Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Looking Back at the Astros 2008 Draft Class

As promised, I'm going to continue with an offseason review of all the draft classes from the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 2007 draft forward. Today we'll look at 2008, the first class from the Ed Wade/Bobby Heck era. Let's look at the numbers:

52 players drafted
32 players signed
2 players still in the Astros system (plus one drafted later)
16 players still active in affiliated or independent baseball in 2015*

27 position players drafted/15 signed/1 still in the system
11 from high school/4 signed/0 still in the system
5 from junior college/2 signed/0 still in the system
11 from college/9 signed/1 still in the system

25 pitchers drafted/17 signed/1 still in the system
11 from high school/6 signed/1 still in the system
8 from junior college/6 signed/0 still in the system
6 from college/5 signed/0 still in the system

*Of the 16 players who were still active in baseball in 2015, 12 of those were still playing in affiliated ball (four in independent leagues). Of the 12 players in affiliated ball, five are high school or junior college players who did not sign with Houston, but later signed with other teams, one was released (Shuck), one was traded (Lyles), one was re-drafted by Houston in a later year (Jankowski), two left via free agency (Seaton and Garcia), and two are still in the system from the original draft (Castro and Cruz). Four of the players have made their major league debuts: Castro, Lyles, Shuck and Armstrong.

Luis Cruz - September 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

Here is a little on each of them. Those who signed are noted in bold. The position shown is the position at which the player was drafted, and I have also indicated in parentheses whether they were drafted out of high school (HS), junior college (JC) or college (C).

1. C Jason Castro (C)

Castro is the only one from the 2008 draft class who is currently on the Astros major league team. In five seasons at the major league level (2010, 2012 - 2015), he has a .237/.309/.393 batting line and a 28% caught stealing percentage.

1s. RHP Jordan Lyles (HS) - Traded in December 2013

Lyles came as a supplemental pick as compensation for losing LHP Trever Miller in free agency. Lyles pitched in three seasons for Houston, going 14-29 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.454 WHIP before being included in a December 2013 trade (along with outfielder Brandon Barnes) to the Rockies for OF Dexter Fowler and cash considerations. In his two seasons with the Rockies, Lyles is 9-9 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.400 WHIP. Fowler spent one season with the Astros, hitting .276/.375/.399 in 116 games and was subsequently sent to the Cubs for RHP Dan Straily and corner IF Luis Valbuena in January 2015.

2. OF Jay Austin (HS) - Released in 2012

Austin did not play in 2013, but played in independent ball in 2014 and 2015 (hitting .306/.358/.458). He has a career batting line of .261/.323/.363.

3. 1B Chase Davidson (HS) - Did not sign

Davidson did not sign out of high school but later signed in 2011 as he was re-drafted by the Astros in the 41st round that year.

3s. RHP Ross Seaton (HS) - Left via free agency after the 2014 season

The Astros received this pick as compensation for not signing Derek Dietrich in 2007. Seaton made it as far as AAA for the Astros in 2014, but injuries derailed much of that season. He signed with Detroit as a minor league free agent in February. For his minor league career to date, he is 46-60 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.385 WHIP.

4. OF T.J. Steele (C) - Released in 2012

Steele was released by the Astros in May 2012 and then signed on briefly with the Padres organization before being released by them in July 2012. In the 327 games of his career, he hit .247/.284/.379.

5. LHP David Duncan (C) - Released in 2012

Duncan was actually released by the Astros in 2010, but then re-signed by them in early 2011 only to while away on the DL that entire season. In 50 games (46 starts) from 2008 through 2010, he was 10-23 with a 5.78 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP.

6. OF J.B. Shuck (C) - Released in 2012

Shuck made his major league debut for the Astros on August 5, 2011, hitting .272/.359/.321 in 37 games. He then spent all of 2012 playing in Oklahoma City and was released at the end of that season despite hitting a very healthy .298/.374/.352. Shuck was signed by the Angels shortly after his release by the Astros in late 2012. He was subsequently purchased by the Indians in September 2014 and was then claimed off waivers by the White Sox in November 2014. He played in 79 games for the White Sox in 2015, hitting .266/.340/.350.

7. OF Jon Gaston (C) - Released in 2012

Gaston was released by the Astros in March of 2012 and spent time in independent ball and in the White Sox organization that year. After his release by the White Sox in June 2012, he continued to play in independent ball up through 2015. His career batting line is .256/.334/.449. Gaston also was one of the players who filed suit against the MLB for wage violations in minor league pay.

8. LHP Brad Dydalewicz (HS) - Released in 2012

Dydalewicz made it as far as Lancaster, but was released at the end of 2012 after putting up a career 6.41 ERA and 1.668 WHIP.

9. LHP Luis Cruz (HS)

Cruz played for Fresno for all of 2015 and went 7-5 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.474 WHIP in 28 appearances (19 starts). He just turned 25 in September.

10. LHP Jarred Holloway (JC) - Released in 2010

Holloway only played in the organization for one season in 2008 (and did not play at all in 2009). In 13 starts, he was 0-5 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.541 WHIP.

11. OF Jacob Priday (HS) - Released in 2010

Priday played only 32 games in the Astros system in 2008, hitting .216/.331/.324. He was on the restricted list for all of 2009 before being formally released in 2010.

12. SS Jeff Hulett (JC) - Released in 2009

Hulett played two seasons for the Astros (playing more at third base than at short) and then another three in independent ball. He had a career batting line of .216/.296/.293.

13. RHP Kyle Godfrey (JC) - Released in 2011

Godfrey played from 2008 through 2010 in the Astros system. After his release in March 2011, he played independent ball for one season. He had a career ERA of 4.14 and WHIP of 1.522.

14. RHP Chris Hicks (C) - Released in 2012

Hicks pitched in the organization from 2008 through his release in June 2012, although he missed the entire 2010 season on the DL. He made it as far as AAA and had a career ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.519.

15. C Phil Disher (C) - Released in 2010

Drafted as a catcher, Disher actually played first base for the organization in 2008 and 2009 before being released in early 2010. In a total of 110 games, he had a batting line of .257/.343/.451.

16. LHP Josh Poytress (HS) - Did not sign

Poytress was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 18th round in 2011 and played for them for two seasons before being released in early 2013. He played one more season in independent ball and had a career ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.422.

17. 2B Andy Simunic (HS) - Released in 2014

Simunic played in the Astros system until his release in early June of 2014. He was briefly picked up and subsequently released by the Braves organization. In his seven seasons with the system, he became a utility player, eventually playing at every position except catcher and hitting a career .276/.357/.339.

18. 3B David Flores (C) - Released in 2012

Flores played in the Astros system from 2008 through 2011 and was released in early 2012. For his career, he hit .258/.312/.430.

19. RHP Ashton Mowdy (JC) - Released in 2010

Mowdy pitched from 2008 to 2010, with a career 4.55 ERA and 1.477 WHIP.

20. C Shea Robin (C) - Did not sign

It appears that Robin never played professional baseball.

21. OF Rodarrick Jones (HS) - Did not sign

Jones was drafted by the Pirates in the 37th round in 2011 out of Southern University and A&M in Baton Rouge, and played in that system for two seasons, hitting .231/.352/.375 before his release in July 2012.

