Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for December 23-27, 2016

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras went 0-4 with two strikeouts in Obregón's 1-0 loss to Mexicali on Friday, and then the league went on its Christmas break. The Yaquis lost 4-1 on Monday; Heras' solo home run in the 1st inning was their only run.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Drew Ferguson went 2-5 in Santurce's 3-2, 11-inning win over Caguas on Friday and finished 0-4 in their 3-1 loss to Carolina on Monday.

LIGA COLOMBIANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Samir Caraballo appeared as a pinch-hitter twice for Leones; he grounded out on Friday and struck out on Tuesday.



Astros Farm Report: 12/28

Taking a break from building the bomb shelter to get you caught up with the farm ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

12-28: 2B Enmanuel Valdez (18)
12-29: RHP Yulian Frontado (19)
12-30: RHP Nick Hernandez (22)
12-31: LHP Maikel Sepulveda (20)
1-1: LHP Dallas Keuchel (29)
1-2: RHP Juan Corniel (21)
1-3: RHP Hansel Paulino (21)
1-4: OF Bobby Boyd (24)

Bobby Boyd - June 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

The transaction front has slowed down a bit. The cumulative offseason transaction list has been updated with the following moves and can be found here.

12-22: RHP Brendan McCurry placed on the restricted list
12-20: RHP Fredis Guerrero assigned to the DSL (20-year old Dominican signed 12/07)
12-20: RHP Wender Oberto assigned to the DSL (17-year old Venezuelan signed 11/17)

ASTROS FALL/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES

Here is how your Astros have fared thus far in fall/winter league play:

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

OF Alejandro Garcia: .200/.304/.200 in 6 games (replaced Laureano on the roster)
OF Jason Martin: .194/.375/.290 w/3-2B 2RBI 9R in 11 games
OF Ramon Laureano: .295/.340/.477 w/ 4-2B 2-3B 8RBI 5SB 12R in 12 games (last played 10/29)
C Garrett Stubbs: .171/.280/.271 w/ 4-2B 1HR 6RBI 13R in 20 games
IF Nick Tanielu: .352/.379/.500 w/ 5-2B 1HR 5RBI 7R in 14 games

RHP Francis Martes: 2-1 in 6 starts with a 3.22 ERA/1.299 WHIP in 22.1IP
RHP Jacob Dorris: 1-1 in 8 games with a 3.38 ERA/2.375 WHIP in 8.0IP
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 0-0 (1SV) in 8 games with a 11.05 ERA/1.909 WHIP in 7.1IP
RHP David Paulino: 0-0 (1SV) in 5 games with a 0.00 ERA/0.600 WHIP in 5.0IP

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)
(Regular season ended 12/22; playoffs started 12/27)

OF Andrew Aplin: .114/.216/.114 in 19 games
OF Osvaldo Duarte: .000/.111/.000 in 7 games (only 8 at bats)
OF Teoscar Hernandez: .162/.230/.221 w/2-2B 1-3B 4RBI 6R in 20 games
C Max Stassi: .400/.400/.400 in 2 games (last played 10/22)

RHP Edison Frias: 0-0 in 2 games with a 4.50 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 2.0IP (last played 11/9)
LHP Reymin Guduan: 1-1 with 1 save in 14 games with a 5.63 ERA/2.250 WHIP in 8.0IP (last played 12/14)
*RHP Mike Hauschild: 0-1 in 5 starts with a 2.31 ERA/1.329 WHIP in 23.1IP (last played 11/13)
RHP Jordan Jankowski: 0-1 in 7 games with a 4.50 ERA/1.667 WHIP in 6.0IP (last played 11/5)

*Claimed by the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE (LMP)
(Regular season ends Friday, 12/30)

OF Leo Heras: .263/.373/.452 w/9-2B 8-3B 6HR 24RBI 41R in 64 games

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)
(Regular season ends Thursday, 12/29)

IF Marwin Gonzalez: .174/.269/.174 in 14 games
SS Miguel Sierra: .333/.333/.444 w/1-2B 3RBI in 3 games (last played 11/5)

RHP Jared Mortensen: 0-0 in 3 games with a 2.70 ERA/0.900 WHIP in 3.1IP

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)
(Regular season ends Friday, 12/30)

C Juan Centeno: .235/.327/.282 with 4-2B 9RBI in 26 games
OF Drew Ferguson: .216/.317/.395 with 1-3B 1HR 1RBI 8R in 10 games

RHP Juan Santos: 0-0 in 6 games with a 5.06 ERA/1.688 WHIP in 4.1IP

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)
(Regular season ends Sunday, 1/29/17)

1B Connor MacDonald: .172/.286/.241 with 1-2B 1HR 10RBI 6R in 19 games (last played 12/18)

NEWS AND LINKS

The news has continued to trickle in over the holidays, but there are a couple of stories of note ...

