Let The Kids Play!

When Astros GM Jeff Luhnow started picking up fringy starters like Phillip Humber and Erik Bedard in the off-season, I wasn't a fan of the moves, but I kept my mouth shut in hopes that he could find lightning in a bottle. But it is becoming increasingly apparent that the 30-year old Humber and the 34-year old Bedard are not upgrades over the Astros home-grown talent.

Could the team have a better record with the likes of Paul Clemens (25), Dallas Keuchel (25), Jose Cisnero (24), Brett Oberholtzer (23), Jarred Cosart (22) and Jordan Lyles (22) in the rotation? Maybe, maybe not. But why not find out? I would much rather see these guys get on-the-job major league training than to see Bedard and Humber, players who are widely acknowledged not to be a part of the future, spin their wheels.

Keuchel already has better numbers at the major league level than either Bedard or Humber have put up so far this season. Why is he in OKC? Lyles had one truly awful start for the RedHawks, but it was sandwiched  by two very good ones and he has significant major league experience that he can build on. Oberholtzer may not have the best numbers right now, but he can eat innings unlike the delicate flower Bedard. I actually like Cisnero as a bullpen arm more than as a starter so at least he's getting experience in that right now. Paul Clemens may eventually be a bullpen arm as well, but he is certainly as capable of starting for the Astros as Bedard and Humber are. Cosart may not be ready for prime time yet, but would he do worse?

What would happen if a couple of these guys were given the opportunity to start in lieu of Humber and Bedard? They would have some success and, at times, they would fail spectacularly. Clemens, in particular, with his aggressive style would be poised to have an outing here or there that would be cringe-worthy. You would see ups and downs similar to what we've seen from the 25-year old Brad Peacock thus far this season. But these players would get the valuable experience that they need under their belts. They would have the opportunity to make adjustments and get better. Some of them will ultimately succeed and some of them will ultimately fail, but now is the time to figure out that part of the puzzle. These players are potentially a part of the Astros future. Humber and Bedard are not.

And for those who think that a player can be broken by failure? Horse crap. Ask Clemens if he's afraid of failure. Ask Cosart. Ask Lyles. Ask Oberholtzer. Ask any of them. They will tell you one thing. BRING. IT. ON. If you can't deal with failure, then you are not cut out to be a major league baseball player.

This may sound harsh. I have nothing against Humber and Bedard personally, but they simply are not part of the future plans. So I am imploring Jeff Luhnow, please Let The Kids Play. At 7-17, they can't do much worse. And they may surprise us.