George Springer sucks, amirite

So this quick exchange between our own Cockroach and Brian McTaggart as set the rusty gears of my mind into motion about something that's been really grinding my....gears the last couple days.

A couple of days ago on twitter I had a bit of a row with a couple of folks, who I won't name, concerning George Springer. One had asked the question "Did the Astros bring up George Springer too soon?" Then another chimed in by insinuating that he knew of some "problem" with Springer that was discovered shortly after he was drafted that would lead the Astros to trade him "within three years."

It's been 9 games, people. After his first at bat on April 20, he was hitting .316! 

"Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy..."

After my dander was back down, I decided to see how other some of the best known Astros did in their first nine games. Surely we'll find that all the weeping and gnashing of teeth concerning Springer is justified, right? After all, if you're not world class from day one, there's no hope, right?

George Springer
.171/.275/.200, 0 HRs, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Started 6 for his first 19.

Jeff Bagwell
.214/.343/.429, 2 HRs, 7 RBI, 0 SB. Started 1 for his first 16.

Craig Biggio
.148/.179/.259, 0 HRs, 0 RBI, 3 SB. Started 1 for his first 14.

Cesar Cedeno
.184/.225/.184, 0 HRs, 0 RBI, 1 SB. Started 2 for his first 17.

Lance Berkman
.160/.222/.160, 0 HRs, 2 RBI, 1 SB. Started 2 for his first 21.

Jimmy Wynn
.355/.432/.516, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB. Ok, there's one.

Joe Morgan
.214/.353/.286, 0 HRs, 3 RBI, 1 SB. Started 2 for his first 13.

Bob Watson
.182/.217/.273, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB. Started 3 for his first 21.

Terry Puhl
.167/.286/.200, 0 HRs, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Started 1 for his first 8.

Bill Doran
.323/.353/.387, 0 HRs, 4 RBI, 1 SB. There's another.

Greg Gross
.217/.250/.348, 0 HRs, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Started 2 for his first 13.

Hunter Pence
.250/.289/.444, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB. Started 4 for his first 12.

Morgan Ensberg
.261/.320/.261, 0 HRs, 0 RBI, 1 SB. Started 2 for his first 11.

And just for fun, here's a non-Astro you may have heard of

Mike Trout
.133/.212/.167, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB. Started 2 for his first 19.

I can keep going, but I think I've made my point.

Now, don't be thick-headed and try to tell me that my point is that Springer will be just as good as all the guys I've named above. In no way, shape, or form am I saying Springer is the next Mike Trout, or Jeff Bagwell, or whoever.

Here's my point, and I'll make it nice and big for everybody:

9 GAMES DOES NOT TELL US JACK SQUAT ABOUT 

WHAT KIND OF CAREER A PLAYER'S GOING TO HAVE!