The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Marlins 26-50
2. Astros 29-49

Hey now. Two losses in a row by the Astros and two wins in a row by the Marlins.
The Marlins are also 4-1 over their last 5 games. We may get the 1st overall pick for a third straight year after all.

Just need to tank now. I want to add another top stud next June to go along with Mark Appel and Carlos Correa.
Appel may be called up in a few weeks. Woah. Let's not rush the kid up. We need to lose games, LOL

We got ourselves a nice little race. Bring it on, Miami Marlins.

I desperately want the first overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft!

Marlins have a 5-3 lead over the Twins in the bottom of the 8th.

If the Marlins finish off the twinkies to win their third game in a row and 5-1 over their last six games that would be sweet.
The Astros can tie them in losses (50) later tonight if we lose to the Cardinals.

But we would still have two more games played (two extra wins). I'll take it though. We're right on their heels again.

EDIT: Marlins won 5-3. Nice!

All the Astros have to do now is lose to a talented Cardinals team tonight and we're at 50 losses also.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jun 26 2013 02:01pm

The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Marlins 28-51
2. Astros 30-51

Finally, we caught the Marlins in the loss column. We still have to keep losing though. Two more games played and two more wins.
We're back to our losing ways (2-5 in our last 7 games) while the Marlins are an impressive 6-2 in their last 8 games.

Marlins just won again, 6-2 over the Padres on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 9th by Jeff Mathis.

Marlins are 29-51 and red hot, 7-2 record in their last 9 games.

Astros are losing 1-0 in the bottom of the 6th right now against the Angels. If we can hold on and lose we'll be all alone at 52 losses.

Sigh, but Astros playing that "wussy small ball" bunting a runner to third base, etc... etc... We're about to tie the game 1-1

Angels win 3-1 and sweep the Astros. Nice!

1. Marlins 29-51
2. Astros 30-52

Now we're back in business for the first pick in next year's draft. Tied up now but technically we are percentage points better than Miami (.366 to .363), but that will soon change the way things are going. We have simply played two more games (1-1 record difference).

I may have to keep an eye on the White Sox and Brewers (both have 47 losses), and Mariners, Cubs and Mets have like 46 and 45 losses, but for now we just need to create some separation with the Marlins. Keep the losses coming Astros and the Marlins are just on fire right now.

Holy Marlins. They're on fire to say the least? Just won 4-0 and are now 8-2 in their last 10 games.

Marlins are now 30-51 while the Astros are about to be 30-53

Astros are losing 3-0 in the top of the 5th against the Rays. On our way to a Major League leading 53 losses and sole possession of the 1st pick in 2014. Make it 5-0 Rays, they just added two runs in the 5th. Sweet. We'll have the 1st pick locked up by mid August at this pace. LOL

Tanking is beautiful man. Just beautiful. But I expect to see an exciting young and competitive team next year.
Hopefully the Astros do not call up any of their top 10 prospects this year. They don't need wins right now.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 1 2013 07:56pm

The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Astros 30-53
2. Marlins 30-51
3. Brewers 32-49

I'm adding the Brewers on the list. The way the Marlins are winning games the Brewers will soon be the second worst team.

On the plus side, Mark Appel is already on the fast track to the Majors. He could be called up in a few weeks.
But I think it's smart for the Astros to just call him in September (start 3 or 4 games) so he still classifies as a rookie going into 2014.

2013 MLB First Overall Draft Pick Mark Appel of Stanford throws in the bullpen at the Astros Training Facility in Kissimmee, Florida.



I want to see Mark Appel, Jarred Coasrt (top two in starting rotation), Jonathan Singleton (1B), George Springer (CF) and possibly Carlos Correa (SS) all starting for us on opening day in 2014 next April. Correa is more likely to be our starting shortstop in 2015 at the earliest though,

I'm also excited for the first overall pick in 2014 next June if we end up getting it. I am just now scouting the prospects.



All I can say is "hello, Mr. Touki Toussaint", such a sweet young arm. More pitching riches for the 'Stros!
The high school phenom gets it up to 97 MPH on his fastball with a wicked curve, and is still growing on the mound.
He's at an elite prep school in Florida. The Coral Springs Christian Crusaders

Obivously, he wouldn't be Major League ready like Mark Appel but he'd be somebody who can really make a splash at the MLB level when he's ready.

