Baker said Julks "could come into play sometime this year, hopefully." https://t.co/wgMXe3DcBw

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 22, 2023

Dusty Baker on Justin Dirden: "He has that quiet confidence. He can play all three outfield positions, he can run, he can throw. There's not much he can't do on the baseball field. He's been impressive from day one."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 22, 2023

I think he makes it day 1. Jose 60 day and probably Madris cut when Jose comes off.

I'm with you on the pitching staff. This is what I'd do on offense (not what I think Dusty is actually going to do):

Opening Day Lineup

1. Pena SS
2. Bregman 3B
3. Alvarez DH
4. Abreu 1B
5. Tucker RF
6. Dirden LF
7. McCormick CF
8. Hensley 2B
9. Maldy C

Bench

-Dubon
-Meyers
-Y Diaz
-Lee

Notes

-Agree that Altuve to 60 day opens up roster spot for Dirden

-Obviously it's not ideal that Altuve and Brantley aren't available opening day, but I'm kind of excited to have some developmental ABs to divvy up. I really want to give Hensley, Y Diaz and Dirden some regular-ish PT and see what we've got.

-Meyers needs to show something quick IMO. Brantley will be back soon enough and I'm guessing Meyers or Dirden will be odd man out on the 26. Lots of scenarios. It could be that Dirden outplays Meyers, but we send Dirden down so he gets the daily ABs while Meyers rides the pine with the big club. Would love to see Meyers prove me wrong though.

Absolutely no way Dirden starts opening day

Who is upset?

I'm just saying there's no way in hell a rookie not even currently on the roster starts opening day ahead of Hensley/Dubon and Meyers

Just tone down the theatrics a little. If you don't think Dirden will start on opening day, that's cool buddy. I wouldn't put money on it either. But I also said very clearly at the top of my post that it's what I would do, not what I think we're going to do.

Farmer1906 said:

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Shohei Ohtani is going to look great in an Astros uniform next year.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 22, 2023

Oooooo what if.

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Yordan permanent LF?

Justin Dirden ready for opening day action

Just got back from Minute Maid. A lot of jerseys and hats!

Replica jerseys: $200
Fitted hats: $55
Polos: $125

They had a lot of inventory on jerseys and hats but other stuff was limited.

Didn't see any of the baseballs or pennants

I grabbed this shirt for $40.

Hope Julks does. Will be first major leaguer from my HS. His longtime gf teaches at my kids elementary.

She was quite the eye pleaser at the winter carnival.

Any bobbleheads left?

Farmer1906 said:

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Shohei Ohtani is going to look great in an Astros uniform next year.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 22, 2023

Oooooo what if.

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The one source less credible than Chandler.

Ag_07 said:

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tjack16 said:

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Replica jerseys: $200
Fitted hats: $55
Polos: $125

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Nope

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Yeah, that's why I just went with a T-shirt. Unless you're hell bent on a jersey I'd just wait

maca1028 said:

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Any bobbleheads left?

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Yes a few. I didnt catch who they were but there's a shelf of them

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Absolutely no way Dirden starts opening day

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Stop coming out with all this rage, man. Get help! Not in front of the children!

CFTXAG10 said:

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Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Can't decide if I'm going to pull the trigger

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Lately w/ New Era I have to try them on first. Typically a 7 5/8 but the sizing has been odd. The hats are pretty sweet though. I will definitely try and swing by the team store and grab one next Thursday.

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I had the same issue - low profile World Series hat fits great while the World Series Champs one is much tighter. Not sure how that happened, but I guess the manufacturer goofed. And good luck if ordering a hat from Fanatics and having to return it.

The best part is you can get the hats online, free shipping for $45 and you dont have to go downtown, find parking and hassle with the store

AHHHHH WHAT A CALAMITY OF ERRORS

I've returned several Astros shirts from fanatics with no problem. Full refund and you don't pay for shipping it back if you agree to put the refund on a mlb gift card they email you. You do pay for shipping it back if you take the credit/debit refund option.

Yep. I've had worse luck than you with the wrong item shipped once and the wrong size for another order and then having to follow up just to get the credit. Basic mistakes that shouldn't have happened, but obviously ordering fitted hats is risky from any site. I did get a good deal on this jersey in an adult size from them before it sold out since I had to use my gift card and fancash before it expired:
https://www.fanatics.com/mlb/houston-astros/jeff-bagwell-houston-astros-mitchell-and-ness-youth-cooperstown-collection-mesh-batting-practice-jersey-navy/o-1209+t-58991918+p-81465331930+z-9-2632801103?_ref=p-SRP:m-GRID:i-r0c2:po-2

MLB Pipeline ranked the Astros’ farm system the 27th best in Major League Baseball.

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) March 22, 2023

Interesting.

An Astros’ minor league manager once told me it’s not about winning championships; it’s about getting these guys ready as fast as they can.

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) March 22, 2023

I love our AA/AAA outfield.

Pedro León flashed impressive range in center field today for the Astros. He also threw a bullet to home plate today against the Mets. pic.twitter.com/ThS7EZue3x

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) March 22, 2023

Good eye. He's got tools for days.

It seems we have some McCormicks in the pipe, but do we have even half the Springer, Bregman, Correa, Altuve, and Tucker? That's what it takes.

Assume Peña is one, just assume. Also assume we re-sign one of Bregman and Tucker. Do we really think we have two more impact players? It takes a handful.

I feel better about pitching for a while.

And I'm just talking out loud. Happy to extend this run for a few years!

Just spitballing on the farm ranking…