Saturday, October 21, 2017

Earn It

Earn it. This simple catchphrase was rolled out prior to the Astros 2017 season and was meant to be motto, hashtag and inspiration. But it also defined this young group of emerging stars anchored by a batting champion and a Cy Young winner, a talented group that was starting to really jell but still had to prove themselves on a national stage. With the phrase plastered everywhere, the team was reminded every day that they had to Earn It.

Earn It. Simple, elegant, descriptive. Earn It. But what exactly is "It?" The most obvious answer? Postseason glory. That's what the fans wanted and needed coming into this season and that's what was predicted following what was basically a total gut job and rebuild that started with trading off Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman in 2010 and went into hyperdrive when General Manager Jeff Luhnow took over in December 2011. With the Astros coming off three 100+ loss seasons from 2011 through 2013, Sports Illustrated published their instantly controversial June 2014 article and cover postulating where the Astros "Great Experiment" could be headed.


And Astros fans needed that hope even though that hope was still far off on the horizon. There were so many national sports pundits with their hair on fire over this rebuild, literally accusing the Astros front office of ruining the Integrity of the Game (I'm looking at you, Peter Gammons), that it was difficult to stomach at times. For Astros fans who hung in there despite abuse from so many corners, "It" also became national respectability for the franchise. With this team poised to be a contender for the foreseeable future, they have definitely earned that national stage once again.

But "It" is more.  Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Chris Devenski and Lance McCullers also earned "It" in the form of All-Star honors. Altuve has already earned "It" through batting titles and an MVP Award (which he may or may not be given but which he definitely earned). Keuchel earned "It" with a Cy Young in 2015. Although none of these players will be happy until they earn the ultimate "It" for the team and for Houston, they will continue to work towards being the best at what they do and inspiring their teammates to do the same. The latest Astro, Justin Verlander, is there for the same reason ... to excel and to inspire with an eye toward the ultimate "It."

But there is one more "It" that I find equally important to the ultimate "It." This team, with 19 players on the 40-man roster having made their debuts in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and 13 other players who made their Astros debut during that same time, needed to earn the respect and trust of Astros fans who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. And, for the most part, they've done just that.

But they did that particular "It" one better. Through hearing their stories; through watching their joy and energy on the field; through incredible clutch plays, catches, throws and at-bats; through picking each other up; through their good works off the field; through their generous outpouring of support for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Maria ... they have given the City of Houston a team to be proud of, a team to love, a team that we will be telling our children and our grand-children about for decades to come with family arguments erupting over our favorite Astros of all time. And maybe that's really the ultimate "It."

Monday, October 16, 2017

Astros Farm Report: 10/16

So many hours until Game 3!!! In the meantime, let's check in with our Fall and Winter League Astros, but first things first ...

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Angel Heredia - August 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

At the end of the minor league season, the players who ended the season on the DL are activated (most of the moves were posted retroactively). A few of these players were on the 60-day DL and have been rehabbing for quite some time.

  • 10-11: OF Jonathan Lacroix activated from the 60-day DL; Lacroix was drafted in the 12th round in 2017 and has not played in his first professional game yet
  • 9-27: 2B/3B Nick Tanielu activated from the 60-day DL; Tanielu ended the season with two rehab assignment games with the GCL and is now playing in the Arizona Fall League after missing most of the 2017 season following ACL surgery last fall
  • 9-27: RHP Angel Heredia activated from the 60-day DL; Heredia made seven rehab appearances toward the end of the 2017 season and is now on the Dominican Winter League's Toros del Este roster
  • 9-27: RHP Ryan Deemes activated from the 7-day DL; Deemes last pitched for Buies Creek on 5/7
  • 9-27: RHP Jose Hernandez activated from the 60-day DL; Hernandez missed the entire 2017 season and ended the 2016 season playing in High-A Lancaster
  • 9-27: IF/OF Marcos Almonte activated from the 7-day DL; Almonte missed the final six Quad Cities postseason games on the DL
  • 9-27: IF Osvaldo Duarte activated from the 7-day DL; Duarte last played for Quad Cities on 8/10
  • 9-27: RHP Gabriel Valdez activated from the 7-day DL; Valdez spent large chunks of July and August on the DL and last pitched for Quad Cities on 8/14
  • 9-27: RHP Edgardo Sandoval activated from the 7-day DL; Sandoval last appeared for Quad Cities on 5-3
  • 9-27: RHP Enrique Chavez activated from the 7-day DL; Chavez missed the entire 2017 season and last appeared for Quad Cities in September 2016
  • 9-27: RHP Enoli Paredes activated from the 7-day DL; Paredes last pitched for Quad Cities 5/31
  • 9-27: RHP Jose Bravo activated from the 7-day DL; Bravo missed the entire 2017 season and ended his 2016 season in the DSL
  • 9-10: LHP Yeremi Ceballos activated from the 7-day DL; Ceballos last pitched for the DSL team on 6/19

