bearkatag15 said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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Astros closer Josh Hader signs autographs pic.twitter.com/QpKL5091hP

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

He signs right handed but throws left? That's wild

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Wait until you find out about position players that throw left handed but bat from the right side

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or golfers that sign right handed, but hit the ball left handed! it is so crazy!!!

With KC getting a new stadium I'll want to check out Kaufman before it closes. Looks like we're playing there over my anniversary. Will have to see if that's a suitable trip, haha.

agproducer said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Here is new Astros bullpen candidate Dylan Coleman pic.twitter.com/KmLxKW5UMN

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) February 14, 2024

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The smaller lettering on the name plate looks like *****

Count me as one of the people that doesn't like what Fanatics and Nike have done to the onfield uniforms.

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This is what the back of the white jerseys look like with the new template. Players are pretty unhappy. Miles Mikolas says they also don’t fit right; pants are no longer as customized, and the fabric is a very different consistency.

“They look cheap,” another player said. pic.twitter.com/UoH4vVHTfd

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024

To be very clear: this is not a Cardinals decision. This is the result of Fanatics being in charge of production this year for the first time. Nike is licensing their logos. Every team will be going through this.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024

J.P. France said his shoulder inflammation arose in a bullpen about two weeks ago. He didn’t throw for about a week and has resumed light throwing the past couple days. “I’m not concerned about it at all,” he said.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) February 14, 2024

Here's @keithlaw's Astros Top 30 prospects - https://t.co/DA1RC95ekj

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 14, 2024

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Here's @keithlaw's Astros Top 30 prospects - https://t.co/DA1RC95ekj

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 14, 2024

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Astros 2024 top 20 prospects

(Note: Seasonal ages as of July 1, 2024. Scouting grades are on the traditional 20-80 or 2-8 scouting scale.)

1. Jacob Melton, OF (Just missed)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210 | Bats: L | Throws: L | Seasonal age in 2024: 23

The Astros' second-round pick in 2022, Melton was a late cut from the top 100, primarily because his approach isn't good enough yet to get him there, although he has some plus tools including his raw power and his defense in center, which gives him a great floor as an extra outfielder. He's overly aggressive at the plate and sells out for power, even though he has great bat speed and barrel control, so he should see some power come naturally as a function of the hard contact he's making averaging 90 mph and topping out at 112.

He's had some advantages in the minors to boost his stat line, with 85 percent of his plate appearances last year coming against right-handed pitching (as in, with the platoon advantage), while he played most of the year in High-A Asheville, a terrific hitter's park, and hit just .220/.318/.392 on the road. He needs to cut down on his chase rate and just make better swing decisions overall. He's got 30-30 upside with plus defense in center if he can show a better approach at the plate.

2. Luis Baez, OF

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 20

Baez has, to use the technical term, some big whack, hitting balls well over 110 mph as a teenager and hitting seven homers in 17 games in the Florida Complex League enough to finish sixth in the FCL even though he played about a third of the season. He's going to end up in right field, with a cannon of an arm to stay there, so it's going to come down to how much he hits. He hunts fastballs but his stint in Low A to finish the year showed his pitch recognition is well behind the rest of his game. He has 30-homer upside, and if he gets to High-A Asheville at some point this year he might put up some ridiculous power numbers.

3. Zach Dezenzo, 3B

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 24

Dezenzo's an above-average third baseman who's such a good athlete he might be able to handle center, with plus speed and good instincts all around. At the plate, he's caught in between hitting for average and hitting for power; to get to more than average pop he has to sell out, and it's going to pull his contact rate down, which you started to see even in Double A (28.5 percent K rate). The Ohio State product was old for High A last year at 23, so his huge production in hitter-friendly Asheville is suspect, but he could be a .280-300, 15-homer guy at third base, or maybe a .240ish 20+ homer guy who strikes out too much, with the positional versatility to move around and help a club even if he's not a regular at one position.

4. Spencer Arrighetti, RHP

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 186 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 24

Arrighetti's got a low-90s fastball that plays up due to huge extension and a low release point, pairing it with an above-average breaking ball. He added a cutter just last year to try to reduce his platoon split which did happen, actually, so that's a good sign for him to stick as a starter. It's more control than command, but enough to think he's a back-end starter, with a little chance of more as the Astros help him tinker with his pitch mix.

