In my ongoing season reviews of the various Astros minor league teams, today we'll look at the AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks.
The team finished with a 74-70 record (.514 win percentage) and was tied for second place in the division, two and a half games out of first.
Oklahoma City Team Batting
.283 BA - 6th out of 16 teams
.356 OBP - 4th
.417 SLG - 10th
Oklahoma City Team Pitching
4.19 ERA - 4th
1.36 WHIP - 4th
1089 SO - 10th
454 BB - 11th
Yet again, I was woefully wrong in my prediction for this team's record to end the season. Their win-loss record did not come close to my eternally optimistic speculation. However, I was correct in my assumption that they would be better across the board in ERA, WHIP, BA, OBP and SLG over the team's 2013 numbers.
Now, on to individual achievements. Below I am indicating the player's current age as well as information as to how many years the player has been playing. I won't be including any players who spent substantial time with the major league club during the season.
CATCHERS
Carlos Perez - 23; 7th season
Perez was one of the 10 players who changed hands in the July 2012 trade between Houston and the Blue Jays. An above average defensive catcher, Perez hit .259/.323/.385 with 16 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 34 RBI in 88 games. He walked 29 times and struck out 54 times. In 74 games behind the dish, Perez had a 32% caught stealing rate.
Max Stassi - 23; 6th season
Stassi received his call-up back to Houston after the RedHawks season concluded, spending his entire season in Oklahoma City prior to that. In 101 games, he hit .247/.296/.378 with 20 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 45 RBI, walking 22 times and striking out 103 times. On paper, I would characterize his work in 72 games behind the plate as average to slightly above average; his 26% caught stealing rate keeps me from rating him higher, particularly considering some of the other very strong defensive catchers in the system. Stassi came to the Astros system in the February 2013 trade that sent Jed Lowrie to Oakland.
INFIELDERS
3B/2B/SS Jio Mier - (24; 6th season)
Mier seems to have gotten a second wind after his promotion to Oklahoma City in July. In 41 games with the RedHawks, he hit .250/.348/.310 as opposed to his .216/.281/.302 batting line with Corpus Christi in the first 79 games of the season. In 120 total games, he collected 16 doubles, four home runs, 35 RBI and 37 walks, while striking out 89 times. Mier was the Astros first round draft pick in 2009. He also held his own defensively as he spent significant time at third base and second base for the first time in his professional career.
Mier seems to have gotten a second wind after his promotion to Oklahoma City in July. In 41 games with the RedHawks, he hit .250/.348/.310 as opposed to his .216/.281/.302 batting line with Corpus Christi in the first 79 games of the season. In 120 total games, he collected 16 doubles, four home runs, 35 RBI and 37 walks, while striking out 89 times. Mier was the Astros first round draft pick in 2009. He also held his own defensively as he spent significant time at third base and second base for the first time in his professional career.
2B/3B/DH Joe Sclafani - 24; 3rd season
Drafted by Houston in the 14th round in 2012, Sclafani had a very good season at the plate between his first 36 games in Corpus Christi (.285/.333/.361) and his final 62 games in Oklahoma City (.339/.420/438). In the 98 games combined, Sclafani hit seven doubles, three triples and two home runs, walking 26 times to 27 strikeouts. Drafted as a middle infielder, his defense is much stronger at second base than it is at third base. He is a switch-hitter who hits better from the left side of the plate, but also has solid numbers as a right-handed bat.
1B/3B Matt Duffy - 25; 4th season
Duffy played in 136 games this season, second in the system to only Preston Tucker, and his time was evenly split between first base and third base. He was very solid defensively at both positions. Duffy started his season at Corpus Christi (49 games), hitting .302/.340/.455 before earning his promotion to Oklahoma City in late May. In 87 games for the RedHawks, he hit .279/.333/.448. For the season, he collected 22 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 84 RBI and walked 28 times while striking out 106 times. Duffy was the Astros 20th round draft pick in 2011.
2B Ronald Torreyes - 22 (as of 9/2): 5th season
Torreyes played far more games at second base than any other position, but did get his hand in at third base, short, left field and center field as well and provided solid defense at all of those positions. In 126 games for Oklahoma City this season, he hit .298/.345/.376 with 20 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 46 RBI. He snagged 12 bases and was caught in the act nine times. Torreyes was also one of the hardest outs in the system as he struck out only 26 times while walking 25 times. Originally from Venezuela, Torreyes came to the Astros system from the Cubs in 2013 in exchange for two international bonus slots.
1B/3B Matt Duffy - 25; 4th season
Duffy played in 136 games this season, second in the system to only Preston Tucker, and his time was evenly split between first base and third base. He was very solid defensively at both positions. Duffy started his season at Corpus Christi (49 games), hitting .302/.340/.455 before earning his promotion to Oklahoma City in late May. In 87 games for the RedHawks, he hit .279/.333/.448. For the season, he collected 22 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 84 RBI and walked 28 times while striking out 106 times. Duffy was the Astros 20th round draft pick in 2011.
