Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Astros Roster Moves/Transactions

The Astros today announced the signing of free agent RHP Jesse Crain to a one-year contract. Crain is only the latest addition to the team as GM Jeff Luhnow has sought to substantially upgrade a bullpen that often struggled mightily in 2013. Crain, a 10-year major league veteran, played the last three seasons for the Chicago White Sox. In 156 appearances over those three seasons, he had a 2.10 ERA and a 1.167 WHIP. In 2013, he had an 0.74 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP in 38 appearances and was named to the All-Star team.

With this latest signing, the Astros 40-man roster now stands at 40.

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Monday, December 30

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Neither of the two games (which were makeups of postponed games) played on Monday featured Astros players, but with those two games being played, the regular season in Venezuela is complete, and now we move on to the round-robin portion of the schedule. Caracas, Caribes, Magallanes, Zulia, and La Guaira have progressed to the round-robin, and play will resume on Thursday. Here's a listing of all the fixtures during the round-robin, which culminates in a 1-game final on January 22.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide 4, Canberra 2

Joe Sclafani put the Bite on the board first with an RBI single in the 1st and was on base for a go-ahead 3-run shot from Chris Jacobs in the 6th inning.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 1-2, RBI single in 1st, R, 2 BB

Perth 12, Melbourne 11 in 10 innings

Cameron Lamb was battered in the 7th, as he gave up hits to all 4 batters he faced and gave up 4 runs. In short, a night he'd like to forget.

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: Came on with 1 out in the 7th. Blown save (1), no outs recorded, 4 H, 2 ER (also allowed 2 inherited runners to score)

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Guasave 12, Mexicali 4

Leo Heras was apparently supposed to have another day off yesterday, but that plan was scrapped after he was called in to pinch-run after Ivan Araujo was plunked in the 1st. As for the game, the Cotton Growers jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 2 innings, and after going quietly in the 3rd and 4th, they scored in every inning afterwards.

Algodoneros de Guasave
CF Leo Heras: Entered game as a pinch-runner in the 1st. 2-4, 2B, RBI, R

Los Mochis 3, Culiacán 2

Los Mochis scored 2 in the 8th to take the lead. Culiacán got the tying run to 3rd in the top of the 9th, but they couldn't bring that run home.

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: 3 IP, 2 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 2 BB, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Escogido 2, Gigantes 0

Jorge de Leon had a good stint in relief as he was part of a combined 2-hitter. 

Leones del Escogido
RHP Jorge de Leon: 1.2 IP, H, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Ponce 5, Carolina 4

Ponce went ahead with 2 in the top of the 9th. Carolina had the tying run on 2nd, but they were unable to score.

Gigantes de Carolina
DH Carlos Corporan: 1-4
C Rene Garcia: 1-3, R, BB, K
1B Jobduan Morales: Entered game as a defensive replacement in the 9th.



Almost Final Astros Winter League Cumulative Stats

With last night's games in Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, all of the winter league regular seasons have now concluded except for the Australian Baseball League which will continue its regular season through January 26th. Playoffs will commence later this week: LMP (1/1), LVBP (1/2) and LBPRC (1/3) as the Dominican Winter League playoffs also continue with all four teams currently tied with identical 2-2 records.

The cumulative stats (through Monday's games) for all Astros who have participated in the fall and winter leagues follow. Free agents are noted with an asterisk. Below the charts, I have also outlined some of the noteworthy performances from the three leagues which just concluded.




LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

While others have been intrigued by the power potential of 1B Japhet Amador, it was actually his teammate OF Leo Heras who got things done for the Guasave team. Heras may not be as glamorous (or as large), but he was tied for fourth in the league in stolen bases and ranked in the top 20 in batting average, on-base percentage and walks.

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

New Astros acquisition Jesus Guzman put up some very good numbers as DH for the Caracas team and ended his winter season in the top 20 in the league in home runs, tied with teammate OF J.D. Martinez who had a short, yet impressive, winter. Although SS Marwin Gonzalez cooled off considerably over his final 10 games and missed a couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury, he still managed to put up some decent numbers for Zulia.

LHP Eric Berger had an excellent winter campaign, ranking second in ERA and second in WHIP in the very competitive Venezuelan league. One of our newest Astros, RHP Collin McHugh, made four starts early in the LVBP season, putting up a 0.915 WHIP and holding batters to a .203 average.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

LHP Luis Cruz did not pitch enough innings to qualify as a league leader, but both his ERA and his stingy 1.174 WHIP would have ranked highly. RHP Raul Rivera pitched very well for the Gigantes de Carolina out of the bullpen and was rewarded with two starts at the end of the season. As a starter, he had a 2.70 ERA and a 1.100 WHIP.

1B Jon Singleton was certainly all over the leaderboard, leading the league in home runs, and coming in second in slugging percentage and walks (although he was also tied for third in strikeouts). He was also third in runs (tied) and OPS, eighth in OBP and was tied for tenth in RBI. Singleton's teammate OF Austin Wates might not have had flashy numbers, but he still managed to tie for fourth in the league in stolen bases while also coming in seventh in walks and 17th in OBP.