5. Brice Matthews, SS

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 22

Matthews was Houston's first-round pick last July, a shortstop at Nebraska who's a plus runner and could move to centerfield if he can't stick at short. He was a dead-pull hitter in college who was vulnerable to fastballs up, but if he doesn't swing like that he may not have even average power. He's an excellent athlete with quick-twitch actions that might make him a plus defender at short with reps and coaching, although sometimes really athletic guys like him struggle with consistency and move to center (think Billy Hamilton, who was as fast as it gets). I had him as a second-round talent because of the concerns over his propensity to whiff on stuff even in the zone and some questions about his position, both of which I think still apply.

6. Joey Loperfido, OF

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 25

After signing in 2021, Loperfido went to work, gaining close to 30 pounds of good weight, while the Astros helped him improve his swing decisions from 2022 to 2023 so he could get to more of that power in games. He's played all over the field but his best chance for defensive and positional value is in center, as he's a 55 runner with excellent instincts. If he has to move to a corner outfield spot, where he's played some in the minors, the bat might not make him more than a fringy regular, although he'd be superb as a fourth outfielder who can also back up at second and first. He turns 25 in May, so we shouldn't expect any further physical maturation, but he's also pretty much ready for the majors and at the worst he should be on Houston's bench by midyear.

7. Will Wagner, IF

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 25

Billy Wagner's son got off to a strong start in 2023, hurt his wrist, missed two months, and kept right on raking when he returned, finishing the year with a 15-for-26 week in Triple A. He can hit in both senses he makes a ton of contact, rarely whiffing or chasing, and he hits the ball hard enough to be a high-average/high-doubles guy. It's probably 12-15 homers at best, and that presents a challenge as he doesn't have a clear position maybe third, maybe second, but maybe first as his lateral mobility (and thus range) isn't great. Wagner may not produce big homer totals or otherwise eye-popping numbers but I buy the hit tool and he might end up getting everyday playing time for someone, even if it's not Houston.

8. Jose Fleury, RHP

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 22

Signed for just a $10,000 bonus in 2021 because he was already 19, Fleury has a 70 changeup that helped him finish fourth in the Astros' system in strikeouts despite throwing just 98 innings on the season. He averages 91 mph on his fastball but it has huge late hop to it, while his slider is a 55 and he has a curveball for good measure. He's not that physical and may only gain a modicum of additional velocity, so it's possible he'll have to live with a 45 fastball and a bunch of pluses which will mean improving his control and his command. Fleury does have weapons and a good idea of how to use them, so for now he still looks like a starter.

9. Zach Cole, OF

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Seasonal age in 2024: 23

Cole is a plus defender in center with plus power, maybe 70 defense with a 70 arm and 60 thump, so if he can shorten up his swing for more contact, he's got a chance to be a 55 or 60 regular. There's a lot of whiff here, on all pitch types, with sky-high rates on offspeed stuff and even on fastballs in the zone. He benefited bigly from playing in Asheville in the second half he slugged .625 at home for the Tourists, but playing on the road gave him trouble and he slugged .346. It's all potential here, with even modest improvements at the plate leading to big increases in his odds of being a valuable big leaguer.

10. Colin Barber, OF

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200 | Bats: L | Throws: L | Seasonal age in 2024: 23

Barber played 79 games last year, which was a career-high for the oft-injured outfielder, drafted in the fourth round in 2019 out of a California high school. He's a good athlete with a pretty left-handed swing that's producing more power when he plays. In the last three years, he's missed significant time with a hip flexor injury (2023), an ankle injury (2022), and a shoulder injury that required surgery (2021). I think he's a fourth outfielder if he can play enough to prove it, with a solid mix of patience, maybe 55 power, some feel to hit, and the ability to back up center on a temporary basis."

