March 13, 2025 • 26 mins
On this edition of the Crawford Boxcast presented by Karbach Brewing, Chris Gordy and Ross Villarreal discuss the first few weeks of Astros Spring Training, as we are just two weeks away from opening day. Who will step up for the Houston Astros in 2025? What can we expect from Jose Altuve in left field? Can Hunter Brown establish himself as a dominant arm? When will Cam Smith make his big league debut? We talk all things Houston Astros.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
Astros fans, Cheers, Rocky Lucky. Welcome to the Crawford Box Cast,
as proud lead for you by Crawford Bach from Carbak Brewey,
you're getting that bear? Oh my goodness. The Crawford Box
Cast starts now here we go. Here's Chris Gordy and
(00:32):
Ross Viail.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And it is an.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
All new edition of the Crawford Box Cast, presented by
Carbock Brewing and the Crawford Bach. And we'll tell you
guys along the way a little bit about the new
Crawford pale Ale, which is hitting stores this week if
you have not seen it on the shelves.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So very fun stuff going on this time. You're Ross.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
We are two weeks out from opening day, so midway
spring training Asters getting ready for opening day? You guys
getting ready for opening day with your Crawford Bach. How
are feeling Ross through what we've seen so far with
spring training, how this team has come together? What are
your thoughts on the Al West Favorites.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, as always happens when we go out to West Palm,
I get super optimistic and then some of that kind
of goes away. I'm still pretty optimistic. Hoseel Tuve didn't
misplay a ball in left field today, A kind of
just mistimed his jump he got out there. Joe Spotta
talked about it on the TV broadcast. Good jump, didn't
(01:39):
really do a great job of judging where the ball
was and didn't time his jump correctly. Good jump when
I means like his initial running after the ball. Not
necessarily concerned about that, but you know he's gonna miss
a few plays. This is what spring training is for.
I still like the idea of him being out there.
It makes a lot of sense to me, especially when
(02:01):
you have guys like Maurice who dubon and Brendan Rodgers,
who are a good defensive second baseman. The other big
story that's been coming down lately is Cam Smith now
playing some right field today, playing five innings, zero batted
balls his way in right field. So we'll see what
happens as that goes on. But I would say where
we are right now as far as where we started
(02:23):
off hot and heavy on the Al two VA storyline. Now,
to me, it's kind of like where and when does
Cam Smith fit into this team? I think definitely people
are putting a little bit too much in to some
really good spring training production because some people have him
(02:43):
in the starting lineup, open a day, third base movies, iperettas,
do whatever you can. Chas mccarmick, you already out put
him in right field. These things take time. He's still
young and and we'll see. I don't think he mixsed
the opening day roster if you had to ask me
right now. We'll see his goes along. But he definitely
is going to factor in twenty twenty five for the Astros.
(03:04):
It's a matter of win.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah, let's start there with Cam Smith. Obviously, there's a
lot of excitement. I told you guys. I mean I
was there day one and got to interview him at
spring training when he first got there, and from the
moment I talked to with him, I was like, this
kid is just mature, be honest, years really really, you know,
got a good head on his shoulders, in a good
mindset and all that. But I think even after the
(03:28):
Kyle Tucker trade, Ross talking with some people who covered
the Chicago Cobs, they said, look, he's he's a good prospect.
We just don't know. Maybe in a year or so
he'll be ready. Like that was the thought. And then
I talked to some people with Diastros. They said, well, look,
he's the top prospect now coming in, Like, yeah, if
he you know, And then I go back to what
(03:48):
when I talked to with Joe spotted spring training, I said, uh,
I said, how realistic is it that he gets called
up there? He goes, Chris, if he hits, he's coming up,
he goes, We'll figure out position and all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
He goes. But if he hits, then that bat we need.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Well, so far through spring training he is hitting and
look at the numbers, zero for two today, but still
batting average at four oh nine. I mean, he was
above five hundred for about the past week in terms
of batting average, so it's an average is an all.
But he was driving in runs, he was scoring runs.
He had a couple of home runs. Yeah, so you know,
(04:23):
it's it's just one of those things.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Though.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I don't think this asters organization, whether it was Jeff Luno,
whether it was James Click, and even under Dana Brown,
they've never been ones to rush guys, but under Dana
Brown's tutelage, this has been the quickest we've seen guys
move up, you know, under pastor regimes, maybe Joey lo
(04:46):
Prafito waits three months, four months before he comes up.
He came up pretty quick. Now, there were fans clamoring
for him last year pretty quickly. Yeah, and it took
a little while to come up. And now of course
he was taking Zenzo came up through the system pretty
quickly last year. The pitchers too, Jake Bloss came up
and you know, pitched. I mean, they were not afraid
to pull the trigger. And Dana has the scout's eye,
(05:07):
and I think he knows when they're hesitant and not
bringing a guy up as quickly as people think. Dana knows,
but he also feels like his inclination is to fast
track some guys and bring them up. So I still
have to say, I don't think he's starting with the
big league club. Of course, we can get into the
specifics on service time and yeah, he's got to be
down in the minors for fourteen fifteen days before the
(05:29):
clock starts and all that kind of stuff. But I
just think him making the opening day roster. I feel
like he would have to do some really fantastic things
at the plate and either in the field or infield whatever.
Over these next two weeks of spring train.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
I think it would taken an injury at this point.
I mean, he can continue to tear the cover off
the ball. The fact of the matter is he is
He only has twenty plate appearances above a ball right
now as a professional, not counting what's happening here in
spring training of course, which it's been great. You're gonna
want to see it more at the minor league level,
and then if he's completely beating the door down, you
can make room for him somewhere. But I just don't think, again,
(06:07):
barring an injury, that it's going to be a situation
whereas he he's here right away.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yeah, and so we will see.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I mean there are some people making the argument, Look,
if he's hitting, put his bat in the lineup and
plug him in the right field. Look, he just made
his first start in right field today ever in a
mind league or in a spring training game. So, like,
I don't know, is it like put it this way.
Do I think he's going to start the ear off
in Corpus?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Probably not.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Do I think he's going to start the ear off
in sugar Land? Probably? How long is he in sugar Land?