2B Kike Hernandez cooled off at the end of the season, but still managed to land in the top 10 in the league in RBI (tied for 4th), doubles and hits and in the top 20 in the league in slugging, OPS, walks and runs. Hernandez' Carolina teammate C Rene Garcia came on strong at the end of the season, hitting .300/.333/.350 in his final 10 games as did C Jobduan Morales, hitting .280/.419/.360 in his final 10.

Happy Birthday - 12/31

No future Astros and only one former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP Brian Moehler (42)
Originally drafted by the Tigers in the sixth round in 1993, Moehler came to Houston as a free agent and played for the Astros in 2003 and again from 2007 to 2010. In 125 games (66 starts) for Houston, he was 21-28 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.482 WHIP. Moehler served as an area scout in the Red Sox organization in 2013.

And, according to Kevin Goldstein, we are wishing Director of Decision Sciences Sig Mejdal a Very Happy Birthday today as well!

Tweet of the Day

Monday, December 30, 2013

In Defense of Reality

My friend Andy of the Houston Sports Counterplot is a very passionate individual. He often indulges in over-the-top rhetoric in order to make a point. However, he gave a magnificent, reasoned response to the recent denigration of Craig Biggio's good name by a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America in conjunction with said writer's Hall of Fame vote.

Andy's post from Saturday, if you missed it (as I did) can be found here. It brilliantly warns against the danger of (false) perception becoming reality.
"... the Hall of Fame discussion has inched away from the sport, and the spotlight shines directly on the key holders who believe their Hall of Fame vote is bigger than the candidate and bigger than the sport."
I highly recommend reading it if you have not already done so! 

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Sunday, December 29

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Game 1: Margarita 8, Zulia 5

For the 2nd straight day, these two teams played a doubleheader. In game 1, Zulia was done in by a 6-run 2nd inning from the Islanders.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 1-3, RBI single in 7th

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide 7, Canberra 3

Canberra got 3 in the 2nd to get on the board first, but it was all Bite after that as their 7 runs were unanswered. Joe Sclafani busted out of his slump in a big way with his 2nd consecutive 2-double game.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SB (6)

Melbourne 4, Perth 3 in 10 innings

This game was actually played on Sunday. I included it in Saturday's recap by mistake.

Cameron Lamb, who is currently a free agent, has allowed one unearned run during the ABL campaign.

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: 2.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Licey (Anderson Hernandez) 2, Gigantes 0

2 solo shots from former Astro Anderson Hernandez proved to be the difference for Licey as they moved into a tie with Gigantes at the top of the standings in round-robin play. Rhiner Cruz tossed a scoreless 9th for Gigantes.

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Rhiner Cruz: IP, BB, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Carolina 4, Santurce 3

An error in the top of the 7th allowed Carolina to score the go-ahead run.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-5, R, K
1B Jobduan Morales: 0-2, BB
C Rene Garcia: 1-1; entered game as a defensive replacement in the 7th.


Happy Birthday - 12/30

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Wes Musick (27)
Obtained in the Matt Lindstrom trade with the Rockies in December 2010, Musick was originally drafted by that organization in the ninth round in 2009 out of the University of Houston. (He had been drafted by Houston earlier but did not sign.) Injuries kept Musick from regular playing time again in 2013. He appeared in only nine games (two starts) in Oklahoma City in 2013 before going on the DL after his May 11th appearance. In 26+ innings, he was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.012 WHIP.

Tweets of the Day




Sunday, December 29, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Saturday, December 28

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Zulia 4, Margarita 0

Marwin Gonzalez made his return to the Zulia lineup after missing a little over a week due to an injury in the first game of this double dip.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 0-3

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Canberra 8, Adelaide 5

The Bite attempted a late comeback by scoring 5 unanswered from the 6th to the 9th, but no cigar. 

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 2-3, 2 2B, RBI, R, BB

Melbourne 4, Perth 3 in 10 innings

Cameron Lamb, who is currently a free agent, has allowed one unearned run during the ABL campaign.

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: 2.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Mexicali 6, Guasave 4 in 12 innings

Oscar Robles, who played in 110 games with the Dodgers during the 2005 season, broke a 4-4 tie in the 12th with a 2-run homer, his 2nd of the evening. 

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 0-0, 2 R, BB, HBP
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4

Los Mochis 6, Culiacán 3

Stretch time enabled Los Mochis to find that second wind, as they seized control of this game by scoring their 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th.

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: IP (8th), H

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Escogido 6, Águilas 1

After toiling for Toros, who finished with the worst record in the LIDOM, Raúl Valdés was chosen 1st overall by Escogido in, if I'm not mistaken, a draft in which players from the 2 eliminated teams (Estrellas and Toros) are eligible to be taken by the other 4 teams (Licey, Escogido, Águilas, and Gigantes) who have qualified for the playoffs, which is a round-robin format.

Leones del Escogido
LHP Raúl Valdés: 2.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 2 K
RHP Jorge De Leon: 1.2 IP, BB

Águilas Cibaeñas
SS Jonathan Villar: 0-2, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Caguas 6, Carolina 5 in 11 innings

Caguas walked off with the victory thanks to a sac fly from Roberto Peña. 

Raul Rivera made his 2nd straight start for Carolina after coming out of the bullpen for his first 7 appearances and turned in a good performance on the mound before the wheels came off in the 6th. He was charged with 2 inherited runs. 

Criollos de Caguas
C Roberto Peña: Came on as a defensive replacement in the 9th. He struck out in the 10th, but he delivered the winning run with the sac fly.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-5, K
DH Carlos Corporan: 1-2, K; entered game as a pinch-runner in the 9th.
C Rene Garcia: 1-3, 2-RBI 2B in 4th, R

RHP Raul Rivera: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER (2 inherited runners scored), 2 BB, 5 K

Happy Birthday - 12/29

No future Astros, but two former Astros celebrate birthdays today ~

OF James Mouton (45)
Drafted by the Astros in the seventh round in 1991, Mouton played for Houston from 1994 to 1997, hitting .249/.321/.338 in 411 games. He was traded to the Padres in January 1998. He is currently an area scout in the Diamondbacks organization.

IF Tomas Perez (40)
Perez signed with the Astros as a free agent in November 2007 and played in only eight games for Houston in 2008, hitting .200 in 10 at-bats.

Tweets of the Day


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

A fever knocked me out of commission on Thursday, but I'm back in action! 

11/26 Games

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO


The Cotton Growers were held to 5 singles.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 0-3, K
1B Japhet Amador: 1-4


Gonzalo Sanudo allowed a consolation run to the Yaquis in the top of the 9th. 

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: IP, 3 H, ER, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)


This game was all Ponce as they scored the first 8 runs of the contest; the KO blow was a 6-run 2nd inning.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-4, 2 K
C Carlos Corporan: Came on as a pinch-hitter in the 9th and flied out. 
1B Jobduan Morales: 0-3, K


11/27 Games

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL


The club from the capital shackled the Aragua offense, holding them to 5 hits. 

Leones del Caracas
DH Jesus Guzman: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 K

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE


Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 0-4, 2 K


The Heat ran away with a 5-spot in the 5th inning. 

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: IP, BB, K

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO


Guasave tied the game at 1 in the 3rd, but Navojoa responded with an unanswered touchdown to run away with it.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-3
1B Japhet Amador: 1-2

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)


Carolina got doubled up in the hit column (14-7), but that was alright, as they doubled up Ponce in the column that ultimately matters. Enrique Hernandez kicked things off with an RBI triple in the 1st.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 1-3, 3B, RBI, R, 2 BB
DH Carlos Corporan: 1-3, 2-run single in 3rd, BB
1B Jobduan Morales: 0-4, K

Happy Birthday - 12/28

Happy Birthday to ~

C Ryan McCurdy (26)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, McCurdy spent the bulk of his time in 2013 in Lancaster, also playing a handful of games in Corpus Christi. In 24 games with the JetHawks, he hit .254/.418/.282 and also caught the Mother's Day 2013 no-hitter thrown by Kyle Hallock and Luis Cruz.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Jose Sosa (died June 8, 2013 at age 60)
Signed by the Astros as a free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1970, Sosa pitched in 34 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.636 WHIP.

1B/3B Ray Knight (61)
A 10th round pick by the Reds in 1970, Knight came to Houston in a December 1981 trade which sent Cesar Cedeno to the Reds. In 391 games played for the Astros from 1982 to 1984, he hit .283/.331/.393. Knight was an All-Star for the Reds in 1980 and for Houston in 1982. The Astros traded him to the Mets in August of 1984; he was World Series MVP for New York in 1986.

IF Bill Hall (34)
Originally drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round in 1998, Hall signed with Houston as a free agent in December 2010. In 46 games for the Astros in 2011, he hit .224/.272/.340. In 2013, Hall played in the Angels organization until his release in May 2013, after which he played for the Independent League Long Island Ducks.

Tweet of the Day

Friday, December 27, 2013

Happy Birthday - 12/27

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Tyson Perez (24)
Drafted in the 17th round in 2011 out of Fresno Community College, Perez appeared in 37 games (12 starts) for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks in 2013. In 112+ innings pitched, he was 4-5 with a 5.85 ERA and a 1.647 WHIP. As a reliever, Perez had a 4.29 ERA and a 1.302 WHIP.

RHP Patrick Christensen (23)
A 2013 27th round draft pick out of LaSalle University (Philadelphia), Christensen split his first professional season between Tri-City and Quad Cities, putting up a combined 2.57 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP. He walked only three batters in 28 innings pitched while striking out 38.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

1B Norm Larker (died March 12, 2007 at 76)
Drafted from the Dodgers in the 1961 expansion draft, Larker played in 147 games for the Colt .45's in 1962, hitting .263/.358/.374. Larker was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 1960 and won a World Series with that team in 1959.

OF Byron Browne (71)
Browne came to the Astros in a May 1968 trade with the Cubs and played in only 10 games for Houston that season, hitting .231/.412/.231, before being purchased by the Cardinals in February 1969.

CF Michael Bourn (31)
Originally drafted by the Phillies in the fourth round in 2003, Bourn came to Houston as part of the November 2007 trade that sent Brad Lidge to the Phillies. In 541 games played for the Astros from 2008 to 2011, Bourn hit .271/.337/.359 with 193 stolen bases. He won Gold Gloves in 2009 and 2010 for Houston and was an All-Star in 2010. In July 2011, he was traded to Atlanta where he earned another All-Star bid in 2012. He is currently with the Cleveland Indians.

SS Craig Reynolds (61)
A first round pick by the Pirates in 1971, Reynolds came to the Astros in a December 1978 trade with the Mariners. In 1170 games played for Houston from 1979 to 1989, he hit .252/.286/.345. Reynolds was an All-Star in 1978 for Seattle and in 1979 for Houston.

LHP Nate Bland (39)
Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round in 1993, Bland was drafted by Houston from the Mets in the December 2002 rule 5 draft. In 22 appearances for the Astros in 2003, he had a 5.75 ERA and a 1.672 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

The NBA wasn't the only professional sports league in North America to have games on Christmas Day. So, while you were (or weren't) watching James Harden, Dwight Howard, and the Rockets knock off the Spurs (hey, it was on ESPN, so everyone had a chance to tune in), the Mexican Pacific League was also in action. Only one game featured members of the Astros organization last night: 


The Cotton Growers had a 4-0 lead whittled down to 1, thanks to a 3-run bottom of the 6th for Navojoa. However, the Guasave bullpen clamped down and held los Mayos to just 2 hits and a walk over the final 3.2 innings of play to get the win.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-4
1B Japhet Amador: 2-3, R, BB, HBP

Happy Birthday - 12/26

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Darin Downs (29)
Originally drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2003, Downs was claimed by the Astros off waivers from Detroit in November 2013. In 47 bullpen appearances for Detroit in 2012 and 2013, Downs was 2-3 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.321 WHIP. He held lefties to a .219 batting average in 2013.

Tweet of the Day

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Bonus Tweet of the Day

Happy Birthday - 12/25

No future Astros, but several former Astros have birthdays today ~

2B Nellie Fox (died December 1, 1975 at 47)
Fox came to Houston in a Deccember 1963 trade with the White Sox and played in 154 games for the Colt .45's and the Astros in 1964 and 1965 at the end of his career, hitting .265/.317/.319. A 12-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and 1959 AL MVP, Fox was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1997.

IF Julio Gonzalez (61)
Gonzalez came to the Astros in a December 1976 trade with the Cubs and played for Houston from 1977 to 1980, hitting .235/.270/.288 in 296 games.

OF Telmanch "Ty" Gainey (53)
Drafted by the Astros in the second round in 1979, Gainey played in 57 games for Houston from 1985 to 1987, hitting .216/.293/.288.

CF Willy Taveras (32)
Taveres was drafted by Houston from Cleveland in the December 2003 Rule 5 draft and played for the Astros from 2004 to 2006, hitting .284/.329/.340. In 2005, he came in second in Rookie of the Year voting to Ryan Howard. In December of 2006, Tavares was included in a trade to the Rockies for he-who-must-not-be-named. Taveras last played in the Royals organization before his release in July 2013.

Tweets of the Day

It's the old logo, but you still have to love it ...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Astros Minor League Style

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - ASTROS MINOR LEAGUE STYLE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when out on the field
Not a creature was stirring, all the entries were sealed.
The stockings were hung in the clubhouse with care,
In hopes that St. Luhnow soon would be there.

St. Luhnow
Original photo courtesy of Andy as updated by Ryan

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
Dreams of major league call-ups danced in their heads.
As Rodney and Tony D. called it a night,
Bodie and Omar turned out the lights.

When out in the park there arose such a clatter,
The clubby arose to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows the Managers sped,
And looked out to find what had roused them from bed.

The moon hit the crest of the newly raked mound,
Amid glittering dewdrops which shone all around.
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a rocket-ship sleigh, and eight strapping reindeer.

Once spying this wondrous carriage on high,
They knew in a moment St. Jeff was nearby.
More rapid than fastballs his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Springer! now, Vincent! McCullers and Rio!
On, Aplin! On, Carlos! On Folty and Lino!
Over the top deck and over the eye!
All my young rookies are learning to fly!"

Just as quickly as Singleton hits the ball out,
When a fastball meanders along the wrong route,
So up to the nose-bleeds the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of Prospects, and St. Luhnow too.

Then I heard high above o'er the upper deck seats
The clicking and clacking of copious cleats.
The Managers stood in awe and dismay
As St. Luhnow slowly arose from his sleigh.

He wore orange and blue and a bright shining star,
And his clothing was smudged with field dirt and pine tar.
Myriad scouting reports bulged from his pack,
With advanced analytics, stack after stack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his smile pearly white!
An affable nod told you all would be right!
His hair was all peppered with silver and gray.
An impression of confidence, he did convey.

A multi-function calculator held tight in his grip,
And a smart phone holstered alongside his hip.
He had a nice face and was fit as a fiddle,
After time in the gym (I'd say more than a little). 

He was calm and collected, in total control,
And all were encouraged, inspired by his goal! 
In the blink of an eye, to the clubhouse he sprang.
He drew towards the lockers where stockings did hang.

Stuffing them quickly with promise and dreams,
Success in the future and victorious teams.
St. Luhnow then suddenly bade us goodbye
As the home run spectacular flashed 'cross the sky.

He leapt in his sleigh, "Oye¡ Vamos! Let's go!"
And away they did fly o'er the field far below. 
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Eight weeks 'til Spring Training! Oh, what a delight!"

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

A Happy Holiday Season,
a Very Merry Christmas, and a 
Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year to All!!!

Astros Fall and Winter League Recap

Puerto Rico was the only league in action on Monday night, and in the only game featuring players from the Astros organization:


Carolina was outhit 11-6, but they got the win by scoring 6 unanswered between the 6th and 8th innings and withstanding a 2-run top of the 9th from Caguas which cut their lead to 2.  

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-4, RBI groundout in 6th
1B Jobduan Morales: 1-2, R, BB



Tweet of the Day

Monday, December 23, 2013

Astros Winter League Cumulative Stats

The cumulative stats for all Astros (minor league and major league) players who either are participating or have participated in fall and winter league ball follow. Free agents are noted with an asterisk. Stats are through Sunday's games. Following the charts, I have included a quick look at the Astros standouts in the Liga Paralela and the Liga de Beisbol Dominicano, both of whom have concluded their regular seasons.



LIDOM

In the Liga de Beisbol Dominicano, no one stood out quite like LHP Rudy Owens. Owens led the LIDOM in WHIP and in strikeouts and was fifth in ERA. He held batters to a .191 batting average in his 10 starts. Owens needed the extra work as a foot injury (and subsequent surgery) derailed the bulk of his 2013 season. He appears to be fully healed and ready to compete for a job in Spring Training.

Another lefty, the recently acquired Raul Valdes, also shone in the regular season and figures to play a big role for the Toros del Este in the round robin playoffs which begin on Friday. Valdes was 7th in both ERA and WHIP in the LIDOM. The 36-year old Cuban was picked off the waiver wire from the Phillies in October.

Righties Jose Cisnero, Rhiner Cruz and Jorge de Leon all pitched in a handful of relief appearances, but none of them really stood out in their very limited work.

OF Domingo Santana and OF/IF Jonathan Villar both played a limited number of games early in the season and had decent winter numbers. Villar, in particular, came on strong toward the end of his playing time, putting up a .310/.429/.379 batting line in his final 10 games. Villar was also tied for third in stolen bases in the league despite not having played since November 20th.

OF Teoscar Hernandez and IF/OF Ruben Sosa were frequently used as pinch runners and defensive replacements and did not get regular playing time.

LIGA PARALELA

It was an adventure attempting to follow the Liga Paralela online between delayed and incorrect boxscores. Nonetheless, after reading the boxscores day in and day out, a couple of lesser known players emerged in my conciousness because of their skills at the plate. IF Alex Gonzalez, a minor league free agent picked up from the Rangers after the 2012 season, always seemed to be in the middle of the action with his great on-base skills and decent speed and power. He was tied for second in triples and was first in walks in the league. It is worth noting that Gonzalez is on the older side for the level at which he has played, having turned 22 in July and spending last season with the GCL Astros.

Another standout at the plate was the 20-year old C Marlon Avea. Avea hit for average, got on base at a good clip and showed some power. He was 10th in batting average and 4th in RBI in the Liga Paralela. Unfortunately, his work behind the plate needs a little help (he led the league in stolen bases allowed and was one of the leaders in passed balls).

OF Brett Phillips was just getting in a groove and was being considered for a chance to play on one of the Venezuelan big league clubs before he had to come home for a family matter. IF Carlos Perdomo and C/DH Luis Alvarez (currently a free agent) had very good winters as well.

On the pitching side of things, I'm going to single out two pitchers that Jeff Luhnow talked about in our interview from last month, RHP Jamaine Cotton and LHP Junior Garcia. Cotton definitely set himself apart in his 15 relief outings, walking only five batters and striking out 22 in his 18 innings. Other than Garcia's minuscule ERA, his numbers may not blow your socks off, but considering that he only turned 18 in October and he managed to get Luhnow's attention on his trip to Venezuela, I definitely think he will bear watching in 2014. RHP Gerardo Juarez also had a good winter campaign, building on his standout 2013 regular season with the DSL and GCL teams.

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Sunday, December 22

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide 5, Brisbane 1

The Bite came out on top as they got the series split.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, BB, K

Canberra 4, Perth 3

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: IP, unearned run

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Obregón 3, Guasave 1

Guasave couldn't get anything going on offense as they were held to 3 singles.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-4, 2 K
1B Japhet Amador: 0-2, R, BB

Culiacán 6, Mazatlán 1

The Tomato Growers stormed out of the gate with a 5-0 lead after 2 innings and were in control for the entire game. Gonzalo Sanudo tossed a scoreless 6th.

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: IP, H, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Águilas 3, Toros 0

Teoscar Hernandez's pinch-hit double was one of only 4 hits for the Bulls of the East.

Toros del Este
LF Teoscar Hernandez: Coming on as a pinch-hitter in the 8th, he hit a double, then remained in the game as the left fielder.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Caguas 3, Carolina 1

Carolina tied the game at 1 in the top of the 6th, but Caguas re-took the lead in the bottom of the inning and got an insurance run in the 8th, courtesy of a Roberto Peña RBI double, to take this one. Raul Rivera threw 5 strong innings for Carolina, as he only got tagged with an unearned run.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-5, K
DH Carlos Corporan: 0-1, BB
1B Jobduan Morales: 2-3, 2B, K
C Rene Garcia: 0-3, K

RHP Raul Rivera: 5 IP, 3 H, unearned run, BB, 4 K

Criollos de Caguas
C Roberto Peña: 1-4, RBI double in 8th

Happy Birthday - 12/23

No future Astros are celebrating, but these former Astros have birthdays today ~

RHP Al "Bozo" Cicotte (died November 29, 1982 at 52)
Purchased from the Cardinals in October 1961, Cicotte pitched in five games for the Colt 45's in 1962 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.929 WHIP.

RHP Brad "Lights Out" Lidge (37)
A first round draft pick by Houston in 1998, Lidge played for the Astros from 2002 to 2007 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.197 WHIP and 123 saves in 378 games. He was an All-Star for Houston in 2005 when he had 42 saves in 70 games. Lidge was traded, along with Eric Bruntlett, to the Phillies for Mike Costanzo, Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary in November of 2007. In 2008 he was on the All-Star team for the Phillies and won a World Series with them. He retired at the end of 2012 after last pitching for the Washington Nationals.

RHP Shawn Chacon (36)
Originally drafted by the Rockies in the third round in 1996, Chacon started 15 games for Houston in 2008, going 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.506 WHIP. He was an All-Star for the Rockies in 2003. For some reason, I can't help but get choked up whenever I think of Chacon.

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Saturday, December 21

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 7, La Guaira 2

For the 2nd time in 3 nights, Jesus Guzman went deep. The 2-run homer in the 3rd extended his hitting streak to 6 games.

Leones del Caracas
DH Jesus Guzman: 1-5, 2-R HR (6), K

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Joe Sclafani and the Adelaide Bite faced off against the Brisbane Bandits in a twinbill.

Game 1: Adelaide 4, Brisbane 1

The Bite put up 4 in the 3rd and got solid pitching to take the first game. 

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 0-2, RBI BB, R, 2 K

Game 2: Brisbane 3, Adelaide 1

The Bandits got the split by putting up 1 in the first 3 innings, while Adelaide was held to 3 hits. Sclafani also started this game at short; he was 0-3 with a walk and a run scored.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Guasave 5, Obregón 2 in 14 innings

The Cotton Growers tied the game with a run in the 9th, and they took control with a 3-run homer from Zelous Wheeler before the 2nd 7th-inning stretch. Japhet Amador put them on the board with an RBI single in the 6th.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 2-6, 2B, R, BB, 2 K
1B Japhet Amador: 1-3, RBI single in 6th, BB

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Licey 4, Toros 0

Tigres del Licey
LF Ruben Sosa: 0-1; entered game as a defensive replacement in the 6th.

Escogido 2, Gigantes 0

Escogido broke a scoreless tie with their 2 runs in the top of the 9th. Jose Cisnero threw a scoreless 7th.

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Jose Cisnero: IP, BB, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Santurce 6, Carolina 4

Santurce's 6-2 lead after 4 innings withstood 2 in the 9th from Carolina.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 1-3, BB, R

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 1-4; Hernandez is currently on a 7-game hitting streak.
1B Jobduan Morales: 1-3, K

Happy Birthday - 12/22

No future Astros have birthdays today, but these former Astros celebrate ~

RF Glenn Wilson (55)
Originally drafted in the first round in 1980 by the Tigers, Wilson came to Houston in an August 1980 trade that sent Billy Hatcher to Pittsburgh. In 146 games for the Astros in 1989 and 1990, he hit .238/.284/.357. His best season was his All-Star season for the Phillies in 1985 when he hit 39 doubles and drove in 102 runs.

RHP Michael Jackson (49)
A second round pick by the Phillies in 1984, Jackson signed with the Astros as a free agent in December 2000. In 67 games for Houston in 2001, he had a 4.70 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. In 1998, he saved 40 games for Cleveland with a 1.55 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP.

OF Jason Lane (37)
Drafted by the Astros in the sixth round in 1999, Lane played in 494 games for Houston from 2002 to 2007, hitting .241/.315/.458. He re-invented himself in 2011 as a left-handed pitcher with a little help from the Diamondbacks organization. After his release in May 2012 by Arizona, Lane pitched for the Independent Sugar Land Skeeters in 2012 and 2013 before being picked up by the Padres organization in July 2013. He re-signed with San Diego as a free agent in November.

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Saturday, December 21, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Friday, December 20

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 8, Aragua 6 in 10 innings

A 2-run homer from Ramon Cabrera (Tigers) in the extra inning gave Caracas the walk-off win.

