Sometimes I look at the dates that music came out and go – Huh? Like the single “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood hit the top 40 in 1984. That was 40 years ago. 40 years!!! I keep thinking that is a new song.
Well, it is just a youngster when compared to Skynyrds “Sweet Home Alabama” or BTO’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” which are 50 years old this year. Or the Fab Four’s “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” or Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman from 1964 – 60 years ago. Or by extension – me – who is headed for 68 years old in August.
But getting back to the point of this post… the biggest thing I can tell folks who start freaking about early spring training stats or spring training stats in general is to RELAX!! Yes, the Astros are not playing well out of the chute and especially are not hitting well. So what?
The only thing more meaningless than a spring training game is an early spring training game.
Looking back, Spring Training is not always predictive.
- 2017 – The Astros were 15-15 in ST, but of course, then busted out to a 101-61 regular season and a World Championship
- 2021 – They were 6-14 with a 4.52 ERA in ST and then went 95-67 on the way to a loss in the World Series against the Atlanta Braves
- Jose Abreu – ripped the ball to a .292 BA and a .910 OPS pace in last year’s Spring Training. This led to an ugly .237 BA/ .680 OPS in the regular season.
- On the other hand, before Jose Altuve went off to the 2023 WBC and a collision between his wrist and a baseball, he started off with a .143 BA/ .393 OPS (in very few at bats) before killing it in the 90 games he did play in the regular season.
- On the pitching side, 2023 Spring Training ended with Rafael Montero clocking in with a 1.80 ERA and Seth Martinez with a 1.29 ERA. They put up 5.08 and 5.23 ERA, respectively, in the 2023 regular season.
- And you can go on and on finding guys who stunk it up in Spring Training and were great in the regular season or vice versa.
- So, just relax and come back around July with your complaints and concerns. (Yeah, I know y’all won’t hold off that long).
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
21 responses to “Spring Training Word for the Day – Relax”
I barely keep up with ST. Pretty sure more often than not its result shows nothing about the season. I might glance at box scores but I am looking for hitters drawing walks, base running stuff, errors, the things that you can see in 30 ABs.
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I will say that when you have someone like Dylan Coleman, who was very good in 2022, but was bad in 2023 with control problems and he gives up 5 runs in a third of an inning and can’t find the plate – that I will watch closely.
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Still not watching, but I assume Joe Espada is tuned in.
I never expected this guy to make the roster. Throughout his college career and in the minors, he maintained a walk rate of over 5 BB/9, and last year, he walked more batters than he pitched innings. According to Fangraphs, he still possesses two options, but the dilemma lies in how long the team will allocate a 40-man slot to a 27-year-old who doesn’t appear to be progressing. Despite dialing back his fastball from an average of 97.7 mph in 2022 to 95.3 mph in 2023—presumably in an attempt to enhance control—it seems he regressed. I’m hopeful they’ve advised him to ramp up the velocity again and pinpoint where in his delivery he can achieve greater consistency, but it appears to be more of a mental block at this stage.
There has been no improvement in his command over the years. With two options remaining perhaps a pitching coach in Sugarland could figure out whether his foot placement varies from pitch to pitch, if his release point fluctuates, or if there’s a slight difference in his positioning on the mound—anything that could explain his inconsistency in locating pitches within the strike zone.
I often draw parallels between pitching and bowling—elite bowlers don’t fixate on the pins; instead, they focus on the markers, executing the same precise movements repeatedly, down to the minutest details. They trust the process upon release. The finest pitchers excel in golf for the same reason. It’s why Steph Curry, renowned for his shooting prowess, also shines on the golf course. It’s all about the details.
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Spring Training only tells me the season is getting close finally.
Our tall drink of water, Dylan Coleman, the guy I said I was intrigued with a week or two ago sure has impressed in one way. He really is all over the place! Yesterday it looking like he was aiming it. That sure did not work.
If I’m going to be concerned about anything that’s going on during these spring games, it’s still the middle of the pen. That remains our potential weakness.
But we do have a bunch of arms to look over. And does a guy like Spencer Arrighetti have to be a starter initially? No. Let’s give it a month and see how it all sorts out.
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Friends, I “chat” with Becky, on another website, and she asked that I tell everyone that she is doing well and happy.
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Totally relaxed here – even chuckling a little. After all, we have a surefire future ace toeing the rubber for our Mudville nine today. Last year in Triple A this guy Tamarez only allowed … bases on balls in 101 innings! His ERA was …. Well, his WHIP was …. Clearly he’s the best choice to start this game.
Okay, okay … I’ll call my shrink and schedule another round of therapy. But in the meantime, who wants to chill with me to the songs on my ‘calming playlist’:
Song 1: ‘Hakunah Matata’
Song 2: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’;
Song 3: ‘Accentuate the Positive’
Song 4: ‘Que Sera, Sera!’
