Houston Astros
Extra inning: Improved starting pitching keys Astros' turnaround
Posted on May 22, 2013 at 11:34 pm by Brian T. Smith in Houston Astros
The Astros are 19 games under .500 and 16 games behind the first-place Rangers in the American League...read more
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Extra inning: Improved starting pitching keys Astros’ turnaround http://t.co/c3GJi6d0h9
After starting the season in the minors, Jordan Lyles has made five starts ...
Ultimate Astros
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Astros’ Lyles showing some traces of an ace http://t.co/P1tYBgGnCV
Astros take series behind Lyles' solid outing http://t.co/IQLSlGtUlB
Brian McTaggart
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2 hours
Astros take series behind Lyles' solid outing http://t.co/IQLSlGtUlB
Extra inning: Improved starting pitching keys Astros' turnaround
The Astros are 19 games under .500 and 16 games behind the first-place Rangers in the American League West. The Astros are also 4-3 in their last seven contests and won their fourth series of the s......read more
Brian T. Smith
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3 hours
Extra inning: For improving #Astros, starting pitchers who last make all the difference in the world #MLB #Royals http://t.co/nj8iKNMtnR
Jordan Lyles is a 6-4, 215-pound righthander who can throw four pitches for strikes. The 22-year-old...
Brian T. Smith
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With #Astros seeking long-term starting pitchers, resurgent Jordan Lyles showing signs of being able to stick in #MLB http://t.co/LwObQvBs3L
Brian McTaggart
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Graduate of the University of Houston.
Brian McTaggart
OKC's Ross Seaton earned his first Triple-A win by allowing 3 runs (2 earned) and 6 hits over 6 innings. He struck out 3 and walked 3.
Brian McTaggart
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Brian McTaggart
Jake Elmore and Fernando Martinez each homered to break a tie in the fifth inning as the Oklahoma City RedHawks beat the Fresno, 7-3.
Brian McTaggart
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Brian McTaggart
RT @okcredhawks: RedHawks (27-18) win 7-3 in Fresno! Ross Seaton collects his first Triple-A win. Jake Elmore and Fernando Martinez go yard.
Brian T. Smith
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Brian T. Smith
RT @jeff_rosen88: #Tombstone MT @ChronAstros: File under baseball: Rebuilding 2013 #Astros are 14-33. World Series 2005 #Astros were 16-31 …
Brian T. Smith
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Brian T. Smith
Will someone please make a Jose Veras ninth-inning intro Galaga/Van Halen gif? Will trade for unopened Mike Trout bobblehead. Thanks. #Veras
Brian McTaggart
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Brian McTaggart
RT @BNightengale: Miguel Cabrera now on pace for #MlLB record 191 RBI for #Tigers
Brian T. Smith
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Brian T. Smith
#Astros release statement about fan witnessing vendor bringing snowcones into restroom #MLB http://t.co/yMm9MtOpAL
Bud Norris
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris. Life is a game... Play it. Life is a dream... Realize it. Life is a challenge... Meet it.
Bud Norris
#AstrosWin. Nice series win. Day off tomorrow and back to work on Friday with Oakland coming into town. #AstrosTalk
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris. Life is a game... Play it. Life is a dream... Realize it. Life is a challenge... Meet it.
Bud Norris
RT @officialChris10: Vic giving the pictures of Curt William England to @BudNorris20 ⚾ we all miss & love you Curt #rip http://t.co/5nWYOW4…
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Brian T. Smith
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Brian T. Smith
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Houston Astros beat writer for the Houston Chronicle. brian.smith@chron.com
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Brian McTaggart
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Brian T. Smith
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05/19/2013 - AL West Notes: Profar, Astros, Mariners
The Rangers have placed Ian Kinsler on the disabled list with an intercostal strain and recalled middle infielder and top prospect Jurickson Profar, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes. Profar already had a cup of coffee last September, collecting 17 big-league at-bats. But the promotion of the No. 1 player on recent top prospect listings from Baseball America, Keith Law, and MLB.com is cause for excitement. The Baseball America Prospect Handbook praises Profar's all-around game, particularly his bat speed, plate discipline and defense, noting that "Profar may not have the most power, the most speed or the strongest... -
05/19/2013 - West Notes: Kershaw, Rockies, Rangers, Astros
Credit Dodgers' scouting director Logan White for ensuring that Clayton Kershaw's big league successes have come in a Dodger uniform, says Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. The club had targeted Kershaw and Evan Longoria in the 2006 draft, but were worried that neither would last until the team's seventh overall pick. Several pieces had to fall into place: Luke Hochevar failed to sign in 2005, leading to his being taken first overall the next year. Meanwhile, with many scouts on hand for the last pre-draft starts of Kershaw and Brad Lincoln, the former struggled while the latter dominated.... -
05/19/2013 - Quick Hits: Cardinals, Braves, Starting Pitching Market
With one-fourth of the season in the books, let's have a look around some injury situations and how they might impact the developing trade market. The Cardinals and Yankees provide an interesting case study as we enter the second quarter of the season. Both have excellent records and lead their division. Both have sizeable payrolls as well as large portions of those payrolls sitting idle on the DL. Both have had to insert players onto their active roster that they did not anticipate. But, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch well explains, the source of those substitute bodies... -
