Astros Thoughts From An Astros Beat Writer

As the season wrapped up yesterday, Jose De Jesus Ortiz (Houston Chronicle’s Astros beat writer) took to twitter to give his thoughts on the Astros season as well as a few other notes. Let’s go tweet by tweet and discuss his thoughts.

Thanks for following me on twitter this Astros season. It's an honor trying to keep you updated. I think Houston has amazing baseball fans.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

I realize the 111 loss sting, but I can honestly say I believe the Astros are on the right track. Next year will be dramatically better.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

I agree and I think most would. 111 losses and a 15-game losing streak leaves us with a sour taste in our mouths, but the improvement in the minor league system has been beyond promising.

If you have read my Astros coverage since I arrived from NY in April 2001, you know I'm not afraid to call out the front office or players.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

If you don't believe me, ask Tal Smith, Tim Purpura, Postolos or Craig Biggio or Bagwell if I'm afraid to take on some sacred Astros cows.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

See later tweets.

I've talked to many scouts around baseball, and I cannot wait to see @Folty25 at MMP. I'm eager to see Springer and Velasquez.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

When Foltynewicz makes his debut it will be the most exciting pitching prospect debut since Jordan Lyles. Foltynewicz can reach triple digits, and his 3.06 ERA and 1.33 WHIP vaulted him onto top 100 prospect lists. Entering his age-22 season in 2014, I expect to see Foltynewicz sometime in during the 2014 season. George Springer was an obvious choice in this tweet. 37 home runs and 45 stolen bases is an amazing feat and Springer should be at MMP next year. Vincent Velasquez gets a nice shout-out here as well. I think he’s the most underrated pitching prospect in the system and is definitely a candidate to take a Foltynewicz-like jump into top prospect lists next season.

As I wrote today, the Astros MUST add 2 quality relievers, an outfield bat and a veteran starter
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

Agree for the most part. Bullpen pieces are a must and I don’t think that needs to be expounded upon. Between George Springer, Robbie Grossman, L.J. Hoes, J.D. Martinez, and others, the Astros outfield is already crowded but it depends on on the quality of the outfield bat. If it’s another Rick Ankiel I would politely pass. If it’s a legit improvement then it may be welcomed. Same goes for a veteran starter. Lots of young quality starters in the Astros organization that another starter may not be necessary, but that’s for Jeff Luhnow and the rest of the front office to figure out.

Folks in the know tell me the coaching staff will be altered dramatically. Some guys will lose their jobs this week.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

If I had to take a crack I’d say Doug Brocail, Dave Clark, and maybe a few others. Any members of the coaching staff that were retained from the Brad Mills era will likely be replaced. The Bo Porter guys will likely stay.

The Astros made too many silly and sophomoric mistakes. Most of the improvement I saw happened immediately after guys came back from OKC.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

I cannot with all honesty come up with one young player who improved from the coaching he got at the big league level, and that's not on Bo.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

Sadly this is true. Can anyone think of a player that improved at the MLB level? I can’t. Guys like Brett Wallace (a bit), Robbie Grossman, and others improved when sent down to OKC to work on their hitting. Tony DeFrancesco and his staff did an excellent job in 2013 and the Astros may choose to promote a few of the coaches to replace the ones currently in Houston.

Business wise the Astros embarrassed themselves way too much this year too, but that improved dramatically with the hiring of Reid Ryan.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

In covering baseball since 1997, I cannot think of I worse front office choice than George Postolos as Astros president. #myopic #arrogant
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

Jim Crane, who has admitted Postolos hiring was a mistake, should be ashamed to have let Postolos run a public trust as important as Astros.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

The Astros made plenty of business mistakes because Postolos was too arrogant to realize the importance on institutional baseball knowledge.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

I think everyone would agree. Postolos was absolutely terrible at his job and is responsible for many of the business mistakes made by the Astros. Reid Ryan was an excellent hire and everyone believes he will help turn the Astros around. (Read Greg Thurston’s thoughts on Reid Ryan from Astros bloggers night a few weeks ago).

As a person who loves baseball and loves my adopted hometown, it was sad seeing what the Astros had become. But it will turn around soon.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

I'll call my shot now: the Astros will win a wild card in 2016 and make a six-year playoff run. They'll win 78 or 83 games next year.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

Wilc card in 2016? I think that’s realistic. The farm system is stacked with some premiere talent and by 2016 Carlos Correa should be ready to help out for a playoff run. However, I don’t think 78-83 wins will be reached in 2014. Obviously, everything depends on the offseason, and the beat-writer is more likely to know a team’s plans, but I just don’t see the Astros winning an extra 25-30 more wins than this past year. If they do, props Mr. Ortiz!

Fans aren't in the clubhouse. It is my job to take you into the clubhouse, and rest assured they got rid of malcontents and punks except 1.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

The trades weren't all money dumps. The plan was to fix the clubhouse culture and let Castro and Lyles, Barnes and Altuve lead w class.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

Luhnow and Porter cleaned up the clubhouse to the point that the one knucklehead was isolated and essentially left without a friend.
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) September 30, 2013

If I had to take a guess at who this “knucklehead” is, I would take Lucas Harrell. Many within the organization have been upset with his actions and I’d be a bit surprised if he was on the 2014 roster. He was the biggest disappointment of the 2013 season.

That’s about it from Mr. Ortiz last night. What do you think of his thoughts? Sound off in the comments below!

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