2B Ronald Torreyes - 22 (as of 9/2): 5th season
Torreyes played far more games at second base than any other position, but did get his hand in at third base, short, left field and center field as well and provided solid defense at all of those positions. In 126 games for Oklahoma City this season, he hit .298/.345/.376 with 20 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 46 RBI. He snagged 12 bases and was caught in the act nine times. Torreyes was also one of the hardest outs in the system as he struck out only 26 times while walking 25 times. Originally from Venezuela, Torreyes came to the Astros system from the Cubs in 2013 in exchange for two international bonus slots.
OUTFIELDERS
Preston Tucker - 24; 3rd season
Drafted by Houston in the 7th round in 2012, Tucker appeared in 65 games with Corpus Christi and was promoted a couple of days after he hit two home runs in a showcase game against the Missions in Minute Maid Park. He played in another 73 at Oklahoma City, and his 138 total games led the system. For the season, the lefty hit .282/.352/.481 with 35 doubles, 24 home runs and 94 RBI, walking 57 times and striking out 120 times. Although Tucker played a handful of games at first base, he spent the vast majority of his time in right field and left field, and has progressed nicely with his defensive skills.
Andrew Aplin - 23; 3rd season
The fifth round 2012 draft pick played in 98 games for Corpus Christi before receiving an August 1st promotion to Oklahoma City for his last 28 games of the season. Splitting his time between right field and center field, he continued to show off his impressive defensive skills and collected 15 outfield assists for the season. At the plate, the lefty hit a combined .265/.372/.345 with 14 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 65 RBI and 26 stolen bases (caught 11 times). He also walked (80 times) more than he struck out (71 times).
Domingo Santana - 22; 6th season
Andrew Aplin - 23; 3rd season
The fifth round 2012 draft pick played in 98 games for Corpus Christi before receiving an August 1st promotion to Oklahoma City for his last 28 games of the season. Splitting his time between right field and center field, he continued to show off his impressive defensive skills and collected 15 outfield assists for the season. At the plate, the lefty hit a combined .265/.372/.345 with 14 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 65 RBI and 26 stolen bases (caught 11 times). He also walked (80 times) more than he struck out (71 times).
Domingo Santana - 22; 6th season
Aside from two very brief (and forgettable) stints in Houston, Santana played the rest of his season at Oklahoma City, hitting .296/.384/.474 with 27 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 81 RBI in 120 games. He walked 64 times and struck out 149 times. Santana held his own defensively, splitting his time between right field and left field. Santana, from the Dominican Republic, came to the Astros system as the PTBNL in the Hunter Pence trade.
Ruben Sosa - 23; 4th season
A switch-hitter, Sosa played in 40 games at Lancaster, 50 games in Corpus Christi and his final 26 games in Oklahoma City. Sosa played a few games at second base, but was used primarily in left field, putting up decent defensive numbers. For the season, he hit .257/.340/.402 with 18 doubles, 10 triples, five home runs, 47 RBI and 39 stolen bases (caught stealing 10 times). In 116 games, he struck out 103 times while walking 46 times. Sosa was drafted by the Astros in the 23rd round in 2011.
LEFTY PITCHERS
Rudy Owens - 26; 8th season
Owens made one spot start in Houston, but otherwise spent his entire season with Oklahoma City, leading the Astros minor league system in innings pitched only a year removed from a season-ending foot injury in early 2013. Owens appeared in 25 games (21 starts) with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.252 WHIP for the season, and 35 walks to 105 strikeouts in 140.2 innings. He had a terrific final month of the season as he went 3-0 in 6 starts (40 innings) with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.100 WHIP. Batters hit .217 against him for the month. Owens, a 26th round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2006, came to the Astros system in the July 2012 Wandy Rodriguez trade.
Tommy Shirley - 25; 5th season
A 9th round draft pick in 2010, Shirley started his season with Corpus Christi. In 17 games (13 starts) for the Hooks, he had a very stingy 1.88 ERA and 0.927 WHIP leading to his early July promotion. After three starts in Oklahoma City, he was relegated to bullpen duties for his next 10 appearances, presumably due to the large increase in workload from the prior season. When all was said and done, he ended the season with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.099 WHIP, striking out 100 batters while walking 32 in 117.1 innings pitched.
Luis Cruz - 24 (as of 9/10); 7th season
Drafted by the Astros in the 9th round in 2008 out of Puerto Rico, Cruz spent the majority of his seaason with Corpus Christi before being promoted to OKC in early August. In 21 appearances (17 starts) with the Hooks, Cruz had a 3.14 ERA, a 1.106 and held batters to a .231 average. After five starts for the RedHawks, he ended the season with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.243 WHIP. In 124.2 inning, he issued 38 walks while striking out 118.