Brendan McCurry has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine under MiLB's drug testing policy. If he starts the season for Fresno, he would be in line to be activated on May 28th.

A group of almost 40 Astros fans (so far) has started the Astros County Fitness Challenge. It's not too late to sign up, drop a few pounds and win bragging rights over some of your favorite (?) characters from #AstrosTwitter.

Baseball Prospectus released their Astros Top 10 prospect list last week. The list is free, but the analysis is insider only.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for December 21 and 22, 2016

LIDOM

Teoscar Hernandez went 0-5 with two strikeouts over the last two games, but Toros knocked off Licey twice, winning 5-2 on Wednesday and walking off with a 3-2 win on Thursday.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras finished 0-4 as Obregón's 9th-inning rally in Culiacán fell just short on Wednesday; they dropped that game by a final of 6-4. He went 1-4 in a 4-2 loss on Thursday.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Santurce topped Aguadilla twice, winning 6-3 on Wednesday and 10-1 on Thursday.

Drew Ferguson tripled and scored twice from the top of the Santurce lineup in Wednesday's contest. On Thursday, he finished 2-3 and scored two more runs out of the leadoff spot.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for December 19 and 20, 2016

LIDOM

Monday: Toros 2, Escogido 1

Teoscar Hernandez reached on an error in the 2nd and scored on a two-run double from Alen Hanson. His one hit was a double in the 4th inning.

Tuesday: Toros 5, Estrellas 4 in 10 innings

Teoscar laid down a sacrifice bunt that drove in a run in the 2nd inning and singled in the 4th.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Tuesday: Culiacán 3, Obregón 2 in 11 innings

Leo Heras drew three walks in this game, one of which came with the bases loaded in the 4th inning. His one hit was a bunt single in the 1st that loaded the bases, but Obregón was unable to capitalize on the situation.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Monday: La Guaira 5, Aragua 3

Marwin Gonzalez went 0-2 with a walk.

Tuesday: Magallanes 3, Bravos 1

Jared Mortensen threw a 1-2-3 6th inning for Magallanes.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Tuesday: Santurce 4, Carolina 1

Drew Ferguson went 1-3 at the top of the Santurce lineup.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Astros Farm Report: 12/20

No fake news here! Just a chance to catch up with the Baby 'Stros ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

12-20: 3B Abraham Toro-Hernandez (20)
12-21: LHP Yeremi Ceballos (18)
12-23: RHP Scott Weathersby (25)
12-27: C Ray Henderson (21)
12-27: RHP Tyson Perez (27)

Abraham Toro-Hernandez - August 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

The transaction front has slowed down a bit. The cumulative offseason transaction list has been updated with the following moves and can be found here.

12-19: C Juan Centeno signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite
12-19: RHP Jose Rivera assigned to the DSL (19-year old Dominican signed 10/19)
12-19: RHP Luis de Paula assigned to the DSL (20-year old Dominican signed 11/4)

ASTROS FALL/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES

Here is how your Astros have fared thus far in fall/winter league play:

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

OF Alejandro Garcia: .200/.304/.200 in 6 games (replaced Laureano on the roster)
OF Jason Martin: .194/.375/.290 w/3-2B 2RBI 9R in 11 games
OF Ramon Laureano: .295/.340/.477 w/ 4-2B 2-3B 8RBI 5SB 12R in 12 games (last played 10/29)
C Garrett Stubbs: .171/.280/.271 w/ 4-2B 1HR 6RBI 13R in 20 games
IF Nick Tanielu: .352/.379/.500 w/ 5-2B 1HR 5RBI 7R in 14 games

RHP Francis Martes: 2-1 in 6 starts with a 3.22 ERA/1.299 WHIP in 22.1IP
RHP Jacob Dorris: 1-1 in 8 games with a 3.38 ERA/2.375 WHIP in 8.0IP
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 0-0 (1SV) in 8 games with a 11.05 ERA/1.909 WHIP in 7.1IP
RHP David Paulino: 0-0 (1SV) in 5 games with a 0.00 ERA/0.600 WHIP in 5.0IP

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)
(Final regular season game is Thursday 12/22)

OF Andrew Aplin: .114/.216/.114 in 19 games
OF Osvaldo Duarte: .000/.000/.000 in 6 games (only 4 at bats)
OF Teoscar Hernandez: .164/.239/.230 w/2-2B 1-3B 3RBI 6R in 17 games
C Max Stassi: .400/.400/.400 in 2 games (last played 10/22)

RHP Edison Frias: 0-0 in 2 games with a 4.50 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 2.0IP (last played 11/9)
LHP Reymin Guduan: 1-1 with 1 save in 14 games with a 6.75 ERA/2.250 WHIP in 8.0IP
*RHP Mike Hauschild: 0-1 in 5 starts with a 2.31 ERA/1.329 WHIP in 23.1IP (last played 11/13)
RHP Jordan Jankowski: 0-1 in 7 games with a 4.50 ERA/1.667 WHIP in 6.0IP (last played 11/5)

*Claimed by the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE (LMP)
(Regular season ends Friday, 12/30)

OF Leo Heras: .267/.373/.456 w/8-2B 8-3B 5HR 22RBI 38R in 58 games

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)
(Regular season ends Thursday, 12/29)

IF Marwin Gonzalez: .174/.269/.174 in 14 games
SS Miguel Sierra: .333/.333/.444 w/1-2B 3RBI in 3 games (last played 11/5)

RHP Jared Mortensen: 0-0 in 2 games with a 3.86 ERA/1.286 WHIP in 2.1IP

Dustin is also keeping an eye on the Liga Paralela (Venezuelan minor league) every day so check in with him to see how a few of our Baby 'Stros are doing there.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)
(Regular season ends Friday, 12/30)

C Juan Centeno: .235/.327/.282 with 4-2B 9RBI in 26 games
OF Drew Ferguson: .211/.250/.368 with 1HR 1RBI in 5 games

RHP Juan Santos: 0-0 in 5 games with a 6.23 ERA/1.616 WHIP in 4.1IP

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)
(Regular season ends Sunday, 1/29/17)

1B Connor MacDonald: .172/.286/.241 with 1-2B 1HR 10RBI 6R in 19 games

NEWS AND LINKS

You can tell it's been a slow news week when the top Astros stories are the signing of a back-up catcher, the sighting of a new Astros minor leaguer in winter ball (Drew Ferguson) and a bird problem at the Astros new Spring Training facility. (You may need a hat to shield yourself from more than the sun at spring training games!) Let's hope the same won't be said of the stadium being built for the Astros new High A team in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the Astros officially signed a 30-year lease last week.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for December 16-18, 2016

LIDOM

Friday: Toros 6, Águilas 0

Teoscar Hernandez went 1-4 with two strikeouts.

Saturday: Licey 2, Gigantes 1

Andrew Aplin appeared as a pinch-runner in the 8th and finished the game in left field. He did not have a plate appearance.

Saturday: Toros 5, Águilas 3

Teoscar went 0-4. He also went 0-4 in Toros' 6-1 loss to Escogido on Sunday.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Obregón took on Los Mochis this weekend, here's how Leo Heras fared.

Heras was 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in a 5-2 win on Friday. He went 0-3 in an 8-2 loss on Saturday, and on Sunday, he hit an RBI single that accounted for Obregón's only run in a 3-1 defeat.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Now, let's check in on Marwin Gonzalez.

He went 0-4 on Friday as Aragua topped Caracas 8-6 and 0-2 with a walk and a run scored in their 9-2 win over La Guaira on Sunday.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Next, we'll check up on Connor MacDonald, who is back in his homeland with the Brisbane Bandits.

The Bandits played a doubleheader with Adelaide on Saturday; MacDonald went 1-3 in game 1, which was a 4-3 win for the Bite. He went 0-2 with a walk in game 2, a 3-0 Brisbane victory. MacDonald finished 0-4 with a run scored as the Bite won 6-4 on Sunday.

Friday, December 16, 2016

A Football Soapbox

I have had issues with the football mentality for a long time. I grew up in northeast Texas where football was king. I remember vividly when our band was practicing a competition routine at a JV game half time. Apparently, we took a little too long with our routine and the coach sent the team out to the field as we were finishing our routine. The team actually ran through our formation, pummeling a few individual band members. The bell of my french horn came between me and any serious injury. And, of course, nothing was done to the players who basically assaulted us or to the coaches who told them to.

Then there was the quarterback at my junior college in Mississippi who was allowed to start a game on a Saturday night two days after he broke into a gun store in the adjacent town on Thursday night. He never spent any time in jail, but yours truly got into trouble with the Dean of the college for making a few disparaging remarks at the football game (no curse words, just word words criticizing the college for allowing him to play) within earshot of the Dean at that game.

Was it a coincidence that I ended up spending my last two years at a college in Mississippi that didn't even have a football team, just baseball and basketball? And was it a coincidence that I enjoyed that final two years massively? Maybe. Maybe not.

There were many, many episodes that I saw in high school and junior college that left a bad taste in my mouth for football. I was always a baseball gal. I didn't hate football, but I knew that the mentality that I saw from that quarter didn't make me particularly comfortable.

Fast forward to football in 2016. Things haven't really changed that much. There are a ton of great men playing the game, but the lackluster reaction of the powers that be to reining in those who aren't good men, who are in fact evil men, is beyond disappointing. It is unconscionable.

The two latest episodes in college football are the Baylor football program, a supposedly Christian university, covering up and quashing evidence of sexual assault against women; and Joe Mixon, a cretin who felt comfortable delivering a roundhouse knockout punch to a woman likely weighing in at half his girth, being allowed to continue playing for Oklahoma University. These are only two of the latest examples of violence against women being condoned in the name of almighty football.

And that's not all. Those who have looked the other way while so many players have either died or taken their own lives from the effects of CTE are effectively advocating for a game that kills people. I have been so incredibly disturbed by the seeming indifference to those who condone what amounts to bloodlust as sport.

Not all, thankfully, and it is my sincere hope that public opinion is changing in that regard ...

But that seems to be the way that professional sports are tailored. Money is always more important than the players, the fans or anything else. The times when I am most appalled with baseball is when they don't treat their own properly. The MiLB pay situation is abhorrent and embarrassing and makes me very uncomfortable with those in charge. Honestly, it would take very little effort on the part of MLB to make things just a little bit more palatable for the players who don't get the big draft paydays. I would like to see someone do that because it's the right thing to do rather than because they are forced to do so by a lawsuit.

And that's what we should be able to expect from college and professional football when it comes to the treatment of women by players and the health of the players when it comes to CTE ... fix the problems because it's the right thing to do. And get rid of those who don't understand why you should.

And, as a final note, I do realize that the MLB and it's players aren't 100% blameless when it comes to addressing violence against women, but they have made some strides and I hope that they continue to evolve and improve their response to these issues as well.

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for December 14 and 15, 2016

LIDOM

Wednesday: Toros 7, Gigantes 4

Teoscar Hernandez led the offensive charge for Toros with a couple of RBI singles. He also stole his fourth base of the Dominican campaign.

Reymin Guduan allowed a run on two hits and struck out the side for Gigantes in the 7th inning.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras' only hit on Wednesday was a double as Obregón was dispatched by Jalisco by a score of 10-2. Heras walked and scored a run in a 7-3 loss on Thursday.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Marwin Gonzalez was 1-4 as Aragua walked off with a 3-2 loss in Zulia on Wednesday. He finished 0-4 in their 5-1 victory on Thursday.

LIGA PARALELA

Nestor Tejada was 0-4 on Wednesday as Caracas dropped the third and deciding game of the Liga Paralela's championship series to Lara by a score of 1-0.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Brisbane 10, Adelaide 6

Note: This game was played today.

Connor MacDonald went 1-3 and drove in Brisbane's second run of the evening with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning. In the 7th, he singled, stole second, and came around to score on a single from Jake Turcato.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for December 12 and 13, 2016

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras went 1-6 with a run scored and a stolen base in Obregón's 9-4, 12-inning victory over Jalisco on Tuesday. Heras now has nine steals for the winter.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Marwin Gonzalez finished 0-3 with two strikeouts in Aragua's 5-1 loss to Zulia on Tuesday.

