I'm excited about the potential speed this team could have with Pena, Cam, Cole, and Matthews. League ranking in SB 2022 = 16th 2023 = 18th 2024 = 21st 2025 = 25th I haven't looked but I think overall baserunning has fallen as well. This team could have a big baserunning advantage if they decide to be aggressive.
Injuries have really opened up the competition for the bullpen. Position players are a bit more set. Diaz, Salazar (unless another C is brought in), the 5 infielders, Yordan, and Meyers are on the roster unless they get hurt. That leaves 4 spots. The way I see it 3 come from: Cam, Loperfido, Cole, Dezenzo, and Trammell 1 comes from Matthews or Allen. I think the competition for AAA vs release is also interesting.
He got up to almost 95 mph on his sinker and he threw strikes. Let's hope he doesn't have any soreness tomorrow.
McCullers only threw 8 pitches but they were all fastballs and curveballs. Sinker was 94, 4S was 93. He can be effective with that velo. It would be so awesome if he could have a good year.
Let’s go LMJ. It is odd he is at this velo in spring training, especially in his first start. Either he has ramped up early thinking go big or go home bc he wasn’t gonna make the rotation pitching like he did last year, or his arm is stronger and will progress to even higher velo. If it is the former, then I respect that for him and the organization. It is his last stand and he is gonna leave it all on the field. If his arm blows up, so be it. I respect that he is going for it rather than just collecting paychecks. I do believe he really wants to pitch and help the Astros. If it is the latter, holy crap his arm is feeling good and we are going to see 96-97 FB.
That does not change the fact that it's super hard to steal a base when you hit a dinger. But I get what you are saying. Just some levity