22. LHP Terrance Jackson (spelled Terrence in Baseball-Reference) (JC) - Did not sign

Jackson was subsequently drafted by the Mets in the 45th round in 2010 out of Oklahoma City University, but it appears that he did not sign with them either. According to B-R, his only professional experience was with a team in the Frontier League in 2011 for whom he pitched a total of 4.1 innings (12.46 ERA and 2.769 WHIP).

23. LHP Chase Huchingson (JC) - Did not sign

Huchingson was signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent in July 2010 and is still in their system, having reached AAA in 2015. He has a career 3.13 ERA and 1.330 WHIP in 183 games (374.1 innings) in the minor leagues but has not yet reached the majors.

24. OF Danny Meier (HS) - Released in 2009

After playing in only 64 games in the Astros system in 2008 and 2009, Meier was released in July 2009. He played in three additional games in the independent leagues as well in 2009. His career batting line was .196/.263/.366.

25. LHP Mike Hacker (JC) - Released in 2010

Hacker played in the Astros system in 2008 and 2009. After his release in March 2010, he played independent ball until signing with the Red Sox organization in July 2010. He was released by the Red Sox in July 2011 and played independent league ball through 2012. He has a career ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.626.

26. LHP Shane Wolf (C) - Released in 2012

Wolf pitched in the system from 2008 through 2011 with a career ERA of 5.08 and a WHIP of 1.468 before his release in January 2012.

27. RHP Nate Pettus (JC) - Released in 2012

Pettus pitched from 2008 through 2012 and was released in November 2012. For his career, he had a 4.60 ERA and a 1.504 WHIP.

28. RHP Zach Grimmett (HC) - Released in 2013

Grimmett was in the Astros system for five seasons. After his release in March of 2013, he was signed by the Phillies and spent a short time in that organization in May and June of 2013. For his career, he had a 6.62 ERA and a 1.635 WHIP.

29. SS Chris Jackson (C) - Released in 2010

Jackson spent two seasons in the organization, hitting .208/.269/.279 in 144 games.

30. 2B Mike Diaz (C) - Released in 2010

Diaz played two seasons in the Astros system. After his release in March 2010, he played a season in the independent leagues. Over his career, he hit .262/.316/.348.

31. RHP Philip Rummel (HS) - Released in 2010

Rummel was released in March 2010 after pitching in the Astros system for two seasons and went on to play one season of independent ball. He had a career ERA of 5.41 and a WHIP of 1.609.

32. SS B.A. Vollmuth (HS) - Did not sign

Vollmuth was drafted by Oakland in the 3rd round in 2011 out of the University of Southern Mississippi and played in that system from 2011 until his release in August of 2014. He had a career batting line of .231/.311/.391, playing mostly at third base.

33. RHP Shawn Armstrong (HS) - Did not sign

Armstrong was drafted by Cleveland in the 18th round in 2011 out of East Carolina University. He made his major league debut for the Indians on August 8, 2015 and compiled a 2.25 ERA and a 0.875 in eight appearances out of the bullpen.

34. C Jordan Jankowski (HS) - Did not sign

Jankowski did not sign as a catcher back in 2008, but was re-drafted by the Astros (again in the 34th round) in 2012 out of Catawba College as a RHP. He has a 3.17 ERA and a 1.149 WHIP for his career thus far.

35. C Rene Garcia (HS) - Left via free agency after the 2014 season

Garcia played in the Astros system from 2008 through the end of 2014 when he elected minor league free agency and signed with the Phillies. He split the 2015 season between that organization's AAA and AA affiliates. His career minor league batting line is .264/.303/.338, and his career minor league caught stealing percentage is 37%.

36. RHP Austin Wood (HS)

Wood was drafted by the Rays in the 4th round in 2010 and did not sign and then again in the 6th round in 2011 by the Angels -- this time he did sign. Woods was a highly ranked prospect in the Angels system after the 2012 season, but missed much of the 2013 and 2014 seasons due to injury. He spent the 2015 season with their AA affiliate and compiled a 3.95 ERA and a 1.431 WHIP in 31 appearances.

37. LHP Kirkland Rivers (C) - Released in 2010.

Rivers pitched in the Astros system for two seasons and then in independent league ball for another two seasons, ending his career with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.480 WHIP.

38. LHP Kris Castellanos (HS) - Did not sign

Castellanos played for Florida State one year and for Tampa University for one year, but it appears that he never played professionally.

39. C Tyson Van Winkle (C) - Did not sign

Van Winkle was drafted in the 10th round in 2009 by the Diamondbacks and played for four seasons in that organization with a career batting line of .231/.321/.293.

40. 2B Scott Lawson (JC) - Did not sign

Lawson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 29th round in 2010 out of the University of Miami and played just one season in that organization, plus one additional season in independent ball. He had a career batting line of .273/.377/.407, playing at second base and third base.

41. OF Tony McClendon (HS) - Did not sign

McClendon was drafted again in 2010 in the 47th round by Oakland, but did not sign. I had assumed that he never played professionally until he showed up in independent ball in 2015, hitting .203/.257/.281 in 16 games for the Vallejo Admirals of the Pacific Association.

42. OF Ryan Danbury (JC) - Did not sign

It appears that Danbury did not ever play professionally.

43. C Austin Green (HS) - Did not sign

Green was drafted by the Tigers in the 13th round in 2013 out of the University of San Diego and has played three seasons in that organization with a batting line of .260/.310/.392.

44. C Edmond Sparks (JC) - Did not sign

It appears that Sparks never played professionally.

45. LHP Grayson Garvin (HS) - Did not sign

Garvin was drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round (supplemental) in 2011 out of Vanderbilt. In three seasons (2012-2014) in the Rays organization, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 1.224 WHIP. He did not play in 2015 and is shown as being on the 60-day DL.

46. LHP Mike Modica (C) - Did not sign

Modica was re-drafted by the Astros in the 24th round in 2009 and played for the Astros for two seasons before being released in April 2011. He had a 4.18 ERA and a 1.546 WHIP for his career.

47. OF Nathan Metroka (JC) - Released in 2009

Metroka played in the Astros system for two seasons, hitting .252/.317/.357.

48. RHP Danny Meszaros (C) - Released in 2013

Meszaros played in the system from 2008 through 2011 and sat out 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. After his release in March 2013, he played one season of independent ball. He had a 4.07 ERA and 1.337 WHIP for his career.

49. RHP Chase Lehr (JC) - Released in 2009

Lehr pitched in the organization for one season with a 6.52 ERA and a 2.276 WHIP before his release in May of 2009.

50. OF Jamal Austin (HS) - Did not sign

Austin was drafted by Seattle in the 13th round in 2013 out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and played in that organization until his release in April 2015. He continued to play in independent league ball in 2015 and has a career batting line of .291/.340/.363.

Previous draft reviews:


Sunday, October 25, 2015

Astros Farm Report: 10/25

Probably the biggest news to come out this week is that the Astros have already announced the vast majority of their 2016 minor league coaching staff, something that they normally wait until January to make public. More about that in a moment. First let's take a look at this week's birthdays and how the growing ranks of Astros playing fall and winter ball are faring.

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ...

