Astrodomain-Houston Astros
General Astros thought and opinion.Sunday, August 12, 2012
Don't cry for Brett Wallace
I tweeted this statement August 9:
"brett wallace's performance
tonight definitely justifying the decision to sit him tuesday and
wednesday"
That statement is presumably
directed towards Brad Mills, whose lineup decisions have come under heavy
criticism over the last 18 months. Under Ed Wade's regime, it was
assumed Mills acted on his own in sitting Wallace in favor of a right-handed
replacement.
When Jeff Luhnow replaced Wade in
December, it was assumed Wallace would get his chance when Carlos Lee and his
contract were moved. Lee was traded to Miami on July 4, and Wallace was
expected to take over first base. That chance in turn went to third
baseman Chris Johnson (before his trade to Arizona), and now utilitymen Matt
Downs, Scott Moore and Steve Pearce, all of whom were minor league signings or
waiver claims by the Astros over the past two years.
So why is 'the man' keeping Wallace
down? I don't think the decision lies completely with Brad Mills.
The Cardinals made Wallace their
first-round pick in 2008, as a third baseman out of Arizona State.
Oakland acquired him as part of the Matt Holliday trade in 2009, and he landed
in Houston (through Toronto) as a result of the Roy Oswalt trade in July,
2010. Between then, he was moved across the diamond to first base, which
remained his primary position until this spring, when the Astros experimented
with Wallace at third base. He saw time at first base, third base and
shortstop during his roughly three months at AAA Oklahoma City.
In that time the Astros recalled
Scott Moore, and claimed Steve Pearce off waivers.
How has the starting lineup looked
since Wallace's recall on July 28?
|
Wallace only
|
1
|
|
Wallace and Moore
|
3
|
|
Wallace, Moore and Pearce
|
6
|
|
Wallace and Pearce
|
1
|
|
Pearce and Downs
|
2
|
|
Pearce and Moore
|
1
|
|
Pearce and Downs
|
2
|
|
Total Wallace starts
|
11
|
|
Games since July 28
|
15
|
While Wallace hasn't started every
game, he has started 11. Moore has started at right field, third base and
first base while Pearce has started at first base and right field. Wallace
is getting playing time, just not the absolute everyday starting spot many
Astros fans yearned for.
This sounds like the Astros, at
least now, envision Wallace as no more than Moore or Pearce, with maybe
slightly higher upside. Jeff Luhnow likely scouted Wallace as a member of
the St. Louis front-office, so he might know the upside and downside to his
game more than anyone. If he believed
Wallace was clearly the better option over Moore or Pearce, it would likely be
displayed on the field. Wallace, Pearce and Moore are likely fighting between themselves for spots on the 2013 roster.
This is squarely in line with the “throw
it against the wall and see what sticks” philosophy that the Astros front
office has displayed, whether it be with major league roster or in trade. Collect as many assets as you can, regardless
of pedigree. The best performing of the
groups will be seeing the field. Those
that aren’t could fall by the wayside.
That might not be fair, but it could
be effective.
So while Brad Mills daily lineup
machinations might leave a bit to be desired, it might not be entirely his idea
to platoon Wallace.
find me on twitter: @steveinLC
posted by dirty steve # 11:30 PM 
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