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It’s July, not September. The Astros aren’t in a pennant race. Time is not of the essence.
As much as you may frown when you read this: It’s not Springer time. Not just yet.
Two years from now, five years from now, George Springer’s career will not hang in the balance simply because he came to the big leagues in September rather than July. Will six more weeks in minor league incubation make a difference in how he performs in Houston? Possibly not, but there’s no need to rush. No need to push the envelope. No need to make the call just because he’s hitting nearly .400 with a .400+ OBP.
Here are my five reasons to just say “No!” to George Springer in July. And none have anything do with a clock ticking.
- Strikeouts. The 23-year-old is on pace for 185 Ks. Will another 100 at bats in Oklahoma City suddenly produce Lance Berkman-like eyes at the plate? Probably not. But better he get those ABs in a surrounding that’s positive and winning, rather than feeling the pressure to impress and carry a team like the Astros.
- ROY. Yes, I said it. How long has it been since the Astros had a real Rookie of the Year candidate? It’s probably not factoring into Jeff Luhnow’s thinking (or is it?), but keeping Springer at less than 130 major league at bats this year will mean he’s eligible for Rookie of the Year next season. Gives fans something to get excited about in 2014. Maybe.
- Evaluation. Nothing to do with Springer here, but it gives players like J.D. Martinez, Brandon Barnes, Chris Carter and Justin Maxwell just a few more games to make their statements. Okay, some believe they’ve already said enough. One thing is for certain: The younger players have had their fair shots this season.
- Environment. As much as fans would enjoy seeing Springer in the Minute Maid Park center field, let the kid enjoy the playoff run. Oklahoma City is in the thick of the Pacific Coast stretch drive, which would be much more compelling than trying to keep a team from its third straight 100-loss season, don’t ya think?
- The 40-man question. The Astros currently have 38 players on the 40-man roster, so moving someone to make room for Springer isn’t a problem. However, the two openings does allow Luhnow some flexibility over the next few weeks in trade conversations and even waiver claims for other teams making room on their rosters.
Got any more reasons to keep Springer in OKC for another six weeks? How ’bout good reasons to bring him up tomorrow?
With a September promotion for Springer and perhaps others, Bo Porter is likely to continue his trend of varied lineups, but here’s one I’d like to see for a few games:
- Springer CF.
- Wallace 1B.
- Altuve 2B.
- Castro DH.
- Corporan C.
- Dominguez 3B.
- Villar SS.
- Maxwell RF.
- Barnes LF.
Along with maybe this rotation: Jordan Lyles, Jarred Cosart, Bud Norris, Asher Wojciechowski, Brett Oberholtzer.
Just sayin’.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
36 responses to “5 reasons it’s just not Springer time in July”
About the only reason to bring Springer up now is that our outfield is equally awful compared to the shortstop situation. Outfielders are supposed to be offensive players. Barnes would be a great 4th outfielder/late inning defender but the entire rest of the crew could take a hike. If Norris is traded I hope we get a couple of hot outfield prospects in return. I like the lineup although I might flip Springer and Altuve. Recent article showed Altuve is a much better hitter batting leadoff. Springer is really the only guy I see who can realistically hit third, something we have not had all year – Castro is NOT a #3 hitter. All that said, I do see value in letting him experience as much success as possible at OKC. Sometimes playing in a competitive environment teaches intangibles that can translate to later MLB success. He certainly won’t get it here.
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Interesting lineup – I might flip Barnes to right, insert Carter in LF and bat him 3rd – he seems to be the only one that can take a walk with regularity and the arguments about the strikeouts seems almost invalid when the K’s are an entire lineup problem.
Regardless if you got J Max, Barnes and Springer in your OF you may not want the rangy, weaker armed J Max in RF. Barnes seems to be the best defensive OF’er this team has, so I am sticking with him in CF, Springer in RF and Maxwell in LF. I am sure Springer’s call up is going to signal the beginning of the end of Maxwell in Houston though, and maybe JDM, as neither profile well as situational players.
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Chip
Some scattershot comments:
– So, the team bringing up Cosart and Villar and not Springer signals… that they do not think Cosart and Villar are as long term valuable? Think Springer needs more time at AAA? Just has to do with position and lack of performance by the previous placeholders?
