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.
Posts Tagged ‘J.R. Towles’
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.
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.
