Author Topic: No walking here (Read 6495 times)

David in Jackson · « **on:** April 15, 2010, 01:41:15 pm »

Player, ABs, Walks

Bourn, 29, 1
Matsui, 17, 0
Feliz, 30, 0
Lee, 31, 1
Pence, 29, 0
Blum, 24, 1
Manzella, 20, 0
Towles, 18, 0

The Astros have 8 walks, last in the NL. The next last to team, 15th ranked San Diego, has 26.
The Astros have scored 14 runs, last in the NL. The next to last team, Washington, has scored 33.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2010, 01:49:35 pm »

Is this saying that the Astros are not being patient and chasing pitches or that opposing pitchers have little to fear and are going right at them? Maybe both.

David in Jackson · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2010, 01:52:55 pm »

I think part of it is that the Astros have faced some very good starting pitchers so far this season. Lee, the most reliable bat in the lineup, is off to a slow start. And another part, in my opinion, is that OBP hasn't been a priority in roster construction (Feliz) and that our players are rookies or simply aren't very good. Of course, some probably think that's fantacrap.

JimR · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2010, 02:32:55 pm »

Quote from: David in Jackson on April 15, 2010, 01:52:55 pm

I think part of it is that the Astros have faced some very good starting pitchers so far this season. Lee, the most reliable bat in the lineup, is off to a slow start. And another part, in my opinion, is that OBP hasn't been a priority in roster construction (Feliz) and that our players are rookies or simply aren't very good. Of course, some probably think that's fantacrap.

right. OBP. that must be it.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2010, 03:41:02 pm »

Quote from: JimR on April 15, 2010, 02:32:55 pm

right. OBP. that must be it.

Not OBP per se, but would you say that there hasn't been an institutional emphasis on teaching hitters how to think through at-bats and get a pitch to hit while developing selectivity? Or just a failure to get strong enough players for several years and this is a blip that Heck & Co. are trying to fix with better drafts?

Twoniner · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2010, 03:41:18 pm »

If a pitcher walks Manzella, Bourn, Matsui, Blum or Towles they are not long for that game or the major leagues. For the guys that draw walks are the guys that hit for power, because they are pitched to carefully. If contact hitters go up there taking pitches, they are going to be looking at 0-1 and 1-2 all day long. Pence could legitimately use some more patience though.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2010, 03:51:31 pm »

The more I think about my question the worse it gets, because we are dealing with a team that has been populated over the last 2-3 years with veterans who are free-swingers, rather than guys coming up from the minors. I don't know what the Astro farm teams are doing with respect to their approach at bat, I'm just seeing the guys on the big club and projecting that it's that way all the way through. Duh.

Think more, post less.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2010, 04:20:09 pm »

Yeah, for whatever reason, the Astros just seem to have more free-swingers than any other team. I watch other teams grind out at-bats, foul off pitches, earn walks, and tire out pitchers. The Astros don't have many of those type of hitters. Of course, this is really a symptom of the larger issue that they just don't have many good hitters overall.

chuck · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2010, 04:23:01 pm »

On a positive note Keppinger has a great eye and plenty of patience.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2010, 04:24:34 pm »

I know the knock is that he can't hit righthanders, but I enjoy seeing him get a chance and he does have some pop in his bat.

Reuben · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2010, 06:23:10 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on April 15, 2010, 04:24:34 pm

I know the knock is that he can't hit righthanders, but I enjoy seeing him get a chance and he does have some pop in his bat.

Kepp may be playing 2B every time the Astros face a LHP for a while. And perhaps more than that if Matsui doesn't get things turned around...

GreatBagwellsBeard · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2010, 06:27:06 pm »

McTaggart is beating that same drum. Says that it should be Kepp's full time job.

juliogotay · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2010, 10:16:30 pm »

Quote from: GreatBagwellsBeard on April 15, 2010, 06:27:06 pm

McTaggart is beating that same drum. Says that it should be Kepp's full time job.

I agree with McTaggart. Matsui has been a major disappointment.

MRaup · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:07:12 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on April 15, 2010, 10:16:30 pm

I agree with McTaggart. Matsui has been a major disappointment.

Give me a fuckin break.

Lee and Pence has been 1000x worse than Matsui.

juliogotay · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:40:11 am »

Quote from: MRaup on April 16, 2010, 12:07:12 am

Give me a fuckin break.

Lee and Pence has been 1000x worse than Matsui.

We're talking about second base, not the outfield. You like Matsui over Keppinger? Fine. Maybe you'd like to see him in LF and the 4 hole?

JimR · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:31:11 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on April 16, 2010, 07:40:11 am

We're talking about second base, not the outfield. You like Matsui over Keppinger? Fine. Maybe you'd like to see him in LF and the 4 hole?

idiotic post.