Patrick Urckfitz - 26; 7th season
Urckfitz pitched out of the bullpen in Corpus Chrisit for 22 games and in Oklahoma City for 25 games, ending the season with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.323 WHIP. Predominantly a ground ball pitcher, he walked 20 batters and struck out 42 in 53.2 innings. He was more adept at keeping righties in check when he pitched for the Hooks than he was after the promotion. Urckfitz was a non-drafted free agent signed by the Astros in 2008.
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS
Nick Tropeano - 24; 4th season
Until Tropeano's call-up after the minor league season had concluded, he spent his entire 2014 season in Oklahoma City, putting up some of the best numbers in the Pacific Coast League. In 23 games (20 starts), the 5th round 2011 draft pick went 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA and a 0.987 WHIP while holding hitters to a .203 batting average. In 124.2 innings, he walked 33 batters and struck out 120. Tropeano missed approximately a month on the DL in the middle of the season.
Asher Wojciechowski - 25; 5th season
Wojo got a late start to his season as he battled back from injury. In a total of 15 games (14 starts), he compiled a 4-4 record with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.447 WHIP. However, he was coming on strong at the end of the season; in six starts in August, he was 3-1 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.115 WHIP. A first round draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2010, Wojciechowski came to the Astros system in the July 2012 10-player trade with that team.
Jason Stoffel - 26 (as of 9/15); 6th season
Stoffel was the workhorse of the RedHawks bullpen, appearing in a system-leading 54 games. In 64.2 innings of work, Stoffel was 5-4 with 11 saves, a 3.20 ERA, a 1.485 WHIP and he walked 28 batters (six intentionally) to 68 strikeouts. Stoffel was drafted by the Giants in the 4th round in 2009 and came to the Houston system in the July 2011 Jeff Keppinger trade.
Richard Rodriguez - 24; 5th season
Rodriguez was moved up and down a bit this season, and spent time in Lancaster (seven appearances) and Corpus Christi (11 games) before landing in Oklahoma City permanently in July. In a total of three stints with Oklahoma City, Rodriguez was 2-0 with a 3.49 ERA and a 0.882 WHIP in 16 games. For the season, he had a 3.62 ERA, a 1.006 WHIP and walked 10 batters while striking out 67 in 59.2 innings. Rodriguez is from the Dominican Republic.
Jorge de Leon - 27; 9th season (5th season as a pitcher)
After spending some of last August in the Houston bullpen, de Leon found himself back in Corpus Christi to start the season. After 15 appearances, he was promoted to Oklahoma City where he spent the remainder of the season prior to his post-season callup back to the big league club. In 46 total appearances, he had a 3.01 ERA and a 1.267 WHIP, walking 23 and striking out 61 in 68.2 innings. De Leon is from the Dominican Republic.
Until Tropeano's call-up after the minor league season had concluded, he spent his entire 2014 season in Oklahoma City, putting up some of the best numbers in the Pacific Coast League. In 23 games (20 starts), the 5th round 2011 draft pick went 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA and a 0.987 WHIP while holding hitters to a .203 batting average. In 124.2 innings, he walked 33 batters and struck out 120. Tropeano missed approximately a month on the DL in the middle of the season.
Asher Wojciechowski - 25; 5th season
Wojo got a late start to his season as he battled back from injury. In a total of 15 games (14 starts), he compiled a 4-4 record with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.447 WHIP. However, he was coming on strong at the end of the season; in six starts in August, he was 3-1 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.115 WHIP. A first round draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2010, Wojciechowski came to the Astros system in the July 2012 10-player trade with that team.
Jason Stoffel - 26 (as of 9/15); 6th season
Stoffel was the workhorse of the RedHawks bullpen, appearing in a system-leading 54 games. In 64.2 innings of work, Stoffel was 5-4 with 11 saves, a 3.20 ERA, a 1.485 WHIP and he walked 28 batters (six intentionally) to 68 strikeouts. Stoffel was drafted by the Giants in the 4th round in 2009 and came to the Houston system in the July 2011 Jeff Keppinger trade.
Richard Rodriguez - 24; 5th season
Rodriguez was moved up and down a bit this season, and spent time in Lancaster (seven appearances) and Corpus Christi (11 games) before landing in Oklahoma City permanently in July. In a total of three stints with Oklahoma City, Rodriguez was 2-0 with a 3.49 ERA and a 0.882 WHIP in 16 games. For the season, he had a 3.62 ERA, a 1.006 WHIP and walked 10 batters while striking out 67 in 59.2 innings. Rodriguez is from the Dominican Republic.
Jorge de Leon - 27; 9th season (5th season as a pitcher)
After spending some of last August in the Houston bullpen, de Leon found himself back in Corpus Christi to start the season. After 15 appearances, he was promoted to Oklahoma City where he spent the remainder of the season prior to his post-season callup back to the big league club. In 46 total appearances, he had a 3.01 ERA and a 1.267 WHIP, walking 23 and striking out 61 in 68.2 innings. De Leon is from the Dominican Republic.
Next up will be the final installment in the series on the Lancaster team.
Earlier season reviews ~
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