Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Catching Up with Astros/Hooks RHP Aaron West

It's hard to get much attention when you're on a roster that features the likes of Lance McCullers, Vince Velasquez, Mark Appel and others so Aaron West's good season in 2015 has largely gone unnoticed by most of the Astros fans outside of Corpus Christi. Thus far this season, West has a 2.54 ERA and a 1.027 WHIP in 49.2 innings of work. He has walked six batters while striking out 38. In seven appearances in June, he has a 1.29 ERA and a 0.969 WHIP.

I spoke with West recently by phone. I hadn't "formally" heard from him since this September 2012 interview so it was good to catch up with him and hear more about his season.

Aaron West - May 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

West's career trajectory took a detour last season when he went on the DL in late April and missed around two and a half months in the middle of the season. Of the injury, West explained, "I just had a strain in my elbow. It wasn't anything serious. I had been working on my mechanics a little bit and my arm ended up getting hurt so they shut me down to get some rest and (to) basically just remember how I used to throw and to get back to that. But it was nothing serious."

Coming in to the 2015 season, West was initially used as a starter, but he hasn't started a game since late May, and his last eight appearances have been out of the bullpen. Of the move, West said, "As of right now, I've been moved to the bullpen. We had a bunch of starters come up and I think they were just looking for someone who could go to the 'pen and be OK with it. And I told them in the beginning of the year that I'd do whatever I can do to get to the big leagues. That's my goal so if that means going to the 'pen, I'm fine with it. I'm happy right now. As long as I get to pitch and still have a jersey to put on, I'm fine."

And it looks as though the Astros are keeping their options open since West has been used in longer relief stints, keeping him stretched out in case he is needed again for the rotation. "My arm's been feeling good. I've thrown four innings once and three innings a couple of times. My arm's still in good shape. It really hasn't lost anything from just throwing less," said West.

What has been working well for him this season? According to West, "I think just having my arm feeling good and healthy. And I've been working really hard on my offspeed, on my changeup and my slider. I think (they're) a lot better as compared to last year and it just helps me keep the hitters off balance a little bit more and then I can run a fastball in there. I have a good feel with all my pitches right now so I can go out and throw strikes and it gives me confidence to throw any pitch in any count which helps."

As to what West feels he needs to work on, he said, "Maybe just a little more depth in my changeup and slider, but other than that, just staying healthy and just having a good year. That's my goal for this year."

West spoke about what it's been like to play on the very successful (and very talented) Corpus Christi team, "(There are) just a bunch of great guys on this team and it makes playing the game so much better. Doing well is great, but I think having fun makes it so much easier. That's basically what (we've been) doing all year. We're not really trying to focus on the game. We're just taking it pitch by pitch and enjoying ourselves while we do it."

How much fun is it playing for Corpus Christi Manager Rodney Linares and Pitching Coach Doug Brocail? "Those guys are great. And Rodney got selected to the Futures Game for a reason. He's a great coach. He knows how to handle a team and knows when guys need off days and when we need to have fun and when we need to work and that's what's making us really good this year. It helps too having guys like Lance McCullers and (Vince) Velasquez ... and all those guys who can go up and immediately have an impact on the big leagues. It shows that what they're doing down here is working."

West also appreciates the talent he sees in the field behind him when he pitches, "Teoscar (Hernandez) in centerfield ... he's playing right (field) now that (Brett) Phillips is up, but's he's great. He can run down any ball. And Phillips ... making great plays for me. And Leo Heras, in left or right or wherever they want to put him, he can catch anything. It's amazing watching him out there. And Jio Mier, and Tyler White at third base ... it just makes pitching so much easier when you can throw the ball over the plate and you know that they're going to make a play for you. It makes pitching just easy."

Before I got off the phone with West, I asked him what else was going on. His fiancé Breonna was in Corpus Christi visiting him, but other than that, what he said pretty much sums up the life of a minor leaguer. "Just long bus trips and lots of baseball," said West.

Thank you for your time, Aaron, and best of luck as the season continues.

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

You can find more on virtually every player in the Astros minor league system in the UPDATED 2015 Houston Farm System Handbook (now at a new low price!) available on Amazon for download to your kindle, iPad, laptop, desktop or smart phone.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, June 29, 2015

A few incomplete games to talk about here...

Reno 7, Fresno 2

W- Edgar Garcia (2-1)
L- Luis Cruz (4-3)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies had a rough series as they dropped 4 of 5 in the Biggest Little City in the World. They scored a total of 5 runs in the 4 losses, 2 of which were incurred in a doubleheader on Saturday.

Their only 2 runs came in the 7th as Nolan Fontana scored on a wild pitch and Tony Kemp added a sac fly. Fontana, L.J. Hoes, and Alex Presley had 2 hits apiece. Presley's double was Fresno's only extra-base hit.

Luis Cruz went 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (solo and 2-run homers), walked 6, and struck out 3. Jake Buchanan pitched 1.2 perfect innings. Jason Stoffel struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 7th. Kevin Chapman got 2 outs in the 8th, but he also allowed a 3-run homer to Garrett Weber. Chapman allowed 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1. James Hoyt got the Grizzlies out of the 8th.

The Grizzlies will spend the final day of June in El Paso as they begin a 3-game series. Brady Rodgers will be on the mound for Fresno in game 1. He'll take on James Needy at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi was off

The Texas League All-Star Game will be held tonight at Whataburger Field.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks will kick off a 4-game series at home against Inland Empire tonight at 6:30 Pacific. Troy Scribner will take on Ryan Etsell.

Quad Cities 1, Beloit 0, 3 innings completed

This game was suspended due to rain in the top of the 4th inning. It will resume at 5:30. The Snappers currently have a man on 1st, and the current batter, Jose Brizuela, has an 0-1 count.

Alex Hernandez scored on a balk in the 3rd, which represents the only run so far. Brandon McNitt allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 3.1 innings.

In tonight's regularly scheduled game, which will be a 7-inning affair, David Paulino will make his Quad Cities debut. He'll take on Daniel Gossett.

Connecticut 7, Tri-City 1

W- Chase Edwards (1-1)
L- Elieser Hernandez (0-1)
S- Gerson Moreno (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats offense couldn't get much of anything going as they were held to 3 hits.

2 of those 3 hits belonged to Dex McCall. One of them was an RBI double in the 7th that brought home Bryan Muñiz for the only Tri-City run. Muñiz had the other hit.

Elieser Hernandez went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and struck out 6. Rogelio Armenteros allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and fanned 2 over 2 innings, and in his pro debut, David Schmidt allowed a run on 2 hits in the 8th. Schmidt was an undrafted free agent out of Stanford.

The ValleyCats will look to avoid the sweep as Trent Thornton takes the mound. He'll face Sandy Baez at 7;05 Eastern.

Princeton 4, Greeneville 2

W- Jose Mujica (1-0)
L- Makay Nelson (0-1)
S- Armando Bastardo (3)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros got 2 in the 1st, but no more. The Rays ended up scoring the game's final 4 runs.

Greeneville's 2 runs in the 1st came in the form of a 2-run double from Connor Goedert. He finished 2-3. The two players who scored on his double, Myles Straw and Aaron Mizell, had 2 hit-games as well.

Devonte German allowed 2 hits over 3 scoreless innings. Makay Nelson was the first man out; he allowed 3 runs (all in the 5th) on 3 hits and struck out 1 over 3 innings. Chris Murphy pitched the final 2 innings and allowed an unearned run on a single in the 8th and fanned 2.

On this final day of June, Yhoan Acosta will face Jose Alvarado. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Phillies 2, GCL Astros 0 through 1.5 innings

This game was suspended heading into the bottom of the 2nd and will be completed today. These two teams will also play a 7-inning contest.

DSL Royals 3, DSL Astros 1

W- Randy Acevedo (1-1)
L- Michel Martinez (2-1)
S- Darwin Feliz (1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team's only run came on an RBI double from Oscar Campos in the 7th.

Michel Martinez allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 3, and fanned 2 in 5 innings. Yoanys Quiala went 3 and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Framber Valdez allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 in the 9th.

The Blue team will take on the Rays at 10:30 A.M. Atlantic.

DSL Rangers1 15, DSL Astros Orange 9

W- Ronny Carvajal (2-0)
L- Franklin Perez (0-2)

Orange home runs: None.

Juan Fuente went 2-5 with an RBI single in the 3rd. In the 6th, Brandon Benavente scored on an errant pickoff throw, and Anthony Rodriguez scored on a balk. Rodriguez, who hit 2 doubles and scored 2 runs, hit a 2-run double in the 8th. He scored on an error that allowed Juan Fuente to reach. Fuente also scored on an error. Ronny Rafael went 2-4 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored. He hit an RBI double in the 9th and came around to score on an RBI single from Hector Martinez, who finished 3-5. Benavente scored 3 runs.

Franklin Perez allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and struck out 4. The bullpen struggled, and I'll leave it at that.

The Orange team will take on the Cardinals at 10:30 A.M. Atlantic.

Happy Birthday - 6/30

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

RHP Rogelio Armenteros (21)
Armenteros was born June 30, 1994 in Cuba, and was signed by the Astros in September 2014. He is currently playing for the short season A Tri-City ValleyCats.

Tweet of the Day

Monday, June 29, 2015

Astros Minor League Roster Moves: June 24th thru June 30th

[Moving this post back up to the top of the page] This post will cover moves made between June 24 and June 30.

