May 10, 2004
Editor’s note: For over ten years, Tim Purpura has served as the Assistant General Manager of the Houston Astros, and for much of that time he has overseen the operations of the minor league system. This interview, hopefully the first of many, is an OrangeWhoopass.com exclusive.
Seven season ago Kev and Scott of Astrosconnection.com and I got together and decided that some fool needed to try and make some half-ass attempt at making sense of the vast minor league player development system. I got voted that fool.
During the last six seasons this column has been both lauded and cursed. I’ve been viewed as both a guru and a wannabe. Such is the fate of someone who attaches his name to scribblings and, for the most part, it’s been a blast. However, Minor Opinions, at least in the author’s view, has gotten kind of stale. With this in mind, I’ve handed over most of the dirty work (aka the daily recaps) for the second year in a row to the very capable hands of Greg Dunn. My focus this year will be on digging up interviews with people who really understand what transpires on a daily basis in the organization as well as individual players.
It only makes sense, then, to begin these interviews at the top. Tim Purpura took over the reins of the Astros minor league system the same year this column began. His record of achievement is well established and it has led to his being interviewed for General Manager positions with other teams in each of the last two off-seasons.vThis interview took place over a period of time and so some of the dates below are not accurate. But I was very impressed by Mr. Purpura’s candor and willingness to address the issues brought up in the interview. I’d like to thank Purpura for his willingness to participate and offer to continue such discussions in the future.
Hope you all enjoy!
OrangeWhoopass.com: The whole “Moneyball” phenomenon has opened wide the discussion about statistical versus traditional methods of player evaluation. Did you read the book and what did you think about it? Was the book discussed within the organization? What is your view of the hotly contested debate (at least within the baseball writing and internet communities) between stats and scouts as the primary evaluative tool?
Tim Purpura: I’m not a literary critic so I won’t review the book for you. The book has been a topic of conversation in the industry with many points of view. As far as the debate on using scouts or stats as the primary evaluative tool, for me it comes down to this, you win and lose in this game on the slimmest of margins, so you have to use every conceivable tool available to you. You take in a great deal of information, statistical, scouting reports, your own observations, the observations of field staff, etc. and you make your decision. I wouldn’t feel comfortable making decisions on player’s career using one scout’s opinion any more than I would on one set of statistical data. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but the industry (as well as the Astros) have been using statistical analysis for along time as a means to evaluate talent. I don’t think anyone has yet won a World Series using only statistical data as a measuring stick. Maybe that will happen. I think that sometimes people want to find definitive means to make decisions, which is very hard to do. In Houston, we have developed our own ‘metrics’ to evaluate players, particularly our own. We don’t talk about it much, but I’m sure all Clubs do the same thing.
OWA: The 2003 draft saw the Astros select and sign more very large framed pitchers (Hirsh, Davis, Collar, Barthmaier, Merchant, etc.) than have been selected in any one year in a very long time. The organization has been known as a club that targets smaller framed pitchers and has had quite a bit of success going that route. Are the results of the 2003 draft to be seen as a shift in organizational thinking?
TP: Let’s set the record straight. We do not ‘target’ smaller frame pitchers. We have been good at identifying some smaller pitchers with high ceilings. Much of our drafting strategy has been dictated by our position in the draft. When you draft in the lower 1/2 to 1/3 of the draft consistently, the premium guys go quickly, especially college players. That’s the flip side of success at the Major League level. As for this past year’s draft, we finally saw some opportunities to draft larger body types. It is always dictated by availability, and there were some good arms available who were attached to guys with good pitchers bodies.
OWA: Can you give an overview of the development method employed by the Astros with regard to young pitchers? Specifically with regard to throwing schedules and pitch counts? Also, do the Astros restrict pitchers from throwing certain pitches early in their careers?
TP: We control everything in our program. We first analyze a pitchers strengths and weaknesses and compile a plan for making the most of a pitcher’s ability. First comes establishing the fastball, then a breaking ball then a change. Our pitchers throw almost every day, not off the mound, but in our throwing program. Pitch counts are determined by the level played at and the age and experience of the pitcher. We use digital video analysis to show pitchers what they look like at various points in the delivery, release points, arm angles, etc. We emphasize the curveball early and if a pitcher can get the “feel” of a curve we look at the slider, or maybe add another fastball that cuts.
OWA: A year removed, what would you say was the effect of not having a high-A affiliation for two seasons – then and now?
TP: We went to the configuration of two low A clubs so that we could get out of the Florida State League and it’s low attendance and eventually into the SAL and Carolina League. We succeeded in that regard and have now added two tremendous facilities to our system, that are located in good towns with good fan support. Some players were challenged by this and others were held back a bit but I don’t think anyone suffered as a result. Some players will repeat double-a but at least they were given a challenge.
OWA: The Astros have been an organization particularly successful with the draft-follow-evaluate (DFE) process. Can you talk about this process and the Astro thinking behind utilizing DFE? Also, Houston selected several HS seniors and JUCO freshmen currently playing at the JUCO level whose rights are retained until a week prior to the June 2004 draft. Given Houston has forfeited its first round selection with the Andy Pettitte signing, are fans to expect that several of these DFE selections will be signed?
TP: The DFE process gives teams a chance to watch a player for a little longer in order to give the Club a better feel for a young player. I think it is good for the player, since he is watched constantly by a club and if he progresses, he either gets signed or goes back into the draft. As for this year’s DFE group, we’ll see how they progress and make decisions after their season as to who we may sign or not.
