Anthony Reyes: Reyes continues to struggle, after 3 starts, his record stands at 0-3, with a 5.63 ERA. A 57% strand rate is not helping, but his K/9 of 5.6 is below the levels that he has put up in 2005 and 2006 with the Cardinals. There are a couple of positive signs in his poor starts, his GB% of 52% and BB/9 of 2.3 show improvement. Since there are no reports of a lingering injury, his K/9 should bounce back to previous levels. He is definitely worth holding onto in mixed leagues.
Angel Guzman: With Wade Miller going on the DL, Guzman appears next in line to get a start. Guzman has potential to be a star as indicated by the 9.6 K/9 that he put up in 56 innings last year and the 8 K's that he has in 7.1 relief innings this year. Poor control, 5.6 BB/9, helped lead to a 7.39 ERA last year. In the small sample size this year, he has kept the walks in check, just one. He is worth picking up and reserving. Let him get a few starts to see if he limits the walks before activating him.
Chris Young: Young is off to a slow start, batting .211 in his first 57 AB. He is making good contact, 89%, and showing plate patience, 5/6 BB/K. The main culprit seems to be that the batted balls he is putting into play are just not finding the gaps or falling in front of outfielders, .140 BHIP%. He has been nursing a groin injury, so he may be limited on the basepaths in the near future. If he can translate the power/speed potential to major league numbers, a little patience with Young may be richly rewarded as the season progresses.
Rickie Weeks: Weeks is showing no lingering effects from the wrist surgery that ended his 2006 season early. He has already smacked 4 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 home runs. If he can keep up the improved contact, 83% vs. 74% in 2006, and plate patience, .85 batting eye vs. .33 in 2006, his .244 batting average, depressed by a .149 BHIP%, should improve in a hurry.
Chris Burke: With Hunter Pence playing well in Triple-A, it may not be much longer that the Astros stick with Burke as their centerfielder. In the minors, Burke was a high contact, patient hitter, without much power, but plenty of speed. Since coming to the majors his contact rate, 80%/79% in 2005/2006 and 74% so far this year, has been trending the wrong way and he has displayed a poor batting eye, .36 for his career. The one thing he is doing well is stealing bases, 5 for 5 this year, but it will not be of much help if he has trouble getting on base, .2007 numbers of a 231 batting average and a .286 OBA.
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