FRESNO
6-28: LHP Brett Oberholtzer optioned to Fresno
6-26: 1B Jon Singleton recalled to Houston
6-25: RHP Richard Rodriguez traded to Orioles for player to be named later or cash
6-24: RHP Mark Appel assigned from Corpus Christi to Fresno

CORPUS CHRISTI
6-30: C Alfredo Gonzalez assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi
6-28: RHP Michael Feliz recalled to Houston
6-24: OF Brett Phillips assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi

LANCASTER
6-30: RHP Frederick Tiburcio released
6-29: RHP Aaron Greenwood assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster
6-29: C Jacob Nottingham assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster
6-24: RHP Akeem Bostick assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster

QUAD CITIES
6-28: C Trent Woodward assigned from Tri-City to Quad Cities
6-28: RHP Riley Ferrell assigned to Quad Cities
6-27: RHP David Paulino assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
6-26: SS Alex Bregman assigned to Quad Cities
6-26: SS Thomas Lindauer released

TRI-CITY
6-28: LHP Steve Naemark assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville
6-27: 3B Bobby Wernes assigned to Tri-City
6-27: SS Jeffry Santos released
6-26: LHP Zac Person assigned to Tri-City

A couple of 2015 draft picks are headed up to the New York-Penn League...

GREENEVILLE
6-24: IF Ford Stainback signed as a non-drafted free agent and assigned to Greeneville

GCL
6-25: C Ruben Castro assigned to GCL from Lancaster

DSL BLUE
6-30: RHP Leovanny Rodriguez assigned to DSL Astros Blue

Rodriguez is a Dominican who turned 19 on June 13.

DSL ORANGE
6-30: RHP Diosward Gonzalez assigned to DSL Astros Orange

Gonzalez, who I'm assuming is Dominican, will turn 20 on July 7.

The master list of 2015 draft picks and NDFA's has been updated here.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, June 27, 2015 and Sunday, June 28, 2015

Let's play 2 in Reno!

Saturday Game 1: Reno 8, Fresno 0

W- Gabriel Arias (4-1)
L- Mark Appel (0-1, 5-2 season)

Fresno home runs: None.

Well, Mark Appel's AAA debut didn't exactly go as planned.

He went 3 innings and allowed 7 runs on 7 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 1. Mitch Lambson allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 3 innings.

Robbie Grossman finished 2-3, and his double was the only extra-base hit for the Grizzlies in game 1.

Saturday Game 2: Reno 2, Fresno 1

W- Justin Marks (5-6)
L- Dan Straily (6-6)
S- Kaleb Fleck (5)

Fresno home runs: None.

A 4th-inning run for the Aces condemned the Grizz to a sweep in the twinbill.

Dan Straily went the distance, allowing 5 hits (solo homer) and striking out 7.

Alex Presley finished 2-3 and his solo homer in the 1st constituted the only run for Fresno.

Sunday: Reno 5, Fresno 2

W- Aaron Blair (2-1)
L- Asher Wojciechowski (5-1)

Fresno home runs: None.

The difference in this game was a 4-run 5th for the Aces.

Tony Kemp finished 2-4 with an RBI single in the top of the 5th, and Nolan Fontana hit a sac fly in the 9th. Matt Duffy finished 3-3.

Asher Wojciechowski went 4.2 innings and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 5. Jordan Jankowski was the first man out and struck out 2 over 1.1 perfect innings. James Hoyt worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 7th, striking out 1. Jose Veras struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 8th.

In the final game of this 5-game set, Luis Cruz will take on Edgar Garcia at 7:05 Pacific.

Saturday: Frisco 2, Corpus Christi 1


W- Frank Lopez (3-1)
L- Adrian Houser (0-1, 2-3 season)
S- David Martinez (9)

CC home runs: Chan-Jong Moon (2, 3 season; solo in 7th)

The Hooks just couldn't get their offense going.

Chan-Jong Moon finished 2-3 and his homer in the 7th was the only Hooks run.

Adrian Houser went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 8 hits (all singles) and struck out 4. Chris Devenski finished with 4 scoreless, allowing a hit and striking out 6 in yet another fantastic outing.

Sunday: Corpus Christi 7, Frisco 2

W- Josh Hader (3-3)
L- Andrew Faulkner (6-4)

CC home runs: Jio Mier (5, 3-run in 3rd), Tyler White (7, solo in 5th)

4 Hooks pitchers combined to throw a 4-hitter as the Hooks earned a split in their final series before the Texas League All-Star break.

Josh Hader went 5 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Juan Minaya was the first man out and all he did was strike out 3 over 2 perfect frames. Chris Cotton worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 8th, and Aaron West struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

The offense staked Hader to a 6-0 lead after the first third of the game. Tyler White opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. Brett Booth added an RBI single of his own in the 2nd. A triple steal in the 3rd inning saw Teoscar Hernandez steal home (20). Brett Phillips took 3rd (2, 10 season), and Conrad Gregor stole 2nd (5). Jio Mier proceeded to whack a 3-run homer. White smacked his 7th homer of the year in the 5th inning. He, Jio, and Maverick had 2 hits apiece.

The Texas League All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday at Whataburger Field.

Saturday: Lancaster 6, Bakersfield 3

W- Bryan Radziewski (1-2, 2-2 season)
L- Dan Altavilla (2-6)
S- Keegan Yuhl (2)

Lancaster home runs: Chase McDonald (10, solo in 2nd)

This game was delayed briefly due to.... a snake. Bakersfield pitcher Tyler Pike was the brave soul that escorted it off the field. Bryan Radziewski got his first win in the California League with a solid performance.

The southpaw from The U (that's Miami, if you're unfamiliar) allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 7 innings of work. Keegan Yuhl allowed a solo homer to Jay Baum in the 9th, but that was the only complication he faced in his 2 innings, in which he allowed 2 other hits.

Jack Mayfield went 2-5 and opened up the scoring with an RBI groundout in the 1st. In the 2nd inning, Chase McDonald whacked his 10th homer of the year, a solo shot. McDonald added an RBI double to his ledger in the 4th, and one batter later, Brian Holberton added a sac fly. A.J. Reed added some insurance in the 9th with a 2-run single. 5 JetHawks finished with 2-hit nights, including McDonald and Reed.

Sunday: Bakersfield 4, Lancaster 2

W- Tyler Pike (1-3)
L- Akeem Bostick (0-1, 3-2 season)
S- Rafael Piñeda (4)

Lancaster home runs: Chase McDonald (11, 2-run in 7th)

The JetHawks were foiled in their bid to sweep the series as the Blaze managed to get to Akeem Bostick in the 2nd.

Chase McDonald's 11th homer of the year made it a 1-run game in the 7th, but that was all the offense the JetHawks could muster up. He, Ronnie Mitchell, and Mott Hyde had 2 hits apiece.

In his California League debut, Akeem Bostick went 5.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned, allowed all 3 runs in the 2nd inning) on 7 hits (6 singles and a double), walked 1, and struck out 2. Albert Minnis pitched 1.1 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2. Tyler Brunnemann struck out 2 as he retired all 4 Blaze batters he faced.

The JetHawks have today off. They'll begin a 4-game set with Inland Empire tomorrow.

Saturday: Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 4 in 10 innings

W- Ryan Thompson (2-2)
L- Cameron Booser (1-2)

QC home runs: Jason Martin (4, solo in 4th)

The Banditos took the lead in the series as they withstood a 4-run 6th from the Kernels that forced them to relinquish the lead. They'd have the last say as they tied the game in the 9th and got ahead in the first extra frame.

Jake Nottingham opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd. Jason Martin went deep in the 4th, and Nick Tanielu added an RBI single in the 5th. Tanielu tied the game in the 9th with another RBI single.

Ryan Bottger walked to lead off the 10th, then advanced to 2nd on a Kristian Trompiz walk. He scored the go-ahead run on an infield single from Bobby Boyd. I assume it was a slow roller since he scored all the way from 2nd on an infield single. Alex Bregman recorded his first RBI as a professional when he ripped an RBI double later in the 10th. Tanielu and Nottingham were 2 of 6 River Bandits with 2 hits.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 5.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Aaron Greenwood was the first man out; he allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings. Ryan Thompson allowed a hit and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless and got the W.

Sunday: Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 1

W- Christian Powell (1-0)
L- Zach Tillery (4-3)
S- Francis Martes (1)

QC home runs: Alex Bregman (1, solo in 3rd)

Francis Martes shined again, and 2015's #2 overall pick smashed his first home run as a professional at the Banditos earned the split in the series.

Ramon Laureano ripped a triple in the 2nd and he scored the first run of the day on an Alex Hernandez single. Alex Bregman began the 3rd inning by connecting with his first pro home run. Jamie Ritchie finished 3-5 with an RBI single in the 4th, and Jason Martin scored on a double play in the 5th inning. Martin drove in Bregman with a triple in the 9th, and he came home on a Laureano single.

Christian Powell allowed a solo homer to Alex Real in the 4th inning. He allowed 3 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 5 innings of work against his former employers. Francis Martes finished with 4 scoreless, allowing a hit.

Quad Cities heads home to begin a homestand. First up is 3 with Beloit. In game 1, Brandon McNitt will take on Heath Fillmeyer. First pitch is at 7:00.

Saturday: Tri-City 11, Staten Island 10 in 10 innings

W- Adam Whitt (1-0)
L- Jonny Drozd (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats won the series as they stormed back from a 10-4 deficit. Well, one 6-run comeback in the organization was successful...