SaltyParker · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:39:38 am »

Quote from: MRaup on April 16, 2010, 12:07:12 am

Give me a fuckin break.

Lee and Pence has been 1000x worse than Matsui.

idiotic post.

JackAstro · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:13:46 pm »

Quote from: SaltyParker on April 16, 2010, 09:39:38 am

idiotic post.

I find the middle of the order hitting below the Men Dozing Line to considerably more disappointing than the slap-hitting second baseman doing the same. So count me in the idiot column, I guess.

BUWebguy · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:16:05 pm »

Quote from: MRaup on April 16, 2010, 12:07:12 am

Lee and Pence has been 1000x worse than Matsui.

I assumed he was talking about Matsui over the course of his Astros' career.

JimR · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2010, 01:23:15 pm »

Quote from: JackAstro on April 16, 2010, 12:13:46 pm

I find the middle of the order hitting below the Men Dozing Line to considerably more disappointing than the slap-hitting second baseman doing the same. So count me in the idiot column, I guess.

i'm there, too.

S.P. Rodriguez · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2010, 01:56:11 pm »

I don't understand how anyone could overlook Towles' lack of contribution. I was expecting so much more from him. So much for the breaking down the rodeo clown barrier in the MLB.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2010, 02:13:28 pm »

Quote from: S.P. Rodriguez on April 16, 2010, 01:56:11 pm

...Towles...I was expecting so much more from him.

There's your problem.

juliogotay · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2010, 02:20:05 pm »

Quote from: JackAstro on April 16, 2010, 12:13:46 pm

I find the middle of the order hitting below the Men Dozing Line to considerably more disappointing than the slap-hitting second baseman doing the same. So count me in the idiot column, I guess.

Who is arguing otherwise?

Leeaire · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2010, 10:59:18 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on April 16, 2010, 02:13:28 pm

There's your problem.

lol, Towles sucks so much ass its embarrassing.

JimR · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2010, 01:16:07 am »

Quote from: Leeaire on April 16, 2010, 10:59:18 pm

lol, Towles sucks so much ass its embarrassing.

as embarassing as your post is? i am no fan of Towles, but you must be 14.

Leeaire · « **Reply #25 on:** April 17, 2010, 02:43:43 am »

on a forum, yeah i think 14 would be just about right.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #26 on:** April 17, 2010, 10:53:36 am »

Quote from: S.P. Rodriguez on April 16, 2010, 01:56:11 pm

I don't understand how anyone could overlook Towles' lack of contribution. I was expecting so much more from him. So much for the breaking down the rodeo clown barrier in the MLB.

Based upon last season, how realistic was it to expect "so much more from him?"

juliogotay · « **Reply #27 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:54:46 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 17, 2010, 10:53:36 am

Based upon last season, how realistic was it to expect "so much more from him?"

He had a good spring and many are fooled into believing that will carry into the regular season. I know I've let a players spring training encourage me into thinking a certain player was better than they are. IIRC he had a decent Sept. last year after Clark took over the club. Clark always believed in Towles and Towles seemingly responded to him.

matadorph · « **Reply #28 on:** April 17, 2010, 01:50:43 pm »

Nice job guys! Towles is 3-for-3 today.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #29 on:** April 17, 2010, 05:33:24 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on April 17, 2010, 12:54:46 pm

He had a good spring and many are fooled into believing that will carry into the regular season. I know I've let a players spring training encourage me into thinking a certain player was better than they are. IIRC he had a decent Sept. last year after Clark took over the club. Clark always believed in Towles and Towles seemingly responded to him.

And then he goes and has a great day today. Good. Maybe we ought to badmouth him some more.

matadorph · « **Reply #30 on:** April 17, 2010, 05:45:56 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 17, 2010, 05:33:24 pm

And then he goes and has a great day today. Good. Maybe we ought to badmouth him some more.

Yeah, but we need to save some of those words for Spaz, with a few sprinkled in for Caballo. Get him and Carlos going at the same time and this team might be able to string together a few consecutive victories.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #31 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:40:31 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on April 17, 2010, 05:33:24 pm

And then he goes and has a great day today. Good. Maybe we ought to badmouth him some more.

If badmouthing would fix him, explain 2008

matadorph · « **Reply #32 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:53:43 pm »

Quote from: Andyzipp on April 17, 2010, 07:40:31 pm

If badmouthing would fix him, explain 2008

We didn't trust our stuff.

Reuben · « **Reply #33 on:** April 17, 2010, 08:18:25 pm »

Quote from: S.P. Rodriguez on April 16, 2010, 01:56:11 pm

I don't understand how anyone could overlook Towles' lack of contribution. I was expecting so much more from him. So much for the breaking down the rodeo clown barrier in the MLB.

uh... I read this whole post as sarcasm. No?