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hiaspire · February 23rd, 2007, 10:20 AM

I like a lot of BRJ's predictions, as well as many of the others posted so far.

Jennings will be pretty strong coming home to the Astros on a winner, but all three of the guys traded here will make angry Rox fans forget about it. Hirsh will look like the second coming of Francis and Taveras will take that next step necessary and give us something we haven't had in a long time at the top of the order looking a lot like EY in his best years.

Neither Barmes or Sullivan will be on the team. They are part of the past now, and pages need to be turned. No contest at SS, although Barmes may play very well early (as he has a tendency to do) and work his way into a trade since some teams still remember his blazing start of previous seasons.

I've always associated boom or bust with Jeff Baker since he was drafted. He could either take Hawpe's job or start the year on an extended disabled list. But it is safest to predict he'll share time with Hawpe and move around the diamond a bit as needed in a supporting role. Huge news (either good or bad) wouldn't surprise at all, though.

Javy Lopez becomes one of the biggest stories of spring training and is your opening day starter behind the plate putting up nice power numbers along the way. I'm not giving that one up yet.

Non-stop Helton is back stories after a monster spring moves him back into the #3 spot.

There will be plenty of shockers in their final roster decisions. I heard DOD and they are mostly looking for guys who will do the little things to WIN when the games are on the line. To me, actual spring performance in that small sample of games are going to drive a lot of their choices. Spring game late inning heroes will get more advantage than usual in player competitions. Omar Quintanilla and Gomez start spring by being late-inning replacement under-dogs and end the spring on the final roster after some key moments catch management's eye. Mabry comes up the hero a couple of times this spring also but just can't find a spot if Baker healthy and backing up the corners.

I look for a big season from Cook, but Francis rises to Hurdle's personal challenge and gets the starting nod with consideration of Cook's NL West struggles going up against AZ in the opener. I agree with other optimistic predictions about newcomer Lopez, but can't see him actually getting the nod.

Both Torrealba and Lopez look strong behind the plate and with a bat, so instead of picking one of them to backup the kid the Rox go with both veterans (with emphasis on winning) and give Iannetta everyday time at AAA after some spring struggles. A trade of one of them is also possible if Iannetta shines this spring and both veterans are healthy.

Although a lot of young arms look good in the pen (like Morillo throwing fireballs), the Rox don't want to repeat past seasons of going too young in the pen to start the year and go heavy on the vets. Either Herges or Veres almost make the team if not for a late injury trying to come back.

With their strong organizational depth, the Rox lead the cactus league in wins sparking new optimism momentarily. Then the regular season starts and we'll see how that goes.

February 23rd, 2007, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
hiaspire Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 481	I like a lot of BRJ's predictions, as well as many of the others posted so far. Jennings will be pretty strong coming home to the Astros on a winner, but all three of the guys traded here will make angry Rox fans forget about it. Hirsh will look like the second coming of Francis and Taveras will take that next step necessary and give us something we haven't had in a long time at the top of the order looking a lot like EY in his best years. Neither Barmes or Sullivan will be on the team. They are part of the past now, and pages need to be turned. No contest at SS, although Barmes may play very well early (as he has a tendency to do) and work his way into a trade since some teams still remember his blazing start of previous seasons. I've always associated boom or bust with Jeff Baker since he was drafted. He could either take Hawpe's job or start the year on an extended disabled list. But it is safest to predict he'll share time with Hawpe and move around the diamond a bit as needed in a supporting role. Huge news (either good or bad) wouldn't surprise at all, though. Javy Lopez becomes one of the biggest stories of spring training and is your opening day starter behind the plate putting up nice power numbers along the way. I'm not giving that one up yet. Non-stop Helton is back stories after a monster spring moves him back into the #3 spot. There will be plenty of shockers in their final roster decisions. I heard DOD and they are mostly looking for guys who will do the little things to WIN when the games are on the line. To me, actual spring performance in that small sample of games are going to drive a lot of their choices. Spring game late inning heroes will get more advantage than usual in player competitions. Omar Quintanilla and Gomez start spring by being late-inning replacement under-dogs and end the spring on the final roster after some key moments catch management's eye. Mabry comes up the hero a couple of times this spring also but just can't find a spot if Baker healthy and backing up the corners. I look for a big season from Cook, but Francis rises to Hurdle's personal challenge and gets the starting nod with consideration of Cook's NL West struggles going up against AZ in the opener. I agree with other optimistic predictions about newcomer Lopez, but can't see him actually getting the nod. Both Torrealba and Lopez look strong behind the plate and with a bat, so instead of picking one of them to backup the kid the Rox go with both veterans (with emphasis on winning) and give Iannetta everyday time at AAA after some spring struggles. A trade of one of them is also possible if Iannetta shines this spring and both veterans are healthy. Although a lot of young arms look good in the pen (like Morillo throwing fireballs), the Rox don't want to repeat past seasons of going too young in the pen to start the year and go heavy on the vets. Either Herges or Veres almost make the team if not for a late injury trying to come back. With their strong organizational depth, the Rox lead the cactus league in wins sparking new optimism momentarily. Then the regular season starts and we'll see how that goes.