Wow, what a difference 4 years makes.
Back in October of '05, we witnessed two of the guttiest starting pitching performances this franchise has ever seen. And yet here we are this evening wondering if another club will even take a flier on him to provide another shot at cracking a rotation.
It's always tough to see a once promising career fizzle, but it was plain as day when Brandon first took the hill this season that the surgeries and setbacks have just taken too much away from his overall ability. For a guy who never had a very deep repertoire, a heater than barely cracks 88 and often finds it's way up in the zone is unfortunately a recipe for disaster.
I had some hope initially that he could model himself after a pitcher like Sampson and develop a sinker to help him compensate for the lost velocity, but Backe's football-driven approach to always 'challenging' opposing hitters might be too much for him to overcome...at least in the short term.
If I were his agent, I would honestly encourage him to accept the assignment and literally go back to square one while trying to re-invent himself as a long-reliever down in Round Rock. When you look at all the variables that have hindered his success in recent seasons, it's very clear that a simple 'change of big league scenery' is gonna suddenly right the ship for the pride of Ball High School.
Regardless of what transpires...best of wishes the rest of the way, Brandon. We certainly won't forget all of the great, thrilling moments you provided the Astros community.