Edwin Medina hit a double with 1 out in the 1st and scored Tri-City's first run of the evening on a Trent Woodward single. In the 3rd inning, Anthony Hermelyn drew a bases-loaded walk, and Kolbey Carpenter grounded into a force out that allowed Medina to score. An error on the play also allowed Woodward to score. Medina added an RBI groundout to his ledger in the 7th inning, and Woodward reached on an error that allowed Johnny Sewald to score.

The ValleyCats finally erased the deficit with 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th. Sewald and Medina sparked the rally with a single (Sewald advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch) and a walk, respectively. Cesar Carrasco ripped an RBI double to bring in Sewald. A balk brought Medina home and allowed Carrasco to move over to 3rd. Woodward followed with an RBI single. Woodward was erased at 2nd on a force out, but an error allowed Dex McCall to take 2nd, and he would score the tying run on a double from Carpenter. Tony Nuñez hit a 1-out single in the 10th, and he would be joined on the bases by Sewald and Medina. He'd eventually score the winning run on a Carrasco groundout. (Not that I'm complaining, but.... really? The defender really didn't throw to home plate in that situation?)

The top 2 of Sewald and Medina combined to go 5-10 with a double, an RBI, and 6 runs scored. In his pro debut, Bobby Wernes got the start at 3B and went 0-5 with a K.

Harold Arauz went 3 innings and allowed 6 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Austin Nicely, Joselo Pinales, and Adam Whitt followed with 2.1 innings apiece. Nicely was the first man out; he allowed 3 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Pinales allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1. Whitt struck out 4 over 2.1 perfect frames to get the win.

Sunday: Connecticut 7, Tri-City 6

W- Oswaldo Castillo (1-0)
L- Zac Person (0-1)
S- Jordan Smith (2)

TC home runs: Brooks Marlow (1, 2-run in 3rd)

The Tigers came out on top in a back-and-forth affair.

Brooks Marlow's first pro homer in the 3rd put Tri-City up 2-0. Johnny Sewald doubled in the 5th, then stole 3rd (5) on a wild pitch and scored himself. In the 6th inning, Drew Ferguson hit an RBI single, and Keach Ballard drove in 2 with a single. Ballard and Marlow finished with 2 hits, as did Cesar Carrasco.

Ralph Garza Jr. went 2+ innings and allowed 2 runs (both inherited runners charged to him) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Kevin McCanna came on in the 3rd and went 3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, including a 2-run homer. In his pro debut, Zac Person allowed 2 unearned runs, a hit, and walked 2 in 1.2 innings. Yeyfry Del Rosario walked 1 and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings.

Elieser Hernandez will get the start in game 2 of this series. He'll face Chase Edwards at 7:05 Eastern. Edwards is a native of Houston; he went to Klein Forest.

Saturday: Greeneville 4, Danville 3

W- Alex Winkelman (1-0)
L- Ian Stiffler (0-1)
S- Steve Naemark (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros drew even in the series as stretch time reinvigorated their offense. They put up 3 in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead, and the bullpen did the rest.

Erasmo Pinales allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits,, walked 2, and struck out 5 in 5 innings. Alex Winkelman pitched 2 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Samil De Los Santos struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 8th, and Steve Naemark worked around a hit batter in the 9th to close it out, striking out 2.

Connor Goedert went 3-3 and drove in 2. His first RBI came on a triple in the 3rd.

Gabriel Bracamonte and Arturo Michelena both walked to begin the 7th, and they both moved up on a sac bunt from Osvaldo Duarte. Myles Straw came through with an RBI infield single, and then Michelena scored the tying run on an Aaron Mizell groundout. Goedert put Greeneville ahead with an RBI single.

Sunday: Greeneville 1, Danville 0

W- Ryan Deemes (1-0)
L- Daniel Cordero (0-1)
S- Zac Grotz (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros only recorded 1 hit in this game. And yet... they still won, because they held Danville to zero runs. As a result, they took this series from the Braves.

Connor Goedert had that 1 hit. He singled to lead off the 7th, advanced to 2nd on an error that allowed Randy Cesar to reach, and the two of them advanced a base on a wild pitch. He eventually scored the only run of the day on a Brauly Mejia groundout.

Junior Garcia allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Ryan Deemes allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 over 3 scoreless, and Zac Grotz closed it out with a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

Greeneville will now embark on a roadtrip which will take them to Princeton, West Virginia, where the Rays await. In game 1 of this series, Devonte German will take on Jose Mujica. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Saturday: GCL Pirates 4, GCL Astros 3 in 11 innings

W- Richard Mitchell (1-0)
L- Junior A. Garcia (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros were seemingly on the verge of winning their first game of the season... but the Pirates ruined it all by forcing the game to go into extra innings and eventually walking off with the win.

The GCLstros' 3 runs all came in the 8th as Nestor Muriel scored on an error following a Kyle Tucker single. A passed ball allowed Nestor Tejada to score, and Tucker wound up scoring on a wild pitch.

Moreno Polanco allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 4 scoreless. Abdiel Saldaña went 3 innings and allowed a solo homer to Yoel Gonzalez in the 5th. Saldaña allowed one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 2. Starlyn Taveras struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 8th. Lachlan Madden couldn't close it out as the Pirates got 2 runs on 3 hits off of him in the 9th inning. Junior A. Garcia allowed the winning run with 1 out in the 11th. He allowed 2 hits in 1.1 innings.

The Kissimmee Stros' quest for their first win continues tomorrow at noon Eastern when they take on the Phillies.

Saturday: DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Royals 2

W- Jorge Alcala (1-0)
L- Aronny Cruz (2-1)
S- Dariel Aquino (3)

Blue home runs: None.

Andy Piñeda went 2-3 with a sac fly in the 8th and stole 2 bases (17). Ronny Jimenez stole home in the 3rd, and Ozziel Sanchez-Galan scored the go-ahead run on an error following a Wilson Amador flyout in the 8th.

Hector Perez went 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Jorge Alcala went 4 innings as well, and he allowed an unearned run, too. He allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Dariel Aquino worked around a walk to close out the game, striking out 1.

They'll play the Royals again at 10:30 A.M. Atlantic.

Saturday: DSL Rangers1 5, DSL Astros Orange 0

W- Sergio Suarez (4-0)
L- Gabriel Valdez (1-4)

Orange home runs: None.

Marcos Almonte and Angel Tejeda had 2 hits apiece.

Gabriel Valdez went 5 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Cristian Javier threw 4 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 3.

The Orange team will play at the Rangers' complex later this morning. First pitch is at 10:30 A.M. Atlantic.

Tweets of the Day


Sunday, June 28, 2015

Astros Minor League Links for your Reading Enjoyment

Hi everyone! Jayne was looking for some help with her blog so I volunteered to help her out. I am Suzi Eslick, a renewed baseball fan and a Lancaster JetHawks Booster. I have been privileged to sponsor 6 High-A players, all but one being pitchers. In fact I just became sponsor to another pitcher, Austin Chrismon. Thank goodness for MiLB-tv. I can usually watch each of them pitch. You see, I have O.B.D. Obsessive Baseball Disorder. But I'm not ready for a cure. In fact, I want to share it with all the Astros', and their affiliates', fans. The more time we spend together sharing stories, the better fans we will be. Do you agree??  Let's start with these....

Quad Cities recently won an award from Ballpark Digest for the Best Ballpark. See the story here.

Singleton makes it to Houston

Appel and Phillips promotions (subscriber only)

Carolina/California Leagues All Star Game
    
Jack Mayfield, AJ Reed and Brett Phillips represented the Lancaster Jethawks in the California League victory over the Carolina League. AJ Reed came in 2nd in the homerun derby.

The Futures Game rosters have been announced. Information on the events being held and the teams can be found hereRodney Linares, manager of the CC Hooks, was named to the World Team staff. Mark Appel and Tony Kemp from the AAA Fresno Grizzlies were both named to the US team.


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Saturday, June 27, 2015

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, June 26, 2015

Late-inning heroics in Reno, while Alex Bregman made the jump into pro ball.

Fresno 4, Reno 1

W- Tyson Perez (1-2)
L- Jhoulys Chacín (1-1)

Fresno home runs: None.

For 8 innings, the Grizzlies had nothing going for them on offense. What's that saying again? Better late than never?

All 4 of their runs came in the top of the 9th inning. Jonathan Villar kicked things off with a double with 1 out in the inning. One batter later, Alex Presley tied the game with an RBI triple. Matt Duffy followed by giving Fresno the lead with an RBI single. Later, Robbie Grossman added a 2-run single for insurance. Villar and Grossman finished with 2 hits apiece.

Mike Hauschild pitched 6+ innings and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. He left 2 runners on in the 7th for Kevin Chapman, who issued a walk, but got out of the inning without conceding any runs. He struck out 1. Tyson Perez struck out 2 over 2 perfect frames to earn the win.

Next up is a day-night doubleheader. Game 1 will be at 1:05 Pacific, and Mark Appel will make his AAA debut as he goes up against Gabriel Arias. Dan Straily will take on Justin Marks in game 2, which begins at 7:05 Pacific.

Frisco 10, Corpus Christi 8

W- Jefri Hernandez (1-0)
L- Travis Ballew (3-2)
S- David Martinez (8)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks battled back from a 6-0 deficit and scored 5 after stretch time to take an 8-6 lead.... only to see the Roughriders steal the lead back with 4 in the top of the 9th.