05/18/2013 - Draft Notes: Astros, Renfroe, Appel
The Astros will hold one of four regional draft workouts on Sunday, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports. Sunday's workout will be near Los Angeles. Others will be held in Florida, Georgia and Houston. About 20 prospects have been invited to Sunday's workout. It's unclear who they are, but some potential No. 1 overall picks are expected to participate in the workouts. Houston-area high schoolers Cavan Biggio, Josh Pettitte and Kacy Clemens -- all sons of former Astros stars -- are likely to be invited to the Houston workout. Here are more notes on the upcoming draft. Baseball America's list of the... -
05/18/2013 - West Notes: Chavez, Astros, Angels, Mattingly
The impending return of Franklin Gutierrez from the disabled list could lead the Mariners to designate Endy Chavez for assignment, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times writes. The M's have no plans to carry six outfielders, and Baker thinks they won't drop Jason Bay or Raul Ibanez, since they've been hitting well. That leaves Chavez without a chair. Chavez has hit .282/.288/.310 so far this season. Here are more notes from the two West divisions. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane are in Chapel Hill today to watch a draft prospect, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports (on... -
05/17/2013 - Astros Open To Extension With Jose Altuve
The Astros have trimmed payroll to unheard of levels for today's game over the past year as they look to rebuild their franchise, but it appears that they're not afraid to spend if it meant keeping Jose Altuve around long-term. General manager Jeff Luhnow told Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle that the team "will consider any opportunity to keep [Altuve] here over the long haul" (Twitter links). Altuve, 23, has established himself as an asset at second base over the past three seasons. Though he stands just 5'5" and weighs 175 pounds, he's an accomplished hitter. Altuve has... -
05/17/2013 - Minor Moves: Humber, Jeroloman, Boyer
Here's your rundown of minor moves for Friday... Astros right-hander Philip Humber has accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (via Twitter). Today was the deadline for Humber to decide to report to Triple-A or elect free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this week. The Nationals have acquired minor league catcher Brian Jeroloman from the Pirates, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (on Twitter). The 28-year-old was hitting .222/.481/.278 thanks to his nine walks in 29 plate appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis. Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington adds that... -
05/16/2013 - Trade Candidate: Bud Norris
In his first winter of arbitration eligibility, Bud Norris settled on a $3MM salary from the Astros for the 2013 season. While $3MM is nothing to sneeze at, it's a stunningly tiny sum when it's the highest salary on a modern team's active roster. That's the way it goes for the Astros, who are paring their payroll down to miniscule size (and their roster to miniscule size in terms of talent, as their 11-30 record indicates) in order to completely rebuild their franchise. When a team is having a fire sale on prominent veterans, it only stands to reason if... -
05/16/2013 - Draft Notes: Bonuses, Astros, Appel, Gray, Bryant
Yesterday, we learned that the Rockies are eyeing third baseman Kris Bryant with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. However, the University of San Diego product is viewed as the best power bat in the draft and some even feel that he should be taken No. 1 overall. The Astros will consider taking Bryant with the top pick along with right-handers Jonathan Gray and Mark Appel, left-hander Sean Manaea, and outfielders Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows. Here's the latest draft news... The draft bonus pool will be increased by 8.2% from last year's total, The Associated Press reports.... -
05/16/2013 - Reid Ryan To Become Astros President
Reid Ryan will be named Astros team president Friday, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Earlier, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Ryan was the team's likely successor to George Postolos, who resigned this week. Mark Berman of FOX 26 Sports first reported yesterday that Ryan was a strong candidate to become the team's president. Reid, 41, is a son of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who formerly served as president of the Rangers and is now the team's CEO. Reid is the founder and CEO of the Round Rock Express, currently the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, and the Corpus Christi Hooks,... -
05/16/2013 - Prospect Rumor Roundup: Catching Depth
Catching depth throughout baseball is thin. When I rolled out my Top 100 Prospects list at FanGraphs in March, I had only four catchers included in that ranking: Travis d'Arnaud of the Mets, Mike Zunino of the Mariners, Austin Hedges of the Padres, and Gary Sanchez of the Yankees. Baseball America's list featured the same four backstops. Baseball Prospectus also had that same quartet, followed by two more names in Jorge Alfaro of the Rangers and Christian Bethancourt of the Braves. As witnessed by the lists, it's an accomplishment for any organization to have one good catching prospect in a... -
05/15/2013 - Quick Hits: Zambrano, Dodgers, Mattingly, Astros