LIGA PARALELA

Nestor Tejada went 2-5 with an RBI and scored two runs as Caracas topped Lara 11-7 on Monday, and finished 0-4 in their 6-4 loss on Tuesday.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Astros Farm Report: 12/13

A brief Farm Report as I take a break from my Russian lessons ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

12-13: LHP Austin Nicely (22)
12-14: OF Wilson Amador (20)
12-14: C Carlos Canelon (22)
12-14: 1B/OF Connor Goedert (23)
12-14: IF Kendy Moya (18)
12-14: C Chuckie Robinson (22)
12-16: OF Jose Benjamin (21)
12-16: OF Bryan de la Cruz (20)
12-18: RHP Edison Frias (26)
12-19: C Jorge Martinez (20)

Chuckie Robinson - July 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

There have been numerous transactions since I last wrote. Thankfully, Dustin has been keeping the cumulative offseason transaction list updated in my absence. You can find it here. As a reminder, here are the most recent transactions:

12-9: IF Reid Brignac signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite
12-9: LHP Cionel Perez - Cuban pitcher signed to a minor league contract
12-8: RHP Jared Mortensen claimed in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft
12-8: C Eduardo de Oleo claimed in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft
12-8: RHP Mike Hauschild claimed by the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft
12-5: OF Carlos Beltran signed as a free agent
12-5: LHP Ashur Tolliver claimed off waivers from the Angels
12-3: LHP C.J. Riefenhauser signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite

ASTROS FALL/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES

Here is how your Astros have fared thus far in fall/winter league play:

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

OF Alejandro Garcia: .200/.304/.200 in 6 games (replaced Laureano on the roster)
OF Jason Martin: .194/.375/.290 w/3-2B 2RBI 9R in 11 games
OF Ramon Laureano: .295/.340/.477 w/ 4-2B 2-3B 8RBI 5SB 12R in 12 games (last played 10/29)
C Garrett Stubbs: .171/.280/.271 w/ 4-2B 1HR 6RBI 13R in 20 games
IF Nick Tanielu: .352/.379/.500 w/ 5-2B 1HR 5RBI 7R in 14 games

RHP Francis Martes: 2-1 in 6 starts with a 3.22 ERA/1.299 WHIP in 22.1IP
RHP Jacob Dorris: 1-1 in 8 games with a 3.38 ERA/2.375 WHIP in 8.0IP
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 0-0 (1SV) in 8 games with a 11.05 ERA/1.909 WHIP in 7.1IP
RHP David Paulino: 0-0 (1SV) in 5 games with a 0.00 ERA/0.600 WHIP in 5.0IP

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

OF Andrew Aplin: .114/.216/.114 in 18 games
OF Osvaldo Duarte: .000/.000/.000 in 6 games (only 4 at bats)
OF Teoscar Hernandez: .146/.222/.220 (1-2B 1-3B) in 11 games
C Max Stassi: .400/.400/.400 in 2 games (last played 10/22)

RHP Edison Frias: 0-0 in 2 games with a 4.50 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 2.0IP (last played 11/9)
LHP Reymin Guduan: 1-1 with 1 save in 13 games with a 6.43 ERA/2.286 WHIP in 7.0IP
*RHP Mike Hauschild: 0-1 in 5 starts with a 2.31 ERA/1.329 WHIP in 23.1IP (last played 11/13)
RHP Jordan Jankowski: 0-1 in 7 games with a 4.50 ERA/1.667 WHIP in 6.0IP (last played 11/5)

*Claimed by the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE (LMP)

OF Leo Heras: .280/.385/.484 w/7-2B 8-3B 5HR 21RBI 36R in 52 games

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

IF Marwin Gonzalez: .259/.355/.259 in 8 games
SS Miguel Sierra: .333/.333/.444 w/1-2B 3RBI in 3 games (last played 11/5)

Dustin is also keeping an eye on the Liga Paralela (Venezuelan minor league) every day so check in with him to see how a few of our Baby 'Stros are doing there.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

RHP Juan Santos: 0-0 in 4 games with a 8.10 ERA/1.800 WHIP in 3.1IP

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

1B Connor MacDonald: .174/.291/.261 with 1-2B 1HR 9RBI in 15 games

NEWS AND LINKS

Yes, I've been really, really lazy lately so I'm just going to link you to Astros County's info on the minor league players that the Astros picked up in the Rule 5 draft last week. He also touches on what the Astros lost in RHP Mike Hauschild who was picked up in the major league phase of the draft by the Rangers.