In addition, it was reported last week that OF Juan Ramirez would be the PTBNL in the Justin Verlander trade. Ramirez was 18 on 4/9 and spent his second pro season with the GCL, compiling a .301/.385/.362 batting line in 46 games. He walked 20 times to only 14 strikeouts and stole 11 bases. Ramirez signed with the Tigers in 2015 for a $185,000 bonus.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL)

Framber Valdez - August 2017
Photo by Jayne Hansen

The Arizona Fall league started play on Tuesday, October 10th and will conclude with the Championship game on November 18th. The full schedule can be found here. The Astros are being represented on the Mesa Solar Sox by the following players (full roster here):

RHP Dean Deetz - 1G 9.00 ERA/1.000 WHIP 2.0IP 1BB:3SO
RHP Riley Ferrell - 2G 0.00ERA/1.500 WHIP 2.0IP 3BB;2SO
RHP Brendan McCurry - 2G 16.20 ERA/2.400 WHIP
LHP Framber Valdez - 1G/1ST 0.00 ERA/0.333 WHIP 3.0IP 0BB:2SO
1B Yordan Alvarez - 4G .313/.353/.438 3B 1BB:6SO
3B/2B Nick Tanielu - 1G .000/.000/.000
OF Kyle Tucker - 4G .333/.556/.500 3B 5BB:3SO 2SB:0CS

The Mesa Solar Sox are currently 2-3 and in a three-way tie for first place in the AFL East division. Kyle Tucker has appeared in four of the five games and has hit safely in all four of his games. Yordan Alvarez was hitless in his first game but went 5-for-13 in his next three. Nick Tanielu has only appeared in one game and is hitless at this point.

Framber Valdez made his first start last week and it was a beauty as he allowed only one hit in his three innings of work. He was followed by Dean Deetz who did not fare quite as well. Deetz only allowed one hit, but his one hit happened to be a two-run home run. Riley Ferrell has not allowed a hit in his first two bullpen appearances. Unfortunately, Brendan McCurry hasn't had quite that good a start to his fall season.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Elieser Hernandez - August 2015
Photo by Jayne Hansen

The winners of the week are Elieser Hernandez who allowed only one fourth inning single in his five innings while striking out six (unfortunately, he had to settle for a no decision) and Alfredo Angarita who has a five-game hitting streak to start his winter season.

Aguilas de Zulia (4-1 Tied for first)
3B Arturo Michelena - Has not appeared yet
SS Kristian Trompiz - 3G (only 3AB) .000/.250/.000 1BB:0SO
RHP Elieser Hernandez - 1G/1ST 0.00 ERA/0.200 WHIP 5.0IP 0BB:6SO

Bravos de Margarita  (2-3 Tied for fifth)
2B Alfredo Angarita - 5G .444/.545/.556 3B 4BB:4SO 2SB;1CS

Leones del Caracas (3-2 Tied for third)
RHP Diosward Gonzalez - 1G 9.00 ERA/2.000 WHIP 1.0IP 1BB:0SO
RHP Yoanys Quiala - 1G/1ST 6.75 ERA/1.125 WHIP 2.2IP 1BB:2SO
C Gabriel Bracamonte - Has not appeared yet

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LMP)

Not much action in Mexico since my last post detailing Bostick's first start. Rico Noel, who signed with the Astros in August and was playing with Fresno at the end of the season, showed up on the Jalisco team, but has barely had a chance to get his feet wet.

