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Marc Hulet writes about prospects for FanGraphs and also writes for MLBtraderumors and ProspectInsider. For the month of September, Hulet tweeted one reason per day why to support the Astros during rebuilding. Here, I have compiled all 30 reasons and added my thoughts.
From Sept. 1-30 (once a day), I'll be tweeting down the Top 30 reasons to support the #Astros -- rebuilding can be exciting.
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 30, 2013
30. Super-sub Jake Elmore is a fun player to watch with his ability to play all over the field, including pitcher and catcher #Astros
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 1, 2013
29. #Astros growing international presence: 2013 signees: Wilson Amador, Wander Franco, Jonathan Matute, Joan Mauricio, Nestor Tejada
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 2, 2013
28. Move from NL Central to AL West helps #Astros; one fewer team to worry about, less competition at this point, plus rivalry w Rangers
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 3, 2013
27. #Astros OF Brandon Barnes is one of the most exciting outfielders to watch on defence in the AL #hustle
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 4, 2013
26. #Astros, with strong winning tradition, have knowledgeable, passionate fans. When product on field improves, they'll come out in droves
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 5, 2013
26. – 30. Love the Brandon Barnes shout-out. He deserved it with the way he mastered center-field. The Astros also added another international signee the other day, Bryan De La Cruz.
25. Despite recent injuries, #Astros have a solid catching tandem in majors, depth in minors with Stassi, Carlos Perez, Heineman, Nottingham
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 6, 2013
24. The #Astros acquired extra draft pick at end of 1st RND in 2014 in Bud Norris deal, excellent opportunity to get a high-ceiling talent
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 7, 2013
23. #Astros 2010 draft created depth with Top 10-15 ceiling talents: Delino DeShields Jr., Mike Foltynewicz, and Vincent Velasquez
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 8, 2013
22. #Astros international scouting department has done a nice job isn't afraid to try new things like acquiring L. Heras from Mexican League
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 9, 2013
21. #Astros Jose Altuve is one of the more valuable second basemen in baseball, both on and off the field as a catalyst and as a leader
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 10, 2013
21. – 25. The Astros catching depth is definitely something nice to see. I believe the first-round pick acquired in the Orioles trade was the key part of the Bud Norris trade.
20. #Astros owner Jim Crane has allowed the front office to create/execute a clear plan, even if the path is a bumpy one right now
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 11, 2013
19. Just 22, Jordan Lyles isn't a finished product but he shows flashes of developing into a solid big league starter for the #Astros
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 12, 2013
18. 2012 trade with #bluejays netted #astros 3 solid pieces: Asher Wojciechowski, David Rollins, Carlos Perez, wildcards in Comer, Musgrove
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 13, 2013
17. #Astros minor league player development staff has taken newly acquired/drafted prospects and helped many of them to improve and grow
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 14, 2013
16. Disappointing season will allow club to receive either first or second overall pick in the 2014 draft -- lots of talent available
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 15, 2013
16. – 20. I’d much rather be the team we are now with a bright future rather than the 2007 squad with solid talent but a bleak future (hence where we are now). The Blue Jays/Astros trade looks like a huge coup for Luhnow.
15. A February trade with #athletics brough Chris Carter, 2 young players and potential key cogs: Brad Peacock, Max Stassi to #Astros
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 16, 2013
14. The #Astros organization is building up impressive pitching depth in the minors, which will serve them well in the coming seasons
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 17, 2013
13. #Astros 2013 1st rounder RHP Mark Appel has the ceiling of a No. 1 or 2 starter, and is impressive both on and off the field
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 18, 2013
12. #Astros 2012 1st overall pick SS Carlos Correa produced monster numbers in 1st full pro season as one of youngest players in the league
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 19, 2013
11. #Astros 2012 draft infused system with talent: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Lance McCullers Jr., IF Nolan Fontana, 3B Rio Ruiz
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 20, 2013
11. – 15. Such great pitching depth in the farm system. There will be many spring training battles for rotation spots over the next several years. Besides for the depth itself, there are also pitchers with #1 or #2 pitcher upside. Appel, McCullers, Foltynewicz, and Rodon?
10. #Astros intriguing 2013 draft talent: Mark Appel, Andrew Thurman, Kent Emanuel, Jacob Nottingham, Devonte German, Austin Nicely...
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 21, 2013
9. #Astros scouting department has identified and acquired some very talented prospects over the past four amateur drafts
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 22, 2013
8. The #Astros have, arguably, the top first base prospect in the game in Jonathan Singleton, he's in AAA but just 22 years old
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 23, 2013
7. The #Astros have one of the top outfield prospects in the game in George Springer, who just missed a 40-40 season (HR-SB)
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 24, 2013
6. Jarred Cosart has shown flashes of brilliance and appears to have a bright future with the #Astros starting rotation.
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 25, 2013
6. – 10. This is where some of the front office members that are no longer with the Astros should receive some credit. Ed Wade and Bobby Heck seemed to pick the right player in George Springer. Wade also received Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart in the Hunter Pence trade. Along with those two, Josh Zeid (currently on the Astros) and Domingo Santana (promising prospect at Double-A) were in the trade as well. Astros fans like to dog on the previous front office but those guys will be given their props when these players start performing the next several seasons.
5. #Astros have one of the best catchers in baseball. Jason Castro is fourth in fWAR among MLB catchers with 300+ ABs
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 26, 2013
4. 2011 trade with #phillies keeps on giving for #astros: 1st Jarred Cosart, then Josh Zeid, soon to be Jonathan Singleton, Domingo Santana
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 27, 2013
3. It's not easy running a last-place club but #Astros manager Bo Porter and staff have been patient and creative, the right people for job
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 28, 2013
2. The #Astros have one of the more innovative and forward-thinking GMs in the game in Jeff Luhnow; he's not afraid to try new approaches
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 29, 2013
1. #Astros have a long way to go to become competitive but there are no sunk costs or large contracts; club has lots of payroll flexibility
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) September 30, 2013
1. – 5. I will agree that Jason Castro is one of the best catchers in baseball. It seems like the Astros agree because there are some rumblings about a possible extension.
It seems like Hulet covered most of the reasons to continue supporting the Astros. The Astros are in a great position to succeed likely from the 2015/2016 season and onwards. Bo Porter and his staff are a smart group of coaches with a creative way of motivating their players. Jeff Luhnow has done a great job completely rebuilding the franchise. He traded away his older talent for pieces that will help the next Astros playoff team. He has shed payroll and now the Astros will be able to add talent via free agency to a team filled with successful young players that he or Ed Wade acquired in the last several years.
In Luhnow We Trust
What do you think Astros fans? Did Hulet miss any key reasons? Sound off in the comments below.
Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports