With a championship resume like Brown’s, it is no surprise. That Astros owner Jim Crane worked out a deal to lure Brown away from the Braves. Well, winning the 2022 World Series always helps!

Regarded as one of the top executives in baseball, Brown understands what it takes to build a winning franchise. Dana Brown will ensure that the winning continues for seasons to come. He got his start with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an area scout. He then spent eight seasons with the Pirates before moving on to the Washington Nationals as their Director of Scouting.

Dana Brown’s History

In nine seasons (2001-09) with the Nationals, Brown is credited with finding All-Stars Stephen Strasburg, Ian Desmond, and Mr. National himself, Ryan Zimmerman. Brown would move on from the Nationals to become the special assistant to the general manager. After that, he worked for the Toronto Blue Jays (2010-18) for another nine seasons. During his time with the Blue Jays. Brown helped guide the Blue Jays to their first American League East division title in 2015. It was their first postseason birth since 1993. The Blue Jays would also make a Wild Card appearance in 2016.

In 2018, Brown joined the Atlanta Braves as Vice President of Scouting. From there, Brown is credited with finding Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II. Both of them finished in the Top Two in the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year. Harris II won Rookie of the Year. Brown also had his hand in the trade that brought Matt Olson to the Braves.

With a success record like Brown’s and a lineup like the one the Astros have. His skills make this a match made in heaven. Astros fans should be excited about the hire of Brown. As he will continue to bring that championship success going into 2023 and beyond.

The post Astros Hire Dana Brown as General Manager appeared first on Dirt Diamond Sports Network.

Ryne Stanek 2022 Profile

Ryne Stanek – This 6 ft 4 Right-handed flame thrower doesn’t just throw 100 plus fastballs, this former Arkansas Razorback came to Houston from Tampa Bay and had been converted to a Relief pitcher a few seasons into his MLB career. He has clearly embraced the role of an MLB relief pitcher.

Most of his appearances were high-leverage situations, inheriting runners on a regular basis and neutralizing the threats often doing so without allowing a run in that inning.

His ERA was 1.15 with a 3.02 FIP. He had 59 appearances in the regular season, 54.2 innings pitched, 62 K, and 1.23 WHIP. With a 2-1 record, with 17 holds, and 1 save. Only gave up 8 runs 7 Earned in those 54.2 innings.

His Best Year thus far…

Since 2018 it is the fewest runs, he has given up in a single season. What made him so effective? He ranked in the Top 10 percent of MLB with a fastball with an avg speed of 98.3, whiffs, and missing barrels. Most hitters simply had a hard time keeping up with his pitches. He also had quite a handle on two other pitches he uses the most outside of his fastball, the split-finger and slider proved to be weapons that tended to neutralize hitters.

At one point in the season, he went on a scoreless inning streak that lasted for 27 scoreless innings. With Ryne Stanek’s 2022 success, Brett Chancey of Dirt Diamond Sports Network had a chance to interview Ryne Stanek and asked him about his recent signing and the upcoming 2023 MLB season.

Ryne Stanek just signed a one-year deal avoiding arbitration. In my many conversations with him over the 2022 season, I have always enjoyed our conversations. I wanted to get his thoughts on how the process went for him. He was willing to answer a few questions.

Interview with Ryne Stanek

Brett: This will be your seventh season in the majors and third with the Astros. After signing your one-year deal and avoiding arbitration was the process mutual on both sides?

Ryne Stanek: “Yeah, for sure I would say it was mutual on both sides. It wasn’t too much back-and-forth or animosity towards either side. So it worked out pretty well.”

Brett: What has it been about Houston that keeps Ryne Stanek wanting to come back for more? (Of course outside of the World Series runs)

“Honestly, the CITY has been great, the FANS and the organization have treated me well. So it’s a hard place not to like.”

Ryne Stanek on why he WANTED to return to HOUSTON.

Brett: How have you grown as a Relief pitcher in your career with the Houston Astros?

Ryne Stanek: “I feel like I’ve grown as a reliever by just becoming more committed to what I do conviction-wise. Believing in my stuff, believing in what I’m trying to accomplish. I also have confidence that it’s going to work and trust that. Once that process is over, either with a good or bad result. I have found the ability to flush it, come back again, and stay committed to the same plan.

Brett: Going into 2023 what is your top priority as you prepare for the season?

Ryne Stanek: “Honestly, I feel like going into 2023 my top priority is the same as I usually approach any season. Taking care of my body, making sure I’m healthy and feeling good so I can continue in whatever role I’m called to do.”

Brett: Does it make the 2023 season less stressful when you know you have all your key pitchers back on the roster?

Ryne Stanek: “I don’t know about less stressful because each year comes with new stressors. But having the same group that performed at such a high level last year, makes you feel good about the season. Just having so many guys that can be trusted to do so many different things definitely is a positive.

Ryne thank you for answering my questions, again we look forward to seeing you and the team go after another World Series in 2023.

The post Ryne Stanek Returns and Signs 1-Year Deal With the Houston Astros appeared first on Dirt Diamond Sports Network.

Whether you are a fan of the Astros, maybe you consider them a villainous lot, or perhaps you simply respect what they have accomplished, every team’s front office is trying to figure out how to #LevelUp and eclipse them. The brain trust in Houston has a certain ideal method of putting successful teams together even before Dusty Baker arrived, a model of how they do things.

Some orgs dip their lines into the spend-happy waters of acquiring established names on the frenzied free agent market. Others fully utilize their managers to implement the tracking and data that eventually mold prospects into fungible cogs. Frankly, there are more ways than one to tap into building a championship-caliber clubhouse, and that has never been clearer than looking at last year’s World Series champions.

ASTROS (57.4 WAR, 2nd among 12 teams)

Homegrown: 15 (35.2 WAR)
• Draft: 8 (19 WAR)
• International: 7 (16.2 WAR)
Free agents: 2 (2.7 WAR)
Trades: 9 (19.5 WAR)

The best team in the American League, HOU leads all postseason clubs in homegrown and international, both in terms of the number of players and WAR. A review of the last six seasons proves these combinations. Their miners in the scouting department struck gold in finding international bargains, spotlighted by former league MVP, Jose Altuve ($15,000), Framber Valdez ($10,000), Cristian Javier ($10,000), and Luis Garcia ($20,000). While others are expanding payrolls, the Astros are able to build around a team and cost-controlled core.

The 2015 MLB Amateur Draft garnered early-round strikes in comeback player Alex Bregman and first-time All-Star Gold Glove outfielder Kyle Tucker. More recently, 3rd round phenom shortstop and eventual Fall Classic MVP, Jeremy Peña made many in HTown forget losing Carlos Correa. Yet, what competitor could ignore the key trades for Ryan Pressley, Yordan Alvarez, and Justin Verlander?

Even though the assignment is clear, catching up alone will not be enough if the Astros themselves have improved. What is on tap for the 2023 version, you ask? More of the same, of course!

Bereft of an active general manager after the departure of James Click, former Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, and Senior Director of Baseball Strategy Bill Firkus said the team’s #1 target was 1B, Jose Abreu. There are some real team-player elements in the Astros mold, and when asked if his new role is diminished in 2023, re-signed veteran free agent Michael Brantley said he is humbled by any assignment given.

Instead of opting for the shiniest new raw tools on the open market, Houston has quietly remained the most homespun baseball team. They accomplished this with the smallest draft budgets, and no Top 10 pick for seven seasons. Ready to hit the ground running after contributions in his first taste of the majors and then the playoffs, Hunter Brown will replace the most recent A.L. Cy Young winner. Big shoes to fill, he has shown no signs of relinquishing a starter role. Several others are looking for an opening to add to their resume – Yainer Diaz, Korey Lee, and David Hensley.

The post How to Construct a Team Like the Recent Astros appeared first on Dirt Diamond Sports Network.