Astros Farm Report: 4/8

Bringing you the latest news from down on the Astros farm ...

TRANSACTIONS
(I will start up an ongoing transaction post shortly that will focus on comings and goings in the organization throughout the season.)

4-7: RHP Brendan Feldmann assigned to Fayetteville from Corpus Christi
4-7: RHP Edgardo Sandoval voluntarily retired (he pitched on Saturday and then retired on Sunday; I'm not sure what's going on with that!)
4-7: RHP Tanner Duncan assigned to Corpus Christi
4-6: RHP Brendan Feldmann assigned to Corpus Christi

Players who started the 2019 season on the DL
C Ruben Castro
RHP Nick Hernandez
RHP Alex House
OF Alex McKenna
RHP Hansel Paulino
RHP Erasmo Pinales
RHP Abdiel Saldana
RHP Kyle Serrano
RHP Jairo Solis

Restricted List
RHP Francis Martes (80-game suspension)

2019 STANDINGS

AAA ROUND ROCK (Pacific Coast League)

T2nd 2-2 .500 1.0GB W1

AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League)

1st 3-1 .750 -.-GB W2

ADV A FAYETTEVILLE (Carolina League)

T4th 1-3 .250 2.0GB L3

LOW A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League)

T6th 1-3 .250 2.0GB L3

WATCH THIS SPACE

I plan to use "this space" to feature players who are currently flying below the radar, but who deserve a look.

Nivaldo Rodriguez - July 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez
Rodriguez signed with the Astros out of Venezuela in June 2016. Never considered a top prospect, Rodriguez has nonetheless continued a slow, steady and successful climb up the ladder. After compiling a 4-1 record with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.042 WHIP in 14 appearances (7 starts) for Tri-City in 2018 (13 BB:50 K in 55.2 IP), he has gotten off to a VERY good start with his first appearance at Quad Cities in 2019, allowing one hit, zero runs, one walk and striking out eight in his first five-inning start. He will be 22 later this month.

FORMER ASTRO UPDATE

Originally drafted by the Astros in the 8th round in 2013 out of Orange Lutheran High School (CA), OF Jason Martin was included in the January 2018 trade to the Pirates for RHP Gerrit Cole. After hitting .270/.343/.443/.786 in 580 minor league games, Martin made his major league debut Saturday and this happened ...

Jason Martin didn't waste any time picking up his first #MLB hit. The #Pirates' No. 11 prospect lined a single up the middle in his first career at-bat.

Live @Pirates prospect stats: https://t.co/3Uc9Qz7t4z pic.twitter.com/NroIa9GJgA

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 6, 2019

Congratulations!! Martin is the 49th player I've interviewed who has made his major league debut. Who will be #50?

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

And finally, in an homage (nice word for ripoff) to Astros County's musical selection, I plan to start bringing you random pictorial selections ...

Roseate Spoonbill

Smith Oaks Rookery - March 2019

Photo by Jayne Hansen