1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

2018 Spring Training

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by J.R., Feb 14, 2018.

  1. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,638
    That happened in August. :)
     
  2. texans1095

    texans1095 Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2013
    Messages:
    1,673
    Likes Received:
    2,089
    Interesting. I'd be fine with either making it. Kemp seems like the safe move while Fisher probably provides a little more upside. Would have to think that Kemp's versatility is what makes him an attractive option as a bench player. Will be interested to see who they decide to put on the Opening Day roster.

     
  3. sealclubber1016

    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    19,000
    Likes Received:
    27,537
    Both guys have been pretty damn bad this Spring.

    If there was actually a competition, Kemmer should have gotten a better look IMO.
     
  4. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    I suspect the competition is between Fisher, Marisnick, and Marwin Gonzalez for a starter spot. If Fisher doesn't win the starter spot, Astros probably prefer he gets ABs in AAA. Kemp likely has the edge as the 4th OF if Marisnick or Marwin is starting.
     
  5. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    If all that happened, Astros offense probably slips to 3rd or 4th in the league with 3 of Altuve, Correa, Springer, and Bregman hitting, but the rotation still likely plows through the league.
     
  6. finsraider

    finsraider Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2010
    Messages:
    6,924
    Likes Received:
    4,984
    My guess at opening day...

    CF Springer
    3B Bregman
    2B Altuve
    SS Correa
    RF Reddick
    DH Gattis
    1B Gonzalez
    C McCann
    LF Davis

    BENCH Stassi
    BENCH Marisnick
    BENCH Kemp or Fisher

    Gets interesting when Yuli comes back. Then it becomes a competition between Kemp, Fisher and Davis for the last spot.
     
  7. Hemingway

    Hemingway Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6,040
    Likes Received:
    7,995
    I don't think Davis is being considered for left field. Fisher's spring has been alarming. He was a really good trade piece last year. I hope he can turn it around and not lose his value like Reed. Right now I would bet Kemp makes it ahead of him, although he has had a crap spring as well. I would like to see Davis get a real shot at 1b, but being right-handed hurts his chances there.
     
  8. jim1961

    jim1961 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    17,056
    Likes Received:
    12,919
    Stassi's has been just as bad, offensively, not to mention McCann. White and Marisnick not so great either.
     
  9. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    White? He's getting on base and hitting for power.
     
    pw1993 likes this.
  10. pw1993

    pw1993 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2018
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    134
    Those two players (Stassi and White) have had their spring batting numbers artificially suppressed by some bad BABIP luck (.176 for Stassi and .232 for White). Conservatively, those guys would be expected to have BABIPs of at least .280 over a large regular season sample size. So Stassi's spring OPS of .706 really "ought" to be closer to .900 and White's, closer to 1.000. If they get a good amount of big league ABs this season, they'd of course be facing tougher pitching than what they see in the spring but I still think Stassi posts a season OPS of around .800 and White around .850. If they can pull that off, it probably puts them in the top half of Astros hitters by OPS.

    White has managed to contribute quite a lot offensively this spring in spite of not getting a whole lot of hits. He's drawn a lot of walks and hit 3 sac flies, which requires a certain degree of plate discipline and contact skills, and puts runs on the board for the team even though it doesn't boost batting average. As long as White keeps elevating the ball, he will get a substantial number of doubles and HRs this year as he tends to hit the ball quite far compared with other Astros hitters. Stassi is a lot stronger than many fans realize. Assuming he gets a lot of playing time this year, I'm pretty sure the fan base will recognize that by July. His HRs last year were not many (2 in, I think it was 13 ABs) but they were Springer-esque monster shots that hinted of what's to come in 2018.
     
  11. jim1961

    jim1961 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    17,056
    Likes Received:
    12,919
    The stat sheet I was looking at only showed BA. Your right, his OPS is good. His .235 BA, not so much.

    Add to this is my fear that when the regular season starts, where ever he is in the lineup, the opposing pitching is going to go after him. Meaning, there are so many guys in our lineup that opposing pitchers would like to pitch around, White wont be one of them. His walk rate could plummet.
     
    #291 jim1961, Mar 22, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018
  12. Hemingway

    Hemingway Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6,040
    Likes Received:
    7,995
    Yeah, I'm afraid catcher will be a black hole in the batting order this year. I really wanted them to make a run at Realmuto. I'm not as worried about left field batting wise, because I think Gonzalez is going to see a significant amount of time in left.
     
  13. pw1993

    pw1993 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2018
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    134
    Average distance on fly balls and line drives, 2017 season:

    Max Stassi, 324ft.
    Tyler White, 318ft.
    Cameron Maybin, 314ft.
    J.D. Davis, 311ft.
    Jake Marisnick, 307ft.
    Tony Kemp, 304ft.
    George Springer, 301ft.
    Yuli Gurriel, 299ft.
    Carlos Correa, 299ft.
    Brian McCann, 298ft.

    Stassi's HRs last year travelled 442ft and 428ft, well above the league average which I think is closer to 400ft. Maybe this was flukey, but Stassi has already had 2 HRs this spring and nearly had a third that was barely foul.
     
  14. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,998
    Likes Received:
    83,168
    If you were in charge, why would you take White over Davis? Or vice-versa?

    LF capability vs middle IF capability? Both can play 1st and 3rd. Both have hit this spring. I sure don't know.
     
  15. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    What does the coin say and who called what? My gut gives a slight edge to White, but that could change after I have a beer tonight.
     
  16. Madmanmetz

    Madmanmetz Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2012
    Messages:
    2,052
    Likes Received:
    2,402
    I'd go with White. He seems better at getting on base. White has 300+AB in the show compared to JD's zero and this to me is the biggest factor. JD can go tear up AAA and get a call up or be a trade chip. White has time with the guys on the club and should be more relaxed on his 3rd go round.

    I like JD"s power but I think we might be ok in the power department. After 6 weeks if JD is on fire and White looks like he's not progressing then make a move. I really wish they were left-handed.
     
  17. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,638
    Davis had 68 plate appearances last season
     
  18. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    I've been seeing this sentiment a lot lately. Besides for Marisnick, there isn't a RHB that struggles against RHPs. Reddick, McCann, Fisher, and Gonzalez all for their careers have struggled against LHPs. Seems to me, Astros should be able to find more PT for a RHB off the bench than a LHB.
     
  19. xcrunner51

    xcrunner51 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2002
    Messages:
    5,458
    Likes Received:
    2,295
    This may seem like the duh duh response but whoever they pick should be the person they think is best long term, not just whoever will produce the best right away. 6 weeks is too small a sample size to make any conclusions. Bregman is the classic example.
     
    Joe Joe likes this.
  20. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,998
    Likes Received:
    83,168
    If by "long term" you mean this season, then I totally agree. Next year is next year.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now