New kids...

[Andyzipp]

Is Martinez legit?  I know that he took instruction in the minors about looking to hit with more power, but he's looked really good since the call up.  Outside of not really having a defensive position, what are his weaknesses?

And in regards to Paredes, when does the stone hands stuff start?  Has he just been extraordinarily fortunate so far?  I've watched the games since the call up and haven't seen the really bad hands that I was expecting.  Watching Chris Johnson for the past year may have altered my perception on these matters.

[pots]

Is Martinez legit?  I know that he took instruction in the minors about looking to hit with more power, but he's looked really good since the call up.  Outside of not really having a defensive position, what are his weaknesses?

From everything I've read he is constantly analyzing the game trying improve.  Keeps a notebook of how pitchers have pitched to him before. At every level he has adjusted to be successful.  I could see pitchers getting something on him soon and him making the necessary adjustment shortly after.  He seems very coachable.  He struggled for about 2 games before he sat down with Barney and fixed his issue.  Pretty much the anti-Wallace

[Jacksonian]

Is Martinez legit?  I know that he took instruction in the minors about looking to hit with more power, but he's looked really good since the call up.  Outside of not really having a defensive position, what are his weaknesses?

And in regards to Paredes, when does the stone hands stuff start?  Has he just been extraordinarily fortunate so far?  I've watched the games since the call up and haven't seen the really bad hands that I was expecting.  Watching Chris Johnson for the past year may have altered my perception on these matters.

Extremely hard working.  Exactly the kind of guy you want.  He can identify pitches and obviously has power.  I expect him to make the necessary adjustments as time goes on.  The question I've always heard posed was whether he'd have the bat speed to stick.

RE Paredes:  the lack of soft hands was one reason he was moved to 2b from SS in the minors.  His hands may be good enough to play 3b.  He is incredibly athletic which may be helping to mask deficiencies.

[jbm]

Last night, for the first time, I entertained the thought that Altuve and Martinez might be legit.  Frankly, I just assumed they weren't.  A legit Martinez would really help the future of this club.

If they let Paredes continue to play, it will be interesting essentially watching a pretty raw prospect develop (or not) in front of us.  He has certainly surprised me in his approach at the plate.  Given the scarcity of walks in the minors, I was expecting someone way less patient than I've seen so far.  Even though he hasn't fucked up at third, he still looks pretty raw, and somewhat unnatural there.  I wonder if he can smooth those edges.  I also wonder what he will physically be in another three years or so. 

[MusicMan]

I don't think I've assumed that Altuve wasn't legit, simply because I want everyone else to be wrong.

[MusicMan]

By the way, we're 2.5 hours in without a boy band reference.  Good work.

[JaneDoe]

By the way, we're 2.5 hours in without a boy band reference.  Good work.

Fail.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

By the way, we're 2.5 hours in without a boy band reference.  Good work.

Should mentioning a boy-band in reference to the Astros call-ups result in a three day suspension?  I'm sorry but I see this as crossing a line that requires punishment.

[Limey]

Fail.

YTIFY

[HudsonHawk]

By the way, we're 2.5 hours in without a boy band reference.  Good work.

T.J., J.T., C.J., and J.C....the Meaty Cheesy Boys...

[Fredia]

so much for the killer bs now we have the killer initials? the new kids on the blocks did some snake hunting last night
anyone for letting the fans manage by majority

[Ron Brand]

anyone for letting the fans manage by majority

Not if it includes the people who post in the Comments section.

[Rebel Jew]

YTIFY

I very distinctly remember seeing like a 20/20 report way back in the day where some teenage girl ran away from home or whatever and her parents didn't know where she was for a long time and then she popped up as an audience member in this exact new kids video, and her parents were somehow able to track her down because of it. If I had to guess, it would be the blonde girl at 1:32 & 1:34 of the video (the one edited to look like Donnie's having a staredown with her). She looks tough enough to be a runaway.

[EasTexAstro]

I very distinctly remember seeing like a 20/20 report way back in the day where some teenage girl ran away from home or whatever and her parents didn't know where she was for a long time and then she popped up as an audience member in this exact new kids video, and her parents were somehow able to track her down because of it. If I had to guess, it would be the blonde girl at 1:32 & 1:34 of the video (the one edited to look like Donnie's having a staredown with her). She looks tough enough to be a runaway.

