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General Discussion => Talk Zone => Topic started by: JimR on May 14, 2019, 12:11:35 pm
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I am at the game. Rogers pitching, Straw at SS, Alvarez at 1B. Rogers 90-92.
For anyone who cares, I’ll be working with Capps 5/21.
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Any observations on Straw's serviceability at SS would be welcome by me.
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Thanks for the heads up on your next broadcast.
And yes, please do let us know what SS Straw looks like and anything else that's notable.
Stay dry, just started thundering and sprinkling here in Marble Falls.
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He made a tough play going to his left. Good enough arm to get the runner, but it was an awkward looking throw.
Ritchie is catching.
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Alvarez hard hit single to LF, Jones ditto, Tucker high fly shift-aided single to LF, Ferguson grand slam
5-0
Vaulting broke out: Straw and Fisher also had hits and Mayfield’s drive was caught at the RCF wall.
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Rogers giving up hard hit balls but I score on till now.
HBP, double, double
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Another double, Rogers out. 5-3.
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Tucker long HR to RF
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Luhnow is in attendance apparently. Good time for a chat.
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Luhnow is in attendance apparently. Good time for a chat.
Wish I knew him. I am hanging out with Mike after the game. Maybe he interviewed him.
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Luhnow is in attendance apparently. Good time for a chat.
No doubt he keeps up with OWA. How else can you explain the team's turnaround?
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No doubt he keeps up with OWA. How else can you explain the team's turnaround?
We know Mike Fast did, but he is gone.
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Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Express now behind 9-6
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Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Express now behind 9-6
Need Alvarez to hit a 1200-footer to tie it up.
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12-6 now. 8 run 7th. Ugh.
Oops, now 14
ETA: now 15
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12-6 now. 8 run 7th. Ugh.
Oops, now 14
Man, who were the pitchers responsible for that mess?
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Man, who were the pitchers responsible for that mess?
Armenteros and Ralph Garza so far, gameday is having trouble keeping up with all the runs.
eta: and McCurry
It was 6-6 with 2 outs in the inning.
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Man, who were the pitchers responsible for that mess?
Everybody.
Jones dropped a routing fly about an hour ago that opened the floodgates. Hit after hit after hit after....
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Alvarez just missed a homer to LF. Double.
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How does Alvarez look at 1B?
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How does Alvarez look at 1B?
He catches throws. That is all you need.
White flag waving: De Goti pitching the 9th.
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Put your rally caps on, folks. Down 15-6 bottom 9.
Stubbs was at 2B in 9th. Taneilu hurt.
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Another double for Alvarez. All three hits were to LF.
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No miracles today. 15-6 final.
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No miracles today. 15-6 final.
Ouch...Gameday showing that after going 3 for 5 today, Alvarez is hitting .403 for the season.
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How does Alvarez look at 1B?
I find it interesting that the write up I read on Alvarez said practically all scouts see him as a first baseman except the Astros, who seem intent on make him an outfielder. I’m glad they are still playing him some at first base because to me that seems like his quickest path to the show. And I’ve given up hope on AJ Reed. If you jettison White you could call him up tonight and he could get all of Tyler’s playing time. That would be enough AB’s to see what he really looks like. The AB’s in the outfield are going to be tougher to come by with Jake and Kemp there.
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He catches throws. That is all you need
It is the minimum and good to hear. I didn't realize via my spotty listening to the broadcast that he hadn't had anything hit his way until the 8th or 9th.
I've never seen him at 1B, he looked much better the last few times I've seen him in LF versus what I saw in ST.
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I find it interesting that the write up I read on Alvarez said practically all scouts see him as a first baseman except the Astros, who seem intent on make him an outfielder. I’m glad they are still playing him some at first base because to me that seems like his quickest path to the show. And I’ve given up hope on AJ Reed. If you jettison White you could call him up tonight and he could get all of Tyler’s playing time. That would be enough AB’s to see what he really looks like. The AB’s in the outfield are going to be tougher to come by with Jake and Kemp there.
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I think that's a mis-read on what the Astros are doing. They are trying to maximize any versatility he might have. With the big club they want him to be able to play LF, 1B, and DH not just 1B and DH. The more he can do defensively the more Hinch can mix and match the lineup.
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I think that's a mis-read on what the Astros are doing. They are trying to maximize any versatility he might have. With the big club they want him to be able to play LF, 1B, and DH not just 1B and DH. The more he can do defensively the more Hinch can mix and match the lineup.
Exactly ... He is not going to get any better at 1B, but he might get better in LF with more time there. Thus the AAA duty in LF.
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I find it interesting that the write up I read on Alvarez said practically all scouts see him as a first baseman except the Astros, who seem intent on make him an outfielder. I’m glad they are still playing him some at first base because to me that seems like his quickest path to the show. And I’ve given up hope on AJ Reed. If you jettison White you could call him up tonight and he could get all of Tyler’s playing time. That would be enough AB’s to see what he really looks like. The AB’s in the outfield are going to be tougher to come by with Jake and Kemp there.
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Let me try this. The Astros value versatility. People who watch him every day say he is a good LFer. He also can play 1B. It does not take much to play 1B. Catch the ball. Alvarez is a pure hitter. Hope he is Houston soon.
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Thanks for the insight, Jim. I'll buy ya a beer in RR if we're ever there at the same time.
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Thanks for the insight, Jim. I'll buy ya a beer in RR if we're ever there at the same time.
PM me for my cell phone. I am ready to go any time.
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I think that's a mis-read on what the Astros are doing. They are trying to maximize any versatility he might have. With the big club they want him to be able to play LF, 1B, and DH not just 1B and DH. The more he can do defensively the more Hinch can mix and match the lineup.
