. I don’t know if the move is permanent but given his on base (.427) and steals numbers (16 of 18), combined with a lack of power, it does seem likely. 1999 first pick Mike Rosamond continues to struggle (.224/.314/.420). He is still trying to translate wondrous physical talent into baseball skill.
A – Michigan
What a weird season it has been in Battle Creek. Four times the Cats have had winning or losing streaks of 5 or more games. They started out the season as the worst pitching staff in the minor leagues, but have recently come around to be one of the better groups in the Midwest League. 1999 second round pick Travis Anderson stunk up the field in the first half but has settled down recently and been very effective. Pint-sized flame thrower Mike Nannini’s effort (7-4, 101.1 IP, 85 H, 33 BB, 86 K, 3.55 ERA) was rewarded with a call to Kissimmee and lefty Carlos Hernandez (4-3, 65 IP, 48 H, 33 BB, 74 K, 3.32 ERA) was selected for the Futures Game in Atlanta.
OF/1B Jason Lane continues to impress with the bat (.312/.375/.526) with 30 2B, 13 HR, 68 RBI) but overall the offense has faltered a bit with the loss of OF Gavin Wright to injury and 3B Jon Helquist’s hitting nosedive.