Things actually Happened yesterday.
*The Astros claimed Buddy Boshers off waivers.
Vs LHBs, 2017, lowest OPS-against to highest:
Chris Devenski (157 PAs): .111/.178/.236, 61K:10BB
Ken Giles (115 PAs): .196/.270/.314, 37K:11BB
Will Harris (76 PAs): .233/.263/.342, 19K:3BB
Buddy Boshers (62 PAs): .224/.258/.397, 10K:2BB
Joe Smith (77 PAs): .246/.325/.377, 24K:8BB
Brad Peacock (243 PAs): .249/.342/.418, 70K:28BB
Hector Rondon (86 PAs): .230/.337/.473, 23K:12BB
Tony Sipp (73 PAs): .247/.304/.548, 18K:5BB
Boshers allowed a .904 OPS to right-handed batters, so unless Brent Strom is an actual miracle worker, the Astros could plan on Boshers being the LOOGY they thought they were giving Tony Sipp $18m to be. It's also worth mentioning that Boshers still has a minor-league option remaining, so if things don't work out in Spring Training, he can go to Fresno without having to pass through waivers. Though the fact that Boshers fell all the way to the Astros in the first place indicates that may not really be an issue.
Boshers, Rule 5 pick Anthony Gose, and Sipp will fight each other to the death at the Ballpark of the Seven Isles or Whatever the New Kissimmee is Called starting next month.
The Masked Marvel has a round-up of Twitter reaction to the move.
*Baseball America released their Top 100 Prospects list yesterday. Here's where the Astros fall:
#10: Forrest Whitley
#15: Kyle Tucker
#62: Yordan Alvarez
#76: J.B. Bukauskas
Also on the list are former Astros prospects:
#35: Franklin Perez (traded for Justin Verlander)
#77: Albert Abreu (traded for Brian McCann)
#80: Brett Phillips (traded for Mike Fiers and some scrub outfielder)
Number of prospects on BA's Top 100, AL West:
Houston: 4
Oakland: 4
Anaheim: 3
Arlington: 2
Seattle: 1
Only the Astros, Rays, White Sox, and Blue Jays have two prospects in the Top 20.
*Alyson Footer writes that J.D. Martinez's impending payday (any day now, surely) got its foundation in Houston.
*Richard Justice: Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, and Corey Seager highlight MLB's great young shortstops.
*Jose Altuve got a bat made of Swarovski crystal.
*Every time the Annunciation Catholic Church sold out of their handmade Astros-themed rosaries, the 2017 Astros dominated that night's game. Now the Pope will receive one.
*Here is a 28-minute long condensed version of Game 5.
*The Brewers have made an offer for Yu Darvish, apparently.
*Naomi Parker Fraley aka Rosie the Riveter passed away at 96 over the weekend.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