– Think they should have different lineups against rightys than leftys
Against rightys
Villar SS
Altuve 2B
Wallace 1B
Castro DH
Springer CF
Corporan C
Maxwell RF
Krauss LF
Dominguez 3B
Against leftys
Barnes CF
Altuve 2B
Springer RF
Carter DH
JDM LF
Dominguez 3B
Wallace 1B
Villar SS
Corporan/Castro C
– Reasons not to see Springer –
– Hey – we don’t want anything that would make the fans happy or risk our overall #1 pick for the third time.
– What if he comes up and flops – I may turn suicidal at this point.
– Might as well wait until Spring(er) Training
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It’s early Dan. trying to figure out if this is cynicism or sarcasm! 🙂
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Dan – there is an error in your post. You accidentally penciled Wallace in against lefties. Maxwell is far better against LHP than RHP, so you’ll find better returns by putting Carter at 1B, Maxwell in LF, and Martinez at DH. Alternately, if you really want Wallace in the lineup, you should substitute him for JDM who has hit lefties and righties about the same this year.
I think there is more at stake than just a few meaningless wins in Houston when you consider promoting Springer. Recall that last year he was promoted to CC and struggled in a short stint (22 games). This year he was fantastic at CC in 73 games and is actually hitting better at OKC over 22 games. For his development, finishing out the OKC season and seeing how he reacts to a slump or downturn there is probably more beneficial than throwing him into the fire. Seriously, what incentive would any MLB pitcher have to throw him a strike in this lineup? However, what I think is more important is that the organization had the worst minor league franchise performances in all of baseball as recent as two years ago. They have flipped the script and have multiple teams that will win or contend for division / league titles. Let the kids play some meaningful games and come to 2014 spring training with confidence and swagger. Perhaps they’ll put a fright into the AAAA guys we have so no one comes to camp complacent or out of shape.
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There may be surprise call ups in September form Corpus. Wondering if maybe Castro/Corporan are on the block. Per your earlier post – Maxwell is gone by next year ($$$) – so no need to watch him in Sept. If I see anymore Waiver Claims I am going to scream. And finally Tony D had a .500 team with the expanded roster last year. Excited youngsters can compete against teams playing out the string.
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Chip –
Sorry for the cynical sarcsam or the sarcastic cynicism. Last night hacked me off a bit more than normal. After watching the Astros figure out how to give up 4 runs on one hit the other night – I was already in a weakened condition and I was just frustrated again last night as they ruined a very good start by Keuchel by fumbling away a 3-1 lead he left them.
Now I may have missed it – but I don’t know why Keuchel got pulled after 88 pitches and 1 run, I don’t know why Ambriz is allowed anywhere near a lead, I don’t know why this team tends to score a few runs in the beginning of a game and then disappear or why they will go most of the game with no offense and then put up runs when it is too late.
Just frustrated… has nothing to do with your post.
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sarcasm – I know how to spell – but not how to type
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All five are good reasons not to bring Springer up. But at this point, I’d rather see some new faces try to find their way rather than the same suspects, especially on the mound. Bring me Springer and about four arms. Let’s see what they can do. But first of course, Luhnow has got to figure out a way to pawn off three or four guys from the present mound corps. And let’s face it, haven’t we seen enough of guys like Maxwell, Martinez and Wallace?
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While Springer’s K rate has been slowly falling from month to month, he’s still a whiff machine. Keeping him in AAA will not make a difference in how much he Ks. That said, I’m for keeping him down until September. Let him get his 129 ABs in September, and let him get some more time at AAA. He’ll enjoy the playoff run, and he’ll get some experience to be ready for next spring as our starting center fielder.
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My vote is the same as it was 2 months ago. Bring Springer up now (a month ago would have been better). I do believe in leaving kids down to grow IF they aren’t going to significantly outperform who they are replacing in the lineup. Even if Springer struggles he will struggle along at a better clip than JDM or Maxwell.
Everyone is going to have to live with K’s being a part of his game, he strikes otu alot, that isn’t likely to change. I think he will maintain better than average BABIP’s due to his power and speed combo, and he draws walks at a good clip. He is ready now.