Josh Hader on the news he will be the closer in Houston pic.twitter.com/DQJOPZ27AQ

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

J.P. France said he felt some discomfort in his shoulder during a bullpen a couple of weeks ago and an MRI showed some inflammation. He’s back to throwing off flat ground and said he’s not concerned about it. pic.twitter.com/bQLSay8WED

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

Astros OF Jake Meyers talks about his offseason and the start of another Spring Training. @karbachbrewing pic.twitter.com/mSJ6ZwpiGJ

— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) February 14, 2024

All I do is Nguyen said:

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jkag89 said:

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agproducer said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Here is new Astros bullpen candidate Dylan Coleman pic.twitter.com/KmLxKW5UMN

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) February 14, 2024

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The smaller lettering on the name plate looks like *****

Count me as one of the people that doesn't like what Fanatics and Nike have done to the onfield uniforms.

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This is what the back of the white jerseys look like with the new template. Players are pretty unhappy. Miles Mikolas says they also don’t fit right; pants are no longer as customized, and the fabric is a very different consistency.

“They look cheap,” another player said. pic.twitter.com/UoH4vVHTfd

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024

To be very clear: this is not a Cardinals decision. This is the result of Fanatics being in charge of production this year for the first time. Nike is licensing their logos. Every team will be going through this.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024

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In my experience Fanatics branded stuff is nowhere near the quality of Nike or Adidas

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Fanatics is a horrible company and all of America's sports leagues have basically given them a monopoly on selling fan gear.

What the hell is a whomp?

Tomorrow's FanGraphs today: I made up the name whomps per whiff a few weeks ago, but it turns out this stat rocks pic.twitter.com/SHPrHt0TBb

— Ben Clemens (@_Ben_Clemens) February 14, 2024

bearkatag15 said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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Astros closer Josh Hader signs autographs pic.twitter.com/QpKL5091hP

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

He signs right handed but throws left? That's wild

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Wait until you find out about position players that throw left handed but bat from the right side

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That's quite a bit different

Farmer1906 said:

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Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez pic.twitter.com/HMAxhjTOv3

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

SHORT HAIR FOR FRAMBER

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It looks like these guys have slimmed down a bit, I know somebody earlier posted they had Javier on a strict diet, did they have one for Framber as well?

Well played. Got an audible chuckle at me at work.

Rangerettes GM says they can't spend any more money because they're unsure about TV deals long term.

Hader is the closer per Joe. Pressly to set up role



Sorry just read through the 75 tweets on here

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Rangerettes GM says they can't spend any more money because they're unsure about TV deals long term.

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They have been saying that all offseason. I guess they're not selling enough tickets after the WS to justify any more big time contracts.

Astros GM Dana Brown on Verlander and more. pic.twitter.com/6efQwBj2Jc

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

My wildcard pick to sneak on the roster in the bullpen.

A.J. Blubaugh (@aj3blubaugh) out here with an opportunity to get to the big leagues.
He’s spent the last 2 years in the minors. He’s made it as high as AA.
Drafted: Astros, 2022, 223rd overall
Status: Non-Roster Invitee
College: Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This is what spring… pic.twitter.com/Y3hYDr8trG

— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) February 14, 2024

If he has a ceiling higher than Bielak, I don't see a reason not to give him a shot. We're gonna need a lot of pitchers if France/JV need to slow play the first month.

So how will this board react if Taylor breaks up with Kelce and starts dating an Astro?

Cromagnum said:

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So how will this board react if Taylor breaks up with Kelce and starts dating an Astro?

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I know AI is moving fast but when did the board become sentient.

Farmer1906 said:

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My wildcard pick to sneak on the roster in the bullpen.

A.J. Blubaugh (@aj3blubaugh) out here with an opportunity to get to the big leagues.
He’s spent the last 2 years in the minors. He’s made it as high as AA.
Drafted: Astros, 2022, 223rd overall
Status: Non-Roster Invitee
College: Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This is what spring… pic.twitter.com/Y3hYDr8trG

— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) February 14, 2024

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Hopefully Blubaugh has a ball blog…

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Verlander has inflammation
And JP France does too

— Shoulda Won a Damn Home Game (@quallsastros) February 14, 2024

Mr.Bond said:

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Astros closer Josh Hader signs autographs pic.twitter.com/QpKL5091hP

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

He signs right handed but throws left? That's wild

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I write lefty and threw (pitched) righty.

astroaggie13 said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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Astros closer Josh Hader signs autographs pic.twitter.com/QpKL5091hP

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024

He signs right handed but throws left? That's wild

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I write lefty and threw (pitched) righty.

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Both my dad and grandfather did everything right handed except they kicked left footed.