10-25: RHP Gabriel Valdez (20)
10-28: OF Brauly Mejia (21)
10-29: RHP Adonis Pena (22)
10-29: 3B/1B/C Tyler White (25)
10-30: SS/2B Ozziel Sanchez-Galan (18)
10-31: 2B/OF Tony Kemp (24)

FALL/WINTER LEAGUE STATS

Here is how the Astros players participating in fall and winter leagues have fared to date (through Saturday, the 24th):

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
3B J.D. Davis - .133/.188/.333 in 4 games
OF Derek Fisher - .200/.400/.267 in 5 games
IF Chan-Jong Moon - .000/.222/.000 in 2 games
1B A.J. Reed - .200/.385/.300 in 6 games
LHP Chris Cotton - 3.00 ERA/0.667 WHIP in 3 game (3.0IP)
LHP Brian Holmes - 0.00 ERA/0.800 WHIP in 2 games (5.0IP)
LHP Albert Minnis - 3.38 ERA/1.500 WHIP in 2 games (2.2IP)
RHP Keegan Yuhl - 10.13 ERA/1.500 WHIP in 3 games (2.2IP)

Holmes has had the best start by far, but the other pitchers have rebounded from poor first outings.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE
C Tyler Heineman - .125/.300/.125 in 5 games
1B/DH Tyler White - .333/.481/.714 in 6 games
RHP Jake Buchanan - 0.00 ERA/0.571 WHIP in 2 games (7.0IP)
LHP Reymin Guduan - 0.00 ERA/1.125 WHIP in 3 games (2.2IP)
RHP Jandel Gustave - 0.00 ERA/0.600 WHIP in 2 games (1.2IP)
RHP Angel Heredia - 13.50 ERA/2.500 WHIP in 2 games (2.0IP)
RHP Juan Minaya - 6.75 ERA/1.250 WHIP in 2 games (4.0IP)

Tyler White continues where he left off at the end of the season and is having an excellent start to his Dominican journey, hitting .333/.481/.714 with two doubles, two home runs, six walks, and six RBI in six games. Jake Buchanan has won his first two games and he, Guduan and Gustave haven't allowed an earned run yet.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE
IF Kristian Trompiz - 2 games as pinch runner; no at-bats (DNP last week; he is playing in the Liga Paralela)
OF Danry Vasquez - .292/.340/.479 in 13 games
RHP James Hoyt - 0.00 ERA/0.818 WHIP in 7 games (7.1IP)

Vasquez has done very nicely as a regular starter for Caracas and Hoyt has yet to allow a run, earned or otherwise in his seven appearances for Lara (one walk to 11 strikeouts).

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
OF Leo Heras - .400/.600/.600 in 5 games
RHP Enrique Chavez - 9.00 ERA/3.000 WHIP in 1 game (1.0IP) - DNP last week
RHP Jose Hernandez - 0.00 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 1 game (2.0IP)
RHP Juan Robles - 0.00 ERA/0.857 WHIP in 3 games (4.2IP)

Solid starts from Heras, Hernandez and Robles!

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
C Jake Bowey - .000/.333/.000 in 1 game
IF Jared Cruz - .077/.077/.077 in 4 games
1B Connor MacDonald - .417/.500/.750 in 4 games
IF/OF Marc Wik - .400/.538/.500 in 3 games
RHP Kevin Comer - 40.50 ERA/5.997 WHIP in 1 game (0.2IP)

MacDonald and Wik are off to great starts, but Comer needs a mulligan.

NEWS AND LINKS

Baseball America posted their 2015 Astros draft report card yesterday and the full article is behind a paywall, but you can read part of it here. Lots of love for Alex Bregman!

In addition to some Astros front office reshuffling as it pertains to the minor leagues, the Astros also announced the 2016 minor league coaching staff last week. In case you missed the post from Thursday, here is the full Astros press release regarding minor league staffing and here are a few items of note:
  • The list is incomplete at this point, notably the rookie level Appy League Greeneville Manager position is currently open with 2015 Greeneville Manager Lamarr Rodgers taking the helm of the Short Season A Tri-City team. Rodgers led the 2015 Appy Astros team to a League Championship and he will be replacing Ed Romero who was non-renewed following the 2015 season.
  • Dyar Miller will be taking over as Pitching Coach for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies as 2015 Grizzlies Pitching Coach Ace Adams moves to Tri-City in Troy, New York, bringing the Massachusetts native much closer to his home turf. Adams will be taking over for 2015 Tri-City Pitching Coach Chris Holt as Holt moves to that position for Greeneville. Josh Miller, the 2015 Greeneville Pitching Coach, will be moved to a coordinator position.
  • Michael Burns, a former Astros relief pitcher and a rehab coach in the Astros system for the last two seasons, is taking over as Pitching Coach for the High A Lancaster JetHawks team, a position that was formerly held by Don Alexander, a long time Astros minor league coach who was non-renewed after the 2015 season. We wish him luck in handling one of the hardest coaching positions in the Astros system!
  • Erik Abreu, a former Astros minor leaguer who was well respected by his peers, coaches and managers during his playing days, moves from coaching in the Dominican Summer League and will become the Pitching Coach for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Astros team.
  • Dave Borkowski (Quad Cities) and Doug Brocail (Corpus Christi) are the only two domestic pitching coaches who will remain with their 2015 teams. However, it was reported earlier this week that Brocail is being considered by Detroit Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus as a candidate for Pitching Coach for that team.
  • Other than the Manager changes for Tri-City and Greeneville, the other managers (at least for the domestic teams) will remain in place as will the Hitting Coaches at all but the Gulf Coast League team.
  • Also of note is that Wladimir Sutil will be back working with Josh Bonifay as he joins the Quad Cities coaching staff after a season with the Gulf Coast League team. Sutil, a former Astros minor leaguer, coached under Bonifay with the 2014 Greeneville Astros team. It appears from the outside that Bonifay is mentoring Sutil as the Astros groom him to be a possible internal minor league manager candidate at some point.
  • And finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the creation of a new position to be manned by Astros minor league coach Morgan Ensberg, that of "mindset coach." It is just the latest example of the Astros front office thinking outside the box. I will be interested in seeing how the position plays out. If it works out, perhaps the Astros front office will finally consider my suggestion from a while back of hiring me as the minor league player ombudsman. I won't hold my breath, though.
But that brings me to my thoughts on this next story that came out this week ...

For every top draft pick that gets a big payday, there are dozens and dozens of minor league players who get very little when they sign. And they get even less going forward as they are paid well below minimum wage as the trade-off for chasing their dreams. A lawsuit filed by former minor league players in February 2014 with respect to the minor league wage structure received a boost this week as a District Court in San Francisco ruled that the suit could be certified as a class action suit and would be open to current and former minor league players.

The concept that minor league baseball should be unpaid or paid only far below minimum wage as an internship or apprenticeship belies the fact that the players have to find a roof over their heads, transportation to the ballpark and the funds to eat healthy, nutritional meals that will help them perform at a high level. Imagine making the low end $1100 a month and having to do all of that (and, oh, by the way, don't forget to pay your clubhouse dues out of that amount). And if you come from a poor family who can't help support you and/or if you don't even speak the language ... oh well.

