Newly promoted Astros pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. throws in the upper 90s with an outstanding breaking ball, Vince Lara-Cinisomo writes in a scouting report for Baseball America. The biggest difference between this season and the previous three years of his pro career has been that his control has taken a leap forward, from 5.2 BB/9 in 2014 to 3.4 BB/9 in 29 innings this season. Lara-Cinosomo suggests that one possibility is that the Astros promoted McCullers in order to showcase him as a possible trade piece for a top starting pitcher like Cole Hamels. Here’s more from the American League.
- Top Blue Jays prospect Daniel Norris is now back in Buffalo after a stint in the big leagues in which he held his own but averaged less than five innings per start. GM Alex Anthopoulos says the team wants Norris to work on improving that number, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes. “[T]he issue here was the consistency of trying to go deep into games and making sure we were going to have that to not tax the bullpen,” says Anthopoulos. “When he shows the consistency down there – it’s only been two games and what that number is, three, four, five, I’m not sure – and when we have a need and feel he’s throwing the ball well down there, he’ll be back.“
- The Indians’ season hasn’t gone well, but that doesn’t mean a fire sale is imminent, Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group writes. Much of their core consists of young-ish players signed to long-term deals (like Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco), so the Indians probably wouldn’t trade them. And some of their other veterans (like Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher) simply haven’t played well and therefore don’t have much value right now.
jays need whatever pitching they can get right NOW
Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Norris is in the minors for months. He definitely has “it” but he needs a lot more time to learn to show grace under pressure. Learning to manage and overcome one’s own frustration is not something that comes around in a few weeks.
The Jays are in major need of starting pitching right now, yes, but they’re going to need it later too and burning out Norris isn’t going to help anyone.
Why would you bring up a top arm to showcase for a very expensive veteran? Stop trying to make the astros/Hamels thing happen- it’s NOT going to happen
A proven post season track record is the incentive to acquire an expensive veteran. Granted Hamels earned that track record when he was young and unproven. Some teams choose to believe in youth and some want the mirage that a past performance can provide.
what a joke….
Hamels is an ACE and PROVEN in the post-season.
Mirages? Whatever dude.
Astros CAN win, but still need a guy like Hamels.
It SHOULD happen though… The AL West is there for the taking.
Seattle and Houston should be all over Hamels.
Norris isn’t alone here. All of the Jays rotation needs consistency in going deeper into games beyond the 5th inning.
Nick Swisher was one of the most over-hyped players in recent years, disappointing many I bet.
He was a pretty good hitter for several seasons there but injuries have really taken a toll. He’s been awful the last two years.