McCullers

[bearbryant]

I'm just sayin is all .. the guy's had four seasons now and he can't go 120 IP without getting hurt. Maybe it's time to consider he's not a starter?

[Saint]

Aug 5, 2018 1:44:57 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

I'm just sayin is all .. the guy's had four seasons now and he can't go 120 IP without getting hurt. Maybe it's time to consider he's not a starter?

I've always thought he would be a dominant reliever with his velocity and curve ball.

[thomasj13]

Aug 5, 2018 7:55:05 GMT -6 Saint said:

Aug 5, 2018 1:44:57 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

I'm just sayin is all .. the guy's had four seasons now and he can't go 120 IP without getting hurt. Maybe it's time to consider he's not a starter?

I've always thought he would be a dominant reliever with his velocity and curve ball.

Well the top pitching prospects better come through, because the Astros will need McCullers in the rotation if they dont.

[Deleted]

Bear, it's a funny thing you bring this up, because, as hard as i researched last night I could not find a website that provides an injury history for players.

Anecdotally, I got to venture he has never gone a straight 100 IP without some kind of medical issue.

[astrosdoug]

This is as good a time as any for Lance to take his 6 weeks off before coming back in time for the playoffs.

Not so bad overall when the first starter to go on the DL happens to be the one with the highest ERA.

Kudos to Luhnow for carrying Peacock and McHugh all year for precisely this kind of contingency.

[blcoach8]

McCullers is usually on the dLbefore making this many starts.

[astrosdoug]

Aug 5, 2018 8:22:13 GMT -6 @txheat10k said:

Bear, it's a funny thing you bring this up, because, as hard as i researched last night I could not find a website that provides an injury history for players.

Anecdotally, I got to venture he has never gone a straight 100 IP without some kind of medical issue.

I think it was Baseball Prospectus which used to keep detailed injury reports on players, but they stopped doing it several years ago. 

This is probably one of those types of information that is available for purchase by teams and other organizations that have a vested interest in it. 

[thomasj13]

Aug 5, 2018 8:23:29 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

This is as good a time as any for Lance to take his 6 weeks off before coming back in time for the playoffs.

Not so bad overall when the first starter to go on the DL happens to be the one with the highest ERA.

Kudos to Luhnow for carrying Peacock and McHugh all year for precisely this kind of contingency.

Let's just hope it is only a 6 weeks injury...

[m240]

Back in 2000 Houston had a bunch of young pitchers who were starting to make their mark.  One of them was Roy Oswalt and another was a guy name Wade Miller.  Miller had a big fastball and a nasty slider.  Miller's first couple of years he did real well but he always seemed to have some sort of injures.  He made it to 200 innings once or twice but he also made the disabled list pretty often as well.  His delivery was called violent.  His mechanics were called raw.  No one pushed the issue with him becoming a reliever because his value as a guy who could deliver on 200 innings was so high.  I had a lot of arguments with my brothers as well as message board attendees about converting him to a high leverage reliever.  The whole thought was laughed at but I stuck to my guns and I took no pleasure in the fact that in a very short time Miller was out of baseball.  His arm and should a mess.  

I have the same opinion of McCullers.  He has a great one two punch that would be dynamic as a high leverage reliever.  I doubt that he will ever be used in this capacity but think about how great that would be if he could come into 3 or 4 games a week and have an inning like the first last night.  Lights out, game over, so sit down.  To bad it will never happen though.

[unionstation82]

Is there something off with his mechanics? Why is he always hurt? Out of all the pitchers, he seemed like the biggest risk for TJS. Everything is so high effort from him. His delivery doesn’t look easy, and he’s always tensing up his shoulders and back on the mound. He’s also not slaying hitters with the curveball as much this season as it’s had diminished break to it.

[blcoach8]

I figured he would be on the DL at some point.....that is his trademark

[blcoach8]

Astros have placed McCullers on the 10-day DL and activated Roberto Osuna. When Lance was injured last night, I expected this would be the move made to put Osuna on the roster.