Brett Phillips got on the board in the 5th as he ripped a 2-run triple. He wound up scoring on a passed ball. In the 7th, Tyler White hit an RBI single, and an error allowed Maverick and Colin Moran to both score. Jon Kemmer added a sac fly, and Danry Vásquez hit an RBI single.

Kyle Westwood went 4.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 10 hits (9 singles and a double), walked 1, and struck out 2. R.J. Alaniz was the first man out; he went 3.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 5 hits (3-run homer that allowed the 2 runners he inherited from Westwood to score) and struck out 3. Travis Ballew got the final 2 outs of the 9th, but, in addition to allowing the 2 runners he inherited from Alaniz to score, he allowed 2 runs (1 earned), a triple, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Adrian Houser will get the start in game 3 of this series. He'll face Frank Lopez at 7:05.

Lancaster 8, Bakersfield 1

W- Austin Chrismon (2-1, 6-2 season)
L- Eddie Campbell (3-3)
S- Dan Mengden (1)

Lancaster home runs: A.J. Reed (19, 2-run in 1st)

The JetHawks scored in the first 5 innings and fine mound performances from Austin Chrismon and Dan Mengden to get the win.

A.J. Reed opened things up with a bang as he whacked a 2-run home run in the 1st inning, his 19th homer of the year. The JetHawks got RBI singles in the 2nd and 3rd from Ronnie Mitchell and Alfredo Gonzalez, respectively. In the 4th inning, Marc Wik stole 2nd, and on the ensuing errant throw, Mitchell scored. Mitchell struck again in the 5th as responded to a bases-loaded situation by ripping a 2-run double. Mott Hyde drove in the final run of the evening with a sac fly. Mitchell (2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, R), Reed (2-R HR, 2 R), and Chase McDonald (BB, R) finished with 2 hits apiece.

Austin Chrismon went 5 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Dan Mengden finished it off as he walked 2 and struck out 5 over the final 4 innings.

In game 3 of this series, Bryan Radziewski will face Dan Altavilla. First pitch is at 7:45 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 3 in 10 innings

W- Eric Peterson (4-3)
L- Randy LeBlanc (5-1)
S- Angel Heredia (2)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos offense took a little time to get going, but they got off the ground late and got on the board in this series with an extra-inning win.

The big story coming out of the Midwest League was Alex Bregman. The #2 overall pick decided to hit the ground running after signing, and the Astros obliged by sending him to the River Bandits. He served as the DH in his pro debut and hit 2nd. He finished 1-5.

Jamie Ritchie put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI groundout in the 7th. Bobby Boyd came through in a big situation with a 2-run single in the 8th that tied the game at 3. Ramon Laureano hit a 1-out triple in the 10th, and Kristian Trompiz put them ahead with a sac fly. Jason Martin finished 3-5, while Nick Tanielu (R), Laureano (3B, R), and Boyd (3B, 2 RBI, R) all went 2-5.

Josh James went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Also making his pro debut was 7th-rounder Michael Freeman. He allowed a run, a hit, and walked 1 in 2 innings. Eric Peterson pitched 2 innings and allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2. Angel Heredia struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 10th to finish things off.

In the series finale, Brock Dykxhoorn will face Keaton Steele at 6:35.

Staten Island 7, Tri-City 4

W- Sean Carley (1-1)
L- Yeyfry Del Rosario (2-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats scored 4 in the 2nd to take the lead, but the Yankees scored 5 unanswered to take this one.

Cesar Carrasco cleared the bases with a double, and he came around to score on a bunt single from Keach Ballard that reached the outfield.

Dean Deetz went 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Joselo Pinales got the final out of the 4th. Agapito Barrios was next; he allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless. Yeyfry Del Rosario allowed 2 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits and struck out 2, and Zach Davis allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 1.2 innings.

Harold Arauz will look to bounce back from a rough first start as he takes the mound in the series finale. He'll face Ethan Carnes at 7:00 Eastern.

Danville 4, Greeneville 0 in 8.5 innings

W- Stephen Moore (1-0)
L- Alejandro Solarte (0-1)
S- Sean McLaughlin (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

This game was called with 2 outs in the top of the 9th due to lightning. Danville got the breakthrough late as they scored 1 in the 8th and added 3 more in the 9th.

Connor Goedert went 2-2 with a double. Osvaldo Duarte, Myles Straw, and Aaron Mizell recorded the other hits.

Salvador Montaño had a solid 2015 debut as he allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5 over 5 shutout innings. Brandon Culbreth allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless. This was his first appearance for the organization since August 28, 2013. The Braves got to Alejandro Solarte for their 4 runs, which he allowed in 1.2 innings. Only one of them was earned, however. Solarte allowed 6 hits and struck out 2. Juan Delis was supposed to come on, but lightning nixed that plan.

Erasmo Pinales will be on the mound for the Appy Astros in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Pirates 4, GCL Astros 2

W- Gerardo Navarro (1-0)
L- Luis Ramirez (0-2)
S- Jen-Lei Liao (1)

GCL home runs: None.

It's been tough sledding in the early going for the Kissimmee Stros. Both teams got runs in the 2nd and the 3rd innings, but it was the Pirates that had the final say in this one.

Jared Cruz hit an RBI single in the 2nd, and Frankeny Fernandez was credited with an RBI after an error allowed Vicente Sanchez to score in the 3rd.

Carlos Sanabria went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Starlyng Sanchez struck out 1 over 2 perfect frames. Luis Ramirez allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings, and Lachlan Madden threw a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

The GCLstros are in Bradenton to take on these very same Pirates. The game will start shortly.

DSL Indians 7, DSL Astros Blue 3

W- Jean Carlos Mejia (2-1)
L- Felipe Tejada (0-1)
S- Ramon Tineo (1)

Blue home runs: None.

Well, the best team in the DSL got swept by the last-place team in their division. It happens....

Their 3 runs came in the 9th as Andy Piñeda drew a bases-loaded walk, Cristopher Luciano hit a sac fly, and Ozziel Sanchez-Galan scored on a wild pitch. Jose Benjamin finished 2-3. They drew 11 walks, but they couldn't take advantage of the free baserunners.

Felipe Tejada went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (all on a 3-run homer) on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 6. Luis Castro allowed 3 runs (2 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 3 hits and walked 2 in 1+ inning. Luidin Toribio pitched 2.1 innings and allowed a run, a hit, walked 3, and struck out 2. Jacques Sambo got the final 2 outs of the 9th, striking out 1.

The Blue team is currently at the Royals complex.

DSL Angels 13, DSL Astros Orange 7

W- Raymundo Gonzalez (3-3)
L- Ezequiel Madera (0-1)
S- Jefry Yan (1)

Orange home runs: Hector Martinez (2, 2-run in 2nd), Randy Vasquez (1, solo in 8th)

Well, the Orange team held a 6-0 lead after the 5th, but the Angels went off on a 13-1 run to close the game.

Hector Martinez opened the scoring with a 2-run homer in the 2nd and later added an RBI groundout in the 4th. Brandon Benavente laid down a sacrifice bunt, and on the ensuing error, Miguelangel Sierra scored. Felix Lucas later added a sac fly. Sierra hit a sac fly in the 5th. Randy Vasquez connected for his first career homer in the 8th. Juan Fuente went 2-5 with a double and a run scored.

Bryan Abreu kicked things off with a fantastic start as he allowed 2 hits and struck out 6 over 5 shutout innings. Unfortunately, his effort was kicked to the wayside as the bullpen couldn't back him up. Let's just leave it at that.

The Orange team is currently taking on the Rangers 1.

Tweet of the Day

Friday, June 26, 2015

Help Wanted!

I need help! But then if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably already know that. I'm looking for someone who could help out by writing a weekly link post, gathering up interesting columns, interviews and profiles about the Astros minor league teams and their players. The schedule would be totally up to you and, if you like writing and have some great ideas for posts about Astros MiLB land, you would certainly be welcome to participate in that way as well.

If you're interested, please email me via the blog email address wthb57@gmail.com.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 25, 2015

Thursday's slate marked the first time that every team in the Houston Astros organization, from the Major League club all the way down to the 2 Dominican Summer League clubs, was in action.

Sacramento 7, Fresno 5

W- Matt Cain (1-2)
L- Brady Rodgers (5-4)
S- Erik Cordier (5)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton 2 (17; 2-run in 4th, 2-run in 8th), Andrew Aplin (2, solo in 7th)

The Grizz dropped the series to their former Major League overlords as their homers weren't enough.

All 5 Fresno runs were the product of home runs. Jon Singleton whacked a couple of 2-run shots, and the other was a solo homer from Andrew Aplin.

Brady Rodgers went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 10 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 2. James Hoyt was the first man out; he allowed 3 runs (1 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 2 hits (solo homer) and struck out 3. Jose Veras allowed 2 hits in 1.2 innings, and Jason Stoffel threw a 1-2-3 9th.

The Grizzlies will now kick off a roadtrip. First up is 5 in Reno, which includes a doubleheader on Saturday. In game 1, Mike Hauschild will get the start. He'll face Jhoulys Chacín at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 3, Frisco 1

W- Brian Holmes (2-2, 4-3 season)
L- Cody Bell (2-8)
S- Jandel Gustave (9)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks took game 1 of this series thanks to a fine performance from 3 relievers who held the Roughriders hitless over the final 3.2 innings.

