Yes I read that he made it.
Ari Alexander tweeted it
Per Jim Callis, Pete Incaviglia (0 games) and John Olerud (6) are the only hitters to make the majors in fewer than Smith’s 32 minor league games
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25 of 26 roster spots decided.
Apparently they are still debating Rodgers or Short?
Also, David Clyde 0 minor league games before his debut.
ETA: I now see the hitter designation.
Fuckin’ Bob Short and the Fuckin’ Rangers.
If it was me making the decision between Rodgers and Short, it wouldn’t be a hard call. Zack Short is what he is, a defender that can’t hit at all. Rodgers at least has some upside as a hitter. Dubon can cover SS so I’m not sure what role Short would play on this team.
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One is a potential (experimental, really) starting 2B, the other is the definition of a 26th man who’ll never pick up a bat. There’s nothing wrong with carrying either player, but they’re so different in how they’d actually be used that it’s almost hard to see them as in competition with each other.
The other thing: neither of them is starting tonight, so it’s not like there’s anything they’re going to learn on the field. I have to assume the decision has already been made and for whatever reason they’d prefer to announce it a little later.
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BRB, got something in my eye.
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There is room for Dezenzo to get plenty of at bats in a super-utility role. He can give Walker a day off at 1B, Paredes a day off at 3B, and he can get starts in LF or RF when Altuve or Smith need days off, or on days they want to use at 2B.
Methinks that there are going to be a few unearned runs this year.
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There are always going to be unearned runs, but why do you think Altuve and Smith can’t make routine catches in the outfield? I’d be more concerned about their range and ability to track difficult balls.
I suspect Altuve will see a ton of time in LF at Daiken Park where there is less ground to cover and his arm strength will be less exposed. On the road I think you maybe see a musical chairs type approach when looking at the lineup card day to day. They’ll look at matchups against the opponents pitcher and also at who we will have pitching to look for optimal lineup and defense construction IMO.
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I apologize, I meant to say a few MORE unearned runs.
I’m not speaking to routine catches, and I never stated that in my post. You said it though. Range might present itself as the issue , IMHO.
Not to be pedantic but unearned runs are caused by errors, errors are only awarded on routine plays that are missed. Bad range actually leads to fewer errors and thus fewer unearned runs.
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Altuve has been the best for a long time at reading the fly balls behind (said second should be first)I think he will read the ball of the bat well. He isn’t going to rob many homer but he will get to more balls than many people think. He is still pretty fast.
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I’m not personally worried too much about his range out there, more his arm, but it’s not like the Astros have had good outfield arms in recent years anyway
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Don’t worry about Altuve. Good grief, he can play 2B. He damn sure can play LF.
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@Doyce7 articulated the logic behind my response. Unearned runs are caused by errors. A lack of range in the outfield would show up as more hits and earned runs allowed by Astros’ pitchers.
Just an interesting comment from “my friend” about Smith’s family being invited to announce he made the team.
FWIW I was told by someone that would know that this rubbed some of the players the wrong way. They didn’t like that Espada singled out Smith making the club - and believe it’s special treatment.
Smith hasn’t said or done anything wrong with his teammates but a Singleton was a prominent voice and figure in the locker room.
Ultimately it won’t matter if Smith hits - but is an example of Espada not completely getting baseball code.
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