Maybe a month? Well, I mean something like that. Yeah,
we'll see, but I think Dana doesn't want to, like,
in other words, they want to see what he Okay, look,
what you're doing in spring training is awesome, but go
show me at the triple A level. Go show me
your crushing bombs. Give me a reason to go. I
(06:54):
can't keep this kid in sugar Land very long. But
I just think it's a little bit much to go
to make the jumping go opening day roster, you are
starting opening day right fielder. That just seems like bat
not baseball malpractice, but like close, that's like not a
very smart decision, not major.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
League because when he's got major league baseball.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Because when he goes over four with three strikeouts against
the Mets an opening day, then what.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Are people gonna say?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Absolutely, he's not ready.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
His kid's not ready. They've made a mistake, right.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
It's it's the most difficult sport, especially when you factor
in I mean, how difficult is it hit the ball
and then going from the for going from a bow
to double A to triple A all the way to
the major leagues. It's not that easy. And I think
too many fans are acting like it's easy and like,
oh my god, he's hitting right now. In spring training
he's ready for the big leagues. And that's just not accurate.
It's just not real It's it's not realistic to me.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
We have the TV on here in the studio and
it's the it's the later innings of the spring training game.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
That guy didn't happen. I just number ninety three.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, it's guys that are not going to make the team.
So I don't even know if there's much value in
watching these. We do have some notes though. Bryce Matthews
was reassigned to minor league camp today. You know, that's
you know, that's a guy that's in the mix that
you know, some people think could could get called up
at some point this year. I think he very well could.
(08:12):
Some other notes. Paeder Leone played catch and hitting the
cage yesterday. He's been injured, so that's an interesting one.
Caleb Ort had no issues after throwing fifteen pitches yesterday.
So a guy that I thought, you know, is pretty
much a lock to make this team as a bullpen arm.
He's banged up, but he's starting to throw, so at least,
(08:32):
but he's not going to be on the opening gate roster,
or you know, at least available on opening Day. Lance
mccallers Junior through with Brian Mtacker twet this yesterday through
it should be his final live VP session. He threw
thirty games against Guillorme Short and Brendan Rodgers. He just
struck out two, had three balls put in play. Said
(08:53):
he hit ninety four miles per hour and felt good.
So we're on a good track here, Lance. Remember the
timeline he gave us in Everybody rolls there off. But
what he said a month ago is still looks to
be on pace that he's going to start this year
in Triple A or actually, I take it back, there
even could be a world where he starts the year,
stays in Florida for the four week, continues to throw
(09:15):
out there, then joins the Sugarlands Space Cowboys, pitches in
multiple games for them for about a month, and then
rejoins the Astros in some way, shape or form. But
I'm just bringing that up because all of the setbacks
Lansome Colors has had, it sounds like he's on pace here.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Yeah, like you said, he wants to get into some games.
You mentioned Tuesday or Wednesdays probably when he's going to
be able to pitch and it's all about him feeling
good and not having setbacks, and we're just gonna have
to go from there. I mean, he's thirty one years
old right now, hasn't pitched in the Major League since
twenty twenty two.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yeah, October of twenty twenty two in Philadelphia. That is
the last time we saw Lanceoma Colors on the mound
in what it was World Series. He's against the Phillies.
But that will be good to see him pitching in
a Grape for League game sometime next week. You know,
That's that's important. Other roster notes, like we mentioned Bryce
Matthew has been reassigned. Christian Walker hitting the cage today.
(10:15):
Ross fielded some ground.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Balls and ran.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
This oblique thing is it's it was a concern, but
it sounds like they avoided, you know, the worst case
scenario here. But again, this sounds like he's not gonna
be ready for Opening Day. Where will he be, we
don't know, but at least you've avoided the catastrophe so
far with Walker.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yeah, that's what it sounds like. That sounds good because
I was it. It's funny because we were talking about
this maybe I think on the last pot or somewhere
about not signed Jim Crane, not signing players to long
term deals but then signing old players to short term deals,
and it's like effectively the same thing. There's an injury risk,
there's decline risk, and all that type of stuff, and
(11:00):
then he went up and got hurt. But good news
is he's gonna be back. He is absolutely a huge
cornerstone of this offense. And I would even argue, I mean,
their second most important hitter after jord On Alvarez, as
far as guys you need to carry this offense.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Well, to me, it's jord On and al Tuove first
and second. But yeah, after that, I.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Would go Walker and then then al two v and
Diaz and whatever order you want to put him in.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
I'm gonna be really upset if al Twove is just
like a singles three hundred hitter this year, like he Hell,
the powers dropped a little, but he was still crushing
home runs.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Last he was hitting home runs. He changes approach, he
upped his swing rate a lot, so he's been swinging
a lot more. I think he kind of knows that
the decline, he doesn't have that same kind of back
to ball those.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Last few months of Michael Brandley were sad because it
was like it's gonna be He's still in a good swing.
He was getting base hits, but it was just singles
and there was nothing else to Michael Brandley's game.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Yeah, Al two kind of changed his approach last year
and it was still good. He was, but his ops
was like seven to ninety ish and that was shout
outs to four stock seven ninety. That's not where we
were used to the previous couple of years were was
closer to nine hundred. So we'll see. He turns thirty
five in April. We have to be realistic about that.
He's and it's not like he's one of those guys
(12:17):
you you expect a bigger, stronger type of person to
play like till they're forty. So I'm a little bit
worried about the decline of jose L Tuv and where
he's going to be. As far as the bat, I think,
did you have the spring training numbers? I think they've
been pretty decent, So we'll see how it goes from there.
But I think as far as big boppers in the
(12:38):
lineup to produce, it' jord On one and I'm putting
Walker to.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Just a few other notes. Again, Christian Walker hitting the
cage field of ground ball, so he's getting back to
doing some things. I would assume they want to get
him back into some string training games here right before
before the end of spring.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It'd be nice if he could hoe.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah't Sean Dubin, who's been nursing that shoulder. He was
playing catch yesterday, so he is not started throwing yet.