Just knowing you know that.....

[Limey]

Just knowing you know that.....

Joey Trum...  J.T.  ...  hey!

[94CougarGrad]

Not if it includes the people who post in the Comments section.

Those aren't fans. They're kibble.

[MusicMan]

Just knowing you know that.....

Over-sharing! (Clap clap, clap clap clap)

[roadrunner]

Paredes seems destined to play OF in my opinion.

[Uncle Charlie]

Paredes seems destined to play OF in my opinion.

Paredes is 22 & looks a bit lean. He should still be able to fill out a bit and add some power.

Why do you think the OF?  He glove?

[roadrunner]

Paredes is 22 & looks a bit lean. He should still be able to fill out a bit and add some power.

Why do you think the OF?  He glove?

Great speed, good arm, extremely athletic...

If he really is stone hands then it doesn't really make sense to keep him at 3b.  Or he could just be super utility guy which is what scouts have been projecting all along.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If he really is stone hands then it doesn't really make sense to keep him at 3b. 

The Astros could always hire Buffalo Bill/Jamie Gumb to work with Paredes on softening up his hands.

[Navin R Johnson]

Put the glove oil in the basket...

[geezerdonk]

The Astros could always hire Buffalo Bill/Jamie Gumb to work with Paredes on softening up his hands.

All that he need do is refrain from pissing on them.

[MusicMan]

BP gets it:

Even if this is the high-water mark of what these guys can do, is anyone going to complain about a 3-for-5 or 2-for-4 night? And isn’t losing with cheap youngsters who have the chance to stick with the team during the rebuilding years preferable to watching mid-level veterans escalate their salaries through the arbitration process? The only thing worse than rooting for a losing team is rooting for a losing team with no hope. The past 12 months have given fans of both the Pirates and the Royals, both long-struggling franchises themselves, some hope for the future. So even if the Astros finish in last place (as they are undoubtedly bound to), this season marks an unmistakable turning point in the history of the Astros franchise.

Dedicated Astros fans already knew who Martinez and (especially) Altuve were before this season started. Casual Astros fans are soon to be won over. For the rest of you tuning in on MLB.tv (you think this team could be nationally broadcast?), don’t get down on the Astros for having a lineup of hitters you’ve never heard of. It’s probably the best thing that’s happened to them in years.

[juliogotay]

All that he need do is refrain from pissing on them.

I haven't seen enough of Parades to know what his hands are like. It looks like he has the arm for the position and I really like his range to the left. He is not a statue out there. And man, the ball jumps off of his bat....and he's fast. IF he can continue to develop and make adjustments, this is an exciting prospect IMO.

[JackAstro]

I haven't seen enough of Parades to know what his hands are like. It looks like he has the arm for the position and I really like his range to the left. He is not a statue out there. And man, the ball jumps off of his bat....and he's fast. IF he can continue to develop and make adjustments, this is an exciting prospect IMO.

Not that it means anything, but there's this, from the beginning of 2010:

On defense he has a great arm, soft hands and great range. Has the potential to be a gold-glover.

[austro]

Last night there was a ball down the line that beat him pretty badly. It was hit hard, but his reaction was slow and he didn't seem to cover much ground. He seems to go to his left really well, but I think there's still improvement needed going to his right. I really like the way he runs, though: very clean and in-line, not flailing around like so many guys you see.

[Limey]

Last night there was a ball down the line that beat him pretty badly. It was hit hard, but his reaction was slow and he didn't seem to cover much ground. He seems to go to his left really well, but I think there's still improvement needed going to his right. I really like the way he runs, though: very clean and in-line, not flailing around like so many guys you see.

He's more MSNBC than Fox News.

[Jacksonian]

Not that it means anything, but there's this, from the beginning of 2010:

That's as rosy a view as I've seen on him.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Not that it means anything, but there's this, from the beginning of 2010:

From that same link:

Had shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and played a lot of second base to save his strong arm from the stress of playing third base.

Maybe he should start practicing throwing left handed in case that injury comes back, he'll be one step ahead.