Let's catch up (or at least refresh our memories a bit) on minor league happenings ...
RULE 5 DRAFT
As a reminder, the Astros lost three players in the Rule 5 draft last December. Here is what I wrote about them at the time. As you probably know, Brandon Bailey was returned to the Astros and his contract was selected for the opening day roster.
RHP Brandon Bailey (Baltimore/RETURNED): Bailey had a very solid season with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks in 2019 (3.30 ERA/1.219 WHIP in 22 games/17 starts). Bailey came to the Astros in the November 2017 trade with Oakland that sent Ramon Laureano to that team. Bailey allowed 41 walks while striking out 103 in 92.2 innings of work. He has solid command and is expected to take on a swing man/middle relief role. In my opinion, Bailey showed enough polish and pitch development in 2019 that he is the most likely of the three taken to stick with his new team.
RHP Yohan Ramirez (Seattle): Ramirez is a real wild card (in more than one meaning of the word wild). Ramirez has an electric arm with a fastball that touches the upper 90's and a plus curveball, but his control is still very much a work in progress. In 106 innings pitched between High A Fayetteville and AA Corpus Christi in 2019 (3.99 ERA/1.302 WHIP), Ramirez allowed 74 walks while striking out 158. There was also the matter of 17 wild pitches and 15 hit batters. He is the ultimate high risk, high reward pick up. It will be difficult for him to stick with a team without showing a lot of progress on control and command, but if he is able to harness his talent, watch out! Ramirez is, in my opinion, the least likely of the three to stick.
SS Jonathan Arauz (Boston): Arauz falls somewhere in between the other two in his ability to stick with a new team (again, in my opinion). Arauz's bat has lagged his solid defense over his career, but he mostly held his own in 2019 between High A Fayetteville and AA Corpus Christi, hitting a combined .249/.319/.388 with 22 doubles, three triples and 11 home runs in 115 games. Arauz will be helped by the expansion of the MLB rosters to 26 and could conceivably earn his keep as a utility infielder, helping him to stick on the roster until his bat catches up to the major league level.
MLB JUNE DRAFT
The Astros signed all four of their draft picks.
Round 2, Pick 72: Alex Santos II, RHP, Mount St. Michael Academy (Bronx, NY) - @alexxmansantos; committed to Maryland
Round 3, Pick 101: Tyler Brown, RHP, Vanderbilt - @TbTy10
Round 4, Pick 131: Zach Daniels, OF, Tennessee - @zach_daniels2
Round 5, Pick 160: Shay Whitcomb, SS, UC San Diego - @shay_whitcomb (Instagram)
In addition, in light of the extremely abbreviated 2020 draft, the Astros signed several undrafted free agents as well.
Jimmy Endersby, RHP, Concordia University Irvine (California) - @jimmyendersby20
Justin Dirden, OF, Southeast Missouri State - @j_dirr
César Gomez, RHP, UT-Arlington - @CDaGoat9
Peter Zimmermann, IF, Missouri - @PeterZim30
Jonathan Sprinkle, RHP, Central Missouri - @JSprinkle47
Kyle Gruller, RHP, Houston Baptist - @Kylegruller17
Cody Orr, OF, Tiffin - @Cody_Orr14
Zack Matthews, RHP, Oklahoma - @zack8matthews
J.C. Correa, IF, Lamar - @Jc_Correa1
Hunter Peck, LHP, Georgia Gwinnett College - @H_Peck11
Many thanks to my partner in crime, Dustin, for keeping up with all this while I've been checked out!
ASTROS ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
Here is a link to the players who are currently assigned to the Astros alternate training site.
OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Here are the other Astros minor league transactions since the end of the 2019 season.
7/23: RHP Brandon Bailey contract selected
6/5: OF James Nix (Tri-City) released
5/28: LHP Brett Adcock (Round Rock) released
5/28: C Ruben Castro (Round Rock) released
5/28: RHP Justin Ferrell (Corpus Christi) released
5/28: RHP Edgardo Sandoval (Fayetteville) released
5/28: RHP Jacob Billingsley (Fayetteville) released
5/28: RHP Luis de Paula (Quad Cities) released
5/28: RHP Miguel Figueroa (Quad Cities) released
5/28: 2B Austin Dennis (Quad Cities) released
5/28: 2B Trey Dawson (Quad Cities) released
5/28?: RHP Joey Gonzalez (Quad Cities) released
5/28: OF Preston Pavlica (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF E.P. Reese (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF Juan Ramirez (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF Abraham Castillo (GCL) released
5/28: LHP Bryan Martinez (GCL) released
5/28: LHP Daniel Bello (GCL) released
5/28: 3B Junior Marte (DSL) released
5/28: 2B Sebastian Grullon (DSL) released
3/19: 2/17: RHP Jared Hughes released
3/6: RHP Brandon Bailey (Rule 5) returned by the Orioles
2/28: RHP Alimber Santa signed (17-year old from the Dominican Republic)
2/24: RHP Carlos Hiraldo signed (22-year old from the Dominican Republic; not to be confused with lefty Carlos Hiraldo who has already been in the system for several years)
2/17: RHP Jared Hughes signed as a free agent
1/16: RHP Dean Deetz outrighted to Round Rock
1/9: RHP Peyton Battenfield (Tri-City) and OF Cal Stevenson (Fayetteville) traded to the Rays for RHP Austin Pruitt
Notes: Battenfield was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University and had an excellent first pro season. Here is my interview with him from July. Cal Stevenson came to the Astros, along with Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini, as a part of the 7/31/19 trade with the Blue Jays that sent Derek Fisher to Toronto. Here's hoping that his family didn't invest a lot in Astros gear after the trade.
