2014 Spring Training

Spring has arrived!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jesse Crain reports to camp along with Javier Bracamonte <a href="http://t.co/HU5qpuP7OQ">pic.twitter.com/HU5qpuP7OQ</a></p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/434684629443182592">February 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Josh Zeid plays catch with Chia-Jen Lo as temps drop Kissimmee <a href="http://t.co/vc3JxxGCMj">pic.twitter.com/vc3JxxGCMj</a></p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/434692000571731968">February 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Our newest Astro Jerome Williams on the backfields <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23astros&amp;src=hash">#astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23pinkglove&amp;src=hash">#pinkglove</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23springtraining&amp;src=hash">#springtraining</a> <a href="http://t.co/H2c2GK6cco">pic.twitter.com/H2c2GK6cco</a></p>&mdash; Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/434692012160581633">February 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros have put names on backs of spring jerseys this year <a href="http://t.co/777mYeXg2x">pic.twitter.com/777mYeXg2x</a></p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/434696271371456512">February 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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lol...Wojo's name is almost hip to hip on his jersey.

BASEBALL'S BACK!

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So it begins <a href="http://t.co/KG9JkIZKwv">pic.twitter.com/KG9JkIZKwv</a></p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/435061844014039040">February 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Welcome back, baseball!

 

Yes, there's a typo in there.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Carlos Correa is here. Bo Porter says closer job wide open btwn Fields Albers, Qualls and Crain but acknowledges Qualls experience has value</p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/435423414657253376">February 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Astros spring training roster

40-man roster

Pitchers
No. 37 Matt Albers, Bats-Throws: L-R, 6-1/225, Age: 31
No. 45 Anthony Bass, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/195, Age: 26
No. 66 Kevin Chapman, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-3/220, Age: 25
No. 68 Jose Cisnero, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/230, Age: 24
No. 56 Paul Clemens, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/195, Age: 25
No. 48 Jarred Cosart, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/180, Age: 23
No. 26 Jesse Crain, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-1/215, Age: 32
No. 62 Luis Cruz, Bats-Throws: L-L, 5-9/170, Age: 23
No. 38 Darin Downs, Bats-Throws: R-L, 6-3/210, Age: 29
No. 46 Scott Feldman, Bats-Throws: L-R, 6-7/230, Age: 31
No. 35 Josh Fields, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/180, Age: 28
No. 64 Lucas Harrell, Bats-Throws: S-R, 6-2/210, Age: 28
No. 60 Dallas Keuchel, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-3/200, Age: 26
No. 63 Chia-Jen Lo, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-11/190, Age: 27
No. 54 David Martinez, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/180, Age: 26
No. 31 Collin McHugh, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/195, Age: 26
No. 39 Brett Oberholtzer, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-1/235, Age: 24
No. 99 Rudy Owens, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-3/230, Age: 26
No. 41 Brad Peacock, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-1/175, Age: 26
No. 50 Chad Qualls, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/240, Age: 35
No. 44 Raul Valdes, Bats-Throws: L-L, 5-11/190, Age: 36
No. 43 Alex White, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/215, Age: 25
No. N/A Jerome Williams, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/240, Age: 32
No. 59 Asher Wojciechowski, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/235, Age: 25
No. 61 Josh Zeid, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/220, Age: 26

Catchers
No. 15 Jason Castro, Bats-Throws: L-R, 6-3/215, Age: 26
No. 22 Carlos Corporan, Bats-Throws: S-R, 6-2/230, Age: 30
No. 12 Max Stassi, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-10/205, Age: 22

Infielders
No. 27 Jose Altuve, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-5/175, Age: 23
No. 23 Chris Carter, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/245, Age: 27
No. 30 Matt Dominguez, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-1/215, Age: 24
No. 9 Marwin Gonzalez, Bats-Throws: S-R, 6-1/210, Age: 24
No. 14 Jesus Guzman, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-1/200, Age: 29
No. 13 Jonathan Singleton, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-2/235, Age: 22
No. 6 Jonathan Villar, Bats-Throws: S-R, 6-1/195, Age: 22

