Talk about struggling to say something positive...

[pots]

Keith Law on Towles:
"Towles has had little trouble hitting for average throughout his pro career, but it will be interesting to see what he does when consistently facing big league pitching. Towles sets up with a big, deep load and almost locks his lead elbow; as a result, his plate coverage isn't great and he struggles to reach the ball down, getting very long with an exaggerated finish just to reach balls in the lower third of the zone. He's a dead-pull hitter, which is a good thing for a right-handed bat in Houston's ballpark, but he'll have to show he can adjust to the ball away as well as down. His arm is fringe-average and he's an adequate plate blocker, but isn't plus in any aspect of his defense. Given his performance history, he should be at least an everyday catcher in the majors, but he's not a star and may settle in as a barely average regular."

[MusicMan]

Keith Law lost his job with the Jays because he really, really does not understand baseball.

And this paragraph reflects that.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Keith Law lost his job with the Jays because he really, really does not understand baseball.

And this paragraph reflects that.

From reading his perspective on his departure, he had other interests he wanted to pursue AND they didn't value what he could contribute....

[Hornstros]

As the season progresses maybe Towles can give Keith Law a nice, big shitburger to eat

[Arky Vaughan]

Keith Law lost his job with the Jays because he really, really does not understand baseball.

And this paragraph reflects that.

I don't know much about Towles. What's the real story?

[Bench]

I don't know much about Towles. What's the real story?

Ausmus was very impressed with Towles' receiving skills, and Brad ain't one to just hand out compliments. Also, he's hit pretty much at every level.

[JimR]

Ausmus was very impressed with Towles' receiving skills, and Brad ain't one to just hand out compliments. Also, he's hit pretty much at every level.

except at RR. he looked lost there before going up.

[Bench]

except at RR. he looked lost there before going up.

True. But to be fair, he only had just 13 games at AAA.

[JimR]

True. But to be fair, he only had just 13 games at AAA.

nothing unfair about saying he looked lost even for one game. he did.

he looked like a different hitter in MLB.

[Noe]

nothing unfair about saying he looked lost even for one game. he did.

he looked like a different hitter in MLB.

So did Josh Anderson who looked like a world beater for the month of September.  I was shocked at how well he was hitting in the majors, but then I remembered that it was September and he was probably hitting against other callups for the most part.  Still...

What is prudent to say though is that major league pitchers will develop a book on a hitter if they find a way to get the guy out.  And they will continue to throw the guy those pitches that he can't or won't hit (because he didn't make an adjustment).  The key is to adjust.  But that not only goes for Towles but for Pence as well.  I wouldn't feed that guy any fastballs, even those away.  Slider, slider, slider, down and away seems to be his achilles heel.  I suspect Pence will struggle until he adjust and forces guys into hitters counts.  Same will have to hold true for Towles.

If they do that, they'll be okay, both of them.

[Froback]

But that not only goes for Towles but for Pence as well.  I wouldn't feed that guy any fastballs, even those away.  Slider, slider, slider, down and away seems to be his achilles heel.  I suspect Pence will struggle until he adjust and forces guys into hitters counts.  Same will have to hold true for Towles.

I think it also helped a bunch that he was hitting in front of Berkman and Lee.  The 2 spot in the Astros line-up seems the ideal slot for a fastball hitter like Pence.

The team keeps parroting that the line-up will be Bourn, Matsui, then mashers.  But I wonder given Pence's plate approach if it wouldn't be better having him hit 2nd, if they don't have him hitting 3rd..... but then we hammered that one pretty good last time.

[Noe]

I think it also helped a bunch that he was hitting in front of Berkman and Lee.  The 2 spot in the Astros line-up seems the ideal slot for a fastball hitter like Pence.

The team keeps parroting that the line-up will be Bourn, Matsui, then mashers.  But I wonder given Pence's plate approach if it wouldn't be better having him hit 2nd, if they don't have him hitting 3rd..... but then we hammered that one pretty good last time.

I suspect that the Houston Astros will be ready and willing to adjust as the season progresses.  Bourn is the key to make Matsui more effective given his ability handling a stick.  If Bourn is struggling, Matsui would have to change his role a bit and he may in turn struggle himself... but that is left to be seen if Matsui could still function well at the #2 even with a struggling Bourn.

I think any of the scenarios that plays out with Bourn and Matsui individually or combined will lead to adjustments with Pence in mind.  It is not etched in stone that Bourn/Matsui will stay where they are and thus Pence won't sniff the top of the order next season.  But a salient point remains: Pence needs to prove he can adjust and the test will be right away because hitting sixth will mean he won't get those fastballs he got last year.  This will be a good test of Pence's maturing at the major league level.

I, for one, don't discount that he will adjust.  He proved more than a handful of times that he is aware of what is going on around him and makes keen adjustments to still get his.  Now let's see what happens this season to prove that even more.