I'm also going to weigh in on Hauschild. I have followed him closely since I first saw him in 2012 in Greeneville shortly after he was drafted in the 33rd round out of Dayton University. He stood out on that team for his work ethic and his high socks. The high socks have mostly gone away, but the work ethic remains. He isn't what you would call a sexy pitcher, but he is a workhorse innings-eater who rarely sees the DL. He is never too high or too low and will carry the same demeanor whether he's pitching a shutout or getting shelled by the opposition. He just quietly goes about his business and gets lots of groundball outs. I wrote once that Hauschild isn't a Lamborghini. He's more like a Ford F-150. A Lamborghini is fun, but in the end, a Ford is reliable and a lot less trouble.

Hauschild worked with Doug Brocail when he coached in the Astros minor league system so it came as no surprise to me that the Rangers drafted him in the Rule 5 draft. Brocail now heads that staff and knows what he'll be getting with Hauschild. He can anchor the end of a rotation or he could end up as I had always envisioned from him as a really good long man. Whatever transpires, I am happy for Mike that he is getting this opportunity. I always root a little bit harder for the late round draft picks and the non-drafted guys, especially when they are quality individuals like Mike.

Mike Hauschild - June 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

And speaking of the Rule 5 draft, I am finally going to have to update my primer now that MLB has tweaked it. Baseball America has the scoop here.

Tony Kemp and his brother Corey were honored by their high school.

And John Sickels rolled out his Astros Top 20 prospects yesterday.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for December 9-11, 2016

LIDOM

Friday's games

Licey 13, Gigantes 0

Andrew Aplin entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 8th and grounded out in his only at-bat in the 9th.

Saturday's games

Gigantes 7, Estrellas 4 in 12 innings

Reymin Guduan got the win for Gigantes, allowing two hits over 1.1 scoreless innings. Osvaldo Duarte appeared as a pinch-runner in the 10th for Estrellas.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras hit an RBI double on Friday, driving in the only run of Obregón's 1-0 win over Hermosillo. He tripled and scored Obregón's only run as they dropped a 4-1 game on Saturday. In Obregón's 4-3 loss on Sunday, Heras went 0-2, drew two walks, and scored a run.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Aragua took on Magallanes twice this weekend; Marwin Gonzalez went 0-3 in a 5-1 loss on Friday and finished 1-3 in their 8-5 win on Saturday.

LIGA PARALELA

Friday's games

Nestor Tejada went 3-5 with an RBI for Caracas in their 7-5 win over La Guaira, and Ronaldo Urdaneta finished 1-5 as Zulia topped the Phillies 6-0.

Saturday's games

Tejada only had one hit on Saturday, but it was a solo home run as Caracas beat the Red Sox 9-4.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Connor MacDonald smacked a two-run double in the 4th inning of the second game of Brisbane's doubleheader with Sydney, a game that the Blue Sox would go on to win 9-8 in nine innings. He went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in a 5-1 loss on Sunday.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, December 8, 2016

LIDOM

Estrellas 5, Licey 1

Osvaldo Duarte appeared as a pinch-runner in the 6th inning and was caught stealing second base.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Mazatlán 4, Obregón 1

Leo Heras went 1-2 with two walks and scored Obregón's only run.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Aragua 7, La Guaira 3

Marwin Gonzalez went 0-4 with a walk and a strikeout.

LIGA PARALELA

Caracas 5, Magallanes 1

Nestor Tejada finished 2-4 with a triple, an RBI, and scored two runs.