Outfielders
No. 21 Dexter Fowler, Bats-Throws: S-R, 6-4/190, Age: 27
No. 19 Robbie Grossman, Bats-Throws: S-L, 6-0/205, Age: 24
No. 28 L.J. Hoes, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/190, Age: 23
No. 18 Marc Krauss, Bats-Throws: L-R, 6-2/235, Age: 26
No. 65 Domingo Santana, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-5/230, Age: 21

Non-roster invitees

Pitchers
No. 74 Mark Appel, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-5/190, Age: 22
No. 70 Jake Buchanan, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/200, Age: 24
No. 55 Rhiner Cruz, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/215, Age: 27
No. 67 Jorge De Leon, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/185, Age: 26
No. 71 Bobby Doran, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-6/235, Age: 24
No. 73 Michael Foltynewicz, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/200, Age: 22
No. 58 Peter Moylan, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/225, Age: 35
No. 72 Jason Stoffel, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-2/225, Age: 25
No. 69 Nicholas Tropeano, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/205, Age: 23

Catchers
No. 77 Rene Garcia, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/200, Age: 23
No. 78 Tyler Heineman, Bats-Throws: S-R, 5-11/205, Age: 22
No. 76 Carlos Perez, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-0/195, Age: 23

Infielders
No. 75 Japhet Amador, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/305, Age: 27
No. 84 Carlos Correa, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-4/205, Age: 19
No. 3 Cesar Izturis, Bats-Throws: S-R, 5-9/180, Age: 33
No. 81 Jonathan Meyer, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-1/195, Age: 23
No. 2 Gregorio Petit, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-10/195, Age: 29
No. 86 Ronald Torreyes, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-9/140, Age: 21
No. 29 Brett Wallace, Bats-Throws: L-R, 6-2/235, Age: 27

Outfielders
No. 1 Adron Chambers, Bats-Throws: L-L, 5-10/200, Age: 27
No. 80 Delino DeShields, Bats-Throws: R-R, 5-9/205, Age: 21
No. 82 Leo Heras, Bats-Throws: L-R, 5-9/190, Age: 23
No. 20 J.D. Martinez, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/220, Age: 26
No. 79 George Springer, Bats-Throws: R-R, 6-3/200, Age: 24
No. 83 Preston Tucker, Bats-Throws: L-L, 6-0/217, Age: 23

 

Good thing he is bigger than Billy Wagner.

 

The blue and orange is just so sharp. Love it.

 

Japhet Amador...6'4" 305lbs? Ha

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Carlos Correa, 19, in big league camp <a href="http://t.co/3II9KeEicu">pic.twitter.com/3II9KeEicu</a></p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/435445339685150720">February 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Finally! Cant wait for the season to start

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros' Spring Training relocation to Palm Beach Gardens &quot;does not look promising.&quot;
<a href="http://t.co/p1tepyBx2V">http://t.co/p1tepyBx2V</a></p>&mdash; Astros County (@AstrosCounty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosCounty/statuses/435816209024827392">February 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Singleton a no-show?

 

Well, here we go... something could be happening.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>General manager Jeff Luhnow has asked to speak to media at 9 am ET.</p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/436134537635323904">February 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said Japhet Amador won't report to camp anytime soon because of family situation. They're not expecting him</p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/436140786451611649">February 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&amp;src=hash">#Astros</a> GM Jeff Luhnow says Jesse Crain suffered calf strain and will have MRI</p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/436140625436495872">February 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Wow. My Amador opening day 1B prediction sure got derailed quickly.

 

Looks like Springer spent a little time in the gym this offseason. Interview on CSN Houston yesterday he said he feels like he's a lot stronger and a little faster than he was coming into camp last year.

 

Honestly, that is concerning to me.

It is just hard to forget what happened with Richard Hidalgo after bulking up.

 

As long as it's natural, and until I see evidence that it's limiting his flexibility or slowing down his swing, I don't see how it's a bad thing. You've got to remember that the phrase "freak athleticism" has been thrown around by scouts.

 

Don't worry... his next stint in AAA will be coined as "he needs to show that his new bulk can lead to similar results before his MLB debut." -- Luhnow (while the plan is for him to be up in June regardless).

That, or he plans on beating up Luhnow when he officially doesn't make the opening day roster.