Yes, there are many players who love the game so much that they would play for free just to get the chance to make it professionally. And, yes, major league baseball will continue to take advantage of those players and that mindset. But just because the powers that be can take advantage of that fact doesn't mean that it's a morally sound business practice. There is enough money being made in baseball to throw a crumb to the minor league players (and NOT at the expense of the minor league team ownership). And if the players made just a tiny bit more, they probably wouldn't need a minor league ombudsman. Just sayin'.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Astros 2016 Minor League Coaching Staff

The Astros did something very unique today. They announced their minor league field staffs before the end of October. This information isn't usually released until January. I haven't had a chance to go through it with a fine-tooth comb quite yet, but here is the Astros Press Release given to you without comment. (I'll weigh in later with my observations when time allows.)

ASTROS ANNOUNCE 2016 MINOR LEAGUE STAFF

Club returns 45 staff members from the 2015 season

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros announced today their minor league staff for the 2016 season. The Astros coordinators will be Paul Runge (field coordinator), Jeff Albert (hitting coordinator), Doug White (pitching coordinator), Mark Bailey(catching coordinator), Adam Everett (infield coordinator), Morgan Ensberg (mindset coach), Leon Roberts (roving outfield instructor), Josh Miller (complex coordinator-pitching), Brendan Verner (strength and conditioning coordinator) and Daniel Roberts (rehab coordinator).

The managers from the Astros top four minor league affiliates in 2015 will all return to their posts next season, as Tony DeFrancesco (Triple A Fresno), Rodney Linares (Double A Corpus Christi), Omar Lopez (Class A Advanced Lancaster) andJosh Bonifay (Class A Quad Cities) will be back for 2016. Lamarr Rogers, manager of the 2015 Appalachian League Champion Greeneville Astros, will move up to Class A Short Season Tri-City to be the club’s manager for the 2016 season. In the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League, Marty Malloy will return for his third consecutive season as manager of the GCL Astros.

The Astros are returning 45 staff members from the 2015 season. The club will announce the managers and coaches for the Dominican Summer League Astros clubs at a later date.

COORDINATORS AND ROVERS

Paul Runge returns for his sixth season as the Astros minor league field coordinator. Prior to joining the Astros in 2011, Runge compiled 14 years of minor league managerial experience in the Braves system. A veteran of eight Major League seasons as an infielder, Runge managed the Rookie Level Danville Braves to four first place finishes and two league titles prior to joining Houston.

Jeff Albert will enter his third season as Houston’s hitting coordinator after joining the organization in 2013 as roving hitting instructor. Prior to joining the Astros, Albert spent five seasons as a coach in the Cardinals minor league system. A graduate of Butler University, Albert played professionally in the independent leagues and also received his Master’s degree in Exercise Science at Louisiana Tech University.

Doug White has been promoted to pitching coordinator after spending the last two seasons as Houston’s roving pitching instructor. The 2016 season will be his fourth campaign with the Astros, as he joined the organization in 2013 as pitching coach for the New York-Penn League Champion Tri-City ValleyCats. Before joining the Astros, White spent five seasons as a pitching coach in the Cardinals minor league system.

Former Astros catcher and Major League bullpen coach Mark Bailey will enter his 18th year as a coach or instructor in the Astros organization, and his first as catching coordinator. Bailey spent the 2015 season as the club’s roving catching instructor, following two seasons as a developmental specialist with a focus on catching for Double A Corpus Christi.

Adam Everett will return to the Astros in 2016 as the organization’s infield coordinator. The former Houston shortstop of seven seasons has spent the last three years as the Astros infield instructor.

Morgan Ensberg is set to return to the organization for his first season as mindset coach, in what will be his fourth consecutive year working in Houston’s minor league system. In his newly created role, Ensberg will travel throughout the Astros system to help develop the mental skills of the Astros players while implementing organizational initiatives. The former eight-year Major League third baseman spent the last two seasons as the Astros minor league special assignment coach, which followed his professional coaching debut as an infield coach with Class A Advanced Lancaster in 2013.

After spending the last four seasons as the Astros hitting coach at the Triple A level, Leon Roberts will serve as the organization’s roving outfield instructor in 2016. Roberts played outfield in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons, and the 2016 season will be his 39th working in baseball as either a player, coach, manager or coordinator.

Josh Miller will enter a new role as complex coordinator (pitching) following three seasons as Greeneville’s pitching coach and two as a pro scout for the Astros. In his new role, Miller will oversee the Astros pitching programs at their complex in Kissimmee, Fla., which will include the extended Spring Training and rehab pitching programs.

Brendan Verner will serve as Houston’s strength and conditioning coordinator for the fourth consecutive season in 2016. Prior to joining the Astros in 2013, Verner spent six seasons working in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh and San Diego minor league systems, in addition to spending two seasons on Cleveland’s Major League staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Daniel Roberts will return to his role as rehab coordinator for the sixth season. Roberts is based out of the Astros Spring Training complex in Kissimmee, FL, where he assists injured and recovering Major and minor league players with the medical rehabilitation process. Prior to joining the Astros in 2011, Roberts served as an assistant athletic trainer at Charleston Southern University.

TRIPLE A FRESNO GRIZZLIES

After leading the Fresno Grizzlies to the Pacific Coast League and Triple A Championships in 2015, Tony DeFrancesco will return to the Astros organization for his sixth season as Houston’s manager at the Triple A level. Under DeFrancesco’s leadership, which began in 2011, the Astros Triple A clubs have gone 347-303 (.534) while posting a winning record in each of the last four seasons. Prior to joining the Astros, DeFrancesco spent seven seasons as manager at Triple A Sacramento in Oakland’s organization, where he guided the River Cats to six first-place finishes and three PCL titles.

After spending the last three seasons as the Astros minor league pitching coordinator, Dyar Miller will join the Grizzlies coaching staff as pitching coach for the 2016 season. The former Major Leaguer has spent each of the last 48 years working in professional baseball, including an 18-year stint as a coach in the Cardinals organization from 1995-2012. Ralph Dickensonwill also be a new addition to the Grizzlies coaching staff for 2016, as he will serve as hitting coach in what will be his fourth overall season with Houston. During his time with the Astros, Dickenson has been a roving hitting instructor (2015), assistant Major League hitting coach (2014) and hitting coordinator (2013). Bryan Baca will enter his second season as athletic trainer for the Grizzlies and his 10th year overall with the organization, while Trey Wiedman will serve as Fresno’s strength and conditioning coach for the second straight year in what will be his fifth campaign with the Astros.

DOUBLE A CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS

The 2015 Texas League Manager of the Year, Rodney Linares, will return to Corpus Christi for his second season as the Hooks manager in 2016. Linares, who will enter his 19th year with the Astros, guided Corpus Christi to the most wins in all of minor league baseball in 2015 (89), helping the Hooks become the second Texas League team in the last 20 years to reach 89 wins in a single season (also San Antonio in 2011, 94-46). Linares has been a manager in the Astros system in each of the last nine seasons, leading the Class A Advanced JetHawks to two California League Championship titles (2012, 2014) while receiving the California League Manager of the Year honors in 2013.

Doug Brocail will begin his second season as pitching coach at Double A Corpus Christi. A veteran of 16 Major League seasons, Brocail was named Special Assistant to the GM and Senior Pitching Advisor prior to the 2014 season, following a stint as the Astros Major League pitching coach from 2011-13. Dan Radison will be back in Corpus Christi as the club’s hitting coach for the second straight season. Radison served as a special assistant in player development in 2014, and was the Astros assistant hitting coach on the Major League staff in 2013. Grant Hufford will be with the Astros for his ninth season in 2016, and his second as Corpus Christi’s athletic trainer. Taylor Rhoades will join the Hooks for his first season as strength and conditioning coach, and his third year overall with the Astros.

CLASS A ADVANCED LANCASTER JETHAWKS

Omar Lopez is set to return to the JetHawks for his second season as manager and his 18th overall with the Astros organization. Lopez led Lancaster to their fourth consecutive postseason appearance in 2015, with the club leading all of minor league baseball in runs scored (888), homers (174), batting average (.291) and OPS (.850). A member of the Astros organization since 1999, Lopez has managed seven seasons in Houston’s system, and led the 2013 Quad Cities River Bandits to a Midwest League Championship title.

Joining Lopez on the coaching staff will be Michael Burns (pitching coach) and Darryl Robinson (hitting coach). Burns, a former Major League relief pitcher who played for the Astros historic 2005 team, spent the last two seasons as the organization’s rehab coach. Robinson has been the JetHawks hitting coach since 2009, and in 2013 was named the California League Coach of the Year after the JetHawks led the minors in runs (976), walks (669), on-base percentage (.384) and OPS (.853). Michael Rendon will enter his second season as the JetHawks trainer and his sixth with the Astros. Dwayne Petersonreturns to the Astros organization for his third season, and his first as the JetHawks strength and conditioning coach.

CLASS A QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS

Josh Bonifay will head back to Quad Cities for his second season as manager after receiving 2015 Midwest League Manager of the Year honors and leading the River Bandits to the best winning percentage in all of the minor leagues (88-50, .638) this past season. In his three years as a manager in Houston’s system, Bonifay has garnered two Manager of the Year awards, as he was also named the Appalachian League Manager of the Year in 2013 while managing Rookie Level Greeneville. An eight-year minor league veteran, Bonifay began his coaching career as a player/coach in the Pirates organization (2007-09) before joining the Astros in 2011.

Dave Borkowski (pitching coach) and Joel Chimelis (hitting coach) return to the River Bandits in their same roles. Borkowski, a former seven-year Major League pitcher, will be Houston’s Class A pitching coaching for the fourth consecutive season, while Chimelis will be returning for his 11th season in the Astros system and his fourth as Quad Cities hitting coach. Wladimir Sutilserve as a coach at Quad Cities in what will be his third season as a coach with the Astros. Corey O’Brien will return to his role as Quad Cities athletic trainer for his second straight year and his fifth overall with the Astros, while Joe Bossard will be returning to the Astros for his second season, and his first as Quad Cities strength and conditioning coach.

CLASS A SHORT SEASON TRI-CITY VALLEYCATS

After leading the Greeneville Astros to the Appalachian League Championship title in his first year as a manager with Houston,Lamarr Rogers will move up to Tri-City to serve as the club’s manager for the 2016 season. Rogers has spent 22 years working in professional baseball as a player and coach, and spent 16 seasons with the St. Paul Saints Professional Baseball Club of the Independent Northern League prior to joining the Astros organization in 2014.

Rogers’ staff will consist of Ace Adams (pitching coach), Russ Steinhorn (hitting coach), John Gregorich (athletic trainer) and Mark Spadavecchia (strength). Adams returns to the Astros for his second season and his first as ValleyCats pitching coach, while Steinhorn will be the club’s hitting coach for the fourth consecutive season. Gregorich enters his second season with the ValleyCats and his third overall with the Astros. Spadavecchia returns to the Astros for his fourth season, and his first as Tri-City’s strength and conditioning coach.

ROOKIE LEVEL GREENEVILLE ASTROS

Greeneville’s manager is TBD, but Chris Holt (pitching coach), Cesar Cedeno (hitting coach), Elliot Diehl (athletic trainer) and Julio Diaz (strength) will comprise the coaching staff. Holt is returning to the Astros for his third season, and his first as Greeneville’s pitching coach. Cedeno returns to Greeneville for his fifth consecutive season, and his 16th as a coach with the Astros. The four-time All-Star played 12 seasons (1970-81) with the Astros and collected five Gold Gloves as an outfielder. Diehl will be entering his second season with the Astros organization, while Diaz will begin his fourth.

ROOKIE LEVEL GULF COAST LEAGUE ASTROS

Marty Malloy returns to the GCL Astros for his fourth season overall and his third as manager. Malloy played 12 seasons (1992-2003) of minor league baseball and appeared in 35 career Major League games while playing for Atlanta (1998) and Florida (2002).

Erick Abreu (pitching coach), Luis Mateo (hitting coach) and Ramon Vazquez (coach) will be joined by Ben Myers (athletic trainer). Abreu pitched five seasons in the Astros minor league system, and has been a coach in the DSL for each of the last two years. Mateo has spent the last seven seasons as a hitting coach in the DSL, while Vazquez has been a coach in the Astros system since 2014. Myers will be returning to the GCL Astros for his second season.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Looking Back at the Astros 2007 Draft Class

Last offseason, I started (but admittedly didn't finish) a series on Astros draft classes from the last several years that proved to be highly popular with my readers so I'm updating and/or finishing those posts and will be posting those over the next few weeks. Naturally, I have to go back to the disastrous 2007 draft. (I called it "the holy grail of bad draft classes" in the original post.) The good news is that it gets (much) better from here. The bad news is that reliving the 2007 draft is not for the faint of heart. With that said, enjoy!

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The 2007 draft class was a bad thing and a good thing (for me). The negative impact of that class, the repercussions of which are only now starting to fade into the past, is one of the main reasons that I started this blog. I was so desperate for positive news from the farm that I started to really look at the system in-depth and thought that I would share my findings. The rest is, as they say, history.

Well, I was game to look at the 2007 class for the first time in a very long while. I planned to post my findings last week, but about halfway through my research, I found myself curled up in the dark in the fetal position calling for my mommy due to bad farm system flashbacks. (Actually, I just ran out of time, but the other makes for a better story.)

In any event, it was an amazingly poor class and time has not softened the wounds. Here is how it all played out. Keep tissues and antacid on hand (and perhaps a shot of the best whiskey available). I have indicated in parentheses whether the player was drafted out of college (C), junior college (JC) or high school (HS). Those who signed with the Astros are in bold.

[UPDATE: I've been asked by a few people how many players out of a draft can generally be expected to make it to the major leagues. This excellent post from Baseball America's Matt Eddy analyzed 22 drafts from 1987 through 2008 and found that approximately one in six drafted players who sign are expected to make it to the majors. Naturally, some will only make it for a cup of coffee, but it at least gives you an idea of what has happened in the past.]

1. The Astros lost the first round pick for signing Carlos Lee to a 6-year $100 million contract. Lee was an All-Star in 2007 and gave the team three 100+ RBI seasons before the descent in his skills (and his hustle) bottomed out in 2012. He was traded to Miami that season for 3B Matt Dominguez and LHP Rob Rasmussen in July of that year. Rasmussen was later traded to the Dodgers for RHP John Ely who never threw a pitch for the Astros and was released in November 2013. Dominguez hit .233/.274/.376 in 340 games for the Astros from 2012 through 2014; he started the 2015 season at AAA and was claimed off waivers by the Brewers in June 2015 (and subsequently was claimed from the Brewers by the Blue Jays in September 2015).