Brian Holmes got the start and in 5.1 innings, the only run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Alex Burg. He allowed 4 other hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Aaron West tagged in and struck out 2 over 2 perfect innings. Chris Cotton got 2 outs in the 8th, striking out 1. It got a bit hairy as Jandel Gustave issued 2 walks in the 9th, but he averted disaster and secured the win.

Jon Kemmer went 2-4 and opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd. Later in the inning, Tyler White added a sac fly. Chan-Jong Moon doubled to lead off the 7th, advanced to 3rd on a Brett Phillips groundout, and scored on a balk. Phillips, in his AA debut, started in CF and went 0-3 from the #2 spot in the order.

In game 2 of this series, Kyle Westwood will face Jose Leclerc. First pitch (as always) is at 7:05.

Lancaster 8, Bakersfield 6 in 10 innings

W- Kevin Comer (1-2, 6-3 season)
L- Emilio Pagán (2-6)
S- Reymin Guduan (4)

Lancaster home runs: J.D. Davis (11, solo in 10th), James Ramsay (7, solo in 10th)

The JetHawks opened up the 2nd half with a win in Bakersfield's New Deal-era ballpark as they withstood a 5-run 3rd inning from the Blaze. J.D. Davis and James Ramsay hit back-to-back solo shots in the first extra frame to put the JetHawks in front.

D.J. Fisher finished 2-5 and put Lancaster on the board first with a 2-run single in the 3rd inning. He'd come around to score on an A.J. Reed RBI single. The Blaze put up 5 to take the lead, but it would be short-lived as the JetHawks responded with a pair in the 4th: Mott Hyde hit an RBI groundout, and Jose Fernandez scored on a wild pitch. Lancaster re-took the lead in the 5th on an RBI infield single from Ronnie Mitchell. Bakersfield got 1 in the 7th to tie the game at 6, and that's where both teams stood heading into extras. Reed grounded out to begin the 10th, but J.D. Davis and James Ramsay would be the heroes late as their solo homers off of Emilio Pagán put the JetHawks in the lead. Reed and Mitchell joined Fisher in finishing 2-5.

Edison Frias allowed 5 unearned runs on 7 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 4 in 4.2 innings. Andrew Walter allowed a hit and got the final out of the 5th with a K. Kevin Comer went 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on a groundout, a single, walked 1, and struck out 3. Reymin Guduan worked around a hit and a walk to close out the game; he struck out the side in the 10th.

In game 2 of this series, Austin Chrismon will take on Eddie Campbell. First pitch is at 7:45 Pacific.

Cedar Rapids 4, Quad Cities 3

W- Luke Bard (5-0)
L- Jorge Perez (1-1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos let this one slip away late as the Kernels scored all 4 of their runs in the final 2 innings.

Jake Nottingham opened up the scoring with an RBI groundout in the 1st. Ramon Laureano ripped an RBI triple in the 2nd. After Cedar Rapids scored 3 in the 8th to take the lead, Thomas Lindauer hit an RBI single in the 9th to tie the game at 3. However, that tie was short-lived, as the Kernels walked off with the win. Lindauer finished 2-3.

Justin Ferrell allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 4 shutout innings. Jordan Mills worked around 2 hits to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out 1. Jorge Perez went 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and struck out 2.

Josh James will get the start in game 3 of this series. He'll go up against Ethan Mildren at 6:35.

Tri-City 6, Staten Island 0

W- Trent Thornton (1-0)
L- Luis Cedeño (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats emerged victorious in their first game at The Joe as 4 pitchers combined to throw a 1-hitter.

David Paulino walked 2 and struck out 6 over 4.1 shutout innings. Zach Davis inherited 2 runners, but got the final 2 outs of the 5th without incident. Trent Thornton allowed the only hit and struck out 4 in 3 innings of work, and Juan Carlos Santos worked around 2 walks to finish the game, striking out 1.

Keach Ballard went 2-4 and kicked things off with a 2-run single in the 2nd inning. One batter later, Johnny Sewald added an RBI single. Sewald, who finished 3-4 with a steal (4), hit another RBI single in the 4th, and added a sac fly in the 6th. Pat Porter scored the final run of the evening on a wild pitch in the 8th. He scored 2 runs, and so did Dex McCall, who went 2-4 with a double. Kolbey Carpenter finished 2-4 with a run scored.

In game 2 of this series, Dean Deetz will take on Matt Borens. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 2, Bristol 1 in 12 innings

W- Cris Santamaria (1-0)
L- Dan Urbina (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (1, solo in 1st)

One night after walking off with a 2-1 loss in extras, the Appy Astros walked off with a 2-1 win in extras in their home opener.

Osvaldo Duarte scored the first run and the last run of the game: He led off the bottom of the 1st with the first home run of his career and scored the winning run in the 12th on a sac fly from Arturo Michelena after drawing a walk with 1 out in the inning.

Brian Peña went 2-5, while Kevin Martir and Myles Straw hit doubles. Aaron Mizell stole his 3rd base of the season.

Albert Abreu opened up with 3 scoreless. He allowed 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Makay Nelson, Chris Murphy, and Zac Grotz pitched 2 innings apiece; Nelson allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 2, Murphy allowed 2 hits and struck out 3, and Grotz allowed a hit and struck out 2. Jacob Dorris went 2.2 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. He got into a bit of a jam in the 12th, but Cris Santamaria got him out of it by getting the final out of the inning.

Greeneville will be home for the weekend. Tonight, they welcome the Danville Braves to Pioneer Park. Salvador Montaño will get the start for the Appy Astros; first pitch is at 7:00 Eastern. A lanky lefty, Montaño struck out 87 in the Dominican Summer League last year, the 2nd-highest total in all of the DSL.

GCL Yankees2 10, GCL Astros 2

W- Daris Vargas (1-0)
L- Enrique Chavez (0-1, 2-1 season)

GCL home runs: None.

Many of these kids on the GCL squad are new arrivals from the DSL, and they're getting a rather rude welcome from the Gulf Coast League.

The Kissimmee Stros' only 2 runs came in the 6th, as Kyle Tucker hit a single, and an error on the play allowed Joan Mauricio and Jonathan Matute to score. Mauricio stole his first base of the season.

Enrique Chavez went 3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (solo homer) and walked 1. Junior Alberto Garcia, who is not related to the Junior Garcia currently in Greeneville, allowed a run on 2 hits in the 4th. Diogenes Almengo pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits and struck out 1. Adonis Peña allowed a run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings. Gerald Benzant got 1 out in the 8th and allowed a run, a single, and walked 3. Carlos Hiraldo got the final 2 outs of the 8th.

The Kissimmee Stros will host the Pirates later today. First pitch is at noon Eastern.

DSL Indians 7, DSL Astros Blue 4

W- Hector Figueroa (2-0)
L- Hansel Paulino (1-1)
S- Alejandro Izaguirre (2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team was undone by 6 errors.

They scored 2 in the 2nd as Carlos Canelon was plunked with the bases loaded, and Andy Piñeda hit a sac fly. Cristopher Luciano scored on an error in the 3rd. Luciano scored again in the 9th, this time on a wild pitch. Angel De Leon went 2-3 with 2 walks and a run scored. Andy Piñeda stole his 15th base of the season.

Jorge Guzman went 5 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits and struck out 4. Hansel Paulino pitched 3 innings and allowed 6 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and struck out 2. Cristofer Melendez worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th.

These teams are playing again today.

DSL Angels 5, DSL Astros Orange 4 in 11 innings


W- Jorge Tavarez (2-2)
L- Gabriel Pirela (1-4)

Orange home runs: Felix Lucas (2, 2-run in 9th)

The Orange team couldn't hold off a late rally from the Angels and walked off with the loss.

Marcos Almonte scored the first run of the game on a double play in the 4th inning. He hit an RBI single in the 8th to break a 1-1 tie. Felix Lucas extended the lead with a 2-run homer in the 9th, his 2nd of the season. Randy Vasquez finished 2-5, while Juan Fuente went 3-4 with a run scored and 4 stolen bases (9).

Juan Robles allowed an unearned run, a hit, walked 2, and struck out 9 in 5 innings. Juan Cuevas allowed 3 runs (2 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits and struck out 3 in 3.1 innings. Gabriel Pirela went 2 innings (the Angels scored the winning run with 1 out in the 11th) and allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2.

These teams are playing again today.

Happy Birthday - 6/26

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

RHP Ryan Thompson (23)
Thompson was born in Turner, Oregon on June 26, 1992, and was drafted by the Astros in the 23rd round in 2014 out of Campbell University (Buies Creek, North Carolina). He is currently playing for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits team.


Ryan Thompson - July 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen

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Thursday, June 25, 2015

WTHB Under-the-Radar Roster Update

It has been a while since we've checked in on the WTHB Under-the-Radar Roster. Let's take a look at their progress.

Kyle Westwood - May 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

STARTING PITCHERS:

7-1 with 1 save in 13 games (9 starts) for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
1.23 ERA and 0.955 WHIP in 66 IP (16 BB:55 SO)

Devenski had one rough outing last week and literally doubled his total of earned runs for the season from four to eight before bouncing back with a more Devenski-like outing this week. He has been lights out all season, but apparently he will need to obtain compromising pictures of Jeff Luhnow with a goat in order to receive a promotion. That he has been passed over time and again is, to me, inexplicable.

