Framber Valdez records the W behind J Pena’s big bat
Spring Training at this point is more about tuning up for the regular season and less about checking out prospects….Unless the prospect is on the cusp of making the OD roster.
As far as tune-ups are concerned, Framber Valdez looked ready for Opening Day. Although he gave up three runs on two homers, one of those was a strongly wind-aided two-run job. Otherwise, he looked like Framber, allowing only three hits, two walks, with six Ks in five innings.
Does “tuning up” apply to Jeremy Pena? He was 3-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored against Sonny Gray. His 1.297 Spring OPS leads the team. He supposedly got some tips on how to improve his swing from ex-Astro Kevin Bass and one of the Gurriel brothers. Hope springs eternal. Let’s hope this new, “new Pena” is for real this time.
Chas McCormick, who has walked a bunch this Spring but hasn’t had many hits, got a big confidence boost with a three-run homer in the second inning that gave the Astros a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
On the other hand, the most controversial upcoming roster decision — what to do about inexperienced #1 prospect Cam Smith — may have been answered today. Smith was 0-4 with two Ks against a real MLB pitcher, and was exposed by a constant barrage of breaking balls, the exact issue he would be asked to address in the minors. And with McCormick’s homer, hope that he will have a bounceback year is enhanced, reducing the urgency for a Smith callup.
Another interesting “tryout” was the insertion of Ryan Gusto into relief following Valdez’s departure. Gusto was last season’s PCL ERA leader and looked good in Spring Training, but was already optioned back to Sugarland. Yet here he was today. Is the staff worried about ostensible BOR starter Ronel Blanco, who has been terrible in every appearance this Spring? For the record, Gusto had a scoreless inning with two walks.
Another pitcher on the bubble, Luis Contreras, stretched his scoreless streak to 9.1, recording a save and allowing only a walk with two Ks.
Jose Altuve continues his ice-cold Spring. He was 0-3 with two strikeouts to lower his Spring BA to .171.