Zulia 1, Caimanes 0

Ronaldo Urdaneta went 2-5 out of the leadoff spot for Zulia.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Brisbane 2, Sydney 0

Tough night for Connor MacDonald, who struck out in all three of his at-bats.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, December 7, 2016

LIDOM

Reymin Guduan threw a 1-2-3 8th inning for Gigantes in their 5-1 loss to Toros.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras went 2-6 with an RBI single in the top of the 14th and stole his eighth base as Obregón lost 5-4 in 14 innings to Mazatlán.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Marwin Gonzalez finished 1-4 and scored a run in Aragua's 5-4 loss to Lara.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, December 6, 2016

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras smacked two solo home runs in Obregón's 8-7 loss to Mazatlán. Heras now has five home runs on the season.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Marwin Gonzalez was 0-2 with two walks and scored a run for Aragua in their 7-3 loss to Caracas.

LIGA PARALELA

Bravos/Caribes 8, Zulia 3

Alfredo Angarita went 0-4 with a walk for the Bravos/Caribes team.

Caracas 5, Phillies 0

Nestor Tejada went 0-2 with a couple of walks. On Monday, he was 1-2; that hit was a double.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for December 2-4, 2016

LIDOM

Friday's games

Estrellas 3, Toros 2 in 10 innings

Osvaldo Duarte appeared as a pinch-runner for Estrellas in the 8th.

Saturday's games

Toros 14, Gigantes 6

Reymin Guduan allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out two in a scoreless 7th for Gigantes.

Sunday's games

Águilas 4, Estrellas 0

Duarte once again appeared as a pinch-runner, this time in the 9th.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Leo Heras finished 3-4 with an RBI single, a two-run double, and scored two runs in Obregón's 6-4 win over Culiacán on Friday. He went 0-4 in a 3-1 loss on Saturday, and 0-2 with a walk and a stolen base on Sunday.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Connor MacDonald clubbed a three-run home run in the first game of Brisbane's Saturday doubleheader with Melbourne, which accounted for all of his team's runs in a 7-3 loss. The second game was rained out, but that was alright since they got it in on Sunday.

The Bandits suffered the sweep due to a late meltdown in the first game that sent them to a 6-5 loss; MacDonald hit a sacrifice fly in the 4th. They dropped the second game by a score of 7-3; MacDonald drove in another run with an RBI single in the 6th inning.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Marwin Gonzalez is now playing for Aragua. He went 2-3 in his season debut, a 4-1 loss to Lara on Friday. Marwin went 1-4 in a 2-1, 10-inning win over Margarita on Saturday, and he finished 0-4 with a walk as Margarita won 8-7 on Sunday.

LIGA PARALELA

Friday's games

Bravos/Caribes 11, Detroit 0

Alfredo Angarita went 2-3 with a double and scored twice in a Bravos/Caribes romp.

Boston 10, Caracas 0

Nestor Tejada was 0-4 in a rough game for Caracas.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, December 1, 2016

Wait, it's December already?

LIDOM

Gigantes 11, Licey 6

Reymin Guduan got the final out of the 8th and the first out of the 9th for Gigantes, but he allowed three runs on three hits. Well, two of those runs were inherited runners that were charged to him.

Andrew Aplin came on as a defensive replacement for Licey and went 0-2 with a run scored.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Navojoa 8, Obregón 7 in 11 innings

Leo Heras finished a home run shy of the cycle in five trips to the plate; he tripled in the 6th, doubled in the 8th, hit an RBI single in the 10th, and also stole a base, his 6th of the LMP campaign.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Melbourne 8, Brisbane 0

Tough night for the Banditos as they were held to just two hits. Connor MacDonald went 0-3 and struck out twice.

LIGA COLOMBIANA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Samir Caraballo, an infielder who played in the Dominican Summer League in 2016, is playing winter ball in his native Colombia with the Leones de Montería.

He is currently 3-20 with a couple of runs scored for his club, slashing .150/.150/.227.

According to the league's Wikipedia page, the Rentería Foundation, led by former Major League shortstop Edgar Renteria, owns and operates the league. As such, former MLB players from Colombia are heavily involved with the league.

The LCBP has four teams: Barranquilla, Sincelejo, Montería, and Cartagena, all of which are located on the Caribbean coast. Population-wise, Montería is slightly larger than Corpus Christi.