3-5 in 12 games (8 starts) for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
6.55 ERA and 1.545 WHIP in 44 IP (14 BB:35 SO)

Grills is still struggling at The Hangar, Lancaster's home ballpark, where he has a 9.55 ERA and a 1.985 WHIP as compared to a 3.63 ERA and a 1.119 WHIP on the road. He is currently on the DL.

1-2 with 2 saves in 5 games (3 starts) for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits and 8 games (6 starts) for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks (promoted on 5/8)
3.14 ERA and 1.291 WHIP in 57.1 IP (19 BB:33 SO)

Radziewski has been struggling somewhat with a tough June and will be looking to turn things around as he comes back from the All-Star break.

RHP Troy Scribner
2-3 in 13 games (9 starts) for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
5.40 ERA and 1.463 WHIP in 53.1 IP (30 BB:61 SO)

Scribner is another pitcher who hopes to benefit from the All-Star break as he puts a couple of rough June outings in the rearview mirror.

5-3 with 3 saves in 13 games (7 starts) for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
4.13 ERA and 1.376 WHIP in 56.2 IP (11 BB:28 SO)

On the other hand, June has been very good to Kyle Westwood (2.79 ERA and 1.138 WHIP in four appearances).

STARTING RESERVES:

6-2 with 1 save in 10 games (8 starts) for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks and 2 games (2 starts) for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies (promoted 6/14)
3.41 ERA and 1.269 WHIP in 60.2 IP (12 BB:42 SO)

LHP Brian Holmes
3-3 with 1 save in 7 games (4 starts) for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks and 6 games (5 starts) for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks (promoted 5/18)
2.61 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 58.2 IP (20 BB:72 SO)

BULLPEN:

3-0 with 2 saves in 25 appearances for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
4.32 ERA and 1.272 WHIP in 41.2 IP (15 BB:50 SO)

RHP Jordan Jankowski
3-2 with 1 save in 29 appearances for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies
4.01 ERA and 1.782 WHIP in 33.2 IP (20 BB:37 SO)

Jankowski appears to have finally gotten his walks under control (3 in 9 appearances in June vs. 11 in 10 appearances in May), but hasn't quite put all of the pieces together in his time at AAA yet.

2-1 in 11 appearances for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks and 11 appearances for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies (promoted 5/23)
2.67 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 30.1 IP (7 BB:27 SO)

RHP Tyson Perez
0-2 with 6 saves in 3 appearances for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks and 22 appearances for the AAA Fresno Grizzles (promoted 4/21)
2.15 ERA and 0.784 WHIP in 29.1 IP (6 BB:20 SO)

Perez has been Mr. Consistent out of the bullpen since his promotion to Corpus Christi last season. He has carried last year's success forward quite nicely.

RHP Eric Peterson
3-3 with 4 saves in 16 appearances for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
3.45 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 28.2 IP (13 BB:36 SO)

Peterson has not gotten regular work thus far in June and the rust has shown.

3-1 in 11 games (7 starts) for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies
3.07 ERA and 1.049 WHIP in 41 IP (11 BB:37 SO)

I originally listed Shirley as a reliever on this roster because he has been used as both a starter and a reliever; however, his last three appearances were in a starting capacity. Unfortunately, those three outings were followed by a stint on the DL. He has not pitched since May 29th.

1-2 with 2 saves in 21 appearances for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
3.94 ERA and 1.395 WHIP in 29.2 IP (9 BB:32 SO)

BULLPEN RESERVES:

1-2 with 1 save in 6 appearances for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits and 13 appearances for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks (promoted first of May)
3.81 ERA and 1.231 WHIP in 26 IP (9 BB:30 SO)

Let's just say that Minnis didn't have a very good month of June so far and leave it at that.

RHP Daniel Minor - Released
0-1 in 7 appearances for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
3.48 ERA and 1.355 WHIP in 10.1 IP (7 BB:8 SO)
Minor was the victim of the depth of the Astros minor league system. There simply weren't enough innings to go around (particularly when the starting rotation was performing well), and Minor found himself to be the odd man out. He has since joined the Independent League Laredo Lemurs in the American Association.

CATCHERS:

Tyler Heineman S/R
.306/.350/.374 in 22 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks and 16 games for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies (promoted 5/22)
10-2B; 13 RBI; 1 SB; 9 BB; 7 SO
44% Caught Stealing (10 SB; 8 CS)

Heineman has only struck out once in 16 games for Fresno and only 7 times all season.

Alfredo Gonzalez R/R
.346/.430/.434 in 13 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits and 24 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks (promoted on 5/7)
4-2B; 1-3B; 2 HR; 22 RBI; 3 SB; 1CS; 19 BB; 27 SO
60% Caught Stealing (10 SB; 15 CS)

Gonzalez is definitely among the top 5 best players in the system that nobody's heard of. Start paying attention to him!

CATCHING RESERVES:

Jacob Nottingham R/R
.330/.387/.560 in 56 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
18-2B; 1-3B; 10 HR; 44 RBI; 1 SB; 1 CS; 16 BB; 48 SO
52% Caught Stealing (14 SB; 15 CS)

Nottingham is on fire at the plate! His Midwest League All-Star selection was well deserved.

INFIELDERS:

1B/3B Matt Duffy R/R
.278/.331/.437 in 62 games for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies
13-2B; 1-3B; 8 HR; 53 RBI; 1 SB; 16 BB; 47 SO

Duffy started off the season a little slowly, but appears to be in full Duffy mode now. He is hitting .296/.358/.481 through 20 games in June.

1B/DH Chase McDonald R/R
.278/.347/.521 in 45 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
14-2B; 9 HR; 27 RBI; 1 SB; 18 BB; 61 SO

Following a disappointing May, McDonald is back with a hot bat in June.

3B Nick Tanielu R/R
.298/.346/.400 in 57 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
12-2B; 2-3B; 2 HR; 30 RBI; 2 CS; 17 BB; 36 SO

Another Midwest League All-Star, Tanielu has been solid all season.

SS/2B Mott Hyde R/R
.296/.379/.417 in 50 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits and 12 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks (promoted 6/9)
21-2B; 2-3B; 1 HR; 29 RBI; 4 SB; 4 CS; 30 BB; 45 SO

Hyde was also an All-Star, but his promotion to Lancaster kept him from participating in this week's Midwest League All-Star game.

2B/SS Kristian Trompiz R/R
.249/.276/.383 in 56 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
11-2B; 2-3B; 4 HR; 21 RBI; 1 SB; 1 CS; 7 BB; 45 SO

Trompiz is almost two and a half years younger than the average Midwest League position player and it has shown at times.

IF Joe Sclafani S/R
.254/.355/.299 in 38 games for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies and 3 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks (currently at Fresno)
2-2B; 2-3B; 10 RBI; 1 SB; 1 CS; 19 BB; 21 SO

Sclafani was hitting better from the right earlier in the season, but now he seems to favor the left (.274/.365/.321).

INFIELD RESERVES:

3B/1B Tyler White R/R
.281/.411/.416 in 55 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
6-2B; 6HR; 36 RBI; 1 SB; 38 BB; 31 SO

SS/2B Chan Moon S/R
.261/.335/.363 in 17 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks, 30 games for AA Corpus Christi and 2 games for AAA Fresno (currently at Corpus Christi)
8-2B; 1-3B; 2 HR; 16 RBI; 14 SB; 2 CS; 18 BB; 33 SO

James Ramsay - May 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

OUTFIELD:

LF/RF Brandon Meredith R/R (on the DL)
.268/.355/.415 in 33 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
4-2B; 1-3B; 4 HR; 21 RBI; 2 SB: 4 CS; 16 BB; 27 SO

Meredith last played on June 4th and is currently on the DL.

RF/LF Ronnie Mitchell L/L
.232/.349/.419 in 47 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
9-2B; 1-3B; 6 HR; 18 RBI; 1 SB; 2 CS; 29 BB; 38 SO

Mitchell had a very forgettable month of May, but has been bouncing back in June. He has vastly improved his OBP from May (.293) to June (.423) by drastically cutting down on his strikeouts.

CF/LF Bobby Boyd L/R
.266/.321/.332 in 57 games for the Low A Quad Cities River Bandits
10-2B; 2-3B; 16 RBI; 13 SB; 6 CS; 17 BB; 57 SO

CF/RF James Ramsay L/L
.309/.364/.466 in 61 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
15-2B; 1-3B; 6 HR; 32 RBI; 5 SB; 4 CS; 21 BB; 44 SO

Ramsay has had a dramatic turnaround at the plate since last we checked in with him. He has been hitting in excess of .330 since getting through his subpar April.

OF/IF Marc Wik L/R
.250/.396/.384 in 36 games for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks
4-2B; 1-3B; 3 HR; 14 RBI; 5 SB; 1 CS; 26 BB; 40 SO

Wik has been doing a good Luis Valbuena impression in May. In 12 games, he has 8 hits (.205 batting average), but 6 of those hits were for extra bases (.538 slugging percentage).

OUTFIELD RESERVES:

RF/LF Jon Kemmer L/L
.316/.392/.535 in 45 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks
7-2B; 9 HR; 30 RBI; 2 SB; 1 CS; 16 BB; 46 SO

Kemmer also had a slow start to his season, but has turned that around dramatically, hitting .397/.435/.635 so far in June (18 games).

For background information on these players and more information regarding their selection, see my prior posts on Pitchers and Position Players.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Corpus Christi gets in the win column for the first time in the 2nd half.

