Jeff Luhnow strikes again! This time he has inked veteran southpaw, Zach Duke, to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Both Alyson Footer and Zachary Levine have reported the deal via their twitter accounts here and here respectively.
Jan27th
Astros sign Zach Duke
One of the many problems that has plagued the Astros over the past few seasons has been their inability to get on base. While different players have come and gone, the Astros ability to reach base has continuously been limited and is one of the causes for their poor offensive output. So one of Jeff Luhnow’s first objectives was to find players that could reach 1st base at a much higher clip. Just looking at the three newest position players he has obtained over his short time as GM, I’d say he has done a good job of adding that skill. Jed Lowrie, Jack Cust and Chris Snyder are all players with the ability to draw walks and reach base without having to get a hit. My thought is that Luhnow will make that skill a priority when addressing needs and make sure it remains a focus. Continue reading this post »
Yesterday, MLB.com released its annual list of top 100 prospects in baseball. The A’s and Padres led the way landing six prospects apiece on the list. Although three of the A’s six came over in the Gio Gonzalez trade, it still gives both teams quite a bit to look forward to. Meanwhile, the Astros were represented with three players in the top 100. They are Jonathan Singleton (44), Jarred Cosart (61), and George Springer (84). I think these are good and fair selections by MLB, as I can’t see any of our other prospects making this list right now. However, I do disagree with some of the placement.
Jan25th
Player Profile: Wesley Wright
Lefty reliever Wesley Wright is the subject of our final installment in the player profile series. Wright turns 27 later this week and will be entering his fifth season with the Astros. Wright was selected from the Dodgers’ organization by Houston in the Rule 5 Draft prior to the 2008 season. Although his numbers were nothing special, Wright was kept on the big league roster for the entire season but has seen some action at the AAA level in each of the last three seasons.
Monday, Jim Crane made some significant announcements that will change fan experience at Minute Maid Park. He also described some other potential changes that had vastly different reactions from the fan base. While Crane strongly hinted at a uniform change come 2013, he also hinted at a possible name change. While the former was received with cheers and applause from many fans, the latter evoked quite the opposite reaction. Many fans have been up in arms about the possibility that the Astros name could be no more in 2013. So while the Astros will be changing leagues, could they change much more then just that? Continue reading this post »
Infielder Angel Sanchez has been designated for assignment by the Astros. That could be good news for Rule 5 draftee Marwin Gonzalez. The soon-to-be 23 year-old Venezuelan is now the only true shortstop left on the roster to serve as a backup for starter Jed Lowrie. Matt Downs can also play the position and figures to be used at several different spots on the diamond this season.
Jan24th
Jeff Luhnow hires “Fastballs”
Astros GM, Juff Luhnow, recently did a Sports Sloan chat online. In that chat, he mentioned that he had hired Mike Fast, who is also know to his twitter followers as “Fastballs”. Fast writes for Baseball Prospectus and is based out of Austin, Tx.
Jan24th
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If you are an Astros fan, or the fan of a minor league team within the Astros system and want to share your insights, Climbing Tal’s Hill could be the outlet you’ve been looking for. Click on the link below to apply and one of our MLB Directors will be in touch with you shortly.
Jan23rd
Jim Crane’s Announcement
As Greg said earlier, Jim Crane held a 4:00pm CST news conference to announce some fan friendly changes to the ball club. When he purchased the club, Crane promised that changes were in store for the Houston Astros. Those of you who know me, know that I have been very anti Drayton McLane for the better part of a decade now so any kind of changes that were to be made would most likely have my approval and all of them did, save one.
Much to the dismay of many Houston fans the Astros are moving to the American League in 2013. It will mark a new chapter in the history of the franchise that joined the National League as an expansion team in 1962. This season will be the sixteenth that has featured regular season interleague games. That means an entire generation of baseball fans has no recollection of the days when N.L. teams and A.L. teams met only in the World Series.
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