Luis Garcia is gonna throw a bullpen on Saturday. That's
good news there for him. So you know, again, some
people told me maybe mid season is probably weird. You
expect him sooner or later. I don't know, we'll see,
(13:14):
but everybody has their own schedule. And then jan ar
Diez was dealing with an illness but Brian McTaggart said
he's fine. So that's just kind of your your injury
update on everything. I do want to mention one guy
who has been we talk about being red hot in
spring training. You know, outside of Cam Smith, not a
ton of guy's been doing much. But you know who
has been doing something. Jeremy Pania. Yes, he was nine
(13:38):
for nine, nine for eighteen coming into today. He went
oh for two but he hit the ball hard to
ride field twice. Jerry Panne is seeing the seeing the
ball well right now. So that's really good. Like, Okay,
in a off season where you lose it Alex Bragman,
you lose a Kyle Tucker. You mention the importance of
Christian Walker. Obviously you want him to come in and
pick up the slack estak paratus. Look, he's not going
(13:59):
to be Bragman, but he could certainly still produce and
give you some hits and runs and all that. But
if Jeremy Payna wants to get back to looking like
World Series MVP Jeremy Payne, that won't go a long
way to help this.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Game be huge. You're not expected, I mean, he's still
he's not old, he's not young. Was he like twenty seven?
And you're not expecting this huge breakout. So it's not
like he's going to, you know, hit forty home runs
in three hundred or something like that. But if he
can get back to the twenty twenty five home runs,
up the average in the on base a little bit,
he's got some speed on the base pass, if he
(14:32):
can lift the ball a little bit more. He's so strong,
he's got very fast hands if he could, as he
talked about with I don't know who it was, but
it was in spring training about just not thinking as much,
getting in there and just letting his hands go and
getting a hold of something. And unfortunately we all know
(14:53):
breaking stuff low and away has really been an issue
for him. If he can be to what he was
his rookie year and then a little bit more than that,
like I said, not a full breakout, that'll be huge.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yeah, and again the big long slumps last year he did,
and that's what you're kind of looking for. I think
hearing fans feedback on seven ninety and just talking with people,
I think most people are at this point kind of
saying we have very low expectations for Jake Myers and
Chas McCormick, and I think at this point whatever they
give you is land yap, Like if they give you
(15:28):
something at the plate, great, but that's just kind of
what it is in center and right field. The importance, though,
is the other guys in this lineup, that one through
seven or through six at least has to help carry
this team and be the foundation of what they're gonna do.
That's al TUV, that's your on that's Peanya, that's saner Diez.
I mean, all the the guys with the new additions
we talked about, like those guys are gonna have to
(15:50):
carry this lineup and score runs and timely hitting. And
then again if Jake and Chaz can do could do something. Look,
Jake Myers sent a couple of home runs so far
this spring training, so it's something he.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Can't like he can catch lighting in a bottle. We
saw it may last year, but I mean the next
three months were like the worst months of his career.
He somehow started out as hot as he did and
still ended up with a worse offensive season than the
year prior. So maybe another year of some security in
the lineup, another year of just getting improved and further
(16:23):
removed from that really bad shoulder injury is going to
help him. But I'm with you as far as we
can be optimistic and convince ourselves that Altuve is going
to be great, Jordan's going to do his thing, Christian
Walker is as well. The improvement we talked about with
Jeremy Pania. Maybe you get some surprise out of somewhere
with some Dezenzo or some cam Smith to where this
(16:46):
this offense can be where you need to be to
be an American League West favorite, which they are, and
then beyond that to where the pitching is going to
carry the day. You just need to meet the offense
to be good enough. Yeah, and then of course injuries
can happen, and the Astros, to me, especially starting pitching,
(17:06):
would be hard pressed to suffer some of those. It'd
be really difficult to deal with. But I can still
convince myself this team can be of top five pitching
staff and a top ten offense and that's good enough
to win in about ninety games.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Let's talk a little on the pitching side of things
because we're a few weeks in the spring training here.
Most guys have had three or four outings and we
start to get a pretty good sample size on what
they're gonna or what they're looking like. Do you know
ross who leads the Astros currently in strikeouts in terms
of starting pitchers, Spencer Arraghedty, that's a good guess.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
He's got seven.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
He's he's right up there from Bervaldez actual only has four.
So the swing and miss not come on from for
from so far he had. He did lower the ram
back down four oh five. Uh, Spencerragetty actually leads a
team in walks with seven.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
That's that's a little hat.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Probably gonna happen as well.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Miss missing his spots, but he does of a one
to five ozho e Ra Hunter Brown has been really strong.
Two sixteen Era nine strikeouts on let's go only three walks.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
And then I'm not saying or no bloco here oh
here he is at the eight ten ERA for rows.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Not bad.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
He's only pitched three innings. That's fine, so he you know,
I'm not super worried about that.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
But how about Hayden was Nesky.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
He has pitched six and a third innings, He's got
eleven strikeouts.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Love it. That's your number five guy.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
Yeah, like I said, we can again, the health is
going to be a problem because especially you know, depending
on how far along Luis Garcilla, Lance mccolors go, and
if you can stave off some injuries maybe for a
month and then be fine with five six man starting
rotation with those guys, all those that we mentioned, they'd
be great. But I am a believer even when Hayden
(18:52):
was an Eski when the trade was made, and like
reading about how he's got really good stuff and they're
gonna tink her with his mix, and then they talked
about possibly adding a car ball. I'm not exactly sure
how how much he's throwing that. I heard after the
first time outing that he was tinkering with it, that
he kind of liked the results. I hadn't really been
following up with much after that, but having was Nesky
(19:14):
who has good stuffy. You come to the Astros and
you have good stuff, They're gonna find a way for
you to get out. We saw that when you say Kakuchi.
We've seen that with some other guys as well. So
I'm down for all that. And then you mentioned Hunter
Brown if he can keep that up, dude was the ace.
He was an ACE level pitcher second half of the season.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, And from Bervalde is being in a contract year,
he kind of need Hunter Brown to find.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Frober always knows his stats and his numbers, and because
he would contract the year from Fromber is good incentive.