[talshill]

I don't know what to think of McCullers. The kid has wicked stuff but I think his biggest issues are anxiety and some immaturity.

[blcoach8]

Aug 5, 2018 11:22:22 GMT -6 talshill said:

I don't know what to think of McCullers. The kid has wicked stuff but I think his biggest issues are anxiety and some immaturity.

*****

[olpapa]

When I hear the words “elbow and forearm discomfort,” I immediately think TJS. If McCullers is done for the year, what moves would you make? I’m assuming McHugh will take his spot in the rotation.

[thomasj13]

Aug 5, 2018 12:55:40 GMT -6 olpapa said:

When I hear the words “elbow and forearm discomfort,” I immediately think TJS. If McCullers is done for the year, what moves would you make? I’m assuming McHugh will take his spot in the rotation.

Yeah, those two words together for a pitcher are not the best of combos...I do like the suggestion on him being converted to the pen in the future...but do the Astros really have the arms that are good enough to replace him in 2019 and 2020...

[blcoach8]

Aug 5, 2018 13:46:20 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Aug 5, 2018 12:55:40 GMT -6 olpapa said:

When I hear the words “elbow and forearm discomfort,” I immediately think TJS. If McCullers is done for the year, what moves would you make? I’m assuming McHugh will take his spot in the rotation.

Yeah, those two words together for a pitcher are not the best of combos...I do like the suggestion on him being converted to the pen in the future...but do the Astros really have the arms that are good enough to replace him in 2019 and 2020...

The pen may be the best place for him.  He has dominating stuff to be effective in that role.

[olpapa]

Aug 5, 2018 13:46:20 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Aug 5, 2018 12:55:40 GMT -6 olpapa said:

When I hear the words “elbow and forearm discomfort,” I immediately think TJS. If McCullers is done for the year, what moves would you make? I’m assuming McHugh will take his spot in the rotation.

Yeah, those two words together for a pitcher are not the best of combos...I do like the suggestion on him being converted to the pen in the future...but do the Astros really have the arms that are good enough to replace him in 2019 and 2020...

McHugh can move back into the rotation, Cionel Perez has already debuted, Armenteros is ready and waiting for a spot to open on the Astros and we’ve got some promising arms on the farm that are projected to debut in 2019 and 2020:

2019 - Whitley, Josh James

2020 - Corbin Martin, JB Bukauskus, Cristian Javier, Brandon Bielak

[m240]

Aug 5, 2018 19:32:19 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Aug 5, 2018 13:46:20 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Yeah, those two words together for a pitcher are not the best of combos...I do like the suggestion on him being converted to the pen in the future...but do the Astros really have the arms that are good enough to replace him in 2019 and 2020...

McHugh can move back into the rotation, Cionel Perez has already debuted, Armenteros is ready and waiting for a spot to open on the Astros and we’ve got some promising arms on the farm that are projected to debut in 2019 and 2020:

2019 - Whitley, Josh James

2020 - Corbin Martin, JB Bukauskus, Cristian Javier, Brandon Bielak

Of those listed right there the two guys that I think will be Astros fixtures for years to come are Whitley and Martin.  Bukauskus and James will become relievers and Perez, Armenteros, Javier, and Bielak will be elsewhere by 2020.  No inside information here just my opinion.  

[astrosdoug]

Aug 5, 2018 12:55:40 GMT -6 olpapa said:

When I hear the words “elbow and forearm discomfort,” I immediately think TJS. If McCullers is done for the year, what moves would you make? I’m assuming McHugh will take his spot in the rotation.

35% chance that that is an improvement for the regular season 

but in terms of fortifying the postseason bullpen, good to have Pressly and Osuna aboard 

and maybe Cionel Perez makes a contribution too 

[bearbryant]

Aug 5, 2018 10:03:48 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Is there something off with his mechanics? Why is he always hurt? Out of all the pitchers, he seemed like the biggest risk for TJS. Everything is so high effort from him. His delivery doesn’t look easy, and he’s always tensing up his shoulders and back on the mound. He’s also not slaying hitters with the curveball as much this season as it’s had diminished break to it.