2. The Astros also lost their second round pick for signing RHP Woody Williams to a 2-year $12.5 million contract. For the first six million, Astros fans got eight wins (to 15 losses) and a league-leader in allowing home runs in 2007. When Williams was released in March 2008, he received a 6.5 million parting gift and the fans got bupkes.

3. 3B Derek Dietrich (HS) - Did not sign

Dietrich went on to be drafted by Tampa Bay in 2010 and was traded to Miami for Yunel Escobar. Dietrich made his MLB debut for Miami in 2013. In 2015, he split his time between AAA and the majors, hitting .256/.346/.456 in 90 games for the big league club (career line of .234/.317/.421 in 196 games).

4. RHP Brett Eibner (HS) - Did not sign

Eibner was drafted (as an outfielder) by the Royals out of the University of Arkansas in the second round in 2010. In 2015, he played for the Royals AAA affiliate, hitting .303/.364/.514 in 103 games.

5. OF Collin DeLome (C) - Released in 2012

DeLome played in the organization from 2007 until his release after playing in 10 games in 2012. He went on to play in the Braves organization and in independent ball in 2012 and 2013 and has a lifetime batting line of .256/.321/.467.

6. RHP David Dinelli (JC) - Released in 2008

Dinelli played in the system for two seasons and has subsequently spent seven years playing independent ball. He has a career ERA of 4.82 and WHIP of 1.652.

7. 2B Russell Dixon (C) - Released in 2010

Dixon played in the Astros system from 2007 through 2009 as an outfielder and was released prior to the 2010 season. His batting line was .238/.308/.329.

8. RHP Chad Bettis (HS) - Did not sign

Bettis was drafted by the Rockies in the second round in 2010 out of Texas Tech and made his major league debut August 1, 2013. In 2015, he was 8-6 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.409 WHIP in 20 starts at the major league level.

9. RHP Luis Pardo (C) - Released in 2008

Pardo played two seasons with the Astros, was briefly signed and then released by the Reds in early 2009, and then played in independent ball in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. He has a lifetime ERA of 5.89 and WHIP of 1.705.

10. 2B/3B Matt Cusick (C) - Traded in 2008

Cusick was traded to the Yankees in July of 2008 for LaTroy Hawkins and played with the Yankees and Angels organizations through 2011 and in independent ball in 2012. He has a lifetime batting line of .280/.366/.411. Hawkins was with the Astros for the remainder of 2008 and 2009 and had a 1.71 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 89 games.

11. C/RHP Roberto Bono (HS) - Traded in 2009

Bono played in the Astros system from 2007 through 2009 before being included in a trade to the Marlins for RHP Matt Lindstrom in December 2009. He then played in the Marlins organization in 2010 and in independent ball in 2011, and ended his career with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.510 WHIP. Lindstrom pitched in 58 games for Houston in 2010 with a 4.39 ERA, 1.650 WHIP and 23 saves.

12. 1B Brian Pellegrini (C) - Released in 2011

Pellegrini played in the Astros system 2007 through 2010 and started the 2011 season on the DL before being released in May of that year. He had a .254/.358/.377 batting line.

13. LHP Chad Jones (HS) - Did not sign

This is one of the more remarkable stories associated with the players from the 2007 draft class. Jones was drafted again in the 50th round in 2010 by the Brewers and did not sign. Fast-forward to the 2013 draft and Jones was drafted by and signed with the Reds. What happened in between is a helluva story. He pitched in 16 games in 2013 (8.76 ERA and 2.757 WHIP) but did not pitch in 2014, spending the bulk of the season on the 60-day DL. He was placed on the restricted list in June 2015, but I wasn't able to find any details on his apparent suspension.

14. 3B Craig Corrado (C) - Released in 2010

Corrado played from 2007 to 2009, transitioning to a second baseman, before being released in March 2010. He had a .260/.292/.333 batting line.

15. RHP Matt Fitts (C) - Did not sign.

Fitts was drafted by Oakland in the 16th round in 2008 and played for them for two seasons, putting up a 4.92 ERA and a 1.580 WHIP.

[Are you still with me? Grab another shot of your best whiskey because, overall, it gets worse from here.]

16. OF Devon Torrence (HS) - Released in 2012

Torrence only played in the Houston system in 2007 and 2008, but did not receive his technical release until 2012. In the interim, he pursued a football career. In 2014, he played in one game in the Royals organization before being released and also played in two games in independent ball. His lifetime batting line is .152/.294/.171.

17. RHP Mason Roberts (JC) - Released in 2008

Roberts had a 10.50 ERA and a 2.611 WHIP in 12 games in 2007.

18. RHP Brian Espersen (C) - Released in 2008

Esperson had a 9.00 ERA and a 2.409 WHIP in 12 games in 2007.

19. C John Fixler (C) - Voluntary retirement in 2011

In five seasons in the Astros system, from 2007 through 2011, Fixler had a .229/.308/.402 batting line and a 26% caught stealing rate.

20. RHP Kyle Greenwalt (HS) - Released in 2012

Greenwalt pitched in the Astros system from 2007 through 2011 and then in independent ball in 2012 and 2013 and ended with a career 5.00 ERA and 1.470 WHIP.

21. C Kyle Miller (JC) - Released in 2009

Miller played from 2007 through 2009 as a corner infielder and put up a .234/.289/.376 batting line.

22. OF Drew Anderson (C) - Released in 2008

Anderson played in 2007 at second base with a .222/.294/.380 batting line.

23. 3B Charlie Gamble (C) - Released in 2008

Gamble had a .237/.305/.347 batting line in 2007.

24. SS Philip Stringer (C) - Released in 2008

Stringer played at second base and third base in 2007, hitting .166/.246/.205.

25. C Kevin Carkeek (C) - Released in 2008

Carkeek played in the Astros system for two seasons, hitting .215/.299/.296 with a 41% caught stealing percentage.

26. C Sal Iacono (C) - Released in 2008

Iacono played for two seasons, hitting .190/.312/.250 with a 34% caught stealing percentage.

27. RHP Brett Robinson (C) - Released in 2009

Robinson pitched in 61 games in 2007 and 2008 with a 5.19 ERA and 1.548 WHIP.

28. OF Jared Pitts (C) - Released in 2008

Pitts had a .181/.278/.262 batting line in his one season in 2007.

29. 2B Travis Sweet (C) - Released in 2008

Sweet played the outfield for the Astros in 2007 and 2008, hitting .210/.289/.359.

30. RHP Danny Gil (C) - Released in 2008

Gil played one season in the Astros system and had a 10.94 ERA and a 1.975 WHIP in 15 games. After his release, he was signed by the Nationals in 2008 and had a 2.12 ERA and 1.118 WHIP in 12 games before being released in 2009.

31. RHP Jason Dominguez (C) - Released in 2009

Dominguez pitched in the Astros system from 2007 through the early part of 2009 and had a 3.70 ERA and a 1.131 WHIP.

32. RHP David Miller (C) - Released in 2008

Miller pitched in the Astros system in 2007 and 2008, the Blue Jays and Marlins in 2009 and in independent ball in 2010 and 2011, compiling a career 5.27 ERA and 1.748 WHIP.