That's a good carrot to dangle out in front of
him to keep him keeping the head on his shoulders straight,
which we know he sometimes has issues with.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Hunter Brown grew up idolizing Justin Verlander, who was a
stud ace hunter.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Who need you to be Vertlander?
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Yeah? He just to be a surefire, no doubt about it.
Hall of fame. That's that's all we're asking.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's not a big ask.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Some other guys who've pitched twelve for Ust Whitley we
talked about last week. He's got a one eighty e
RA in his appearances. Rafael Montero, the era is four fifty,
but he's had a He's had a couple of decent outings.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
I think he's a.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Guy who's gonna they're gonna put him in sugar Land
and they may they may put him with the big
league club Ross just because of his experience. It doesn't
cost anything. I mean, you're already paying. It's a net
loss hard you cost. You already paid him to go away,
and then you brought him back on waivers, so you
know you can throw him out there.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
But uh, that's.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
An interesting one. Brian to bray you how about this
or US four innings pitched so far, zero e RA.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
He's been money love it.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
And then the Josh hater we've seen just in you know,
small sample size, only a couple of innings, but to
give up some bombs and a six seventy five R.
But I'm not worried about Hater.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
I think Hater's gonna bounce back. I think he's gonna
be fine, Bray you. I'm worried a little bit about
the high usage the last couple of years. Hopefully he
doesn't kind of break down or anything like that. And
I think it's gonna be another year where they're going
to be in a lot of close games because of
good pitching and not as much hitting. So that's to
me kind of one of the back burner storylines to
(21:11):
keep an eye on as this season goes along. But
I think the bullpen's going to be okay.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
The one other note Bryce Matthews got who got reassigned today.
Joe spottis at second base as a place where he
thinks Bryce Matthews can find some comfort and we expect
to see a lot of that.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
In Triple A this season.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Let's going to move Bryce Matthews over to second and
say that could be your spot. And that's the thing
if they think Al Tuve in his career is just
done as a second baseman, where he's gonna do bond
I think you can plug him there, but I think
is probably better suited as your utility guy that can
move all around. So look, if the future of the
Astros is everyday second basement, Bryce Matthews, why not give
(21:51):
it a shot and let's see what you happen.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I love it moving around. That's what the minor leagues
are for experimenting. Basically.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
One more note here on the miss played ball by
jose L Tuovey at the wall today. Joe Spotta asked
about it, and he said his first step was good,
His direction was exactly what we're looking for. He got
to the right spot. He just needed to find the
wall and leap. He just jumped a little too early,
and that's what when you watch the highlight, that's what is.
He jumped too early.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Yeah, got a little too Outfielders do it every day.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Yeah, So look, we know it's going to be an experiment.
Are there going to be misplayed balls out there? Yes,
you just hope they don't cost you, But to be
honest with you, if they had kept them at second base,
they were going to be misplayed balls there. So it's
it kind of is what it is at this point.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
A lower leverage lower impact defensive position for a player
who he's we get to be honest, he's in the
twilight of his career. He's turning thirty five.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Well, let me ask you this, would you rather a
three hundred hitting jose L Tuovay and left, who's going
to have some misplayed balls? Or would you rather throw
another Jake Myers out there who is going to batch
some too under it but make great defensive plays.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean, you got to take the good with the
bat at this point.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Yeah, it's it's of lesser import as far as defensive ability,
like even I mean immediately demonstrated by the fact that
he didn't get a batted ball his way in his
first six innings. By the way, he played a full
nine innings and left today. Yeah, so they're really trying
to get him some work.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
They are trying to get him out there.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
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You gotta check it out limited edition brew in addition
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(23:41):
hop or coroma.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
I'm gonna get you said when this weekend.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
This is the end of this week.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Step up to the plate with Crawford pale Ala crisp
refreshing brew. It's always in the strike zone, smooth as
a double play, and bold enough to round all the bases.
It's the perfect companion for a game day or any day.
Crawford pale Ale well bringing you the spirit of baseball
to every sip. It will be available for us in
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Speaker 1 (24:06):
I'm going out. I love pale Als. I'm gonna try.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
One limited edition, grab it while it's available. Portion of
the proceeds, of course, benefit the Astros Foundation. So uh yeah,
I'm excited. I've not tried it yet. Excited to get
my hands on one or lips on one here and
we will enjoy the pale Ale from Crawford Bocke in
addition to the traditional Crawford bock, which, by the way,
I was at the College Classic two weeks ago at
(24:30):
dyke In Park. Yes's had a couple of Crawford box
It was very.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Nice, wonderful.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
He had the roof up at two and the weather
was awesome, so it tasted even better. Not gonna lize
when the roof is open, the beers taste even better.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
They do they really do.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Any closing thoughts here you got in the astros is
we're two weeks from opening day.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Today, closing thoughts get well, Christian Walker and Cam Smith
and right Field win. We'll figure it Outjsel two.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
Is going to be fine and left I can't wait
to go back and listen to this podcast months from
now and be like, we're so stupid, Cam Smith, he's
patting five hundred of the big leagues? Why why did
we not say this?
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Guy?
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Sho started with that I'm gonna bet the under on that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Probably it'd be great.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Look if he wants to exceed my expectations, that's great.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
It will be uh, it will be fun to watch.
And should mention opening day, we will be out there
at Astro street Fest. You will be broadcasting with Yes,
Adam Wexl and Adam Clint. Matt Thomas will be on
the road with the Rockets. So given me a lot
of fun. Street Fest. That's always a fun day. Typically
the weather's great and it's just fun to be around
Astros fans and the excitement, the optimism where it's opening
(25:35):
day and everybody is zero.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
And zero yes, and there's loud loud bands in the background.
Can't wait.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Well, you know it's there. They're further away.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Than Ambiyonce as we call it.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
You get a lot of fans who walk up and
ask are you ross? You know a lot of that,
not a lot, but we'll take what we can get.
