Author Topic: Munson (Read 8125 times)

toddthebod · « **on:** July 30, 2007, 09:38:48 am »

Setting aside the fact that Munson doesn't have a very good arm, does anyone know the Astros impression of Munson's other defensive abilities? Do they think he calls a good game? Do they think that he blocks the plate well?

I'm just wondering how the Astros view Munson and whether there is a chance that he will be the starting catcher next season.

MusicMan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:45:21 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on July 30, 2007, 09:38:48 am

I'm just wondering how the Astros view Munson and whether there is a chance that he will be the starting catcher next season.

The might pair him with Chris Coste, if the rumors of a Coste-for-Ensberg deal pan out.

JimR · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:53:44 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on July 30, 2007, 09:38:48 am

Setting aside the fact that Munson doesn't have a very good arm, does anyone know the Astros impression of Munson's other defensive abilities? Do they think he calls a good game? Do they think that he blocks the plate well?

I'm just wondering how the Astros view Munson and whether there is a chance that he will be the starting catcher next season.

who said he "doesn't have a very good arm?"

i disagree.

pravata · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:54:29 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on July 30, 2007, 09:38:48 am

Setting aside the fact that Munson doesn't have a very good arm, does anyone know the Astros impression of Munson's other defensive abilities? Do they think he calls a good game? Do they think that he blocks the plate well?

I'm just wondering how the Astros view Munson and whether there is a chance that he will be the starting catcher next season.

I don't know about next year. I do know about this year. When Munson came up the word was he was going to split time with Ausmus. Munson has started 21 games, Ausmus 32. In July, with Ausmus hitting not at all, Ausmus has started 16 games to Munson's 9. Should tell us something. Then there's yesterday. Lidge comes in, with a runner on 2nd he throws a slider. Munson can't handle it, called a wild pitch and the rest of the inning Lidge throws nothing but fastballs.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2007, 09:57:58 am »

Quote from: JimR on July 30, 2007, 09:53:44 am

who said he "doesn't have a very good arm?"

i disagree.

Me too ... the issue is more in blocking balls in the dirt, quickness to move in or out to keep the ball in front of him, etc. I don't know about calling a game, but if his calls are at all affected by his awareness of his defensive weaknesses, that would not be good.

JimR · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2007, 10:05:35 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on July 30, 2007, 09:57:58 am

Me too ... the issue is more in blocking balls in the dirt, quickness to move in or out to keep the ball in front of him, etc. I don't know about calling a game, but if his calls are at all affected by his awareness of his defensive weaknesses, that would not be good.

to me, his feet are most of his problem. he blocks balls quite well if he does not have to shift quickly to do so. he has made tremendous strides as a catcher this year.

Zac D · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2007, 10:08:27 am »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 09:45:21 am

The might pair him with Chris Coste, if the rumors of a Coste-for-Ensberg deal pan out.

Haha. Philadelphia would implode. The irrational love for Coste here is monumental.

Limey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2007, 10:24:30 am »

Quote from: pravata on July 30, 2007, 09:54:29 am

Then there's yesterday. Lidge comes in, with a runner on 2nd he throws a slider. Munson can't handle it, called a wild pitch and the rest of the inning Lidge throws nothing but fastballs.

How did that work out? Eh? Oh.

pravata · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2007, 11:20:44 am »

Quote from: Limey on July 30, 2007, 10:24:30 am

How did that work out? Eh? Oh.

Exactly.

dirty steve · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:14:05 pm »

what is most likely:
-ausmus/munson or gimenez
-munson/towles
-munson/gimenez

MusicMan · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:19:40 pm »

Of the three, my guess is Munson/Gimenez. But I don't think it will be any of those 3.

JimR · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:22:39 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 03:19:40 pm

Of the three, my guess is Munson/Gimenez. But I don't think it will be any of those 3.

Munson is a great backup. i have no idea who the starter may be.

BudGirl · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:28:06 pm »

towles didn't look all that great in spring training. maybe he has progressed a lot this year though.

I seriously doubt Ausmus is back with the Astros next year.

JimR · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:29:42 pm »

Quote from: BudGirl on July 30, 2007, 03:28:06 pm

towles didn't look all that great in spring training. maybe he has progressed a lot this year though.

I seriously doubt Ausmus is back with the Astros next year.

probably time for him to move on or retire. i cannot imagine Towles is a serious contender, and i do not know how HG's rehab is going.

Froback · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:31:51 pm »

It is wild guessing at this point, but I think MM is right. Best guess at this point is Munson and Gimenez.

I could see Towles, but given he was an unexpected call-up to AA (where he has done well so far), I would be surprised to see him make the club out of ST next year, I would expect AAA.

dirty steve · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:37:03 pm »

Quote from: Froback on July 30, 2007, 03:31:51 pm

It is wild guessing at this point, but I think MM is right. Best guess at this point is Munson and Gimenez.
I could see Towles, but given he was an unexpected call-up to AA (where he has done well so far), I would be surprised to see him make the club out of ST next year, I would expect AAA.

is the spike in Towles production after his promotion to CC just an anomaly? or is it that something he is just "trending" towards? sure would be nice to have a great competition in ST next year, even with likelihood towles or gimenez starts the year at RR.
i'd probably lean towards gimenez/munson also.