33. OF Cody Phipps (HS) - Released in 2008

Phipps hit .200/.273/.200 in his one season in 2007.

34. RHP Brian Wabick (JC) - Released in 2011

Wabick had a 4.50 ERA and 1.401 WHIP in 128 games from 2007 through 2010.

35. RHP Jordan Powell (C) - Released in 2010

Powell pitched in the Astros system from 2007 through 2009 and had a 4.33 ERA and a 1.565 WHIP in 108 games.

36. OF Albert Cartwright (JC) - Traded in 2011

Cartwright played in the Astros system in 2007 through 2010 before being traded to the Phillies in January of 2011 for LHP Sergio Escalona. Escalona appeared in 49 games for Houston that year with a 2.93 ERA and 1.265 WHIP and looked to be a lock for the 2012 bullpen until a fluke injury derailed his career. Cartwright sat out 2011 with an injury, but then played in the Phillies system from 2012 through 2014. He was signed by the Dodgers as a minor league free agent in January 2015, was subsequently released in May 2015 and went on to play independent league ball. He has a career batting line of .264/.333/.382.

37. RHP Jake Leonhardt (C) - Released 2008

Leonhardt pitched for two seasons for the Astros and two more seasons in independent ball and had a lifetime 4.38 ERA and 1.502 WHIP.

38. RHP Robbie Weinhardt (C) - Did not sign

Weinhardt was drafted by the Tigers in the 10th round in 2008 and played in their minor league system from 2008 through 2013 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.270 WHIP. He made his major league debut in July 2010 and pitched in 30 games in 2010 and 2011 with a 6.39 ERA and 1.677 WHIP. He was released by the Tigers in October 2013. In 2015, he played for the Sugar Land Skeeters.

39. 3B/OF Brian Fletcher (HS) - Did not sign

Fletcher was drafted by the Royals in the 18th round in 2010 and played outfield in that system from 2010 through 2014. He was released by the Royals and picked up by the White Sox in April 2015 and now has a minor league career .279/.342/.457 batting line.

40. LHP Kyle Erdman (JC) - Did not sign

It does not appear that Erdman ever played professionally.

41. LHP Colton Pitkin (HS) - Released in 2012

Pitkin pitched in the Astros system from 2007 through 2011 and had a lifetime ERA of 4.82 and WHIP of 1.565.

42. OF Chris Turner (HS) - Released in 2009

Turner played for two seasons, 2007 and 2008, and hit .147/.211/.169.

43. OF Marques Williams (JC) - Released in 2009

Williams played from 2007 through 2009 with a .228/.285/.293 batting line.

44. SS Cat Everett (C) - Released in 2009

Everett toiled for the Astros from 2007 to 2008 and managed a .214/.320/.239 batting line during that time.

IN REVIEW ~
  • The Astros signed 34 players: 8 out of the top 15, and 26 out of the bottom 29. The highest pick to sign was at #5.
  • Of the 34 signed players, 30 were released, 3 were traded and 1 chose voluntary retirement.
  • Of the 30 released, 19 did not play in the Astros system beyond 2008 and 6 did not play beyond 2009. The final player to be released out of the final 5 was released on April 18, 2012. Only 2 out of the 30 players who were released appear to still be active in independent ball.
  • Of the 8 players who did not sign, 7 were re-drafted, 4 appear to still be active in organized baseball (and one is a question mark), 1 played independent ball in 2015, and 3 have made MLB debuts.
  • Of the 3 players who were traded, only 1 was active in 2015, playing in independent baseball.
  • GM Tim Purpura was fired approximately two months after the 2007 draft.
Some may be questioning why this is worth looking at after all these years. To you I would say, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Astros Farm Report: 10/18

Well, that was fun! (If you don't count the last two innings on Monday and the loss on Wednesday.) Seriously, I would have preferred seeing the Astros advance to the ALCS, but I couldn't get too worked up about the loss because: a) I know that the existing team will be able to build on that playoff experience, b) I know that there is still a ton of talent coming up through the Astros system that will help fill some of the holes, and c) I tend to have an optimistic take on things. I really do think that the minor league pipeline will keep flowing as long as the Astros front office doesn't do something silly like replace human scouts with robots or the like. Wait. What?

In this piece from Jon Heyman posted Friday (scroll down to the MLB notes for Houston), Heyman talks about the discontent in the Astros system amongst the non-player types for various reasons, such as the elimination of pension plans for non-uniformed personnel. He also dropped this little nugget:
They are saying they may use the TrackMan system more for scouting, which measures spin rate, launch angles and the like, thus giving a nod to robots.
I'm trying to imagine how Special Assistant to the GM Enos Cabell and Executive Advisor Nolan Ryan feel about that (and whether or not what they think would be fit for publication in a family blog such as this one). I know that the human element in life cannot be easily quantified, but those organizations who recognize the significant contribution of human knowledge, experience and instinct as a scouting tool and use that information to dovetail with the statistical side are the organizations that will ultimately succeed. At least that is my totally subjective, totally unprovable and totally human take on things.

Now on to other business ...

One correction from my post last Sunday: the original Baseball America transaction report showed that both Alex Presley and L.J. Hoes had elected free agency. That has since been corrected and only Presley elected free agency. Hoes is still in the system.

BIRTHDAYS

WTHB wishes a Very Happy Birthday to these players who celebrate birthdays this week:

10-18: RHP Riley Ferrell (22)
10-18: LHP Patrick Sandoval (19)
10-18: RHP Andrew Walter (25)
10-20: C/1B Ihan Bernal (19)
10-22: SS Joan Mauricio (19)

FALL/WINTER LEAGUE STATS

Here is how the Astros players participating in fall and winter leagues have fared to date (through Saturday, the 17th):

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
3B J.D. Davis - .143/.250/.571 in 2 games
OF Derek Fisher - .200/.500/.400 in 2 games
IF Chan-Jong Moon - .000/.000/.000 in 1 game
1B A.J. Reed - .000/.333/.000 in 2 games
LHP Chris Cotton - 9.00 ERA/2.000 WHIP in 1 game (1.0IP)
LHP Brian Holmes - 0.00 ERA/1.500 WHIP in 1 game (2.0IP)
LHP Albert Minnis - 5.40 ERA/1.200 WHIP in 1 game (1.2IP)
RHP Keegan Yuhl - 40.50 ERA/6.000 WHIP in 1 game (0.2IP)

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE
C Tyler Heineman - .250/.625/.250 in 2 games
*1B/DH Tyler White - .250/.250/.375 in 2 games
RHP Jake Buchanan - 0.00 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 1 game (2.0IP)
LHP Reymin Guduan - 0.00 ERA/0.000 WHIP in 1 game (0.1IP)
RHP Jandel Gustave - 0.00 ERA/3.003 WHIP in 1 game (0.1IP)

*Has only played 1B and DH so far and hasn't caught yet.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE
IF Kristian Trompiz - 2 games as pinch runner; no at-bats
OF Danry Vasquez - .300/.364/.500 in 8 games
RHP James Hoyt - 0.00 ERA/0.923 WHIP in 4 games (4.1IP)