No auto, no autographs, So Matt Thomas gets the occasional autograph.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Hold on, now, I've signed two autographs. I think in
my life ever.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Signed the baby forehead.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
I would do that. I'd love to sign your baby.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
All right, grab an ice called Crawford Box. This has
been an all new Crawford Box cast presented by Carbox,
borrowing in the Crawford Bak
Astros fans, Cheers, Rocky Lucky. Welcome to the Crawford Box Cast,
as proud lead for you by Crawford Bach from Carbak Brewey,
you're getting that bear? Oh my goodness. The Crawford Box
Cast starts now here we go. Here's Chris Gordy and
(00:32):
Ross Viail.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And it is an.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
All new edition of the Crawford Box Cast, presented by
Carbock Brewing and the Crawford Bach. And we'll tell you
guys along the way a little bit about the new
Crawford pale Ale, which is hitting stores this week if
you have not seen it on the shelves.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So very fun stuff going on this time. You're Ross.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
We are two weeks out from opening day, so midway
spring training Asters getting ready for opening day? You guys
getting ready for opening day with your Crawford Bach. How
are feeling Ross through what we've seen so far with
spring training, how this team has come together? What are
your thoughts on the Al West Favorites.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, as always happens when we go out to West Palm,
I get super optimistic and then some of that kind
of goes away. I'm still pretty optimistic. Hoseel Tuve didn't
misplay a ball in left field today, A kind of
just mistimed his jump he got out there. Joe Spotta
talked about it on the TV broadcast. Good jump, didn't
(01:39):
really do a great job of judging where the ball
was and didn't time his jump correctly. Good jump when
I means like his initial running after the ball. Not
necessarily concerned about that, but you know he's gonna miss
a few plays. This is what spring training is for.
I still like the idea of him being out there.
It makes a lot of sense to me, especially when
(02:01):
you have guys like Maurice who dubon and Brendan Rodgers,
who are a good defensive second baseman. The other big
story that's been coming down lately is Cam Smith now
playing some right field today, playing five innings, zero batted
balls his way in right field. So we'll see what
happens as that goes on. But I would say where
we are right now as far as where we started
(02:23):
off hot and heavy on the Al two VA storyline. Now,
to me, it's kind of like where and when does
Cam Smith fit into this team? I think definitely people
are putting a little bit too much in to some
really good spring training production because some people have him
(02:43):
in the starting lineup, open a day, third base movies, iperettas,
do whatever you can. Chas mccarmick, you already out put
him in right field. These things take time. He's still
young and and we'll see. I don't think he mixsed
the opening day roster if you had to ask me
right now. We'll see his goes along. But he definitely
is going to factor in twenty twenty five for the Astros.
(03:04):
It's a matter of win.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah, let's start there with Cam Smith. Obviously, there's a
lot of excitement. I told you guys. I mean I
was there day one and got to interview him at
spring training when he first got there, and from the
moment I talked to with him, I was like, this
kid is just mature, be honest, years really really, you know,
got a good head on his shoulders, in a good
mindset and all that. But I think even after the
(03:28):
Kyle Tucker trade, Ross talking with some people who covered
the Chicago Cobs, they said, look, he's he's a good prospect.
We just don't know. Maybe in a year or so
he'll be ready. Like that was the thought. And then
I talked to some people with Diastros. They said, well, look,
he's the top prospect now coming in, Like, yeah, if
he you know, And then I go back to what
(03:48):
when I talked to with Joe spotted spring training, I said, uh,
I said, how realistic is it that he gets called
up there? He goes, Chris, if he hits, he's coming up,
he goes, We'll figure out position and all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
He goes. But if he hits, then that bat we need.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Well, so far through spring training he is hitting and
look at the numbers, zero for two today, but still
batting average at four oh nine. I mean, he was
above five hundred for about the past week in terms
of batting average, so it's an average is an all.
But he was driving in runs, he was scoring runs.
He had a couple of home runs. Yeah, so you know,
(04:23):
it's it's just one of those things.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Though.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I don't think this asters organization, whether it was Jeff Luno,
whether it was James Click, and even under Dana Brown,
they've never been ones to rush guys, but under Dana
Brown's tutelage, this has been the quickest we've seen guys
move up, you know, under pastor regimes, maybe Joey lo
(04:46):
Prafito waits three months, four months before he comes up.
He came up pretty quick. Now, there were fans clamoring
for him last year pretty quickly. Yeah, and it took
a little while to come up. And now of course
he was taking Zenzo came up through the system pretty
quickly last year. The pitchers too, Jake Bloss came up
and you know, pitched. I mean, they were not afraid
to pull the trigger. And Dana has the scout's eye,
(05:07):
and I think he knows when they're hesitant and not
bringing a guy up as quickly as people think. Dana knows,
but he also feels like his inclination is to fast
track some guys and bring them up. So I still
have to say, I don't think he's starting with the
big league club. Of course, we can get into the
specifics on service time and yeah, he's got to be
down in the minors for fourteen fifteen days before the
(05:29):
clock starts and all that kind of stuff. But I
just think him making the opening day roster. I feel
like he would have to do some really fantastic things
at the plate and either in the field or infield whatever.
Over these next two weeks of spring train.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
I think it would taken an injury at this point.
I mean, he can continue to tear the cover off
the ball. The fact of the matter is he is
He only has twenty plate appearances above a ball right
now as a professional, not counting what's happening here in
spring training of course, which it's been great. You're gonna
want to see it more at the minor league level,
and then if he's completely beating the door down, you
can make room for him somewhere. But I just don't think, again,
(06:07):
barring an injury, that it's going to be a situation
whereas he he's here right away.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yeah, and so we will see.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I mean there are some people making the argument, Look,
if he's hitting, put his bat in the lineup and
plug him in the right field. Look, he just made
his first start in right field today ever in a
mind league or in a spring training game. So, like,
I don't know, is it like put it this way.
Do I think he's going to start the ear off
in Corpus?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Probably not.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Do I think he's going to start the ear off
in sugar Land? Probably? How long is he in sugar Land?
