Max Sapp

[Taras Bulba]

What's the latest?  Is he still a fat ass?

[Duman]

Haven't had a first hand report of him since late May.  At that time it was estimated he was closer to 240 than the listed 220 on his 6'2" frame.  In terms of performance, he had a bad June (.211) after a hot May (.337).  So far for July he is hitting .244 and has hit his first two homers of the season.  For a 19 year old in the South Atlantic League, he is not doing too badly.

Overall his stats are:

.257 BA, 22 doubles, 2 hr, 30 RBI's, he strikes out about one every 4.5 at bats. He has had 15 passed balls behind the plate. 

I am sure he is on the Astros' weight watcher list.

[Froback]

Random thought since he was brought up...

Are we likely to see him and Ralphie seperate teams next year?  One staying in Low-A the other moving to high-A? (since neither looks ready for AA)

[Duman]

Random thought since he was brought up...

Are we likely to see him and Ralphie seperate teams next year?  One staying in Low-A the other moving to high-A? (since neither looks ready for AA)

If Sapp finishes the season relatively strong, I could see him getting a chance at Salem.  Right now I don't see Ralphie in Salem.  So yes I could see them on different teams next year. 

[VirtualBob]

If Sapp finishes the season relatively strong, I could see him getting a chance at Salem.  Right now I don't see Ralphie in Salem.  So yes I could see them on different teams next year. 

They're both getting plenty of AB's, since between them they have a huge majority of the DH starts.  The stros do not seem shy about bringing along a platoon at C, and I would actually be a little surprised to see either of them at Salem.  CC is out of the question unless someone has a bona fide breakout over the last six weeks of the season.

[Duman]

They're both getting plenty of AB's, since between them they have a huge majority of the DH starts.  The stros do not seem shy about bringing along a platoon at C, and I would actually be a little surprised to see either of them at Salem.  CC is out of the question unless someone has a bona fide breakout over the last six weeks of the season.

This year the plan has been two days at C and then two at DH for both of them.

[Jacksonian]

If Sapp finishes the season relatively strong, I could see him getting a chance at Salem.  Right now I don't see Ralphie in Salem.  So yes I could see them on different teams next year. 

I dunno.  This came up a couple of years ago with Towles and Santangelo.  Towles repeated Lex while the older and worse hitting Santangelo moved to Salem.

[VirtualBob]

I dunno.  This came up a couple of years ago with Towles and Santangelo.  Towles repeated Lex while the older and worse hitting Santangelo moved to Salem.

Good point.  Could happen again I suppose.  It looks to me, though, that there is going to be some clogging of the ladder when Gimenez returns (presumably) at RR next year.  I see an early season of:

AAA:  Gimenez & ?  Maybe Towles?
AA:  Santangelo & ?  Towles or Mackor? Neither Lopez nor Tellam seem ready for the move.
A+:  Lopez & Tellam (unless one or both is cut or mackor is cut and one of them gets a shot at AA
A:  Sapp & Henriquez (again getting most of the DH work

I would expect in-season moves all along the line, though.

edited to get rid of those annoying auto-smileys

[Kent's Moustache]

Haven't had a first hand report of him since late May.  At that time it was estimated he was closer to 240 than the listed 220 on his 6'2" frame.  In terms of performance, he had a bad June (.211) after a hot May (.337).  So far for July he is hitting .244 and has hit his first two homers of the season.  For a 19 year old in the South Atlantic League, he is not doing too badly.

Overall his stats are:

.257 BA, 22 doubles, 2 hr, 30 RBI's, he strikes out about one every 4.5 at bats. He has had 15 passed balls behind the plate. 

I am sure he is on the Astros' weight watcher list.

You'd be amazed how many of these kids (in all organizations, not just the Astros) eschew any kind of legitimate regimen of conditioning, strength training, nutrition, etc.

As a former college athlete, I just assumed that most guys who get paid to play baseball and whose ultimate goal is the Show would commit themselves to refining their physiques and their conditioning.  I've come to realize, however, that most don't.  Sounds like Sapp is no exception.

[Jacksonian]

Good point.  Could happen again I suppose.  It looks to me, though, that there is going to be some clogging of the ladder when Gimenez returns (presumably) at RR next year.  I see an early season of:

AAA:  Gimenez & ?  Maybe Towles?
AA:  Santangelo & ?  Towles or Mackor? Neither Lopez nor Tellam seem ready for the move.
A+:  Lopez & Tellam (unless one or both is cut or mackor is cut and one of them gets a shot at AA
A:  Sapp & Henriquez (again getting most of the DH work

I would expect in-season moves all along the line, though.

edited to get rid of those annoying auto-smileys

There is always that "who gets cut factor" you mentioned.  We usually don't hear about it until the decision is released.  Then there's the last-second-change of mind.  Pence was supposed to go to Salem in his first full year until a day or 2 before ST ended, and he was sent to Lex instead.

[Froback]

Good point.  Could happen again I suppose.  It looks to me, though, that there is going to be some clogging of the ladder when Gimenez returns (presumably) at RR next year. 

Umm, isn't Gimenez out of options, thus he will probably be on the ML roster next year.  At least that is what I would think.

[Taras Bulba]

You'd be amazed how many of these kids (in all organizations, not just the Astros) eschew any kind of legitimate regimen of conditioning, strength training, nutrition, etc.

As a former college athlete, I just assumed that most guys who get paid to play baseball and whose ultimate goal is the Show would commit themselves to refining their physiques and their conditioning.  I've come to realize, however, that most don't.  Sounds like Sapp is no exception.

I'm surprised the organization has not been more proactive on the weight issue.  Sapp is a serious investment.