Yeah, I see your point and agree.
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Let me try this. The Astros value versatility. People who watch him every day say he is a good LFer. He also can play 1B. It does not take much to play 1B. Catch the ball. Alvarez is a pure hitter. Hope he is Houston soon.
You’re right Jim. And this quite possibly the reason a certain player with the last name of Cruz wasn’t signed to play here. Versatility is more valued by this organization than perhaps any other.
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Exactly ... He is not going to get any better at 1B, but he might get better in LF with more time there. Thus the AAA duty in LF.
This. You and I can play 1B.
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This. You and I can play 1B.
Slow your roll, old man.
There is still at least a little bit of skill involved in being a good first baseman.
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Maybe you can play 1B. I can't do the stretch.
I think that the Tyler White experiment is over. He does not look good at the plate. And he's not in the game for his fielding skills.
Let's pose the hypothetical that Alvarez is called up. Aren't Brantley and Guriel still the starters at LF and 1B? So I guess that Alvarez might get a start at those two positions once a week -- especially the way the Astros rest their starters. But I would think that Alvarez is going to DH most of the time.
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There is still at least a little bit of skill involved in being a good first baseman.
Indeed. Think Dick Stuart. But almost anyone can make the normal plays, and “normal” seems to be more normal at 1B.
BTW, I did play 1B ... until my .037 batting average led to a premature retirement at about age 14.
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BTW, I did play 1B ... until my .037 batting average led to a premature retirement at about age 14.
2 for 54?
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Slow your roll, old man.
There is still at least a little bit of skill involved in being a good first baseman.
Yeah, hyperbole got the best of me, and a 1B like you are were right to call me on it. Footwork is important, as is being able to pick low throws, and a 1B who can field his position like a middle infielder makes a defense so much better. What is true is with no hyperbole of all of the infield positions, 1B requires the least amount of skills. Teams have often moved aging OFs who can hit (e.g. Mickey Mantle) to 1B to keep him in the lineup. Being able to handle all the throws is paramount, and all the rest is icing on the cake. You were a good 1B who worked hard on the other skills and who could hit. My hyperbole was off the mark in real life.
Alvarez is 6’6” or so and presents a great target. He throws RH. I have seen him in person only twice, but he handled all the throws in those two games and caught two pop ups at the mound yesterday. I have not seen him yet have to make a tough pick like Yuli does. I have no doubt he can play 1B in Houston. My RR source also says he has been more than adequate in LF so far.
Yesterday he was 3-5: a single to LF, past the 3B who was in a shift, a double off the LCF wall, and a double off the LF wall just inside the foul line. These hits were driven hard to LF, not slapped. In addition, he hit a towering fly to medium RF which might still be going had he not gotten too far under it. His K/BB ratio is good, and in the words of my knowledgeable friend “He is a good hitter, not just a slugger.”
I was excited about Tucker last year too, but he could not handle MLB pitching. Man, I hope Alvarez can.
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Yeah, it would be a huge bonus if Alvarez' skills translate to the MLB. In my limited views, he appears to be more professional in his approach: works counts, uses all fields whereas Tucker seems more to be a hack at everything hitter with a very pull oriented swing.
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Yeah, it would be a huge bonus if Alvarez' skills translate to the MLB. In my limited views, he appears to be more professional in his approach: works counts, uses all fields whereas Tucker seems more to be a hack at everything hitter with a very pull oriented swing.
My thoughts exactly. Mike and I discussed yesterday my observation about Alvarez’s not being a pull-happy slugger.
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Along with Jim's views of the game, here's a link to a synopsis of who Luhnow was at the game to see. I don't think there is much to debate about Luhnow's attendance.
https://therunnersports.com/houston-astros-gm-jeff-luhnow-showed-up-at-aaa-round-rock-express-game/
Hey, there's even a Waldo reference...not that Waldo though.
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Along with Jim's views of the game, here's a link to a synopsis of who Luhnow was at the game to see. I don't think there is much to debate about Luhnow's attendance.
https://therunnersports.com/houston-astros-gm-jeff-luhnow-showed-up-at-aaa-round-rock-express-game/
Hey, there's even a Waldo reference...not that Waldo though.
"Houston Astros fans couldn’t care less where Waldo is."
Story of my life.
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"Houston Astros fans couldn’t care less where Waldo is."
Story of my life.
Luhnow was there for two days, and the Express have an off day today. Dunno where Waldo was.
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"Houston Astros fans couldn’t care less where Waldo is."
Story of my life.
I care, Waldo.
I care.
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"Houston Astros fans couldn’t care less where Waldo is."
Story of my life.
If it helps, I'm fairly certain they misspelled Front Page
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If it helps, I'm fairly certain they misspelled Front Page
Well played, cher!!!
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This. You and I can play 1B.
It's incredibly hard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzDYgRc6eic)
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It's incredibly hard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzDYgRc6eic)
That clip is so true. To play at an elite Bagwellian level of defense, it is incredibly hard. But to catch balls thrown to you and touch your foot to the base is not that hard.
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Tonight Alvarez has 2 home runs and a double, 3 runs scored and 6 RBIs.
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Tonight Alvarez has 2 home runs and a double, 3 runs scored and 6 RBIs.
Goodness. Hope it translates to the bigs.
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Goodness. Hope it translated to the bigs.
Peter Gammons tweeted that one scout dropped a David Ortiz comp on him
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Peter Gammons tweeted that one scout dropped a David Ortiz comp on him
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Damn!
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Damn!
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The way he drives the ball to LF makes it not a crazy comparison.
I heard Fred McGriff also.
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And I’ve given up hope on AJ Reed.
Alas the allure of a big league buffet was insufficient to propel Reed upward. Carlos wept.