Leones del Caracas
DH Jesus Guzman: 1-4, RBI, K; Guzman is currently on a 5-game hitting streak.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Brisbane 8, Adelaide 7

Down 8-0, Adelaide managed to cut the deficit all the way to 1, but they were unable to find that tying run.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 1-5, R, 2 K

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Obregón 2, Guasave 0

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 0-4
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Caguas 4, Santurce 1

Jonathan Singleton's hit a bit of a rough patch lately; he was hitless for the 3rd straight game.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-4, K

Mayagüez 5, Carolina 1

Carolina scored first in the 1st, but Mayagüez responded with 5 unanswered to get the win.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 1-4, 2B, R, K; Hernandez extended his hitting streak to 6 games.
1B Jobduan Morales: 1-3, 2B, K

Happy Birthday - 12/21

Happy Birthday to ~

C Pedro Coa (21)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela, Coa appeared in 26 games for the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2013, hitting .133/.232/.167. He only appeared in eight games for the Tiburones in the Liga Paralela in Venezuela this winter, but hit a robust .387/.387/.516 in his limited time with the team.

RHP Asher Wojciechowski (25)
A first round pick by Toronto in 2010, Wojciechowski came to the Astros in the July 2012 10-player trade with the Blue Jays. Wojo split his 2013 season between Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City, compiling a combined 11-8 record with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.150 WHIP in 28 appearances (24 starts).

LHP David Rollins (24)
Drafted by Toronto in the 24th round in 2011, Rollins also came to Houston in the big July 2012 trade with the Blue Jays. Rollins spent the bulk of his season with the Lancaster team before a late season promotion to Corpus Christi. He even made a very successful spot start in Oklahoma City. In 30 appearances (20 starts), Rollins was 9-8 with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.210 WHIP. He walked 43 batters while striking out 137 in 136+ innings.

2B Austin "Catfish" Elkins (23)
A 19th round pick out of Dallas Baptist by Houston in the 2012 draft, Elkins spent his second professional season with Quad Cities. In 110 games, he hit .234/.368/.350. He walked 67 times while striking out 70.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Howie Reed (died December 7, 1984 at 47)
Reed came to Houston in an October 1966 trade with the Angels. In four games (two starts) for the Astros in 1967, he was 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP. His best season was 1965 when he played for the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

RHP Joaquin Andujar (61)
Andujar first came to Houston in an October 1975 trade with the Reds and pitched for the Astros from 1976 to 1981 and again in 1988.  In 202 games with the Astros, he had a 3.67 ERA and a 1.377 WHIP.  He was an All-Star with Houston in 1977 and 1979. Andujar made two additional All-Star appearances and won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals, and he earned his one World Series ring with them  in 1982.

RHP LaTroy Hawkins (41)
Originally drafted by Minnesota in the seventh round in 1991, Hawkins came to Houston in a July 2008 trade with the Yankees. In 89 appearances for Houston in 2008 and 2009, he was 3-4 with a 1.71 ERA and a 1.091 WHIP. He has currently pitched 19 seasons for ten different teams with the latest being the Mets in 2013. He signed with the Rockies as a free agent in November shortly after he did this.

RHP Philip Humber (31)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 2004, Humber was claimed by the Astros off waivers from the White Sox in November 2012. In 17 appearances (seven starts) with the Astros in 2013, Humber went 0-8 with a 7.90 ERA and a 1.738 WHIP, a far cry from the perfect game he threw for the White Sox on April 21, 2012. Humber signed with Oakland as a free agent in October.

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, December 19

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 9, Margarita 8

The capital club withstood a late rally from the Islanders and held on for the win. New addition Jesus Guzman went deep in the 3rd inning, his 5th of the campaign.

Leones del Caracas 
DH Jesus Guzman: 1-4, solo HR (5), 2 RBI, K; his other RBI came on a force out attempt in the 5th.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Guasave 2, Hermosillo 1 in 11 innings

The Cotton Growers walked off with the victory, thanks to Japhet Amador's winning RBI single in the bottom of the 11th.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 2-5, R
1B Japhet Amador: 1-5, walk-off RBI single, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Escogido 3, Águilas 2 in 11 innings

Leones del Escogido
RHP Jorge De Leon: Walked the only batter he faced in the 10th inning.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Mayagüez 3, Santurce 2

Santurce relinquished the lead by allowing 3 in the top of the 7th.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
CF Adron Chambers: 0-4, 2 K
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-3, R, BB, K

Caguas 3, Ponce 2

Criollos de Caguas
C Roberto Peña: Entered game as a defensive replacement in the 9th. He did not appear at the plate.

Happy Birthday - 12/20

No future Astros, but several former Astros celebrate birthdays today ~

1B/3B/OF Aubrey Huff (37)
A fifth round pick by Tampa, Huff came to Houston in a July 2006 trade for Mitch Talbot and Ben Zobrist. In 68 games for the Astros in 2006, he hit .250/.341/.478. He went on to play for Baltimore where he earned a Silver Slugger, Detroit and finally San Francisco where he earned World Series rings in 2010 and 2012.