Even after signing Carlos Zambrano this week, the Phillies might not be done shopping for pitching, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. When asked if the club is still considering starters with opt-outs, team exec Scott Proefrock said "we're still scouting". Here's more from around baseball.. It may not be fair, but Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly will be expected to turn things around once Zack Greinke is back in action, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The banged up Dodgers are 16-22 heading into tonight's game versus the Nationals. After announcing the departure of team president George Postolos this week, Astros owner... -
05/15/2013 - Minor Moves: Humber, De Los Santos, Richmond
Here are today's minor moves from around the league... Astros pitcher Philip Humber has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to Chris Cotillo of CLNSRadio.com (via Twitter). MLBTR has learned that the right-hander has until Friday to accept the assignment or elect free agency. Humber was designated for assignment earlier this week after posting a 9.59 ERA with 5.0 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in seven starts and two relief appearances. MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets that the Padres have requested unconditional release waivers on Fautino De Los Santos, confirming an earlier tweet from Chris Cotillo of... -
05/14/2013 - Texas Notes: Postolos, Ryan, Lewis, Lowe
Having dropped their last five games, the Astros own a .256 winning percentage, easily the worst in baseball. Their new division rivals, the Rangers, are at .632, tied for second in baseball. The two numbers are not unrelated, as the Rangers have won five of six contests against the Astros. The latest on the two Texas clubs: The Astros announced yesterday that president and CEO George Postolos resigned. Postolos' role with the Astros had little to do with baseball operations, unlike some other team presidents. Postolos "specializes in franchise acquisition," wrote Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, and his skill... -
05/13/2013 - George Postolos Steps Down As Astros President
Astros president and CEO George Postolos announced this morning that he is resigning from his role, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). Postolos spent the better part of seven years helping Jim Crane to finalize his purchase of the club, writes David Barron of the Houston Chronicle. Barron's piece includes the following quote from Crane on Postolos' sudden and unexpected departure: “We appreciate George’s hard work in the acquisition of the Astros and his commitment to the organization. I’d also like to personally thank him for the assistance that he has provided to me over the last several years... -
05/12/2013 - Quick Hits: Brewers, Rodriguez, Mets, Astros
Here's a special Mother's Day edition of Quick Hits.. Reliever Francisco Rodriguez has been promoted to the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (on Twitter). McCalvy reports in a second tweet Rodriguez will pitch Monday and Tuesday with GM Doug Melvin on hand to scout the outings and, according to Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, Thursday is the deadline whether to promote K-Rod to the majors and pay him roughly $2MM or let him seek employment elsewhere. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) notes that three out of the Mets' four highest paid players this... -
05/12/2013 - Astros Sign Edgar Gonzalez, Designate Philip Humber
The Astros announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Edgar Gonzalez to a major league contract and designated right-handed pitcher Philip Humber for assignment. Gonzalez elected free agency from the Blue Jays yesterday rather than report to Triple-A Buffalo. Gonzalez, 30, owns a 5.88 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 across parts of ten big league seasons. He didn't fare well in his eight innings for the Blue Jays in 2013, allowing seven runs, five walks, and three strikeouts. Gonzalez made six starts for Houston last year and posted a 5.04 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. Humber,... -
05/11/2013 - Minor Moves: Astros, Gonzalez, Wade, Wheeler
We'll keep an eye on today's minor moves right here: Astros outfielder Fernando Martinez has been outrighted to Triple-A, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports (Twitter link). Martinez was designated for assignment by the club earlier this week. Edgar Gonzalez has elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports (via Twitter). Gonzalez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays two days ago and he chose free agency rather than report to Triple-A Buffalo. The right-hander posted a 7.88 ERA in eight innings pitched with Toronto this season. The Cubs released right-hander Cory Wade, according to Matt... -
05/09/2013 - Trade Market Notes
As the season is now over one-fifth of the way through, the likely trade deadline buyers and sellers are becoming more clear. Likewise, analysis is beginning to increase of the development of the market. Let's take a quick look around some recent commentary: The starting pitching trade market promises to be deep, but will likely lack impact, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Heyman analalyzes the potentially available starters by likelihood of a trade. His top three are Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins, Bud Norris of the Astros, and Scott Feldman of the Cubs. Other notable arms include Josh Johnson of... -
05/09/2013 - Astros Release Rick Ankiel
The Astros released outfielder Rick Ankiel, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. The team had designated him for assignment Monday. Ankiel, 33, had an all-or-nothing approach this year that led to five home runs and 35 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances. A former second-round pick of the Cardinals, Ankiel finished second in the 2000 Rookie of the Year voting as a pitcher but later reinvented himself as a slugging outfielder in 2007. A left-handed hitter, he has a career slugging percentage of .445 against righties. We're still awaiting word on outfielder Fernando Martinez, who was designated by the...
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