Yes, the Texans and Rockets not being complete embarrassments certainly make the Astros offseason go a ton quicker from a fan perspective. I'm still getting my fix of competitive hometown sportsball between Astros games. Wasn't happening the last 3 years
I swear that clip happened in his rookie season even though it was posted a couple of days ago and it says players report on Feb 14th. So potentially old video and Pena did say he's worked on some changes so potentially for a new stance and no waiving of the bat.
If that's what makes him comfortable and helps him get set, what does it matter? A lot of players move the bat pre-swing.
The Astros have 2 open position spots and catcher is most likely filled. Needs: LH bat, corner OF, 1B Would benefit: speed, 3B. There are 15 inf/of who are invited to ST who are candidates for these 2 spots. Cabbage, Corona, Dezenzo, Gittens, Hamilton, Hensley, Julks, Kessinger, Leon, Loperfido, Machado, Melton, Singleton, Wagner, and Whitcomb. I think Dezenzo, Loperfido, Melton, and Wagner are true prospects with limited AAA/AA experience and no opportunity for extensive MLB playing time so need everyday playing time in Sugar Land and are very unlikely to make the opening day roster. Machado brings nothing new or needed to the roster. This leaves 10 potentials. LH:Cabbage, Hamilton, Singleton 1B:Cabbage, Gittens, Hensley, Kessinger, Singleton COF:Cabbage, Corona, Hamilton, Julks, Leon 40 man: Cabbage, Corona, Hensley, Julks, Kessinger, Singleton. The more I look at this the more I feel that Cabbage is going to make this team. First of all he checks all the boxes. Secondly, if he doesn't then Hamilton is the only other realistic LH OF option, and with only 132 AAA PA I don't know how realistic he is. That leaves only 1 spit but the good news is there are no "needs". They weakest part of the roster is likely backup 3B. Remaining candidates: Kessinger: 50% - RH all 4 inf. Hensley: 16% - RH all 4 inf. Singleton: 16% - LH 1B on 40 no options Whitcomb: 5% - RH SS/2B/3B - behind both others. Corona: 5% - OF-on 40 RH and needs everyday PA Hamilton: 5% - LH OF not on 40 can't play inf. Leon: 2% - RH OF/2B not on 40 doesn't meet need Julks: 1%- RH limited to LF doesn't meet need Gittens: 0%- RH 1B - not on 40 doesn't meet need. My 2 cents.
You are discounting key potentials. Brown has a reputation for utilizing players before others think they are ready. He does not seem to give a damn about major league experience over talent. Loperfido is a better option as a versatile bench bat than Dubon. He can play corner infield & outfield and he hits left handed. He is primed for a great Spring and could convince Brown that he is just what he wanted all along. Dubon or Kessinger can play middle infield bench. Corona is among the best options for the 4th outfielder spot and will have competition from Leon but has a good chance to win the job. We have a GM that will make these choices and I have not heard him discount anybody.
It's not about Brown havig a history of moving talent to MLB quickly. It's about an MLB roster that already has 8 1/2 position player starters and no playing time for prospects. I simply don't think Brown will put these guys on the 26 man just to have them get 5-6 PA per week in Houston. Now if there is a major injury, or Meyers has a terrible April I could see Corona, or maybe Loperfido brought up (but Leon may be more likely) but short of that they need to be playing everyday I think they are important parts of the 2025-2030 Astros teams but not 2024.
He would always lead with, "Don't do it like me." But honestly, his unique stance probably worked facing NL Umpires because it was almost impossible to get a low strike from them and even worse with their 4" wider zone on the outside at the same time. Things are changing because of the electronic tracking, but there is still fudge room because of wonkie setups for the top and bottom of the zone which changes for each player and sometimes for every stance for those same players.
Yea Brown (let’s not totally forget he wasn’t actually the one making the call) has a history of bringing up guys earlier than most thought to play full time Not bringing guys up before most think they are ready so they can sit the bench Would take an injury for one of those guys to make it, or an awful spring by Jake
