Astros stud rookie catcher J.R. Towles got a big scare on Sunday, when a pitch from Marlins closer Kevin Gregg plunked him on the top of his hand. Initial x-rays came back negative, a diagnosis that was confirmed today by team physician Tom Mehlhoff. While this is a big relief to both the Astros and fantasy owners, Towles is still too sore to play. Evidence of this was the ‘Stros decision today to recall C Humberto Quintero from Triple-A Round Rock as insurance while J.R. sits.
Archive for the ‘J.R. Towles’ Category
Towles Injured on HBP
Monday, April 14th, 2008Towles Not Full-Time Starter?
Friday, April 4th, 2008Brad Ausmus was the Astros’ opening day starter at catcher Monday, with J.R. Towles on the bench. Later in the game, Manager Cecil Cooper pinch hit Darin Erstad for Ausmus, then put Towles in to catch in the bottom of the inning. Patrick Sullivan of The Baseball Analysts notes that Erstad has hit .248/.310/.335 since 2005 and Towles hit a career .301/.389/.471 in the minors. Sullivan amounts this to an endorsement of Erstad’s hitting over Towles’, and a foolish managerial decision.
However, I think it’s more something to keep an eye on in the future. There no reason to keep this talented young catcher on the bench, not even, in my option, to have a more experienced catcher calling the game for the staff ace, Roy Oswalt. If Towles isn’t put in the starting catcher spot full time (and soon), it would be a waste.
Injury Update: Towles Strains Hammy
Saturday, March 8th, 2008The Astros top catcher prospect J.R. Towles was injured in today’s game against the Braves while running out a grounder. Fantasy owners shouldn’t worry however because Towles doesn’t think the injury is too serious or that he’ll be out for very long.
“I think it will be just a couple of days, no more than four or five days,” he said. “I don’t know. They might try to take it easy on me, but I want to get back out there as quick as possible, that’s for sure.”
Towles was doing a great job holding off Humberto Quintero and Brad Ausmus for the starting job, and as long as he comes back sooner than later he should have a very productive fantasy season.
When Going to the Draft Pool, Don’t Forget To Take Towles
Saturday, March 8th, 2008In 6 games played this spring, Astros catching prospect J.R. Towles is batting .538 (7-for-13) and is sporting a .923 slugging percentage. His two doubles and one home run so far this spring were bashed in one game last Tuesday in which he went 3-for-3 and had 4 RBI. Towles said after the game:
“Things are feeling good. I feel comfortable at the plate. I’m seeing the ball well and I’m fortunate enough to put a good swing on it.”
Towles is having the same kind of breakout spring success that teammate Hunter Pence had last year, when he hit .571 with two home runs and 9 RBI as a non-roster invitee. Savvy fantasy managers who were smart enough to grab Pence for his ROY campaign last year should keep an eye on Towles to do the same. Let’s not forget that Towles also hit .375 (15-for-40) with one home run and 12 RBI when he got called up to the Majors in late September. According to Steve Campbell of the Houston Chronicle, Astros manager Cecil Cooper is on board:
“He’s even better than I actually thought. I thought he was pretty good defensively last year, but his offense has continued to surprise me. You always think that’s a they-don’t-know-him thing. But he looks like he’ll be able to hit because his swing is so short and compact.”
What more reason do you need to draft him? Draft him.
Daily Pepper: Kershaw, Kuroda, Price, Hochevar & More
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008- Great day for the Dodgers’ prospects today. In a heated competition for 3B with Nomar, Andy LaRoche stepped things up today. He hit a solo home run in the 2nd inning. He finished 2-4 on the day, and is now batting .385 this spring.
- In the same game, top prospect Clayton Kershaw saw his first action with mixed results. He allowed a HR to Luis Jimenez and loaded the bases on two cheap hits and a HBP. But he then buckled down and proceeded to strike out the side. No surprise with the stuff he has. He probably won’t be up this year, but when he does look out. Future ace on any staff.
- Rookie import Hideki Kuroda pitched two scoreless innings today as well. He has impressed everyone in the Dodger camp with his pitching and especially his toughness, according to this great piece on Kuroda by Ken Rosenthal.
- David Price’s scheduled start was canceled today, but it wasn’t because of his shoulder. It was because of bad weather. We’ll definitely have to watch his start on Saturday to see how he responds to the shoulder that was bothering him.
- Royals RHP Luke Hochevar pitched another 2 scoreless innings today. He gave up 1 H and struck out 2. He has yet to give up a run this spring, and should definitely be on your radar as a fantasy sleeper in 2008.
- Astros backstop prospect J.R. Towles went a long way today towards putting a nail in the coffin on the starting job. He hit a bomb, two doubles, and had 4 RBI on the day. Definitely a sleeper at the shallow C position in fantasy drafts this year.
Towles Struggles on Defense Monday, but Hits a HR
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle says that the Astros plan on starting the season with two catchers, veteran Brad Ausmus and most likely rookie J.R. Towles.
Karen Warren (also of the Chronicle) gives us a quick update on Towles progress:
Catcher J.R. Towles had a pair of throwing errors Monday. On offense, he was 2-for-2 with a home run off lefthander Mark McLemore.
“J.R. Towles put up a couple of the best swings of the day, and Erstad swung the bat good,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “That’s the stuff you want to see.”
A couple of throwing errors this early is nothing to be worried about, and its good to see that Towles is already bringing the thunder.
