Hey, Don't Forget About Me!

It's easy to forget about players who lose whole chunks of seasons due to injuries or other issues. Lest we all forget, here is a reminder about some of those players who disappeared from view for all or a part of 2012.

RHP Kyle Weiland (26)
Weiland came to Houston in the December 2011 Red Sox trade for Mark Melancon and last pitched for the Astros on April 21, 2012.  He underwent shoulder surgery on May 1, 2012 to clean out an infection. When I asked GM Jeff Luhnow about Weiland (when I interviewed him back in November), he indicated that Weiland's situation was not a routine one, but he was building his strength up and Luhnow hoped he would be ready for Spring Training. We will soon see. Weiland was taken off the 40-man roster during the off-season and will presumably start at AAA if healthy.

LHP Kyle Hallock (24)
Hallock, the Astros 10th round pick from 2011, had a terrific freshman season, putting up a 2.63 ERA and 1.216 WHIP in 13 starts. After struggling to start the 2012 season at Lexington, Hallock underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. He made several rehab appearances toward the end of the season and should be healthy coming in to the 2013 season.

Kyle Hallock - Lexington April 2012

Photo by Jayne Hansen

RHP Jack Armstrong (23)
Armstrong was drafted in the third round in 2011 and is still awaiting his Astros debut after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2011/2012 off-season. When I spoke with Luhnow, he expected Armstrong to be ready for the season and was looking forward to finally seeing him compete as an Astro.

LHP Christopher Lee (20)
Lee was drafted by the Astros in the fourth round in 2011. Lee only pitched eight and two-thirds innings in five appearances with Greeneville in the 2011 season, the last appearance being July 26th. As far as I know, he was never officially placed on the DL.

RHP Danny Meszaros (27)
The 48th round draft pick by the Astros in 2008, Meszaros did not play in 2012. He last played for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks in 2011, but also appeared in Oklahoma City that season. It is my understanding, although I never saw anything official from the Astros, that he underwent TJ surgery.

LHP Wes Musick (26)
Musick came to the Houston organization in the Matt Lindstrom trade in December 2010. Musick was having a great season, starting at Lancaster and receiving two quick promotions. He last pitched for AAA Oklahoma City on June 19th before going on the DL.

C Miles Hamblin (24)
Hamblin appeared in only two games for Lexington at the start of the 2012 season before being placed on the DL for the remainder of the season. I do not know the nature of his injury or his current status. Hamblin was the 12th round pick by the Astros in 2011.

C Rene Garcia (22)
Garcia, the Astros 35th round pick in 2008, was having a very good season at Lancaster which led to his call-up to Corpus Christi. He only appeared in nine games at Corpus before being shut down for the remainder of the season at the end of July. He did, however, play in winter ball in Puerto Rico.

C Ben Heath (24)
Heath was the Astros fifth round pick in 2010. Much like Garcia, Heath was having a good season at Lancaster before a call-up to Corpus Christi. Exactly like Garcia, Heath only appeared in nine games at Corpus before being shut down for the remainder of the season.

2B John Hinson (24)
Hinson, the Astros 13th round pick from 2011, started the 2012 season with Lexington and was doing extremely well at the plate before being shut down on June 1st for the remainder of the season. Although I don't know his status, I would say from looking at his twitter timeline, he's ready for baseball season.

IF Brandon Wikoff (24)
Wikoff, the Astros fifth round pick in 2009, last played on July 7th for Corpus Christi. After a solid start to the season, he was struggling offensively prior to being shut down. I do not know his status.

1B Chase Davidson (23)
Davidson was first drafted by the Astros in the third round in 2008, but didn't sign. He was drafted again in the 41st round in 2011. Davidson only appeared in nine games for Tri-City in June before being shut down June 28th. Jeff Luhnow mentioned Davidson as someone he was looking forward to seeing this season.

OF Javaris Reynolds (20)
Reynolds, the seventh round 2011 pick, was never placed on the DL (to my knowledge) during the 2012 season, but he played in only 11 games, the last of which was on July 13th. Again, I do not know his status.

Getting this group of players healthy and productive again will help provide the Astros with even more depth towards rebuilding the system. I'm looking forward to seeing them back in action soon.