Song 5: ‘Let it Be’
Song 6: ‘Feeln’ Groovy’
Song 7: “It Don’t Matter any More’
Song 8: ‘In the Year 2525
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You inspired me Mr. Bill
In the year 2025
If Breggy’s still at five
If Whitley finally arrives
We may find
In the year 2026
With Framber and Tucker gone going to need a quick fix
Maybe Melton will be in the mix
Or promote your top draft picks
In the year 2027
Yordan is going to lead us to heaven
If there is anyone left in the bullpen
We may have to win 11-10
In the year 2028
We may not know the Astros fate
Their new ace may be Spencer A
The whole offense may depend on Altuve
In the year 2035
I’m wonderin’ if the team will take a dive
The owners have taken everything the video rights can give
And they ain’t put back nothin’
Now it’s been ten thousand years
The fans have cried a billion tears
For all the balls Dylan Coleman threw
Now, the Astros’ reign is through
But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe, it’s only yesterday
In the year 2035…..
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I had no idea you were such a dystopian, Dan!
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I was just talking to my wife and pointing at dis topiary and dat topiary
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Let’s see
Sarge – Man we miss Becky around here – her epic hate of Jonathan Villar will always endear her to me LOL
Becky – If you are still reading – would love to see you comment once in a while. You Sandy and Diane and gosh I forgot someone else’s name always gave us a distaff view on this baseball world
Steven – Loved your bowling analogy – I used to bowl a lot many years ago and you are absolutely right that you had to concentrate on the markers, not the pins and really on the consistency of your walk up, swing, release and follow through.
DaveB – Would be happy with a top prospect like Arrighetti earning a spot and maybe being that guy who could fill up a 5th and 6th inning out of the bullpen if he doesn’t make the rotation. They were talking to him last night on the radio and seems like a very personable and smart individual. They were asking him about the College baseball “festival” coming to Minute Maid – I think next week – and he had been there before with TCU. But he really exploded when he transferred to Louisiana (for us old timers – SW Louisiana the Ragin Cajuns).
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It would be nice for our guys to go ahead and get on base a little so maybe we can experience some game situations before the season starts. Likewise, pitchers who can’t keep the ball in the zone against hitters who aren’t ready to hit give me low confidence in their ability to contribute this year.
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Relaxing about the Astros is what I have been doing. This week is about the grandkids showing their pigs and lambs and calves at the county show. That is important.
Also I am going to start helping my daughter with her garden and greenhouse. Monday was potatoes and garlic planting. Tuesday was agony from Monday. Today was lambs and swine. Tomorrow morning will be agony from today and the evening will be heifers and steers.
I checked on the Astros today and saw that they finally won a game.
I’m chill about them. I gave up Direct TV and with that went Space City Network. Couldn’t afford it. But I have Chipalatta and all the internet to follow my team.
How about that Cougar basketball, huh?
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The Coogs play basketball the right way – tremendous defense and all out hustle all game long. Their Achilles heel is that they put out so much energy on the defensive side of the ball that sometimes they run out of gas on the offensive end. But a lot of fun to watch them play.
Sorry that Direct TV got to expensive for you OP – we will try and keep you up on game observations throughout the year.
I know that when my father-in-law retired he called up his cable company and said he was now on a restricted income and he would only keep their service if they lowered their price.
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Go Coogs!!
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Josh Miller stated he thinks Rafael Montero can win comeback player of the year.
The two things I saw – one in 2022 he had days where his fastball sat 95, and he had days where he was touching 98. In 2023, I don’t remember seeing 98.
The other thing – He got that bag of money, and then he walked out there and just started throwing strikes when he fell behind in the count. Hitters hit .250 against him when the count was 3-0 in 2022, and .571 in 2023 on 3-0 counts. There seems to be a focus issue on making good pitches throughout the at bat – the focus he had in 2022 that says I’m still not giving in even if I’m behind in the count. Roger Clemens talked about that once before – way back in 2000 – about how the line between good and great is often drawn in the sand about what are willing to give when you are behind in the count.
I think Josh is right, the stuff is still there. The question is can he put the work in the details to get that corner command back, and can he get motivated enough to bring that velocity up when he needs too. Given that we can lose a game just as well in the 6th as the 8th, he sits in a critical spot.
Stanek remains available. The Cubs have apparently closed the door, and they looked the closest to signing him. Is now a time to swoop back in with a similar offer to his AAV last year for 2 more years? I’ve never really been a big Stanek guy, but if can help solidify that 5/6th inning spots he would probably be better than Coleman, Whitley, Martinez, Blanco, etc. in that spot. Could be the difference in a few games this year.
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I’m interested to see how things go with Framber calling some of his own pitches. Of course ST is much different from a real game, but it seems Framber has had too much on his mind when he falls into one of his self destructive events.
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Relax Dan P
Don’t worry about Framber leaving the game after 1-1/3 innings after getting whacked around for 3 runs and responsible for two left on base
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4 stolen bases along with those 4 outs. I think teams will run on the Astros until we can hold them close and throw them out.
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But Astros prospects lead a 10 run rally – Astros up 10-4
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Nice to see Joey Loperfido, Kenedy Corona, and Shay Whitcomb having some good at bats so far. I wonder if any will be held over in Astros camp after minor leagues open up.
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The kids got it done today!
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