Sacramento 2, Fresno 0

W- Nik Turley (2-2)
L- Jake Buchanan (3-2)
S- Mike Broadway (6)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies' bats went silent as they were kept off the scoreboard.

All they got were 2 singles from Alex Presley and Joe Sclafani. Tony Kemp's 25-game hitting streak came to an end.

Jake Buchanan went 5.2 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Richard Rodriguez was the first man out and allowed a hit in 1.1 innings. Jordan Jankowski worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 2, and Tyson Perez allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 in the 9th.

In the series finale, Brady Rodgers will take on Matt Cain. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 8, San Antonio 3

W- Joe Musgrove (2-0, 9-1 season)
L- Bryan Rodriguez (3-9)

CC home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (7, solo in 1st), Tyler White (6, 2-run in 3rd), Jon Kemmer (9, solo in 6th)

The Hooks might have lost 3 of 5 in the series with San Antonio, but they sent the Missions back up I-37 with a loss.

Teoscar Hernandez kicked things off with a solo homer in the 1st. Danry Vásquez and Roberto Peña hit RBI singles in the 2nd, as did Teoscar, who finished 3-3 with 2 walks and 2 steals (19). Jon Kemmer led off the 3rd with a single, and one batter later, Tyler White sent out his 6th of the year. White, who also finished with a 3-hit night, added an RBI single to his ledger in the 4th. Kemmer led off the 6th with his 9th home run of the year. He finished 2-5. Danry and Peña both had 2 hits from the bottom of the order.

Joe Musgrove tossed 7 strong innings as he allowed a run on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Juan Minaya pitched the final 2 innings and allowed a 2-run homer to Duanel Jones in the 9th. He allowed one other hit.

The Hooks welcome Frisco to Whataburger Field for 4 beginning tonight at 7:05. Brian Holmes will be on the mound in game 1; he'll take on Jose Leclerc.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks are in Bakersfield to kick off the 2nd half. First pitch is at 7:45 Pacific.

Quad Cities was off

The River Bandits will begin the 2nd half in Cedar Rapids. Justin Ferrell will take on Felix Jorge at 6:35.

Brooklyn 2, Tri-City 1 in 12 innings

W- Carlos Valdez (1-0)
L- Joselo Pinales (0-1)

The ValleyCats dropped series #2 with a tough extra-innings loss.

Their 1 run came in the 3rd as Johnny Sewald stole 3rd (3) and scored on an error. Kolbey Carpenter finished 3-6 with a steal (1).

Rogelio Armenteros allowed 3 hits and struck out 7 over 5 shutout innings. Elieser Hernandez went 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on 3 hits and struck out 6. Joselo Pinales went 2.1 innings and allowed the winning run, a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2.

The ValleyCats return home to play in front of their fans for the first time in 2015, and their first opponents at The Joe will be the Staten Island Yankees. David Paulino will get the start. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Bristol 4, Greeneville 3 in 10 innings

W- Palmer Betts (1-0)
L- Juan Delis (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros took the lead with 1 in the top of the 10th, only to see Bristol walk off with the win in the bottom of the inning.

Their other 2 runs both came in the 4th as Myles Straw scored on a wild pitch and Justin Garcia proceeded to smack an RBI double. Osvaldo Duarte hit an RBI single in the 10th to put Greeneville up 3-2 at that point.

Aaron Mizell went 2-4 with 2 steals (2), and Myles Straw finished 1-3 with 2 walks.

Yhoan Acosta pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Ryan Deemes threw 4 scoreless, allowing 2 hits and fanning 2. Juan Delis got 2 outs in the 10th, but couldn't close it out. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and walked 1.

The series concludes by shifting to Pioneer Park for the Appy Astros' home opener. Albert Abreu will be on the mound for Greeneville; he'll take on Marek Minarik at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Yankees2 5, GCL Astros 2

W- Omar Luis (1-0)
L- Jose Rosario (0-1, 3-2 season)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros got out on the right foot, but the Yankees 2 scored the game's final 5 runs.

Joan Mauricio finished 2-3 with an RBI double in the 2nd. An error on that double allowed Reiny Beltre to score, as well.

Edgardo Sandoval allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 in 4 innings. Jose Rosario, who is making the jump stateside after starting out with the DSL Blue team, went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and walked 1. Starlyn Taveras allowed 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and walked 1 in the 8th, and Starlyng Sanchez threw a 1-2-3 9th.

These two teams will play again in Tampa at noon Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue and DSL Athletics was postponed

I suppose they'll make this game up the next time they play each other.

The Blue team is playing the Indians today, weather permitting.

DSL Nationals 7, DSL Astros Orange 3

W- Yordani Garcia (1-1)
L- Jose Ramos (0-1)
S- Francys Peguero (3)

Orange home runs: None.

Well.... it's been tough sledding for the Orange team this season.

Juan Fuente put the Orange team on the board in the 1st by scoring on a double play. Miguelangel Sierra finished 2-5 and scored on a wild pitch in the 3rd. And, in the 7th, Randy Vasquez drew a bases-loaded walk that brought Fuente home.

Jose Ramos went 3.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Maikel Sepulveda was the first man out; he allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 over 3.1 innings. Harlen Florencio allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 1 in the 8th.

The Orange team is currently at the Angels complex to take on.... well, the Angels.

Tweet of the Day

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Astros Minor League Roster Moves

[Moving this post back up to the top of the page] This post will cover moves made between June 24 and June 30.

FRESNO
6-28: LHP Brett Oberholtzer optioned to Fresno
6-26: 1B Jon Singleton recalled to Houston
6-25: RHP Richard Rodriguez traded to Orioles for player to be named later or cash
6-24: RHP Mark Appel assigned from Corpus Christi to Fresno

CORPUS CHRISTI
6-28: RHP Michael Feliz recalled to Houston
6-24: OF Brett Phillips assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi

LANCASTER
6-24: RHP Akeem Bostick assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster

QUAD CITIES
6-28: C Trent Woodward assigned from Tri-City to Quad Cities
6-28: RHP Riley Ferrell assigned to Quad Cities
6-27: RHP David Paulino assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
6-26: SS Alex Bregman assigned to Quad Cities
6-26: SS Thomas Lindauer released

TRI-CITY
6-28: LHP Steve Naemark assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville
6-27: 3B Bobby Wernes assigned to Tri-City
6-27: SS Jeffry Santos released
6-26: LHP Zac Person assigned to Tri-City

A couple of 2015 draft picks are headed up to the New York-Penn League...

GREENEVILLE
6-24: IF Ford Stainback signed as a non-drafted free agent and assigned to Greeneville

GCL
6-25: C Ruben Castro assigned to GCL from Lancaster



The master list of 2015 draft picks and NDFA's has been updated here.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, June 22, 2015, and Tuesday, June 23, 2015

All-Star Tuesday!

Happy Appalachian League Opening Day!

Tuesday: Fresno 6, Sacramento 2

W- Luis Cruz (4-2)
L- Chris Stratton (0-1)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton (15, solo in 6th)

The Giants fans in Fresno had something to cheer about early on, but this night belonged to the Grizzlies.

Luis Cruz shook off 2 early solo homers and had a nice outing. He allowed 2 singles, walked 3, and struck out 6 in 7 innings of work. Mitch Lambson worked around 2 hits to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 1, and Kevin Chapman struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Fresno took control in the bottom of the 2nd as Tony Kemp hit an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to 26 games. An error on that play allowed Andrew Aplin to score another run. Matt Duffy added a 2-run single later on in the inning. Max Stassi hit a sac fly in the 3rd, and Jon Singleton capped off the scoring with his 15th home run of the season in the 6th inning. Kemp finished 2-4 and is now hitting .385 in 13 games with the Grizz.

In game 2 of this series, Jake Buchanan will take on Nik Turley at 7:05 Pacific.

Monday: San Antonio 4, Corpus Christi 3 in 14 innings

W- Adam Cimber (3-2)
L- Aaron West (3-4)

CC home runs: None.

The Missions got 1 before the second 7th-inning stretch to nip the Hooks.

Colin Moran finished 2-6 with a double and opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. Teoscar Hernandez added an RBI groundout in the 3rd, and a double play in the 5th inning allowed Chan-Jong Moon to score. Jon Kemmer finished 2-6.

Chris Devenski went 5 innings and the only run he allowed came in the form of a Hunter Renfroe solo homer. Devo allowed 3 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. In his AA debut, Adrian Houser went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Jandel Gustave allowed 2 hits and walked 1 in the 9th, but he tightroped out of that predicament unscathed. Chris Cotton struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 10th. Juan Minaya allowed 3 hits and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless, and Aaron West pitched 2 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3.

Tuesday: San Antonio 5, Corpus Christi 2

W- Colin Rea (2-2)
L- Michael Feliz (1-2, 2-3 season)
S- Tayron Guerrero (7)

CC home runs: Brett Booth (1, 2 season; 2-run in 8th)

The Hooks dropped their 3rd straight to the Missions and dropped the series. This was the first game of the 2nd half, but since the Hooks already won the 1st half, they're already in the playoffs.

Their only runs came off the bat of Brett Booth, who whacked a 2-run homer in the 8th inning. The other extra base hit for the Hooks was a double by Jon Kemmer.

