The Gulf Coast League Astros Season In Review

The GCL team is the only Astros affiliate that didn't compile a winning season in 2013, and one of only two teams (along with the DSL) that didn't make it to the post-season. But that doesn't mean that there was no good news to be had even though most of the good news centered around individual performances.

2012 Win Percentage - .475
2013 Win Percentage - .450

2012 Runs Scored - Runs Allowed = Run Differential - 227 - 240 = (13)
2013 Runs Scored - Runs Allowed = Run Differential - 272 - 289 = (17)

2012 Team ERA & WHIP - 3.45 & 1.387
2013 Team ERA & WHIP - 3.95 & 1.383

2012 Team Batting Line - .244/.307/.342
2013 Team Batting Line - .246/.321/.355

As you can see, there were no really dramatic changes one way or the other. The GCL team ranked 13th out of 16 teams in ERA and 14th in WHIP. They were second in walks allowed and fifth in strikeouts. In the offensive categories, the team ranked in the top five in slugging percentage, triples and home runs; and in the top 10 in batting average, on-base percentage, doubles and stolen bases. They were 11th out of 16 in striking out and 14th in drawing walks. Again, nothing really outstanding or dramatic one way or the other. So let's focus on those individual performances.

First, let's look at the pitching. 19-year old RHP Agapito Barrios is the only pitcher who appears in the top 15 in the league in ERA (3.44) and WHIP (1.433). There are several other pitchers on the team whose numbers are superior to those, but they did not pitch enough innings to qualify as league leaders. A number of those were rehabbing pitchers such as LHP Brian Holmes (10.1IP 0.00 ERA 0.484 WHIP) and RHP Luis Ordosgoitti (15.2IP 1.15 ERA 0.766 WHIP). And a number were either promoted quickly like LHP Kevin Ferguson (11IP 0.82 ERA 0.818 WHIP) and RHP Justin Hess (8.2IP 1.04 ERA 0.808 WHIP) or extremely limited such as LHP Kent Emanuel (9IP 0.00 ERA 0.889 WHIP).

Of those who pitched a minimum of 20 innings in the GCL, two pitchers stood out. 22-year old RHP Troy Scribner pitched in eight games (two starts) in the GCL, going 3-2 with a 1.26 ERA and an 0.663 WHIP before being promoted to Greeneville and then to Tri-City. Over the three venues, he was 4-4 with a 2.55 ERA and a 0.962 WHIP. He struck out 78 batters while walking 14 over 53 innings. His 13.2 SO/9 is one of the best rates in the Astros organization. The other pitcher who stands out is Ambiorix de Leon. In five games (three starts), the 22-year old had a 2.82 ERA and a 1.209 WHIP.

In looking at the offensive side of the coin, 1B Yonathan Mejia was the closest thing to a star on the GCL team. The switch-hitter who will turn 21 later this week, ranked fifth in the league in batting average (.324), ninth in slugging percentage (.437), first in doubles and was tied for fifth in RBI. For players spending the bulk of the 2013 season in the GCL, Mejia led the team in batting average and was second in on-base percentage with a .356 mark (followed closely by Jose Solano and C Jacob Nottingham). He was promoted to Tri-City for the last three games of the season.

For those spending most or all of the season with the GCL, lefty-hitting CF Jason Martin, who just turned 18 on September 5th, led the team in OBP (.357). He was tied for fifth in walks in the league and was in the top 15 in triples and in the top 20 in stolen bases. 2B/3B Jose Solano was tied for first in the league with six home runs and was tied for 10th in RBI. On the team, he was first in slugging percentage and second in batting average for those who played a significant amount of the season with the GCL. The 21-year old was promoted to Greeneville for the final seven games of the season.

Others of note are Jean Batista who spent time rehabbing with the GCL and was tied for second in the league in triples despite playing in only 24 games there. 3B Tyler White (.365/.474/.556 in 18 games) and C Brett Booth (.308/.431/.462 in 16 games) both graduated from the GCL quickly, but had great offensive numbers in their limited time at the level. Both will turn 23 in October.

For my earlier look at the DSL season in review, go here.