Caneros de la Mochis (0-5 Tied for seventh)
RHP Akeem Bostick - 1G/1ST 12.27 ERA/1.909 WHIP 3.2IP 0BB:6SO

Charros de Jalisco (5-0 Tied for first)
OF Rico Noel - 2G .200/.200/.200 0BB:3SO

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

The LIDOM just got started last Friday. A couple of Astros showed up on rosters, but haven't gotten any action yet. However, I was pleased to see that former Astro Wandy Rodriguez is playing for the Aguilas Cibaenas and he threw a perfect 1.1 innings in his first appearance yesterday.

Gigantes del Cibao (2-0 Tied for first)
C Eduardo de Oleo - has not played yet

Toros del Este (0-2 Fifth place)
RHP Angel Heredia - has not pitched yet

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

I haven't seen any information as to whether or not there will be a winter league season in Puerto Rico, but with the devastation to that island from Hurricane Maria, I find it doubtful.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

The Australian Baseball League will start their schedule with exhibition games on November 9th and will continue play through early/mid February.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Astros Fall/Winter League Update: 10/11

While the Astros are ALCS bound, let's check in on a few Astros minor leaguers who are currently playing in fall and winter leagues.

Kyle Tucker - August 2017
Photo by Jayne Hansen

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL)

The Mesa Solar Sox fell 7-4 to the Scottsdale Scorpions in the first night of AFL play. Three Astros minor leaguers got their feet wet. Kyle Tucker was the starting centerfielder and went 1-for-3 with a walk, RBI, stolen base and scored a run while starting 1B Yordan Alvarez was 0-for-3 with a walk; both players struck out once. RHP Brendan McCurry came out of the 'pen to start the 4th inning and only lasted two-thirds of an inning. He struck out the first batter but then promptly hit a batter, issued a walk, single and sac fly; he exited the game after allowing two runs. Mesa will be playing day games for the rest of the week through Saturday with an off day on Sunday.

As a reminder, here is the info posted previously regarding the Arizona Fall League ...

The Arizona Fall league will start play on Tuesday, October 10th and will conclude with the Championship game on November 18th. The full schedule can be found here. The Astros will be represented on the Mesa Solar Sox by the following players:

RHP Dean Deetz
RHP Riley Ferrell
RHP Josh James - no longer showing on the roster
RHP Brendan McCurry
LHP Framber Valdez
1B Yordan Alvarez
3B/2B Nick Tanielu
OF Kyle Tucker

2017 Buies Creek Manager Omar Lopez will be the Manager for the team and former Astros farmhand and legendary minor league home run hitter Mike Hessman will be one of the hitting coaches. Hessman is now a minor league hitting coach in the Tigers system. The full team roster can be found here.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

The LVBP started yesterday as well with a limited number of Astros seeing action. I have listed those players who have shown up on rosters so far. Some of those may be reserves.

Aguilas de Zulia
3B Arturo Michelena
SS Kristian Trompiz

Trompiz appeared as a pinch runner only in Zulia's 5 to 4 win over Magallanes.

Bravos de Margarita
2B Alfredo Angarita

In his first game for Margarita, Angarita was 3-for-5 with an RBI and scored twice in Margarita's 12-3 win over Caribes.

Leones del Caracas
RHP Diosward Gonzalez
RHP Yoanys Quiala
C Gabriel Bracamonte

None of these players appeared in Tuesday's game.

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LMP)

Bostick is the only Astros player I've seen show up on the rosters so far. The first game of the season for the LMP was yesterday as well.