[MusicMan]

From reading his perspective on his departure, he had other interests he wanted to pursue AND they didn't value what he could contribute....

Right, because most people come right out and say "they fired my ass".

[pravata]

Right, because most people come right out and say "they fired my ass".

Ricciardi, “He’s become a writer. It doesn’t take long. Keith Law is officially an idiot.”

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Right, because most people come right out and say "they fired my ass".

Well yeah... but most people who get fired (and subsequently called a moron by the guy who both hired and fired him) do not then present themself as a professional quality scout and a key contributor to ESPN's Scout's INC., as though that is some sort of free-lance scouting agency.   It's not, it's a bunch of writers who present their info using scout lingo (and I suspect it's still based solely on stats).

What kills me about this guy is he uses all the scout terminology but his evaluations always favor the hype'd prospects.  It's too easy to predict who he "likes" or views as a "future star".  Like most of the pundits who do this, he ignores his horrible track record when they repeat the exercise the following year with a new list of supposedly can't miss stars (or the same names who actually didn't take the league by storm, never stopping to consider the contradiction).  And to top it off, he spends half his chats discussing cooking shows and literature.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a neanderthal.  I enjoy both cooking (mostly eating actually) and reading but IT'S A BASEBALL CHAT.  I'm beginning to think he has a fan club consisting solely of youngish men wearing khakis and sweaters over polo shirts, NTTAWWT.

[HurricaneDavid]

As the season progresses maybe Towles can give Keith Law a nice, big shitburger to eat

Towles sets up with a big, deep load

Sounds like you two are on the same page.  What the hell does "sets up with a big, deep load" even mean?

[Taras Bulba]

What is prudent to say though is that major league pitchers will develop a book on a hitter if they find a way to get the guy out.  And they will continue to throw the guy those pitches that he can't or won't hit (because he didn't make an adjustment).  The key is to adjust.  But that not only goes for Towles but for Pence as well.  I wouldn't feed that guy any fastballs, even those away.  Slider, slider, slider, down and away seems to be his achilles heel.  I suspect Pence will struggle until he adjust and forces guys into hitters counts.  Same will have to hold true for Towles.

If they do that, they'll be okay, both of them.
[/quote]

Now that Biggio is retired, somebody needs to pick up the torch and be a leader, along with swinging at that low and away shit.   

[Duman]

I think the big load comment has to do with his timing move on pitches.  IMO, the Astros are less focused on batting development and more focused on his development as a catcher.  If they were focusing on batting, they wouldn't have Ausmus torturing him, right?

[BudGirl]

I think the big load comment has to do with his timing move on pitches.  IMO, the Astros are less focused on batting development and more focused on his development as a catcher.  If they were focusing on batting, they wouldn't have Ausmus torturing him, right?

torturing?

[pravata]

torturing?

"shoulders in, drop to knees, shoulders in, drop to knees, ...."  repeat, repeat, repeat....

[Limey]

"shoulders in, drop to knees, shoulders in, drop to knees, ...."  repeat, repeat, repeat....

Is this Towles working with Ausmus, or BudGirl working with Ausmus?

[Duman]

torturing?

Tutoring / torturing could be the same thing.

(that is what I get for not paying close enough attention to spell check)

[Outlawscotty]

Is this Towles working with Ausmus, or BudGirl working with Ausmus?

Some (read BudGirl) wish its Ausmus working with BudGirl.

[Duman]

Keith Law on Towles:
"Towles has had little trouble hitting for average throughout his pro career, but it will be interesting to see what he does when consistently facing big league pitching. Towles sets up with a big, deep load and almost locks his lead elbow; as a result, his plate coverage isn't great and he struggles to reach the ball down, getting very long with an exaggerated finish just to reach balls in the lower third of the zone. He's a dead-pull hitter, which is a good thing for a right-handed bat in Houston's ballpark, but he'll have to show he can adjust to the ball away as well as down. His arm is fringe-average and he's an adequate plate blocker, but isn't plus in any aspect of his defense. Given his performance history, he should be at least an everyday catcher in the majors, but he's not a star and may settle in as a barely average regular."

Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Golstein has a different take:

The Good: Offensively, Towles has the potential to be well above-average for a catcher. He has good plate discipline, an excellent feel for contact, and should hit .280-.300 annually with 10-15 home runs. He's a plus defender as well,in that he calls a good game, blocks pitches very well, and has an arm that's a tick above average. He has a calm demeanor on the field, and earns praise for the manner in which he deals with a staff.
The Bad: Towles doesn't offer a ton of projection, and will never have more than gap power. He changes his approach against left-handers, which allows him to hit for average, but with very little pop. His strong arm is stymied somewhat by a slow release.http://

[Reuben]

Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Golstein has a different take:

If Towles has as much success as this guy thinks he will, I have a hard time seeing anything "bad" about that at all.

[HudsonHawk]

Just my opinion based on late last year's observation, plus what I've heard from scouts...but count me in the "Towle's defense is mediocre" camp.