Michael Feliz went 5 innings and the only run he allowed came off a solo shot from Yeison Asencio in the 5th. He allowed 3 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Josh Hader allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 in 2.1 innings. Travis Ballew inherited 2 runners from Hader, but neither of them scored. He went 1.2 innings and allowed a run of his own on 2 hits and struck out 3.

In the series finale, Joe Musgrove will take on Bryan Rodriguez. First pitch is at 7:05.

California League-Carolina League All-Star Game: California League 9, Carolina League 2

The three JetHawks, Brett Phillips, A.J. Reed, and Jack Mayfield all started for the Cal League.

Phillips was in CF and led off, He hit a sac fly in the 3rd and an RBI single in the 4th.
Reed served as the designated hitter and hit 5th. He finished 1-3 with a walk.
Mayfield was the shortstop and went 0-2 from the 7 spot in the order.

The JetHawks will begin the 2nd half tomorrow in Bakersfield, home to the latest starts in Minor League Baseball (well, if you're in the Central and Eastern time zones): 7:45 Pacific.

Midwest League All-Star Game: East 5, West 0

The West team only had 3 hits, and Jake Nottingham had 2 of them. Jamie Ritchie replaced him behind the plate and went 0-2, striking out each time. Nick Tanielu got the start at 3B and went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts.

The River Bandits will kick off the 2nd half tomorrow in Cedar Rapids. First pitch is at 6:35.

Monday: Brooklyn 14, Tri-City 0

W- Matt Blackham (1-0)
L- Harold Arauz (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

Ew.

The ValleyCats were held to 4 hits, 2 of which were doubles hit by Drew Ferguson and Richard Gonzalez.

Harold Arauz allowed 6 runs on 8 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 3 in 2.2 innings. Zach Davis got the final out of the 3rd via strikeout, but not before allowing a run. Davis failed to retire any of the 4 batters he faced. An inherited runner was charged to him, and he allowed 3 hits and issued a walk. Austin Nicely went 3 innings and allowed an unearned run, a hit, walked 2, and struck out 2. Juan Carlos Santos allowed 5 runs (3 earned), a double, walked 3, and struck out 1 in the 7th. Joselo Pinales was the only Tri-City pitcher to throw a scoreless outing; he allowed a hit and struck out 2 in the 8th.

Tuesday: Tri-City 11, Brooklyn 4

W- Yeyfry Del Rosario (2-0)
L- Kevin Canelon (0-1)

TC home runs: Trent Woodward (1, solo in 4th), Cesar Carrasco (1, solo in 6th)

The ValleyCats got even as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead after 3 innings and never looked back.

Trent Woodward opened up the scoring with an RBI groundout in the 1st. One batter later, Bryan Muñiz smacked a 2-run double. This was the beginning of a huge night for Muñiz. He hit a single in the 3rd to load the bases. The ValleyCats' 3 runs in the 3rd came on 3 RBI singles hit by Cesar Carrasco, Kolbey Carpenter, and Alex Melendez. Woodward whacked his 1st homer of the season with 2 outs in the 4th. Carrasco hit a home run of his own with 2 outs in the 6th. Muñiz finished 5-6; his 5th hit of the night was an RBI single in the 9th inning. He advanced to 3rd on an RBI double from Carrasco and scored the final run of the evening on a wild pitch. The 4-5-6 of Woodward, Muñz and Carrasco combined to go 11-18 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 8 RBI, and 6 runs scored. Woodward and Carrasco both went 3-6. Carpenter and Melendez were both 2-5.

The first 4 pitchers to appear for Tri-City threw 2 innings apiece. Scott Weathersby was first; he allowed 2 runs (both on a 2-run homer) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Ralph Garza Jr. allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Kevin McCanna allowed a run on 3 hits. Yeyfry Del Rosario was perfect as he struck out 3, and Adam Whitt struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Rogelio Armenteros gets the start in the series finale, which starts at 7:00 Eastern.

Tuesday: Greeneville 7, Bristol 6

W- Samil De Los Santos (1-0)
L- Mervin Del Rosario (0-1)
S- Alejandro Solarte (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros got the win against the Pirates, and themselves. They overcame 6 errors to come out on top in their season opener.

The first RBI of Greeneville's 2015 season belongs to Myles Straw, who hit an RBI double in the 3rd inning to open the scoring. Aaron Mizell got the distinction of scoring the first run of the season. Randy Cesar added an RBI single in the 4th. Osvaldo Duarte hit a 1-out double in the 5th and wound up scoring on an error. Arturo Michelena tripled to lead off the 6th inning and scored on a sac fly from Cesar. In the 7th, Duarte scored on an RBI groundout from Kevin Martir, and Justin Garcia poked a groundball through the left side of the Bristol infield for an RBI single. Duarte scored on another Bristol error in the 9th.

Osvaldo Duarte finished 2-4 with a double, 2 steals (2), and 3 runs scored. In addition to his RBI double, Myles Straw walked twice and stole a base (1).

Junior Garcia went 2.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Cris Santamaria was the first man out; he allowed a run, a double, and struck out 2 in 1.2 innings. Devonte German came on for the 5th. He got 2 outs in the inning, but not before he allowed 3 runs (all unearned; 2 inherited runners charged to him), a hit, and walked 2. Samil De Los Santos struck out 3 in 1.1 innings, but he allowed 2 of the runners he inherited from German in a bases-loaded situation to score. Alex Winkelman walked 1 and fanned 3 in 2 innings, and Alejandro Solarte worked around a solo homer from Erik Lunde to close it out.

Yhoan Acosta will get the start in game 2 of this series. He'll face Trey Supak, a La Grange native, at 7:00 Eastern.

Monday: GCL Tigers 4, GCL Astros 0

W- Logan Longwith (1-0)
L- Luis Ramirez (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros were held to 1 hit in their first outing of the year. That one hit was a single hit by Bryan De La Cruz.

Luis Ramirez went 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 2. Carlos Hiraldo allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1 over 2 scoreless, and Carlos Sanabria allowed 3 runs (all on home runs) on 2 hits (solo and 2-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 3 in 3 innings.

Tuesday: GCL Tigers 4, GCL Astros 1

W- Taylor Hicks (1-0)
L- Abdiel Saldaña (0-1)
S- Ryan Milton (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros got off the schneid, run-wise, but they came out on the short end in both of their encounters with the Tigers.

Joan Mauricio singled to lead off the 1st, advanced to 3rd on a couple of groundouts, and scored on a wild pitch.

Abdiel Saldaña went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Moreno Polanco also went 4 innings; he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Lachlan Madden threw a 1-2-3 9th.

The Kissimmee Stros will begin a 2-game set with the Yankees 2 in Kissimmee at noon Eastern.

Monday: DSL Astros Blue 7, DSL Phillies 3

W- Michel Martinez (2-0)
L- Joel Cabrera (0-3)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team was held to 6 hits, but they outscored the Phillies, so they rendered that point moot.

Cristopher Luciano opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. He stole 2nd (2) and came around to score on a double from Angel De Leon. In the 5th inning, Andy Piñeda hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Oscar Campos to score. Luciano later added a sac fly. The Blue team's 3-run 7th came in the form of a bases-loaded walk drawn by Orlando Marquez and a 2-run single from Jose Benjamin. Luciano and Juan Piñeda scored 2 runs apiece.

Michel Martinez allowed 2 unearned runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 over 5 innings. Yoanys Quiala allowed a solo homer to Edwin Rodriguez, which was the only hit and run he allowed in his 3 innings. He struck out 5. Dariel Aquino allowed a hit in a scoreless 9th.

Tuesday: DSL Astros Blue 6, DSL Athletics 3

W- Joel Belboder (3-0)
L- Jhenderson Hurtado (1-1)
S- Framber Valdez (2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team won this game despite being held to 3 hits. They were out-errored 4-0, though.

Ronny Jimenez hit a sac fly in the 2nd inning. They took full advantage of Jhenderson Hurtado's wildness in the 4th inning as they got their 3 runs in the inning without putting a ball in play against him. Only in the DSL. Jimenez and Jose Benjamin scored on wild pitches, and Andy Piñeda scampered home before the A's caught Wilson Amador stealing 2nd. Benjamin scored all the way from 1st on an errant pickoff throw in the 6th. Orlando Marquez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 9th.

Edwin Villarroel went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Joel Belboder was the first man out; he allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 in 4 innings. Framber Valdez closed it out with a 2-inning save; he allowed a hit, walked 1, and fanned 1.

The best team in the DSL is playing the Athletics again.

Monday: DSL Mariners2 5, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Alvaro Fernandez (1-0)
L- Gabriel Valdez (1-3)
S- Raul Pedie (1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team got on the board first, but the Mariners 2 scored 5 unanswered to take this one.

Brandon Benavente led off the 2nd with a double, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and scored on an error following a Ronny Rafael flyout. Benavente finished 2-3. Hector Martinez also had a 2-hit day.

Gabriel Valdez went 4.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Cristian Javier allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2.1 innings, and Yonatan Quintin walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 8th.

Tuesday: DSL Nationals 2, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Ramses Rosario (1-1)
L- Franklin Perez (0-1)
S- Nector Ramirez (1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team left a runner on 3rd 3 times.

Marcos Almonte hit a double with 2 outs in the 5th, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and scored on another wild pitch.

Franklin Perez went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Luis Vasquez allowed a hit, walked 3, and fanned 3 over 3 scoreless, and Josue Uribe finished with 3 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 1.

These two teams are playing again at the Nationals' complex.