Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
So The Astros Will Lose 100 Games Again, But What's Next?
Posted 09-13-2013 at 06:50 AM by case44
It's inevitable. Again. That's the pain you get when you rebuild a baseball club with young talent. Team efforts win ballgames, not just talent alone. The Houston Astros are just in the process of seeing who can deliver and who can't. For the present tense, we're looking at 100 losses again, and for the third time in franchise history and third year in a row.
Look at the players that came into play during the course of the 2013 regular season. Brad Peacock, Brett Oberholtzer, Kevin Chapman, Jarred Cosart, Jake Elmore, and Jonathan Villar. Add those to Jordan Lyles, Jason Castro, Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, Brett Wallace, L J Hoes, and Robbie Grossman. And look who will likely come on next season: George Springer and Jonathan Singleton with big bats displayed in the minor leagues. The Astros look to have the makings of a good rotation and a small snippet of hope in the bullpen (Chapman), plus an ever-improving infield and depth at catcher. Offensively, they need to cut down on their strikeouts and try to create baserunners and runs. The outfield has Grossman and Hoes, but Springer is coming, along with Delino DeShields, Jr (he should be in camp this coming spring but is expected in Houston, realistically, around 2015).
It's starting to look good and will continue to do so if these individuals play well consistently. All of the Astros' minor league clubs won division titles this season in their respective leagues. That's saying something, and it has the potential to positively translate to eventual success at the big-league level. Don't be surprised if, next season, the 100-loss campaigns come to an end and Houston starts playing .500 ball (standings-wise) in August and September. That would be a 20-game improvement over what they've been doing. And 2015? Possible contention? It's contingent on whether the Los Angeles Angels continue an apparent decline, as I expected them to contend this season and they just haven't. And who knows what Seattle or Texas might do?
In any event, the Houston Astros are going to be a team to watch for some time to come. They made one World Series appearance while in the National League. It's possible that they could do even more as members of the American League. The future, for now, looks very bright.
Look at the players that came into play during the course of the 2013 regular season. Brad Peacock, Brett Oberholtzer, Kevin Chapman, Jarred Cosart, Jake Elmore, and Jonathan Villar. Add those to Jordan Lyles, Jason Castro, Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, Brett Wallace, L J Hoes, and Robbie Grossman. And look who will likely come on next season: George Springer and Jonathan Singleton with big bats displayed in the minor leagues. The Astros look to have the makings of a good rotation and a small snippet of hope in the bullpen (Chapman), plus an ever-improving infield and depth at catcher. Offensively, they need to cut down on their strikeouts and try to create baserunners and runs. The outfield has Grossman and Hoes, but Springer is coming, along with Delino DeShields, Jr (he should be in camp this coming spring but is expected in Houston, realistically, around 2015).
It's starting to look good and will continue to do so if these individuals play well consistently. All of the Astros' minor league clubs won division titles this season in their respective leagues. That's saying something, and it has the potential to positively translate to eventual success at the big-league level. Don't be surprised if, next season, the 100-loss campaigns come to an end and Houston starts playing .500 ball (standings-wise) in August and September. That would be a 20-game improvement over what they've been doing. And 2015? Possible contention? It's contingent on whether the Los Angeles Angels continue an apparent decline, as I expected them to contend this season and they just haven't. And who knows what Seattle or Texas might do?
In any event, the Houston Astros are going to be a team to watch for some time to come. They made one World Series appearance while in the National League. It's possible that they could do even more as members of the American League. The future, for now, looks very bright.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Too bad I can't see the Astros except when I go online (the few chances that I do get). You guys have won four in a row. Maybe you'll finish this season on a high note. It'd be great going into next year.Posted 09-14-2013 at 12:56 PM by malfunction
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Ugh........111 losses!!
Posted 10-02-2013 at 05:31 PM by malfunction
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Yes, mal, it was ugly, but that's what can happen when you have a team with lots of rookies. Many of these guys are becoming keepers and have a year under their belts. Plus, the Astros are learning a little about their new American League opponents. GM Jeff Luhnow is very optimistic that Houston can take a significant step in 2014 toward ditching the losing culture in the clubhouse and instilling a sustainable winner.Posted 10-05-2013 at 06:30 AM by case44