Maybe a month? Well, I mean something like that. Yeah,
we'll see, but I think Dana doesn't want to, like,
in other words, they want to see what he Okay, look,
what you're doing in spring training is awesome, but go
show me at the triple A level. Go show me
your crushing bombs. Give me a reason to go. I
(06:54):
can't keep this kid in sugar Land very long. But
I just think it's a little bit much to go
to make the jumping go opening day roster, you are
starting opening day right fielder. That just seems like bat
not baseball malpractice, but like close, that's like not a
very smart decision, not major.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
League because when he's got major league baseball.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Because when he goes over four with three strikeouts against
the Mets an opening day, then what.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Are people gonna say?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Absolutely, he's not ready.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
His kid's not ready. They've made a mistake, right.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
It's it's the most difficult sport, especially when you factor
in I mean, how difficult is it hit the ball
and then going from the for going from a bow
to double A to triple A all the way to
the major leagues. It's not that easy. And I think
too many fans are acting like it's easy and like,
oh my god, he's hitting right now. In spring training
he's ready for the big leagues. And that's just not accurate.
It's just not real It's it's not realistic to me.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
We have the TV on here in the studio and
it's the it's the later innings of the spring training game.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
That guy didn't happen. I just number ninety three.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, it's guys that are not going to make the team.
So I don't even know if there's much value in
watching these. We do have some notes though. Bryce Matthews
was reassigned to minor league camp today. You know, that's
you know, that's a guy that's in the mix that
you know, some people think could could get called up
at some point this year. I think he very well could.
(08:12):
Some other notes. Paeder Leone played catch and hitting the
cage yesterday. He's been injured, so that's an interesting one.
Caleb Ort had no issues after throwing fifteen pitches yesterday.
So a guy that I thought, you know, is pretty
much a lock to make this team as a bullpen arm.
He's banged up, but he's starting to throw, so at least,
(08:32):
but he's not going to be on the opening gate roster,
or you know, at least available on opening Day. Lance
mccallers Junior through with Brian Mtacker twet this yesterday through
it should be his final live VP session. He threw
thirty games against Guillorme Short and Brendan Rodgers. He just
struck out two, had three balls put in play. Said
(08:53):
he hit ninety four miles per hour and felt good.
So we're on a good track here, Lance. Remember the
timeline he gave us in Everybody rolls there off. But
what he said a month ago is still looks to
be on pace that he's going to start this year
in Triple A or actually, I take it back, there
even could be a world where he starts the year,
stays in Florida for the four week, continues to throw
(09:15):
out there, then joins the Sugarlands Space Cowboys, pitches in
multiple games for them for about a month, and then
rejoins the Astros in some way, shape or form. But
I'm just bringing that up because all of the setbacks
Lansome Colors has had, it sounds like he's on pace here.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Yeah, like you said, he wants to get into some games.
You mentioned Tuesday or Wednesdays probably when he's going to
be able to pitch and it's all about him feeling
good and not having setbacks, and we're just gonna have
to go from there. I mean, he's thirty one years
old right now, hasn't pitched in the Major League since
twenty twenty two.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yeah, October of twenty twenty two in Philadelphia. That is
the last time we saw Lanceoma Colors on the mound
in what it was World Series. He's against the Phillies.
But that will be good to see him pitching in
a Grape for League game sometime next week. You know,
That's that's important. Other roster notes, like we mentioned Bryce
Matthew has been reassigned. Christian Walker hitting the cage today.
(10:15):
Ross fielded some ground.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Balls and ran.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
This oblique thing is it's it was a concern, but
it sounds like they avoided, you know, the worst case
scenario here. But again, this sounds like he's not gonna
be ready for Opening Day. Where will he be, we
don't know, but at least you've avoided the catastrophe so
far with Walker.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yeah, that's what it sounds like. That sounds good because
I was it. It's funny because we were talking about
this maybe I think on the last pot or somewhere
about not signed Jim Crane, not signing players to long
term deals but then signing old players to short term deals,
and it's like effectively the same thing. There's an injury risk,
there's decline risk, and all that type of stuff, and
(11:00):
then he went up and got hurt. But good news
is he's gonna be back. He is absolutely a huge
cornerstone of this offense. And I would even argue, I mean,
their second most important hitter after jord On Alvarez, as
far as guys you need to carry this offense.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Well, to me, it's jord On and al Tuove first
and second. But yeah, after that, I.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Would go Walker and then then al two v and
Diaz and whatever order you want to put him in.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
I'm gonna be really upset if al Twove is just
like a singles three hundred hitter this year, like he Hell,
the powers dropped a little, but he was still crushing
home runs.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Last he was hitting home runs. He changes approach, he
upped his swing rate a lot, so he's been swinging
a lot more. I think he kind of knows that
the decline, he doesn't have that same kind of back
to ball those.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Last few months of Michael Brandley were sad because it
was like it's gonna be He's still in a good swing.
He was getting base hits, but it was just singles
and there was nothing else to Michael Brandley's game.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Yeah, Al two kind of changed his approach last year
and it was still good. He was, but his ops
was like seven to ninety ish and that was shout
outs to four stock seven ninety. That's not where we
were used to the previous couple of years were was
closer to nine hundred. So we'll see. He turns thirty
five in April. We have to be realistic about that.
He's and it's not like he's one of those guys
(12:17):
you you expect a bigger, stronger type of person to
play like till they're forty. So I'm a little bit
worried about the decline of jose L Tuv and where
he's going to be. As far as the bat, I think,
did you have the spring training numbers? I think they've
been pretty decent, So we'll see how it goes from there.
But I think as far as big boppers in the
(12:38):
lineup to produce, it' jord On one and I'm putting
Walker to.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Just a few other notes. Again, Christian Walker hitting the
cage field of ground ball, so he's getting back to
doing some things. I would assume they want to get
him back into some string training games here right before
before the end of spring.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It'd be nice if he could hoe.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah't Sean Dubin, who's been nursing that shoulder. He was
playing catch yesterday, so he is not started throwing yet.