You can’t hold Porter responsible for his record when you intentionally hold the best players back from him to either keep them under control longer or save their arby years. Porters job is to win tomorrow’s game. Luhnow’s job is to win next season, and to set the stage for future seasons. Their accountability is different – but Luhnow is using his position to make Porter’s job harder. If I was Porter, and I knew I had a guy that has pretty much killed it but was being held from me, knowing that I will get killed in the media for another 107 loss season, I am standing on Luhnow’s desk.
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Totally out of right field (or in this case the middle infield) – but wanted to spend a minute talking about Jed Lowrie. Yes, he has contributed more than anyone he was traded for and he has dodged the injury bug this year, however:
1) Both his BA and OPS have been a fairly steady decline since a hot April – BA .333 down to .287 and OPS .938 down to .769 (about what it was last year here).
2) His power is way down – only 7 HR in about the same amount of ABs he had 16 last year (Oakland’s home park has something to do with this)
3) His defense is not good (but it is not Ronny Cedeno bad) – his Rtots – especially at SS stink.
Bottom line – need to wait a bit on how this trade plays out.
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Not to argue Dan, but A’s in 1st with him (so he has not hurt the team) and we are in last with our guys (so this year they did not help much). So looking backward (which is always 20-20) we should have kept him for at least one more year with his relative cheap price of $2.4 M. Lets hope in the future we look at this trade as a bonanza, but right now – for 2013 – does not appear so. Keep our fingers crossed that Villar makes us all say soon, “Jed Who?”
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Astro45 –
I guess I’m saying it is not a slam dunk on the Lowrie trade. An interesting question is – would he get more back in a trade right now as he did in the off-season. He has stayed healthy and that would help. Just wondering.
Not sure if Villar will make us forget Lowrie or will we have to wait for Fontana or Correa for that amnesia to occur.
Speaking of Lowrie’s effect on wins (or vice versa):
In the A’s 53 wins – Lowrie – .313 BA /.846 OPS / 6 HR / 27 RBI
In the A’s 40 losses – Lowrie -.246 BA / .647 OPS /1 HR / 10 RBI
A front runner or one who helps them win?
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I think the jury will be out on the Lowrie trade until we see what Stassi ends up doing.
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Leave Springer at OKC until September. The less he has to be influenced by the Astros at this point, the better. I just hope Luhnow is looking for some hitters and not swingers. Also, a very interesting article in Crawfishboxes yesterday on how well the Luhnow drafted guys recognize the strike zone versus all the guys previously drafted.
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I’m not TRYING to pick on Castro……but the last THREE pitchers have had a tough
time trying to get on the same page with him. AND, it’s not just me,the guys on the radio have mentioned it several times, in the last few games. Corporan caught Cosart’s first game, and Castro will be in there tonight. It will be interesting to “hear” how that goes. As far as Springer coming up to the big club, no better time to see him than in August. And…….how much can we get for Wright AND Ambriz? Last night’s loss is on Bo Porter. Becky
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Can you clarify – are you saying last night’s loss was on Porter for bringing in Wesley Wright or because he pulled Keuchel too early? I’d give the offense (or lack thereof for 8 of the 9 innings) some credit too.
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Yes…..to both questions.
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Chip – I’m in a better mood tonight – great come from behind game. Cosart was solid – has a great arm. Villarreal with 3 hits and super speed scoring the winning run on a bad throw. Matty D with a huge dinger to tie it. Both Barnes and JDM left with injuries – could Springer be next in line – or is it Paredes or someone else?
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After sleeping on it – what I liked a lot last night were the quality of the at-bats in the 9th inning against Grant Balfour, who had not blown a save all year. Dominguez and Villar both spoiled some very good pitches and when Balfour left a couple up they took advantage.
One thing that bothered me when it occurred – Maxwell beat out the infield grounder when Balfour threw it wildly to first – the wild throw was right in front of him (and headed down the right field line) and Maxwell seemed to pause until the 1B coach yelled at him to go to 2nd. It seemed like a no brainer to turn immediately to 2nd, but he did not do it.
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Oh – and it is fun to see some more speed in the lineup with Villar – hey if he continues to show he can get on base and flash some speed – he is a great candidate to lead off.
Oh for the day when we don’t need to use a 3 minute egg timer to time our players getting to 1st base (JDM, Dominguez, etc.)