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
OF Leo Heras - .333/.500/.444 in 3 games
RHP Enrique Chavez - 9.00 ERA/3.000 WHIP in 1 game (1.0IP)
RHP Juan Robles - 0.00 ERA/0.429 WHIP in 2 games (2.1IP)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Astros in the Fall and Winter Leagues

I've been on a hiatus of sorts, because there is just way too much on my plate as of late. However, I just realized that the Caribbean leagues have just started play. Here's where the Astros have sent some of their players this winter.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide Bite

RHP Kevin Comer
3B Marc Wik

Brisbane Bandits

1B Connor MacDonald

Melbourne Aces

2B Jared Cruz

Perth Heat

C Jake Bowey

LIGA VENEZUELA BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Águilas de Zulia

2B Kristian Trompiz

Cardenales de Lara

RHP James Hoyt

Leones del Caracas

OF Danry Vásquez

Caribes de Anzoátegui

Manager Omar Lopez

Navegantes del Magallanes

No Astros are on the roster, but Richard Hidalgo is listed as a member of the coaching staff.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL DOMINICANO (LIDOM)

Opening Day in the Dominican is October 15. As far as I know, these players will be participating, or are just listed on the rosters of the respective team.

Tigres del Licey

OF Ramon Laureano
C Tyler Heineman

Toros del Este

RHP Jake Buchanan
RHP Angel Heredia

Estrellas del Oriente

C/1B/DH Tyler White

Gigantes del Cibao

LHP Reymin Guduan
RHP Jandel Gustave
RHP Juan Minaya

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Charros del Jalisco

OF Leo Heras

Mayos de Navojoa

RHP Juan Robles

Yaquis de Obregón

RHP Enrique Chavez

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE


Cangrejeros de Santurce

RHP Travis Ballew
LHP Juan Carlos Santos (listed as a reserve)
C Ruben Castro (listed as a reserve)
OF Robbie Grossman
OF Nestor Muriel

Criollos de Caguas

LHP Luis Cruz
C Roberto Peña

Gigantes de Carolina

OF Alex Melendez

Indios de Mayagüez

RHP Josh James (listed as a reserve)
C Max Stassi
SS Carlos Correa (listed as a reserve; highly doubt that he'll be allowed to play)
OF Edwin Medina




ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

The AFL will begin play on Tuesday, as the Glendale Desert Dogs, which consists of prospects from the Astros, White Sox, Pirates, Phillies, and Dodgers, take on the Mesa Solar Sox.

LHP Chris Cotton
LHP Brian Holmes
LHP Albert Minnis
RHP Keegan Yuhl
3B J.D. Davis
SS Chan-Jong Moon
1B A.J. Reed
OF D.J. Fisher

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Astros Farm Report: 10/11

The postseason officially returns to Houston later today and it's hard to focus on anything else, but there are a few things going on in the Astros minor leagues. Let's start with the upcoming birthdays for this week.

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ...

10/11: 3B Wander Franco (19)
10/12: RHP Jandel Gustave (23)
10/13: LHP Zac Person (23)
10/14: RHP Devonte German (21)
10/14: OF Aaron Mizell (22)
10/14: OF Ronny Rafael (18)
10/15: OF Teoscar Hernandez (23)
10/15: IF Arturo Michelena (21)
10/17: OF Myles Straw (21)

TRANSACTIONS

Honestly, I haven't been paying very close attention to the transaction pages since the season ended, but I think the only thing I missed was that Fresno OF Alex Presley elected free agency last week. [UPDATE: OF L.J. Hoes also elected free agency.]

FALL/WINTER LEAGUES

[Note: I will post player stats and results from time to time, but in the meantime, you can check this page for their cumulative stats.]

The Arizona Fall League will commence play on Tuesday. As a reminder, these Astros minor leaguers are playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs:

LHP Chris Cotton
LHP Brian Holmes
LHP Albert Minnis
RHP Keegan Yuhl
3B J.D. Davis
IF Chan Moon*
1B A.J. Reed
OF Derek Fisher

*Taxi squad

Also, a few more Astros minor leaguers have shown up on rosters in the Caribbean Winter Leagues and the Australian Baseball League. The updated list follows.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia
2B Kristian Trompiz

Cardenales de Lara
RHP James Hoyt

Leones del Caracas
OF Danry Vasquez

MEXICAN PACIFIC WINTER LEAGUE

Charros de Jalisco
OF Leo Heras

Yanquis de Obregon
RHP Enrique Chavez

Mayos de Navojoa
RHP Juan Robles

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

The Dominican Winter League starts on Thursday the 15th, but none of those rosters have been posted yet.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

The Australian Baseball League doesn't start until October 23rd (exhibition games will start this week), but we know of at least two Astros minor leaguers that will be playing down under according to this article on the Adelaide Bite's website.

Adelaide Bite
RHP Kevin Comer
IF/OF Marc Wik

Tweet of the Day

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Astros Farm Report: 10/8

I'm baaaaaaack! Well, kind of. I'm still not going to be posting much as long as the Astros are in the postseason because I want to sit back and enjoy the ride. Let's hope that means that I won't be back with more regular updates until early November!!!

FALL/WINTER LEAGUES

Yesterday marked the first day of the Venezuelan Winter League. The Astros minor leaguers who have shown up on rosters so far are:

Aguilas de Zulia
2B Kristian Trompiz

Cardenales de Lara
RHP James Hoyt

Leones del Caracas
OF Danry Vasquez

Also, 2015 Lancaster JetHawks Manager Omar Lopez is managing the Caribes de Anzoategui team.

All three of these players saw action on day one, with Hoyt pitching a perfect inning of relief, Trompiz entering as a pinch runner and Vasquez going one-for-three with a strikeout and a hit by pitch.

The Mexican Pacific Winter League will start tomorrow and the following Astros players have shown up on the rosters.

Charros de Jalisco
OF Leo Heras

Yanquis de Obregon
RHP Enrique Chavez

The Dominican Winter League and the Arizona Fall League will start play next week.

NEWS AND LINKS

Baseball America has been rolling out their Top 20 prospects by league over the last couple of weeks. You can find the full lists here. Astros who appear on the lists are:

OF Kyle Tucker - Gulf Coast League (#3) and Appalachian League (#1)
OF Daz Cameron - Gulf Coast League (#4) and Appalachian League (#5)
RHP Albert Abreu - Appalachian League (#6)
RHP Francis Martes - Midwest League (#5)
1B A.J. Reed - California League (#3) and Texas League (#6)
SS Alex Bregman - California League (#5)
RHP Michael Feliz - Texas League (#11)
3B Colin Moran - Texas League (#20)
RHP Mark Appel - Pacific Coast League (#5)
OF Preston Tucker - Pacific Coast League (#15)
2B/OF Tony Kemp - Pacific Coast League (#19)

Also in the news since I last posted are shakeups in the coaching and player development side of things for the Astros. Several minor league coaches were non-renewed, including Tom Lawless, Jeff Murphy, Ed Romero, Don Alexander, Gary Ruby, Tim Garland, Vinny Lopez and Hector Mercado. I will be most interested in seeing who will replace Alexander as Pitching Coach for the Lancaster JetHawks in 2016, likely the most thankless job in the system. In addition, this Houston Chronicle article from Monday indicated that more changes are likely to come as GM Jeff Luhnow looks to revamp the Astros Player Development department.