Luis Garcia is gonna throw a bullpen on Saturday. That's
good news there for him. So you know, again, some
people told me maybe mid season is probably weird. You
expect him sooner or later. I don't know, we'll see,
(13:14):
but everybody has their own schedule. And then jan ar
Diez was dealing with an illness but Brian McTaggart said
he's fine. So that's just kind of your your injury
update on everything. I do want to mention one guy
who has been we talk about being red hot in
spring training. You know, outside of Cam Smith, not a
ton of guy's been doing much. But you know who
has been doing something. Jeremy Pania. Yes, he was nine
(13:38):
for nine, nine for eighteen coming into today. He went
oh for two but he hit the ball hard to
ride field twice. Jerry Panne is seeing the seeing the
ball well right now. So that's really good. Like, Okay,
in a off season where you lose it Alex Bragman,
you lose a Kyle Tucker. You mention the importance of
Christian Walker. Obviously you want him to come in and
pick up the slack estak paratus. Look, he's not going
(13:59):
to be Bragman, but he could certainly still produce and
give you some hits and runs and all that. But
if Jeremy Payna wants to get back to looking like
World Series MVP Jeremy Payne, that won't go a long
way to help this.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Game be huge. You're not expected, I mean, he's still
he's not old, he's not young. Was he like twenty seven?
And you're not expecting this huge breakout. So it's not
like he's going to, you know, hit forty home runs
in three hundred or something like that. But if he
can get back to the twenty twenty five home runs,
up the average in the on base a little bit,
he's got some speed on the base pass, if he
(14:32):
can lift the ball a little bit more. He's so strong,
he's got very fast hands if he could, as he
talked about with I don't know who it was, but
it was in spring training about just not thinking as much,
getting in there and just letting his hands go and
getting a hold of something. And unfortunately we all know
(14:53):
breaking stuff low and away has really been an issue
for him. If he can be to what he was
his rookie year and then a little bit more than that,
like I said, not a full breakout, that'll be huge.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yeah, and again the big long slumps last year he did,
and that's what you're kind of looking for. I think
hearing fans feedback on seven ninety and just talking with people,
I think most people are at this point kind of
saying we have very low expectations for Jake Myers and
Chas McCormick, and I think at this point whatever they
give you is land yap, Like if they give you
(15:28):
something at the plate, great, but that's just kind of
what it is in center and right field. The importance, though,
is the other guys in this lineup, that one through
seven or through six at least has to help carry
this team and be the foundation of what they're gonna do.
That's al TUV, that's your on that's Peanya, that's saner Diez.
I mean, all the the guys with the new additions
we talked about, like those guys are gonna have to
(15:50):
carry this lineup and score runs and timely hitting. And
then again if Jake and Chaz can do could do something. Look,
Jake Myers sent a couple of home runs so far
this spring training, so it's something he.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Can't like he can catch lighting in a bottle. We
saw it may last year, but I mean the next
three months were like the worst months of his career.
He somehow started out as hot as he did and
still ended up with a worse offensive season than the
year prior. So maybe another year of some security in
the lineup, another year of just getting improved and further
(16:23):
removed from that really bad shoulder injury is going to
help him. But I'm with you as far as we
can be optimistic and convince ourselves that Altuve is going
to be great, Jordan's going to do his thing, Christian
Walker is as well. The improvement we talked about with
Jeremy Pania. Maybe you get some surprise out of somewhere
with some Dezenzo or some cam Smith to where this
(16:46):
this offense can be where you need to be to
be an American League West favorite, which they are, and
then beyond that to where the pitching is going to
carry the day. You just need to meet the offense
to be good enough. Yeah, and then of course injuries
can happen, and the Astros, to me, especially starting pitching,
(17:06):
would be hard pressed to suffer some of those. It'd
be really difficult to deal with. But I can still
convince myself this team can be of top five pitching
staff and a top ten offense and that's good enough
to win in about ninety games.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Let's talk a little on the pitching side of things
because we're a few weeks in the spring training here.
Most guys have had three or four outings and we
start to get a pretty good sample size on what
they're gonna or what they're looking like. Do you know
ross who leads the Astros currently in strikeouts in terms
of starting pitchers, Spencer Arraghedty, that's a good guess.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
He's got seven.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
He's he's right up there from Bervaldez actual only has four.
So the swing and miss not come on from for
from so far he had. He did lower the ram
back down four oh five. Uh, Spencerragetty actually leads a
team in walks with seven.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
That's that's a little hat.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Probably gonna happen as well.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Miss missing his spots, but he does of a one
to five ozho e Ra Hunter Brown has been really strong.
Two sixteen Era nine strikeouts on let's go only three walks.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
And then I'm not saying or no bloco here oh
here he is at the eight ten ERA for rows.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Not bad.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
He's only pitched three innings. That's fine, so he you know,
I'm not super worried about that.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
But how about Hayden was Nesky.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
He has pitched six and a third innings, He's got
eleven strikeouts.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Love it. That's your number five guy.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
Yeah, like I said, we can again, the health is
going to be a problem because especially you know, depending
on how far along Luis Garcilla, Lance mccolors go, and
if you can stave off some injuries maybe for a
month and then be fine with five six man starting
rotation with those guys, all those that we mentioned, they'd
be great. But I am a believer even when Hayden
(18:52):
was an Eski when the trade was made, and like
reading about how he's got really good stuff and they're
gonna tink her with his mix, and then they talked
about possibly adding a car ball. I'm not exactly sure
how how much he's throwing that. I heard after the
first time outing that he was tinkering with it, that
he kind of liked the results. I hadn't really been
following up with much after that, but having was Nesky
(19:14):
who has good stuffy. You come to the Astros and
you have good stuff, They're gonna find a way for
you to get out. We saw that when you say Kakuchi.
We've seen that with some other guys as well. So
I'm down for all that. And then you mentioned Hunter
Brown if he can keep that up, dude was the ace.
He was an ACE level pitcher second half of the season.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, And from Bervalde is being in a contract year,
he kind of need Hunter Brown to find.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Frober always knows his stats and his numbers, and because
he would contract the year from Fromber is good incentive.
That's a good carrot to dangle out in front of
him to keep him keeping the head on his shoulders straight,
which we know he sometimes has issues with.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Hunter Brown grew up idolizing Justin Verlander, who was a
stud ace hunter.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Who need you to be Vertlander?
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Yeah? He just to be a surefire, no doubt about it.