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Everything I’ve read (and seen thus far) indicates that Villar is ultra-aggressive out there. This can be a good thing (like last night) or a bad thing (Altuve trying to steal 3B two nights ago)…but overall I like to see teams that can push the envelope and make the opponent play defense to beat them.
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My first impression of watching Villar when OKC came to New Orleans was he was too aggressive at the plate, and I wondered about his prospects of leading off. His numbers suggest he is aggressive – but he has also posted better than 8% walk rates every year in the minors except 2010 – so its not unusual for him to draw some walks here and there.
He strikeouts a bit much for a leadoff guy – but he maintains pretty good BABIPs, I assume because he has a decent power/speed combo. His at bats that I saw in the 3 game set suggested to me he squares up on the ball well, we won’t see a high number of weak groundouts ala Grossman. That will only lend to some seeing eye grounders helping that BABIP. It’s all guesswork until we get a steady diet of major league at bats to see though.
Bottom line – seems to me to be better suited for the leadoff role then Altuve.
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Went to the game last night. Really fun game to watch.
We sat in the outfield so the catch Barnes made was right in front of me. Outstanding!
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Devin –
Its a two edged sword – Villar only scored because Altuve (again) got caught half way between 1st and 2nd on a short wild pitch. The aggressiveness worked this time because they forced a bad throw by the catcher – but they do make some silly and brainless outs on the basepaths.
Sandy – great game to see. Barnes has as many web gems this year as all the other Astro OFs combined.
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Cant watch the games, but Barnes UZR, range factors, etc. are all less than Maxwell’s this year. Statistically JMax has been the Astros best outfielder.
One thing is certain, I can look at the stats and know that Carter and JDM have zero business in the outfield. JDM’s UZR is awful, monumentally awful, even for limited innings.
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We’ve got a whole bunch of guys with bad UZR’s, which makes our suspect pitching staff that much worse. Is there a more boring guy to watch in MLB than Martinez?
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Altuve wasn’t aggressive; he was pathologically stupid! His run meant zero. The only way he scores in the ninth is if someone hits a bomb. Did he even look at Villar? Why would he expect Villar to go on a ball blocked toward third base. JDM got benched for a bad at bat early in the season but Altuve has a brain lock two nights in a row and its kind of like, whatever.
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Steven –
1) Advanced defensive stats, especially over a small sample may not be entirely accurate.
2) I am feeling like one of the old fogey coaches/scouts from Moneyball – but my eyes tell me that I would take Barnes over Maxwell – though they are both the two guys who are real outfielders out of the whole bunch.
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Agree – alot of stat geeks don’t give the defensive stats any credibility until about the 1000 inning mark – not sure either will get that this year due to limited time or injury. Still odd to see Barnes saber stats down as much as they are – he will have to become a range monster to get them to previous levels the remainder of the season.
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I wonder how much the ballpark and pitching staff factor into it here. Roy Oswalt was pretty good at getting guys to hit the ball to CF at home. It seems to me if Wesley Wright, Travis Blackley, Paul Clemens, and Lucas Harrell were all more adept at doing so we would see Barnes with a higher PO total (at a minimum) and those pitchers with a lower HR total too.
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Wojoski has not seen action since July 13. He’s at 118.2 innings on the year. Threw 137.0 last year, his max in the minors. Are they holding him back for few starts here? In the meantime, Peacock’s got a 2.59 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. We should see him again soon. I’m hoping for an active next seven days.
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WOW! Found you Chip. Hope you post as much as you can!
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The Braves are rumored to be interested in Norris. They also have Wes Wright on their list too. I could see Luhnow trading both of these guys, and getting a much better return than Wade did for Bourn. A MLB ready catcher, and a solid 3rd. baseman…….call it even! Becky
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Becky,
Sounds good but considering the state of our so-called bullpen, we could sure use some help there. I’m convinced at this state that Castro is not the answer behind the plate soI concur. I noticed that Wallace for “o for” with 3 whiffs last night. Hope he’s not falling back into the “K”routine. Can’ wait for the September call-ups because these”verterans” just ain’t cuttin’ the mustard” and that’s being nice about it. “CACA” comes to mind in describing this team.
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