The Bobby Heck Conundrum

As you probably know by now, it has been reported that Keith Law has been interviewed for a possible job in the Astros front office, and one of those jobs may be Director of Scouting, a position currently held by the namesake of this blog, Bobby Heck.


A lot of talk has gone on throughout the day about Law, but while I was out, it appears that there was a little debate going on over on Twitter about Bobby Heck.  It started with this ...

@TimothyDeBlockTimothy De Block

Looks like people are bailing off the Bobby Heck bandwagon.

And, of course, there was some back and forth about whether or not Bobby Heck has been a good Director of Scouting.  And Sean Feist hit the nail on the head with this one.

@native_astroSean Feist

@LEXthePEX @TimothyDeBlock@BHam2421 @AstroBrit This could of been more org philosophy than Heck. Drafting slot over best available.

We simply don't know what parameters Bobby Heck was given, what his marching orders were from the top. Yes, I wish we had drafted more players with the potential to be superstars, but Heck has drafted a number of good solid players that will make it to Houston or on to other big league rosters over time.

When I put together my Farm System Analysis, I really was shocked at how bad the system had gotten by the time Heck came on board.  The hole was huge and I'm not sure that people really understand how long it takes to turn a system around.  It will still be several years before we can determine whether or not Heck was successful and, if so, how successful.

In the meantime, for those asking if "What the Heck, Bobby?" will be renamed if Bobby Heck is replaced, the answer is no.  It's a catchy name and Bobby Heck is, in my opinion, the man who started the Astros on a road back to respectability; that will still be the case even if someone else finishes paving that road.