Froback · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:42:57 pm »

Quote from: dirty steve on July 30, 2007, 03:37:03 pm

is the spike in Towles production after his promotion to CC just an anomaly? or is it that something he is just "trending" towards? sure would be nice to have a great competition in ST next year.

Well Towles is the #1 catching prospect for the Astros... where have we heard that label before...

And if you believe projections (careful they don't like being poked with sticks) he will be a starting catcher.

Best if you go check out the Minor League Forums on this site for more info.
But here is the blurb from the top 10 report Jacksonian put out at the start of this year:

Quote

1. J.R. Towles (above-average hitting and defensive skills, but concerns about the knee and attitude knock him down a tad)

Duman · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:44:58 pm »

Quote from: dirty steve on July 30, 2007, 03:37:03 pm

is the spike in Towles production after his promotion to CC just an anomaly? or is it that something he is just "trending" towards? sure would be nice to have a great competition in ST next year.

I am a big Towles fan. Love the energy he brings to the game and how he works with pitchers. I would expect him to be a AAA next year. I don't see him being a starter in Houston next year and I don't see the FO letting him sit the bench when he could be working on his game a AAA.

Duman · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:51:17 pm »

The attitude that got him suspended last year has not resurfaced. He has not missed any playing time to injury this year. If I were making out my list at this point and time of the top 10 players, he would be the top position player and be #3 overall in the org. I think he is a long shot, but he also has a great track record of making the most of opportunities. As I have said several times on here before:

In 05 he was driving to Tri - Cities when he got the call to go to Lexington because Lou was hurt. All he did was hit .346 for the rest of the season. This year, his AA call up was supposed to be for a few weeks, but I don't seeing him using that round trip ticket anytime soon.

It will be interesting to watch in the spring.

WulawHorn · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:55:13 pm »

Quote from: Duman on July 30, 2007, 03:51:17 pm

The attitude that got him suspended last year has not resurfaced. He has not missed any playing time to injury this year. If I were making out my list at this point and time of the top 10 players, he would be the top position player and be #3 overall in the org. I think he is a long shot, but he also has a great track record of making the most of opportunities. As I have said several times on here before:

In 05 he was driving to Tri - Cities when he got the call to go to Lexington because Lou was hurt. All he did was hit .346 for the rest of the season. This year, his AA call up was supposed to be for a few weeks, but I don't seeing him using that round trip ticket anytime soon.

It will be interesting to watch in the spring.

Charlie Pallilo has already gone on record as the astros suck as an organization if he isn't catching in the bigs this september...

JimR · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2007, 03:57:18 pm »

Quote from: Duman on July 30, 2007, 03:51:17 pm

The attitude that got him suspended last year has not resurfaced. He has not missed any playing time to injury this year. If I were making out my list at this point and time of the top 10 players, he would be the top position player and be #3 overall in the org. I think he is a long shot, but he also has a great track record of making the most of opportunities. As I have said several times on here before:

In 05 he was driving to Tri - Cities when he got the call to go to Lexington because Lou was hurt. All he did was hit .346 for the rest of the season. This year, his AA call up was supposed to be for a few weeks, but I don't seeing him using that round trip ticket anytime soon.

It will be interesting to watch in the spring.

what was his attitude problem?

MusicMan · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:02:06 pm »

Quote from: WulawHorn on July 30, 2007, 03:55:13 pm

Charlie Pallilo has already gone on record as the astros suck as an organization if he isn't catching in the bigs this september...

Palilo Mad Libs!

If the Astros don't call up {person's name} by {date}, they clearly aren't serious about winning. {First person} is hitting {a number between 200 and 400} at {Texas city name}, which they could really use. No Hall of Famer has made the majors later than age {number more than 25}. I just don't know what they're thinking!

Any Palilo claim to knowledge of prospects should be answered with ".207", which is Ben Zobrist's career slugging percentage.

EDIT: Tampa Bay presents their stats backwards. .207 is his career batting average: .207/.235/.289

Duman · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:04:17 pm »

It wouldn't surprise me for him to get a cup of coffee this September.

In a couple of years, look at the Texas flavor the Astros could have: Pence, Towles, Patton, James among others.

The attitude issue was that he was unhappy about a coaching decision and he blew up. Bennett happened to witness it and suspended him 3 days on the spot.

dirty steve · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:04:27 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 04:02:06 pm

Palilo Mad Libs!

If the Astros don't call up {person's name} by {date}, they clearly aren't serious about winning. {First person} is hitting {a number between 200 and 400} at {Texas city name}, which they could really use. No Hall of Famer has made the majors later than age {number more than 25}. I just don't know what they're thinking!

Any Palilo claim to knowledge of prospects should be answered with ".207", which is Ben Zobrist's career slugging percentage.

exactly. i prefer pallilo over any of the other talking Houston sports radio heads, but he REALLY beats the Towles idea into the ground. he pats himself on the back like he was the only person calling for Pence to be in the lineup Opening Day. not saying i wouldnt want Towles to cut his teeth in September, but Pallilo's Zobrist's pinings really have caused me to tune him out a little when goes on and on about it.