LF Keith Lampard (68)
Drafted by Houston in the second round in 1965, Lampard played in 62 games for the Astros in 1969 and 1970, hitting .238/.289/.393. In nine seasons in the minor leagues, he hit .289/.316/.470.

RHP Marc Valdes (42)
Originally drafted by the Marlins in the first round in 1993, Valdes came to Houston in a May 2000 trade with Tampa. In 53 appearances for the Astros in 2000, he was 5-5 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.659 WHIP. After playing, he became a coach in the Mets organization. In 2013, he was the pitching coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League.

MGR Cecil Cooper (63)
As manager of the Houston Astros for parts of 2007 and 2009 and all of 2008, he compiled a 170-170 record. Of all the things I could remember Cooper for, I actually most remember him for his freakishly large hands.

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Astros Winter League Cumulative Stats

The cumulative stats for all Astros (minor league and major league) players who either are participating or have participated in fall and winter league ball follow. Free agents are noted with an asterisk. Stats are through Wednesday's games.

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, December 18

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Hermosillo 3, Guasave 2

Guasave scored a couple of runs late, but they weren't able to find the breakthrough. After the Cotton Growers got on the board in the 8th, Leo Heras was stranded at 3rd to end the inning. Heras was also caught stealing home in the 1st. Japhet Amador made it 3-2 by leading off the bottom of the 9th with a homer.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-2, 2 BB
1B Japhet Amador: 1-4, solo HR (3, 7 combined)

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Escogido 4, Toros 3

Jorge De Leon pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning as los Leones walked off with a victory.

Leones del Escogido
RHP Jorge De Leon: IP, K

Estrellas 9, Gigantes 4

The Eastern Stars broke a 4-4 tie with 5 in the 6th. Rhiner Cruz bore the brunt of that attack, though.

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Rhiner Cruz: L (0-1), 0.2 IP, H, 3 ER (1 inherited runner was charged to him), 2 BB
RHP Jose Cisnero: IP (8th), H; first appearance since 11/16

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Santurce 1, Mayagüez 0

Santurce pounded out 10 hits, but only managed to score 1 run. On the flip side, they shackled the Mayagüez offense, holding them to 1 hit and just 2 baserunners all game.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
CF Adron Chambers: 2-4, K
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-2, R, 2 BB; he scored on an RBI single in the 1st.

Carolina 5, Ponce 4

Both teams exchanged a pair of 2-run innings, but it was Carolina coming out on top with a run in the 6th.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 1-4
1B Jobduan Morales: 1-3, RBI single in 4th, BB, K

Happy Birthday - 12/19

Happy Birthday to ~

OF Brandon Meredith (24)
Drafted out of San Diego State in the sixth round in 2011, Meredith spent his third professional season at Lancaster in 2013. In 105 games, he hit .279/.399/.507 with 25 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs and 68 RBI. Meredith showed the biggest improvement from the prior season in OBP, walking 64 times and having the sixth highest OBP for Astros minor leaguers appearing in at least 100 games.

Tom Lawless (57)
In his fifth season working in the Astros minor league system, Lawless served as one of the Astros Development Specialists for infield development and was assigned to the Oklahoma City RedHawks team in 2013. Lawless is still remembered by many for his three-run home run for the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series in 1987 and his subsequent bat flip seen here 48 seconds in.

 Former Astros with birthdays today ~

OF Walt "No Neck" Williams (70)
Where have all the good nicknames gone? No Neck signed with Houston as an amateur free agent prior to the 1963 season. In 10 games for the Colt .45's in 1964, Williams went hitless in nine at-bats. He went on to play several more seasons with the White Sox, Indians and Yankees with a .270/.310/.365 career batting line.

RHP Joe Slusarski (47)
Originally drafted by Oakland in the second round in 1988, Slusarski came to Houston as a free agent in May 1998. In 65 games pitched for the Astros in 1999, 2000 and 2001, he had a 4.57 ERA and a 1.379 WHIP.

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Astros Roster Moves/Transactions

The Astros pulled a couple of moves yesterday that are far from earth-shattering. First off, RHP Collin McHugh was claimed off waivers from Colorado. The 26-year old has had very limited major league experience, appearing in 15 games for the Mets and the Rockies in 2012 and 2013 and putting up an 0-8 record with a 8.94 ERA and a 1.796 WHIP. In six seasons in the minors, he is 37-28 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.264 WHIP. According to Alyson Footer's story, McHugh will be considered for a spot in the starting rotation.

The second move of the day was the trade of IF Ryan Jackson to San Diego for 1B/LF Jesus Guzman. The 29-year old right-handed hitter will be considered for a platoon situation with lefty Brett Wallace at first base or, according to Footer's story on the trade, will be given the opportunity to win the job outright in Spring Training. In three seasons for the Padres, Guzman hit .259/.326/.422. Jackson had been claimed by Houston off waivers from the Cardinals less than a month ago. It is my sincere hope that he didn't load up on Astros gear for his family for Christmas.

The Astros 40-man roster currently stands at 40.