Jeremy Deloney and Ron Shandler's look at some prospects around the league, mainly for teams who don't have much to be excited about...
Wandy Rodriguez and Roy Oswalt are mainstays in the Houston Astros starting pitching staff, but there are opportunities at the tail end of the rotation. RHP Bud Norris is arguably their top prospect. At Class AAA Round Rock he was 1-3 with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts. He's experiencing control problems, a pitfall seen in years past. But Norris can be overpowering with a mid-90s fastball that induces ground balls. His slider can also be a plus pitch at times. An upgrade to his changeup would enhance his prospect status.
I got June 8. What date do you have for Bud Norris' Astros 09 debut?
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
