I forgot it's easier to avoid Super 2 with pitchers by bringing them up for a few spot starts, then waiting until July to bring them back. I imagine we'll get at least 3 starts from Martin 'for evaluation' while Altuve's on the 10-day, then sent back to make 'work on adjustments' based on his newfound MLB experience. I'm sure they hope either McHugh or James will be ready to take his place at that point. James' last 4 innings were 0 runs w/ 9Ks; 0 runs w/ 6Ks in his last 4 outings; and being stretched out to two innings from one. I would think they'd pitch him no less than 2 innings going forward, barring catastrophy. Super 2 is a big deal for a perennial contending team that's always at the luxury tax limit. Six years from now, sending Martin back down this year is the difference between affording to keep a #3 starter like Charlie Morton one more year or not .
Calling up Martin this early is a little strange. We have an off day next week and could easily give a spot start to Valdez and then skip that spot in the rotation while adding Myles Straw to the active roster. I think Martin gets sent down immediately after the game or he's gonna stick around for a while. For all we know Super 2 might not exist after 2022.
As the stros get into the easier portion of their schedule it becomes a perfect time for a few prospect audition starts. You’re absolutely right; they could throw framber out there. But I think they know what they got with him.
I think they want to see Martin pitch. Astros front office had an opportunity to get him up, so they took it. Astros will make decision later on what happens when Altuve comes back.
Agree. Martin is the one pitcher who checks all the boxes: high ceiling, throwing well, ready for the big leagues, not on an innings limit. If he pitches well, he can further solidify the rotation for this year and beyond. If he pitches well I don’t think the FO will let Super Two status impact anything.
I don't think Astros worry about pitchers and Super 2, too much. Too many injuries, and a lot of pitchers are their best the first 2-4 years of their careers. Better not to waste pitches in AAA.
James may have had better results the last few games, but he needs to throw more strikes to be any sort of starter. Coming in with big leads and the other team pressing is much easier than starting the game tied. He would have about 7 walks in 3 innings the way he is going now.
I am comfortable with James working out of the bullpen indefinitely. I think with time to settle in, he could be an elite reliever on par with Aroldis Chapman. Chapman’s career #s are 14.9k/9 and 4.2bb/9, this season James is at 14.2k/9 and 5.5bb/9.
I think James would end up fine in the pen. I think he would be good as a 5-inning starter (blasphemy according to old men waving fists, I know) as well.
Similar to the choice they made with McCullers (and will likely be faced with for Bukauskas and Abreu at some point). I agree with you, but I think James would be more valuable as a dominant reliever than as a fringy/inconsistent starter. But part of that is me looking at the other options who project to be more effective/traditional SP (Whitley, Martin, Ivey).
Blanco has flown almost totally under the radar, but he’s a viable prospect. He is definitely a reliever, and one with a pretty limited ceiling at that, but he’s struck out 13+ guys per nine IP in AA. At almost 26 theres probably not much projection but if he keeps that rate up in AAA he will eventually get a chance.
It appears the Astros farm teams have abandoned the 8 man tandem rotations in favor of 6 man rotations this season, except for in AA. Most of the relievers are throwing multiple innings, but they are no longer alternating/pairing starters in Fayetteville or Quad Cities. Not sure if this is temporary due to circumstances (injuries etc), a temporary experiment, or a permanent development shift. Here are the current rotations: AAA (6): Whitley, Armenteros, Hartman, Perez, Rodgers, Bostick (Bostick appears to have replaced Corbin Martin in the rotation). Sneed and Emanuel have averaged more than 2 IP per appearance. AA (8): Hernandez-Urquidy, Adcock, Bailey, Bielak, LaRue, Bukauskas, Ivey, Valdez/Abreu. Sanabria and McKee have averaged multiple innings per relief appearance. High A (6): Donato, France, Javier, Mushinski, Paredes, Y Ramirez. Dubin I think has been moved to the pen and Solomon is hurt. Gonzalez, Bravo, and Collado have averaged more than 2 IP per relief appearance. A (6): Rodriguez, Conine, Deason, Hansen, Garcia, Daniels. Ruppenthal and Freure are stretched out but look like they are coming in from the pen most of the time. Moclair is a starter but he’s hurt. Castellanos is pitching multiple innings per appearance. Hard to decipher the real method. Before today AAA had 9 guys stretched out, AA 11, High A 11, and A 10. But they’re definitely not sticking as closely to the 8 man tandems as they did the last 2 years.
Probably not a big difference either way. Though, I would say the traditional SP options aren't likely expected to pitch more than 6 very often going forward.
[Blum stated in today’s broadcast that] Martin has never thrown 9Ks in any professional game... until today. Talk about rising to the occasion. Good start. [Edit: I guess that’s not true. Sure sounded good.]