There's something about his delivery that isn't conducive to long-term success as a starter. It wouldn't be a bad idea to recognize that sooner rather than later while he's
still in the organization. Everything being high-effort with him shows he's got the mentality for back-end pen duty the way I see it. Collin could help with his transition

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Chryon just popped up saying McCullers is out until sometime in September.

[unionstation82]

Aug 6, 2018 18:58:20 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Aug 5, 2018 10:03:48 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Is there something off with his mechanics? Why is he always hurt? Out of all the pitchers, he seemed like the biggest risk for TJS. Everything is so high effort from him. His delivery doesn’t look easy, and he’s always tensing up his shoulders and back on the mound. He’s also not slaying hitters with the curveball as much this season as it’s had diminished break to it.

There's something about his delivery that isn't conducive to long-term success as a starter. It wouldn't be a bad idea to recognize that sooner rather than later while he's
still in the organization. Everything being high-effort with him shows he's got the mentality for back-end pen duty the way I see it. Collin could help with his transition

He’s a gamer, though. I’ll never forget the angry warmup tosses on the field immediately after Game 6 of the World Series. Even though he had nothing the next day, it impressed me a lot.

[astrosdoug]

It looks like McCullers will need a replacement for at least the 8/22 AND 8/27 games. McHugh is doing so well in relief, it may be better to let Peacock take those starts. I'd even be OK with letting Cionel Perez try a couple starts.

[thomasj13]

Aug 7, 2018 8:10:35 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

It looks like McCullers will need a replacement for at least the 8/22 AND 8/27 games. McHugh is doing so well in relief, it may be better to let Peacock take those starts. I'd even be OK with letting Cionel Perez try a couple starts.

Any of those 3 would be good options...main thing is getting our hitters back and knocking in some runs.

[Deleted]

Aug 7, 2018 8:10:35 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

It looks like McCullers will need a replacement for at least the 8/22 AND 8/27 games. McHugh is doing so well in relief, it may be better to let Peacock take those starts. I'd even be OK with letting Cionel Perez try a couple starts.

I'd be more than ok with Peacock or McHugh making those starts. Or letting them both pitch if need be. Something along the lines of Peacock goes 4 and McHugh goes 3.

[paastrosfan]

Aug 5, 2018 9:17:18 GMT -6 m240 said:

Back in 2000 Houston had a bunch of young pitchers who were starting to make their mark.  One of them was Roy Oswalt and another was a guy name Wade Miller.  Miller had a big fastball and a nasty slider.  Miller's first couple of years he did real well but he always seemed to have some sort of injures.  He made it to 200 innings once or twice but he also made the disabled list pretty often as well.  His delivery was called violent.  His mechanics were called raw.  No one pushed the issue with him becoming a reliever because his value as a guy who could deliver on 200 innings was so high.  I had a lot of arguments with my brothers as well as message board attendees about converting him to a high leverage reliever.  The whole thought was laughed at but I stuck to my guns and I took no pleasure in the fact that in a very short time Miller was out of baseball.  His arm and should a mess.  

I have the same opinion of McCullers.  He has a great one two punch that would be dynamic as a high leverage reliever.  I doubt that he will ever be used in this capacity but think about how great that would be if he could come into 3 or 4 games a week and have an inning like the first last night.  Lights out, game over, so sit down.  To bad it will never happen though.

The elbow problem with Lance using the breaking ball as his number one pitch and what you mentioned with his mechanics are the main culprit. Miller was a good example, he had a big bender which he used quite often and had a short career.

[thomasj13]

If McCullers comeback next month and id either Peacock or McHugh are doing great in his place, do you think McCullers gets his spot back? Or do think Luhnow/Hinch put him in the pen headed into the playoffs?

[m240]

if they are smart they keep him in the pen.  If no one steps up though he will come back to the rotation.  

[bearbryant]