[pravata]

Just my opinion based on late last year's observation, plus what I've heard from scouts...but count me in the "Towle's defense is mediocre" camp.

There has also been a flurry of this type of articles Link where Cooper is saying Quintero could also have a chance.

[JimR]

Just my opinion based on late last year's observation, plus what I've heard from scouts...but count me in the "Towle's defense is mediocre" camp.

he did look good blocking pitches in the bigs. he played so little at RR that i had no idea what kind of player he is.

[JackAstro]

The Bad: ... He changes his approach against left-handers, which allows him to hit for average, but with very little pop.

Ah good, a smooth segue into a discussion of approach. Someone tell me why altering your approach against lefties to concede power in favor of being on base is filed under "bad".

[Duman]

Ah good, a smooth segue into a discussion of approach. Someone tell me why altering your approach against lefties to concede power in favor of being on base is filed under "bad".

Especially since he will be batting 7 or 8, not exactly power positions.

[JimR]

Ah good, a smooth segue into a discussion of approach. Someone tell me why altering your approach against lefties to concede power in favor of being on base is filed under "bad".

some (idiots?) would say that is very smart baseball.

[HudsonHawk]

he did look good blocking pitches in the bigs. he played so little at RR that i had no idea what kind of player he is.

I only saw him block a few pitches, and it was fine.  I think his footwork is poor though, and his throwing is slow.  But I didn't see him other than the end of the year with the Astros. 

[Froback]

Just my opinion based on late last year's observation, plus what I've heard from scouts...but count me in the "Towle's defense is mediocre" camp.

I guess is all depends on what you consider important for catcher defense.  From all I have heard about him (having not seen him anymore than most of you), he is very good at calling a game (or at least projects to be good at that), he works well with pitchers and his blocking is just above average (with signs of improvement) but that his throwing is average at best.  I have heard multiple reasons for this (as the scouts don't seem to agree which is the reason for it).

So it seems like he projects to be very similar to Ausmus in defense, although Brad has refined his non-throwing skills much much more, so Towles needs to learn Brad's dedication.  From what I have heard, Towles does seem to want to improve, so that is also a good sign.

People need to realize that Towles has really good potential, but he is making some serious jumps in levels that might result in some learning curve issues during this year.  But I think the hope is that with Brad there to mentor him, hopefully he can help Towles adjust more quickly.  Much will depend on Towles, and specifically his attitude this whole season.  If he shows the attitude he showed in 07, things will go great for him... if he shows the attitude he showed in 06... there might be some real rough spots.

As for his hitting, I don't care how much "pop" he has as long as he is not counted on for that.  If you are not hitting in a "power" spot, I would be willing to sacrifice power for BA/contact.  But as a catcher the first priority should always be about his defense.  If he does that well, I will accept whatever offense he can provide.

[Limey]

As for his hitting, I don't care how much "pop" he has as long as he is not counted on for that.  If you are not hitting in a "power" spot, I would be willing to sacrifice power for BA/contact.  But as a catcher the first priority should always be about his defense.  If he does that well, I will accept whatever offense he can provide.

The Astros haven't done too badly over the years with Ausmus' bat in the line up.  No need to demand too much from JR in that dept.  Also, the Astros just upgraded big time at SS, and on the offensive side of the ball look to be quite well stacked.

[Lurch]

stacked.

That file name is quite appropriate.  The "3" also leads you to see if others exist, and sure enough, see Globes2 and Globes1.  My work is done here today.

[Limey]

That file name is quite appropriate.

Unintentionally so, I believe.

[Matt]

I'm pretty sure those globes are what Bill Murray was whispering about at the end of Lost in Translation.

[Ron Brand]

Holy Christ, Limey!

I was sitting here, having a little dinner, reading through, clicked on the link and...

Holy Christ, Limey!

[Bench]

From Olney's blog; http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster

"Spoke with Astros catcher Brad Ausmus the other day, and he's convinced that new Houston catcher J.R. Towles will already be among the elite receivers -- in the act of catching the ball with a quiet and soft glove hand -- even as he starts his career."

[ybbodeus]

Keith Law on Towles:
"Towles has had little trouble hitting for average throughout his pro career, but it will be interesting to see what he does when consistently facing big league pitching. Towles sets up with a big, deep load and almost locks his lead elbow; as a result, his plate coverage isn't great and he struggles to reach the ball down, getting very long with an exaggerated finish just to reach balls in the lower third of the zone. He's a dead-pull hitter, which is a good thing for a right-handed bat in Houston's ballpark, but he'll have to show he can adjust to the ball away as well as down. His arm is fringe-average and he's an adequate plate blocker, but isn't plus in any aspect of his defense. Given his performance history, he should be at least an everyday catcher in the majors, but he's not a star and may settle in as a barely average regular."

Color me clueless, but to me this reads like an incomplete explanation of Towles'  "approach."