Here's his scouting report: With his added strength, the velocity on Toussaint’s fastball has jumped from 91-92 mph in the fall of his sophomore year to his current range, which sits at 94 to 95 and climbs as high as 97. His nasty curveball, which comes in at about 70 mph, ties up batters in knots. And if he can improve his command, he will be nearly unhittable.

Carlos Rodon, a dominating left-handed pitcher out of North Carolina State is another possibility for the Astros with the top pick in 2014.
I'm confident the Astros will definitely go pitching number one overall again. I prefer Toussaint myself but Rodon is pretty damn good also.

But for now, we have to keep losing games. LOL. I'm just anticipating the top pick again.

The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Astros 31-54
2. Marlins 31-52
3. White Sox 33-48
4. Brewers 34-49

I can't believe we won last night (we could have hit 55 losses), but the Marlins won also so it's not a big deal. Still have two more losses than anybody else. White Sox are percentage points worse than the Brewers but they're tied for the 3rd and 4th worst records.

There are at least three "elite" pitching prospects at the top of the 2014 draft next year so the Astros will add another top arm regardless.
Mark Appel is going to make his minor league debut tomorrow tonight. The Astros plan to call him up some time this year.

I think we're in good shape to get the first pick as long as we don't call up any of our top prospects until September.
Chris Carter is swinging a hot bat lately. Up to 17 homers on the year. He belted two more last night.

I'm worried once we call up Mark Appel, Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and George Springer we're going to win more games than the Marlins, White Sox and Brewers. I really hope the Astros tank just enough to get that first pick next year.



The guy is so strong. He barely gets contact the other way and muscles them out.

6-4, 245 pounds. He's the strongest guy on the Astros team. He could play linebacker in the NFL.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 4 2013 07:19am

As much as I like Toussaint's potential, we may have to go with the safe pick and take Carlos Rodon number one.
I love the fact he's a dominating and hard-throwing lefty. He'd fit in nicely sandwiched between Appel and Cosart.



A starting rotation of Mark Appel, Carlos Rodon, Jarred Cosart, Bud Norris and either Lucas Harrell or Jordan Lyles makes my mouth wet.
We can still trade Bud Norris in the next few weeks before the trading deadline. Assuming we get back a couple of nice prospects.

Carlos Rodon scouting report: Upon his arrival at NC State, Rodon dove into the school's strength training program and added significant bulk, and his fastball jumped from 94-95, touching 97-98 on a cosistent basis. His thick, muscular frame has allowed him to hold his velocity deep into games, and he pairs his four seamer with an 90-91 MPH cutter that keeps hitters honest. Though he possesses premium velocity, especially for a lefty, Rodon is not a one-dimensional pitcher. His slider is rated by some as a plus pitch, and he's developing a splitter to act as an offspeed offering. His mechanics are clean an easy- he repeats his delivery well and generates easy velocity.

I emailed Buster Olney about who the Astros should select in 2014 if they finish with the top pick again and he wrote me back this.
"Having Mark Appel and Carlos Rodon falling into your lap. The Astros will have drafted two future aces in back-to-back drafts."

Marlins beat the Braves 4-3 and the Astros lost to the Rays 7-5. Now we're running away with it, LOL

1. Astros 31-55
2. Marlins 32-52
3. Brewers 34-50

We have a three-game lead in the loss column which is the most important. At this point, it's the Brewers chasing us for the first pick in the 2014 draft next June. Miami is a good ball club that has an impressive 10-3 record over their last 13 games. They are one of the hotter teams in baseball for the past couple of weeks.

Now the Astros start a difficult 8-game road trip before the all-star break starting tomorrow night. 3 at Rangers, 2 at Cardinals, 3 at Rays. I honestly don't think we will win any of these games. We should lose all of them and have a 9-game losing streak and 31-63 record at the break.

We can tank and clinch the first pick by mid or late August. Then call up some of our top prospects on September 1 and end the final month of the season with a winning record. Head into spring training with a head of steam.