MusicMan · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:06:28 pm »

Quote from: dirty steve on July 30, 2007, 04:04:27 pm

exactly. i prefer pallilo over any of the other talking Houston sports radio heads, but he REALLY beats the Towles idea into the ground.

This is like saying that you prefer syphillis to any of the other STDs.

Astroholic · « **Reply #25 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:06:40 pm »

Quote from: dirty steve on July 30, 2007, 04:04:27 pm

exactly. i prefer pallilo over any of the other talking Houston sports radio heads, but he REALLY beats the Towles idea into the ground. he pats himself on the back like he was the only person calling for Pence to be in the lineup Opening Day.

I am in the camp of "Can't stand him". I was a John and Lance fan, and hope for a reunion show soon.

Froback · « **Reply #26 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:08:19 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 04:02:06 pm

Palilo Mad Libs!

If the Astros don't call up {person's name} by {date}, they clearly aren't serious about winning. {First person} is hitting {a number between 200 and 400} at {Texas city name}, which they could really use. No Hall of Famer has made the majors later than age {number more than 25}. I just don't know what they're thinking!

Any Palilo claim to knowledge of prospects should be answered with ".207", which is Ben Zobrist's career slugging percentage.

You stole his script for all baseball opionions.... classic!
It is almost like he did a quick search of the Astros top minor leaguers and the #1 position prospect is who fills these holes until he is called up or traded.

dirty steve · « **Reply #27 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:09:08 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 04:06:28 pm

This is like saying that you prefer syphillis to any of the other STDs.

true. but i wont listen to 97.5, especially since they have JDJo on there 2x a week, and Matt Jackson is equally unlistenable. combine that with VY's PR guy as his drive time partner--ugh.

i am anxious to see what KILE will amount to.

Astroholic · « **Reply #28 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:12:07 pm »

Quote from: dirty steve on July 30, 2007, 04:09:08 pm

true. but i wont listen to 97.5, especially since they have JDJo on there 2x a week, and Matt Jackson is equally unlistenable. combine that with VY's PR guy as his drive time partner--ugh.

i am anxious to see what KILE will amount to.

Jesus is even harder to listen to than read, if that is possible. I do find it funny when he is on a panel of "experts" and is getting his ass handed to him (or post game). Problem is he is to smug or stupid to realize he is being had.

JackAstro · « **Reply #29 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:17:47 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on July 30, 2007, 04:06:28 pm

This is like saying that you prefer syphillis to any of the other STDs.

If I had to choose, I think I'd go with crotchrot. Who would that be?

Astroholic · « **Reply #30 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:18:48 pm »

Quote from: JackAstro on July 30, 2007, 04:17:47 pm

If I had to choose, I think I'd go with crotchrot. Who would that be?

"GoldBond takes the itch away."

MusicMan · « **Reply #31 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:23:21 pm »

Well, I guess that would be Craig Roberts.

Colin Cowherd has got to be HIV.

Arky Vaughan · « **Reply #32 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:23:41 pm »

Quote from: Astroholic on July 30, 2007, 04:12:07 pm

Jesus is even harder to listen to than read, if that is possible.

Blasphemy!

Astroholic · « **Reply #33 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:25:33 pm »

Quote from: Arky Vaughan on July 30, 2007, 04:23:41 pm

Blasphemy!

Jesus knows whom I am referring to.

WulawHorn · « **Reply #34 on:** July 30, 2007, 04:58:56 pm »

Quote from: Astroholic on July 30, 2007, 04:12:07 pm

Jesus is even harder to listen to than read, if that is possible. I do find it funny when he is on a panel of "experts" and is getting his ass handed to him (or post game). Problem is he is to smug or stupid to realize he is being had.

Exactly, 100% spot on. I've always strongly disliked the jesus, but it didn't border on pathological hate until I heard him on John and Lance just dog biggio (while he had that bullshit petty vendetta thing going on with craig) and just get worked and abused by some callers. He was too damn stupid to realize what was going on. And he is just painful to listen to stylistically alone- no matter that what he says is crap. Just a waste of space all the way around, in any format.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #35 on:** July 31, 2007, 08:21:08 am »

Quote from: Duman on July 30, 2007, 04:04:17 pm

It wouldn't surprise me for him to get a cup of coffee this September.

Remember, he has to be on the 40-man. He's not. And he won't get called up.

Quote

The attitude issue was that he was unhappy about a coaching decision and he blew up. Bennett happened to witness it and suspended him 3 days on the spot.

There was also a prima-donna issue that seems to have abated since his callup. Apparently it took seeing how some of the more experienced players go about their business to wise him up. Another was that he wasn't happy and a little to vocal about it with being sent to repeat Lexington last year while Santangelo, who is not as good a hitter, was moved up to Salem.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #36 on:** July 31, 2007, 08:29:43 am »

Quote from: Astroholic on July 30, 2007, 04:18:48 pm

"GoldBond takes the itch away."

GoldBond is Blue Star Ointment's bitch.