OWA: Can you give our readers a (brief) description of how the academy system works, from player signing, to his being housed at the academy, the visa process and support for those players once they’ve been moved to the United States? Perhaps examples such as the experience of Richard Hidalgo, Hector Gimenez and Fernando Nieve might be instructive?
TP: This could take all day, as the Academy concept is so interesting, but essentially the Academies are run as an all inclusive approach to developing young people and young players. English and life skills are taught as well as pitching, hitting and fielding. We have psychologists, English professors, speed coaches, doctors, etc as well as the usual compliment of managers and coaches. The players in VZ live in our new state-of-the art complex, two to a room, cable TV etc. while the players in the DR live in a modern hotel, two to a room. The DR hotel is beautiful and sits along the ‘malecon’ or beachfront area of San Pedro de Macoris. It is an intense environment, but one that can be the difference between poverty and true success in life. Many players, like Hidalgo, came from very poor surroundings and the Academies give them a chance to hone their God- given abilities. As far as visas, each team is allocated a certain number by the US government, this year for example we have 44 visa slots. We then try to figure out which players have the best chance of success at hopefully a full season A club. What people need to understand is that these young foreign players are competing for a spot on the visa list, much like older players compete for a spot on the 40 man roster.
OWA: A worldwide draft has been bandied about as a topic of discussion for years but was basically tabled during the last CBA negotiation. Do you see the idea of a worldwide draft as a good thing for baseball and are you in favor of its implementation?
TP: Our view is that a worldwide draft would not benefit clubs such as ours that do a good job of beating the bushes for talent in Latin America. Instead, Clubs who do little quality work would have a better chance in some cases of getting a player we might covet. I think the concept is all but dead anyway.
OWA: Last year several minor league players in the Astro system served some lengthy suspensions or were released for off-the-field activities. Without getting into specifics about individual cases, could you give us an idea of the overall policies and practices players are expected to follow and are there specific penalties outlined for specific behaviors? Also, can you discuss the importance placed on a player’s character in the thought process prior to drafting, signing or trading for that player?
TP: In the Astros’ view, there is a sixth ‘tool’ and it is the makeup of a player on and off the field. Number one we want competitors on the field. We want players who compete very well. Off the field, we want players who live by a strict set of rules. We preach high standards in this organization. We have high standards for how the game is played and executed on the field, we have high standards for the type of facilities and affiliates that we have and we have high standards for how players dress and act on and off the field. We expect a lot from our players but we feel we give them a lot in return. Our scouts have done a great job of getting to know players and their backgrounds and histories prior to signing.
OWA: Can you explain the rationale behind expanding the AAA rosters from 23 to 24 players?
TP: The AAA clubs are the feeder source for the major leagues. It is very difficult to manage a roster when there are continual callups due to injuries, poor performance etc. Just because a player is called up doesn’t mean that a player is always sent back, ie: injuries, releases, etc. That leaves you short at times, which is not good for team morale, not to mention player health.
OWA: The fences were recently moved in at cavernous Zephyr Field in New Orleans. Did the Astros play a role in this decision?
TP: Gary Gaetti may have been the one who actually got the fences moved, although we have asked for this for years. At Zephyrs Field, the left center field gap was enormous and we really struggled being able to evaluate our pitchers and hitter in that type of environment. However, it was a very expensive project and we are very grateful to Don Beaver, the owner, and Dan Rajkowski, the GM, for getting the job done.
OWA: If able, can you discuss the injury status of players like Rory Shortell, JP Duran, Rob Stiehl, Tony Pluta and the health of Jimmy Barrett?
TP: Shortell- recovering from Tommy John surgery. Had two prior surgeries in college so we weren’t surprised by his injury. He is throwing sides with no complaint and building arm strength. Duran was released in ST. Stiehl is in extended, no complaints or pain and is building arm strength and endurance. Could be back on the mound at a full season club in a month or so. Looks really good at time, especially when he is consistent with his arm slot. Pluta is rehabbing from TJ surgery also, and is throwing sides right now. As is typical he has good days and not so good days, but is making steady progress. Barrett is working on strengthening his posterior shoulder and a recent MRI showed no rotator cuff or labrum injuries. Should be ready to go out in 4-6 weeks.
OWA: How hard was it to see a personal favorite like Henri Stanley taken off the 40-man roster?
TP: It was tough but that is why we have to remain objective about players. There are only 40 slots on the roster and you have to make tough decisions and take risks that players like Stanley and Colin Porter will get taken. Having Pettitte and Clemens take two of those 40 man slots helps the pain a bit!
OWA: Mysterious Aging Syndrome has been profound over the last couple of years among Latin signees in baseball. Will the new MLB rule of a one-year suspension for players lying about their age have the desired effect or have the Astros done anything specific to the organization in addressing this issue? Do you suspect that there will be any players with irregular age adjustments in the organization this year?
TP: I think it will help, but I don’t think it will solve the problem. These players get bad advice from “buscones” who are the ones who create the problems, while the player pays the price. The Astros now contract with private investigators to do complete investigations prior to signing a player in the DR.
Again, a great load of thanks to Tim for his efforts and time spent during this interview. If readers have any follow-up questions, topics to address or specific players/management in mind as subjects for interview, forward them on to [email protected].