Astros Farm Report: 11/21

Checking in on the Astros playing in fall and winter leagues, but first things first ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

these Astros babies who are celebrating this week!!

Francis Martes - April 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

11-19: LHP Framber Valdez (24)
11-21: RHP Manny Ramirez (18)
11-22: 1B Roman Garcia (22)
11-22: LHP Parker Mushinski (22)
11-24: RHP Francis Martes (22)
11-25: RHP Erasmo Pinales (23)
11-26: OF Renaigel Martes (20)

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Cionel Perez - August 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

LHP Cionel Perez (Corpus) and RHP Dean Deetz (Fresno) were added to the 40-man roster on Monday, the deadline for protecting players from the Rule 5 draft. Perez, a 21-year old Cuban, has only played in the affiliated system for one season, but was subject to the draft because he re-signed with the Astros after his original contract with the team had been voided due to concerns with his elbow. Perez made three stops in the Astros system in 2017, playing at Low A Quad Cities, High A Buies Creek and AA Corpus Christi and compiling a 6-4 record with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.292 WHIP, walking 27 and striking out 83 over 93.2 innings.

Deetz, who will be 24 at the end of this month, was originally drafted by the Astros in the 11th round in 2014. He started the season with AA Corpus Christi, putting up a 4-2 record with a 1.82 ERA and a 0.908 WHIP in eight appearances (six starts) before being promoted to AAA Fresno in early June. Although his numbers at Fresno were less than stellar, he showed continuous improvement during his time there and was particularly effective once he was moved to the bullpen late in the season (2.79 ERA and 1.552 WHIP and .171 opposing BA in 7 bullpen appearances). Similarly, Deetz ended his Arizona Fall League season with five scoreless bullpen outings (including one outing in the Championship game), allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out 15 batters over seven innings.

OF Ramon Laureano (Corpus), who would have been subject to the Rule 5 draft, was traded to the A's for RHP Brandon Bailey in advance of the deadline. Laureano, a premier defensive player, struggled at the plate in 2017. Although his stock has fallen, his career is far from over, and it is my sincere hope and belief that he will flourish with the A's. Bailey only has two professional seasons under his belt, having been drafted by the A's in the sixth round in 2016 out of Gonzaga. He appeared in 24 games (17 starts) between Low A and High A in 2017 and ended the season with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.088 WHIP. He walked 31 and struck out 120 in 91 innings of work.

Finally, RHP Carlos Pimentel (GCL) was placed on the restricted list last week. Pimentel, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, was suspended 56 games due to a positive test for Stanozolol.

Here is a complete list of the Astros offseason moves to date and here is the updated Rule 5 post showing which players will be subject to next month's draft.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

The Mesa Solar Sox ended their fall campaign with a 16-13-1 record to lead the East, but ultimately fell 8-2 to the West in the Arizona Fall League Championship game over the weekend.

Kyle Tucker was the only Astros position player remaining active. In his final week of work, he went 4-for-16 with a double (including two hits in the Championship game). Framber Valdez's final start of the fall season last Wednesday saw him allow three hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) in four innings while striking out five batters. Dean Deetz provided three scoreless innings of relief for the week, allowing two walks and striking out six. And Riley Ferrell allowed one hit in his one relief appearance; unfortunately, that one hit was a solo home run.

RHP Dean Deetz - 8G 4.91 ERA/1.182 WHIP 11.0IP 4BB:23SO
RHP Riley Ferrell - 9G 4.66 ERA/1.552 WHIP 9.2IP 9BB:7SO
RHP Brendan McCurry - 5G 4.05 ERA/1.350 WHIP 6.2IP 3BB:5SO (last played 10/30)
LHP Framber Valdez - 6G/6ST 3.20 ERA/1.627 WHIP 19.2IP 8BB:14SO
1B Yordan Alvarez - 4G .313/.353/.438 3B 1BB:6SO (last played 10/14)
3B/2B Nick Tanielu - 2G .000/.000/.000 (last played 10/16)
OF Kyle Tucker - 22G .214/.305/.310 6-2B 3B 9RBI 9BB:22SO 2SB:0CS

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Alfredo Angarita, a 20-year old Venezuelan signed by the Astros in November 2015, has cooled off somewhat since his excellent start to his LVBP season, but still has a .303 average. In his last six games, he is 4-for-20 with two walks, two runs scored and a hit by pitch. He is the only active Astros player currently playing in this league.

Aguilas de Zulia (17-15 4th place)
SS Kristian Trompiz - 10G .227/.320/.227 3BB:4SO (last played 10/28)
RHP Elieser Hernandez - 5G/5ST 2.11 ERA/0.844 WHIP 21.1IP 6BB:22SO (last played 11/6)

Bravos de Margarita  (13-21 8th place)
2B Alfredo Angarita - 25G .303/.392/.337 2B 3B 7RBI 13BB:26SO 4SB:3CS

Leones del Caracas (23-12 1st place)
RHP Diosward Gonzalez - 2G 6.75 ERA/2.251 WHIP 1.1IP 2BB:0SO (last played 10/19)
RHP Yoanys Quiala - 4G/2ST 7.45 ERA/1.448 WHIP 9.2IP 5BB:8SO (last played 10/31)
C Gabriel Bracamonte - 3G .125/.125/.125 0BB:2O (last played 10/28)

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LMP)

Akeem Bostick hasn't appeared since leaving the game on 11/8 with what was characterized as an injured foot. Jacob Dorris has appeared twice over the last week; he would probably like a do-over for one of those outings (3H 3BB 4R 1.0IP).

Caneros de la Mochis (14-21 7th place)
RHP Akeem Bostick - 6G/6ST 2.78 ERA/1.103 WHIP 22.2IP 7BB:25SO (last played 11/8)

Naranjeros de Hermosillo (20-15 1st place)
RHP Jacob Dorris - 4G 10.38 ERA/2.539 WHIP 4.1IP 6BB:2SO

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

Rodrigo Ayarza - July 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Utility switch-hitter Rodrigo Ayarza made his mark early with the Bite, hitting a home run in his first official game with the team. He followed up with two doubles over the next three games.

Adelaide Bite (0-4 6th place)
Rodrigo Ayarza - 4G .294/.294/.588 2-2B 1HR 2RBI 0BB:5SO

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

No active Astros are currently playing in this league.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

I haven't seen that the LBPRC winter season has been officially canceled yet, but with the devastation to that island from Hurricane Maria, I find it likely.