1/9: RHP Dean Deetz designated for assignment
12/12: RHP Brandon Bailey (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: RHP Yohan Ramirez (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: SS Jonathan Arauz (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft
12/5: CF Jake Marisnick (Houston) traded to the Mets for LHP Blake Taylor and OF Kenedy Corona (assigned to Tri-City) - see below for more
11/20: RHP Cristian Javier (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: 1B Taylor Jones (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez (Fayetteville) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Enoli Paredes (Corpus Christi) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/4: LHP Kent Emanuel (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster (Emanuel was due to become a MiLB FA)
11/4: OF Granden Goetzman (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
11/4: RHP Erasmo Pinales (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
10/16: RHP Chanderson Perez signed (18 year old Dominican)
Further information about the two players who came to the Astros from the Mets in the December Marisnick trade.
LHP Blake Taylor: Taylor was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2013 and was traded to the Mets a year later. Tommy John surgery and recovery sidelined him from late 2015 to late 2016. For the next two years, Taylor was a starter who failed to break through, but a move to the bullpen in 2019 suited him and he put together the most successful season of his career to date (2.16 ERA/1.095 WHIP in 40 appearances, converting 10 of 11 save opportunities). He spent approximately half of the season at High A, half at AA (1.85 ERA/0.949 WHIP) and finished the season by facing and retiring one batter at AAA. Taylor built on his 2019 success with seven appearances in the Arizona Fall League (2.00 ERA/0.778 WHIP). Taylor becomes one of only seven lefty pitchers in the Astros system who finished the 2019 season at AA or higher. Baseball America describes him as having a "mid-90's fastball and a high spin rate on his breaking ball." He turned 24 in August.
OF Kenedy Carona: Corona, a 19-year old Venezuelan (20 in March), has only one professional season under his belt at this point, but it was a very successful season in which he progressed from the DSL to the GCL to four games at short season A to end the year. In 63 games, he hit .301/.398/.470 with 14 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 29 RBI. He also snagged 19 bases (five caught stealing) and walked (29 times) almost as much as he struck out (36 times). He can play all the outfield positions and his defensive numbers stack up nicely against most of his outfield competition in the system. Baseball America describes Corona as athletic with "the ability to play the outfield with some polish at a young age."
INTERVIEWS
In case you missed these from February, I interviewed former Astros minor leaguer Daniel Minor and we did a deep dive on how some of Rob Manfred's rule changes played out in the Atlantic League last season. And I really enjoyed talking with long-time Astros scout Jim Stevenson on some of his hits, one memorable miss and some of the ways scouting has changed over the years.
Also, I did a short interview with Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier back in August in Corpus Christi. From Corpus in August to opening day roster spots!
ONE FINAL NOTE
The baseball community lost a good one yesterday. Johan Maya was with the Astros for 15 years in player development and scouting. He was always happy to help when I reached out to him for information on players in the DSL and he so obviously enjoyed working with those young men. Johan was only 40 years old and left behind a wife, three children and another child on the way. He will be missed by many. Be careful out there. And please wear a mask.
Many thanks to my partner in crime, Dustin, for keeping up with all this while I've been checked out!
ASTROS ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE
Here is a link to the players who are currently assigned to the Astros alternate training site.
OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Here are the other Astros minor league transactions since the end of the 2019 season.