Caneros de la Mochis
RHP Akeem Bostick

Bostick got the start for the Caneros. Things were mostly uneventful in the first inning, but the second did not go quite as well. Fly out, single, single, hit batter, single, grand slam --- ouch! Bostick lasted 3.2 innings, allowing the five runs in the second inning and striking out six. He allowed seven total hits including the grand slam, no walks, one wild pitch and one hit batter, but ended up not factoring into the decision in the 7-6 loss to Mexicali.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Rosters not posted yet. Games set to start on 10/13.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

I haven't seen any information as to whether or not there will be a winter league season in Puerto Rico, but with the devastation to that island from Hurricane Maria, I find it doubtful.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

The Australian Baseball League will start their schedule with exhibition games on November 9th and will continue play through early/mid February.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Astros Farm Report: 10/1

An update on Fall/Winter Leagues, but first things first ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THESE OCTOBER ASTROS BABIES

Cy Sneed - April 2017
Photo by Jayne Hansen

10-1: 3B Colin Moran (25)
10-1: RHP Cy Sneed (25)
10-2: RHP Lance McCullers (24)
10-3: RHP Alex Blanco (20)
10-3: Gerry Castillo (20)
10-4: OF Vicente Sanchez (21)
10-7: OF Stephen Wrenn (23)
10-11: RHP J.B. Bukauskas (21)
10-11: 3B Wander Franco (21)
10-12: RHP Jandel Gustave (25)
10-14: OF Ronny Rafael (20)
10-15: 3B Arturo Michelena (23)
10-16: RHP Jheyson Caraballo (22)
10-17: RHP Jose Betances (18)
10-17: OF Myles Straw (23)
10-18: RHP Riley Ferrell (24)
10-18: LHP Patrick Sandoval (21)
10-18: LHP Carlos Sierra (23)
10-20: C Ihan Bernal (21)
10-21: RHP Matt Ruppenthal (22)
10-22: IF Joan Mauricio (21)
10-23: RHP Gerardo Bojorquez (20)
10-25: RHP Heitor Tokar (17)
10-25: Gabriel Valdez (22)
10-26: LHP Francisco Liriano (34)
10-28: RHP Reggie Johnson (24)
10-29: OF Carmen Benedetti (23)
10-29: IF Tyler White (27)
10-30: IF Ozziel Sanchez-Galan (20)
10-31: IF/OF Tony Kemp (26)

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Nothing to report since my last post except that RHP David Paulino was activated from the Astros restricted list on Sunday only to be promptly moved to the 60-day DL after undergoing surgery on Friday to remove a bone spur from his elbow.

FALL/WINTER LEAGUES

The Arizona Fall league will start play on Tuesday, October 10th and will conclude with the Championship game on November 18th. The full schedule can be found here. The Astros will be represented on the Mesa Solar Sox by the following players:

RHP Dean Deetz
RHP Riley Ferrell
RHP Josh James
RHP Brendan McCurry
LHP Framber Valdez
1B Yordan Alvarez
3B/2B Nick Tanielu
OF Kyle Tucker

2017 Buies Creek Manager Omar Lopez will be the Manager for the team and former Astros farmhand and legendary minor league home run hitter Mike Hessman will be one of the hitting coaches. Hessman is now a minor league hitting coach in the Tigers system. Another Houston connection, Jake Rogers, will be one of the catchers for the Solar Sox. Rogers was included in the deadline deal for Justin Verlander and will represent the Tigers. The full team roster can be found here.

None of the Caribbean Winter League schedules and rosters have been posted on the MLB winter league page yet, but those teams generally start their seasons from early October to late October. However, I have no idea how the political situation in Venezuela, the storm damage in Puerto Rico and the earthquake damage in Mexico may impact those schedules.

The Australian Baseball League will start their schedule with exhibition games on November 9th and will continue play through early/mid February.

One final note ... in case you missed it, I posted my Rule 5 Primer, including the eligible Astros players earlier this week.