Hall of fame. That's that's all we're asking.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's not a big ask.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Some other guys who've pitched twelve for Ust Whitley we
talked about last week. He's got a one eighty e
RA in his appearances. Rafael Montero, the era is four fifty,
but he's had a He's had a couple of decent outings.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
I think he's a.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Guy who's gonna they're gonna put him in sugar Land
and they may they may put him with the big
league club Ross just because of his experience. It doesn't
cost anything. I mean, you're already paying. It's a net
loss hard you cost. You already paid him to go away,
and then you brought him back on waivers, so you
know you can throw him out there.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
But uh, that's.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
An interesting one. Brian to bray you how about this
or US four innings pitched so far, zero e RA.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
He's been money love it.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
And then the Josh hater we've seen just in you know,
small sample size, only a couple of innings, but to
give up some bombs and a six seventy five R.
But I'm not worried about Hater.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
I think Hater's gonna bounce back. I think he's gonna
be fine, Bray you. I'm worried a little bit about
the high usage the last couple of years. Hopefully he
doesn't kind of break down or anything like that. And
I think it's gonna be another year where they're going
to be in a lot of close games because of
good pitching and not as much hitting. So that's to
me kind of one of the back burner storylines to
(21:11):
keep an eye on as this season goes along. But
I think the bullpen's going to be okay.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
The one other note Bryce Matthews got who got reassigned today.
Joe spottis at second base as a place where he
thinks Bryce Matthews can find some comfort and we expect
to see a lot of that.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
In Triple A this season.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Let's going to move Bryce Matthews over to second and
say that could be your spot. And that's the thing
if they think Al Tuve in his career is just
done as a second baseman, where he's gonna do bond
I think you can plug him there, but I think
is probably better suited as your utility guy that can
move all around. So look, if the future of the
Astros is everyday second basement, Bryce Matthews, why not give
(21:51):
it a shot and let's see what you happen.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I love it moving around. That's what the minor leagues
are for experimenting. Basically.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
One more note here on the miss played ball by
jose L Tuovey at the wall today. Joe Spotta asked
about it, and he said his first step was good,
His direction was exactly what we're looking for. He got
to the right spot. He just needed to find the
wall and leap. He just jumped a little too early,
and that's what when you watch the highlight, that's what is.
He jumped too early.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Yeah, got a little too Outfielders do it every day.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Yeah, So look, we know it's going to be an experiment.
Are there going to be misplayed balls out there? Yes,
you just hope they don't cost you, But to be
honest with you, if they had kept them at second base,
they were going to be misplayed balls there. So it's
it kind of is what it is at this point.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
A lower leverage lower impact defensive position for a player
who he's we get to be honest, he's in the
twilight of his career. He's turning thirty five.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Well, let me ask you this, would you rather a
three hundred hitting jose L Tuovay and left, who's going
to have some misplayed balls? Or would you rather throw
another Jake Myers out there who is going to batch
some too under it but make great defensive plays.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean, you got to take the good with the
bat at this point.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Yeah, it's it's of lesser import as far as defensive ability,
like even I mean immediately demonstrated by the fact that
he didn't get a batted ball his way in his
first six innings. By the way, he played a full
nine innings and left today. Yeah, so they're really trying
to get him some work.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
They are trying to get him out there.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Hey, want to let you guys know, the Crawford pale
Ale is hitting shell shelves the end of this coming week.
You gotta check it out limited edition brew in addition
to the Crawford Bock, it's the Crawford pale Ale five
point five percent alcohol by volume. An approachable pale ale
ross offering mild bitterness with grassy citrus and stone fruit
(23:41):
hop or coroma.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
I'm gonna get you said when this weekend.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
This is the end of this week.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Step up to the plate with Crawford pale Ala crisp
refreshing brew. It's always in the strike zone, smooth as
a double play, and bold enough to round all the bases.
It's the perfect companion for a game day or any day.
Crawford pale Ale well bringing you the spirit of baseball
to every sip. It will be available for us in
stores and at Dkin Park.
Speaker 1 (24:06):
I'm going out. I love pale Als. I'm gonna try.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
One limited edition, grab it while it's available. Portion of
the proceeds, of course, benefit the Astros Foundation. So uh yeah,
I'm excited. I've not tried it yet. Excited to get
my hands on one or lips on one here and
we will enjoy the pale Ale from Crawford Bocke in
addition to the traditional Crawford bock, which, by the way,
I was at the College Classic two weeks ago at
(24:30):
dyke In Park. Yes's had a couple of Crawford box
It was very.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Nice, wonderful.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
He had the roof up at two and the weather
was awesome, so it tasted even better. Not gonna lize
when the roof is open, the beers taste even better.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
They do they really do.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Any closing thoughts here you got in the astros is
we're two weeks from opening day.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Today, closing thoughts get well, Christian Walker and Cam Smith
and right Field win. We'll figure it Outjsel two.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
Is going to be fine and left I can't wait
to go back and listen to this podcast months from
now and be like, we're so stupid, Cam Smith, he's
patting five hundred of the big leagues? Why why did
we not say this?
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Guy?
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Sho started with that I'm gonna bet the under on that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Probably it'd be great.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Look if he wants to exceed my expectations, that's great.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
It will be uh, it will be fun to watch.
And should mention opening day, we will be out there
at Astro street Fest. You will be broadcasting with Yes,
Adam Wexl and Adam Clint. Matt Thomas will be on
the road with the Rockets. So given me a lot
of fun. Street Fest. That's always a fun day. Typically
the weather's great and it's just fun to be around
Astros fans and the excitement, the optimism where it's opening
(25:35):
day and everybody is zero.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
And zero yes, and there's loud loud bands in the background.
Can't wait.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Well, you know it's there. They're further away.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Than Ambiyonce as we call it.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
You get a lot of fans who walk up and
ask are you ross? You know a lot of that,
not a lot, but we'll take what we can get.
No auto, no autographs, So Matt Thomas gets the occasional autograph.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Hold on, now, I've signed two autographs. I think in
my life ever.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Signed the baby forehead.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
I would do that. I'd love to sign your baby.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
All right, grab an ice called Crawford Box. This has
been an all new Crawford Box cast presented by Carbox,
borrowing in the Crawford Bak
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