7/23: RHP Brandon Bailey contract selected
6/5: OF James Nix (Tri-City) released
5/28: LHP Brett Adcock (Round Rock) released
5/28: C Ruben Castro (Round Rock) released
5/28: RHP Justin Ferrell (Corpus Christi) released
5/28: RHP Edgardo Sandoval (Fayetteville) released
5/28: RHP Jacob Billingsley (Fayetteville) released
5/28: RHP Luis de Paula (Quad Cities) released
5/28: RHP Miguel Figueroa (Quad Cities) released
5/28: 2B Austin Dennis (Quad Cities) released
5/28: 2B Trey Dawson (Quad Cities) released
5/28?: RHP Joey Gonzalez (Quad Cities) released
5/28: OF Preston Pavlica (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF E.P. Reese (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF Juan Ramirez (Tri-City) released
5/28: OF Abraham Castillo (GCL) released
5/28: LHP Bryan Martinez (GCL) released
5/28: LHP Daniel Bello (GCL) released
5/28: 3B Junior Marte (DSL) released
5/28: 2B Sebastian Grullon (DSL) released
3/19: 2/17: RHP Jared Hughes released
3/6: RHP Brandon Bailey (Rule 5) returned by the Orioles
2/28: RHP Alimber Santa signed (17-year old from the Dominican Republic)
2/24: RHP Carlos Hiraldo signed (22-year old from the Dominican Republic; not to be confused with lefty Carlos Hiraldo who has already been in the system for several years)
2/17: RHP Jared Hughes signed as a free agent
1/16: RHP Dean Deetz outrighted to Round Rock
1/9: RHP Peyton Battenfield (Tri-City) and OF Cal Stevenson (Fayetteville) traded to the Rays for RHP Austin Pruitt
Notes: Battenfield was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University and had an excellent first pro season. Here is my interview with him from July. Cal Stevenson came to the Astros, along with Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini, as a part of the 7/31/19 trade with the Blue Jays that sent Derek Fisher to Toronto. Here's hoping that his family didn't invest a lot in Astros gear after the trade.
1/9: RHP Dean Deetz designated for assignment
12/12: RHP Brandon Bailey (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: RHP Yohan Ramirez (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: SS Jonathan Arauz (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft
12/5: CF Jake Marisnick (Houston) traded to the Mets for LHP Blake Taylor and OF Kenedy Corona (assigned to Tri-City) - see below for more
11/20: RHP Cristian Javier (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: 1B Taylor Jones (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez (Fayetteville) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Enoli Paredes (Corpus Christi) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/4: LHP Kent Emanuel (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster (Emanuel was due to become a MiLB FA)
11/4: OF Granden Goetzman (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
11/4: RHP Erasmo Pinales (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
10/16: RHP Chanderson Perez signed (18 year old Dominican)
Further information about the two players who came to the Astros from the Mets in the December Marisnick trade.
LHP Blake Taylor: Taylor was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2013 and was traded to the Mets a year later. Tommy John surgery and recovery sidelined him from late 2015 to late 2016. For the next two years, Taylor was a starter who failed to break through, but a move to the bullpen in 2019 suited him and he put together the most successful season of his career to date (2.16 ERA/1.095 WHIP in 40 appearances, converting 10 of 11 save opportunities). He spent approximately half of the season at High A, half at AA (1.85 ERA/0.949 WHIP) and finished the season by facing and retiring one batter at AAA. Taylor built on his 2019 success with seven appearances in the Arizona Fall League (2.00 ERA/0.778 WHIP). Taylor becomes one of only seven lefty pitchers in the Astros system who finished the 2019 season at AA or higher. Baseball America describes him as having a "mid-90's fastball and a high spin rate on his breaking ball." He turned 24 in August.
OF Kenedy Carona: Corona, a 19-year old Venezuelan (20 in March), has only one professional season under his belt at this point, but it was a very successful season in which he progressed from the DSL to the GCL to four games at short season A to end the year. In 63 games, he hit .301/.398/.470 with 14 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 29 RBI. He also snagged 19 bases (five caught stealing) and walked (29 times) almost as much as he struck out (36 times). He can play all the outfield positions and his defensive numbers stack up nicely against most of his outfield competition in the system. Baseball America describes Corona as athletic with "the ability to play the outfield with some polish at a young age."
INTERVIEWS
In case you missed these from February, I interviewed former Astros minor leaguer Daniel Minor and we did a deep dive on how some of Rob Manfred's rule changes played out in the Atlantic League last season. And I really enjoyed talking with long-time Astros scout Jim Stevenson on some of his hits, one memorable miss and some of the ways scouting has changed over the years.
Also, I did a short interview with Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier back in August in Corpus Christi. From Corpus in August to opening day roster spots!
ONE FINAL NOTE
The baseball community lost a good one yesterday. Johan Maya was with the Astros for 15 years in player development and scouting. He was always happy to help when I reached out to him for information on players in the DSL and he so obviously enjoyed working with those young men. Johan was only 40 years old and left behind a wife, three children and another child on the way. He will be missed by many. Be careful out there. And please wear a mask.
Please support this GoFundMe for the family of Johan Maya, a baseball brother that we lost to #COVID this morning. Johan was a wonderful father and baseball man, dedicated to his family and to this game. Rest In Peace #Mayimbe #MLB https://t.co/c5TE1sodZT— Oz (@OcampoBaseball) July 24, 2020
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