Astros Farm Report: 12-2

A preview of the Winter Meetings, but first things first ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

12-2: SS Miguelangel Sierra (19)
12-2: IF Kristian Trompiz (21)
12-4: 1B/OF Jose Abel Hernandez (21)
12-4: RHP Joe Musgrove (24)
12-6: IF Eduardo Guzman (22)
12-6: 1B Taylor Jones (23)
12-6: RHP Franklin Perez (19)
12-7: Frankeny Fernandez (20)
12-8: C Oscar Campos (20)

Taylor Jones - July 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

There have been zero transactions that I've seen over the last week or so, but that is likely the calm before the storm as the Winter Meetings will be quickly upon us. Here's a reminder of all the transactions that have taken place so far this off-season.

ASTROS FALL/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES

Here is how your Astros have fared thus far in fall/winter league play:

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

OF Alejandro Garcia: .200/.304/.200 in 6 games (replaced Laureano on the roster)
OF Jason Martin: .194/.375/.290 w/3-2B 2RBI 9R in 11 games
OF Ramon Laureano: .295/.340/.477 w/ 4-2B 2-3B 8RBI 5SB 12R in 12 games (last played 10/29)
C Garrett Stubbs: .171/.280/.271 w/ 4-2B 1HR 6RBI 13R in 20 games
IF Nick Tanielu: .352/.379/.500 w/ 5-2B 1HR 5RBI 7R in 14 games

RHP Francis Martes: 2-1 in 6 starts with a 3.22 ERA/1.299 WHIP in 22.1IP
RHP Jacob Dorris: 1-1 in 8 games with a 3.38 ERA/2.375 WHIP in 8.0IP
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 0-0 (1SV) in 8 games with a 11.05 ERA/1.909 WHIP in 7.1IP
RHP David Paulino: 0-0 (1SV) in 5 games with a 0.00 ERA/0.600 WHIP in 5.0IP

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

OF Andrew Aplin: .122/.229/.122 in 16 games
OF Osvaldo Duarte: .000/.000/.000 in 2 games (last played 11/4)
OF Teoscar Hernandez: .171/.256/.257 (1-2B 1-3B) in 9 games
C Max Stassi: .400/.400/.400 in 2 games (last played 10/22)

RHP Edison Frias: 0-0 in 2 games with a 4.50 ERA/0.500 WHIP in 2.0IP (last played 11/9)
LHP Reymin Guduan: 0-1 in 10 games with a 12.27 ERA/2.182 WHIP in 3.2IP
RHP Mike Hauschild: 0-1 in 5 starts with a 2.31 ERA/1.329 WHIP in 23.1IP (last played 11/13)
RHP Jordan Jankowski: 0-1 in 7 games with a 4.50 ERA/1.667 WHIP in 6.0IP (last played 11/5)

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE (LMP)

OF Leo Heras: .269/.370/.449 w/5-2B 7-3B 3HR 15RBI 28R in 43 games

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

SS Miguel Sierra: .333/.333/.444 w/1-2B 3RBI in 3 games (last played 11/5)

Dustin is also keeping an eye on the Liga Paralela (Venezuelan minor league) every day so check in with him to see how a few of our Baby 'Stros are doing there.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

RHP Juan Santos: 0-0 in 4 games with a 8.10 ERA/1.800 WHIP in 3.1IP

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

1B Connor MacDonald: .192/.364/.192 in 8 games

NEWS AND LINKS

It's been a slow news week, but look for that to change next week when the Winter Meetings are held in National Harbor, Maryland. Here's an overview of the meetings, including a link to a detailed schedule of events. And here is a look at the meetings from a minor league perspective. The meetings will, of course, culminate with the Rule 5 Draft which will take place at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, the 8th. Here is my primer on how the Rule 5 Draft works, including a list of players that are at risk for the Astros.

Baseball America weighs in on the top prospects who appeared in the Arizona Fall League in 2016. Astros RHP Francis Martes comes in at #6 on the list.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, November 30, 2016

LIDOM

Licey 4, Toros 1

Teoscar Hernandez went 0-4 for Toros, while Andrew Aplin appeared as a pinch-runner in the 7th for Licey and came around to score one of their three runs in the inning.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Navojoa 5, Obregón 2

Leo Heras went 0-2 and drew a couple of walks for Obregón.

LIGA PARALELA

La Guaira 2, Bravos/Caribes 1

Alfredo Angarita went 0-4 with three strikeouts for the Bravos/Caribes squad.

Lara 7, Caracas 2

Nestor Tejada was 1-3 and scored one of Caracas' two runs.