Astros Podcasts

In this Richard Justice MLB.com story, Justice describes how the call-up & signing of Jonathan Singleton to a long-term contract shows the Astros organization is moving in the right direction. Justice also believes in the way GM Jeff Luhnow is building the club & doing business, despite recent rumblings to the contrary.

Former Astro Jason Lane’s hard work paid off, as he returned to the Major Leagues on Tuesday night as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres. As Mike Axisa writes on CBSSports.com and the video supports, the Padres new reliever had a spectacular debut for his new team

As Evan Drellich reports in the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have narrowed their candidates for the 1st pick in the draft down to 6 players. Luhnow hinted the Astros may want to go with a young superstar, a high school talent, because they don’t have any young superstars in low A ball right now.

George Springer is setting records during his May HR streak & making the Astros relevant again, writes Matt Snyder in this CBSSports.com piece. Springer has 7 homeruns in the last 7 games & now has 10 homers in May.
 
 

In this Houston Forward Times article, Astros manager Bo Porter explains his involvement in the community through his SELF foundation and the upcoming Civil Rights game.
 

With the Civil Rights Game approaching, this Richard Justice MLB.com article takes a look back at Astros icon Jimmy ‘The Toy Cannon’ Wynn. He talks about the early days in Astros history & playing in the Astrodome. You can also hear Wynn himself talking about the Astros future.

The Astros radical approach has made them one of the most controversial teams in baseball. People around baseball aren’t convinced their modified tandem pitching rotation, player promotions & contract negotiations are great strategies. Are they alienating current players & future free agents? In this Evan Drellich Houston Chronicle story, we hear what some are saying …

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is visiting Japan in order to increase the Astros profile there and hire a new scout, writes Brian McTaggart in this Astros.com story.
 
 

Is it time for the Astros to start looking to deal catcher Jason Castro?  He’s 27 years old and, with catchers short shelf life, it may be the optimal time to get good value back for him. In this Jimmy Price Houston of Houston story, he looks at teams & prospects the Astros may be …

When you can’t find a sports bar TV with an Astros game, is that trouble for the franchise? This Houston Press story by John Royal wonders aloud if the fans will ever come back. Is winning really the cure-all?

Ken Rosenthal asks Astros GM Jeff Luhnow about defensive shifts, manager Bo Porter, Mark Appel, and the bullpen in this article on FoxSports. Why is Appel an extended Spring? What is wrong with the under-performing high paid bullpen? Luhnow tries to come up with answers.

Yes, Astros expectations were rock bottom going into this season…but as the saying goes “If it wasn’t for bad luck, sometimes you wonder if they’d have any luck at all.” Let’s just take a look so far.
Here are their big name free agent signings… Dexter Fowler, Scott Feldman, Matt Albers & Chad Qualls. Fowler storms …

Will Leitch writes in his column on “Sports on Earth” that Bo Porter has bigger priorities (like winning games) than trying to get even with Jed Lowrie over a bunt in a 7 run first inning that happened earlier in the season in Oakland. He wonders aloud, ‘what is Bo Porter thinking?’ & so do …

Want an early assessment of the Dexter Fowler for Jordan Lyles and Brandon Barnes trade? There is still a ways to go, but this Vavel article by Harry Connett shows why two former Astros are helping to boost the Colorado Rockies in 2014.
 

What Astros prospect do you most want to see called up this season?

Could Springer’s arrival be the turning point for the Houston Astros? This article by Jay Jaffe on SI.com shows that after a massive rebuild, things could be looking up for the Astros. Richard Justice suggests more changes could be on the way in this MLB.com article. He says Springer’s arrival is the beginning of the …

He’s finally here! The Astros call up phenom George Springer so let’s look at a Spring Training Chronicle article by Evan Drellich dissecting his swing. He gets his share of strikeouts so will he have to cut back on his aggressive swing now that he’s in the majors? And in this Hartford Courant article, you’ll …

Astros pitching prospect Vincent Velasquez is quietly one of the best prospects in the organization. He just won California League Pitcher of the Week for the Lancaster Jethawks. In this Houston Chronicle article by Jesus Ortiz, he profiles the young hard throwing righty.

Finishing last three years in a row appears to have made Minute Maid Park more affordable for the average family of four. The Astros have tumbled from 10th to 13th in the Fan Cost Index survey, according to Mark Yost in the Houston Business Journal.

The Astros honored Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt with a ceremony to let them officially retire as Astros. Alyson Footer reports in this MLB.com article there is no other way it could be.