tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82581135404126861642024-03-13T10:01:58.818-05:00What the Heck, Bobby?A LOOK AT THE ASTROS MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEMUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6762125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-19760648814459216542021-07-12T20:39:00.004-05:002021-07-22T08:37:08.748-05:00Astros Draft Picks/Undrafted Free Agents on Social MediaFirst off, I'd like to apologize for falling off the face of the earth after two weeks of recaps. I really did need to adhere to my hiatus. But, I'm breaking it for this post to welcome the Class of 2021 to the Houston Astros organization. <div><br /></div><div>Some of you are probably familiar with this post, in which I track down the draft picks on social media and list their accounts here. If you are so inclined, you're welcome to follow them. Unless noted otherwise, these are their Twitter accounts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 3, Pick 87: Tyler Whitaker, OF, Bishop Gorman High School, Las Vegas</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/twhitaker00">@twhitaker00</a> </div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tylerrwhitaker/">tylerrwhitaker</a> </div><div>College commitment: Arizona</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 4, Pick 117: Alex Ulloa, SS, Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida </div><div><a href="https://twitter.com/_alexulloaa_">@_alexulloaa_</a> (his Instagram name is also the same)</div><div>College commitment: Oklahoma State</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 4, Pick 132: Chayce McDermott, RHP, Ball State </div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Chayce_mcd99">@Chayce_mcd99</a> </div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iam_chaycemcd/">iam_chaycemcd</a> (private account)</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 5, Pick 148: Quincy Hamilton, OF, Wright State </div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Q_Ham10">@Q_Ham10</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/qham_10/">qham_10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 6, Pick 178: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP, Louisiana-Lafayette</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/szane_24">@szane_24</a> </div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/szarrighetti/">szarrighetti</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 7, Pick 208: Joey Loperfido, OF, Duke </div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/joeyloperfido/">@joeyloperfido</a> (Twitter)</div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joey_loperfido/">joey_loperfido</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 8, Pick 238: Colton Gordon, LHP, Central Florida </div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ColtonZimGordon">@ColtonZimGordon</a> </div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coltongordon10/">coltongordon10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 9, Pick 268: Aaron Brown, RHP, Middle Tennessee State</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronBrown15_">@AaronBrown15_</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aaron_brown_15/">aaron_brown_15</a> (private account)</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 10, Pick 298: Michael Sandle, OF, South Alabama</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/MochaMike12">@MochaMike12</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mochamike12/">mochamike12</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 11, Pick 328: Chad Stevens, SS, Portland</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/chad_stevens2">@chad_stevens2</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/chad_stevens2">chad_stevens2</a> (private account)</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 12, Pick 358: Rhett Kouba, RHP, Dallas Baptist</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/LilBabyKoubaJr">@LilBabyKoubaJr</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rhettkouba/">rhettkouba</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 13, Pick 388: Kobe Kato, 2B, Arizona</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/kobebe10">@kobebe10</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kobebe_/">kobebe_</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 14, Pick 418: Bryant Salgado, RHP, Oregon State</div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bryantt_37/">bryantt_37</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 15, Pick 448: Adrian Chaidez, RHP, UCLA</div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adrian_chaidez28/">adrian_chaidez28</a> (private account)</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 16, Pick 478: Nic Swanson, RHP, Northeastern State</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/nicrswanson">@nicrswanson</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicswanson_/">nicswanson_</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 17, Pick 508: Justin Williams, 3B, Penn State</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/justwilliams5">@justwilliams5</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Round 18, Pick 538: Will Wagner, 2B, Liberty</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/WillWags5">@WillWags5</a>; not active</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 19, Pick 568: Hector Nieves, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, Puerto Rico</div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hectornieves_11/">hectornieves_11</a></div><div>College commitment: Northwest Florida State College</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 20, Pick 618: Jackson Linn, OF, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge, Massachusetts</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonLinn4">@JacksonLinn4</a>; no tweets yet<br /></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jacksonlinn27/">jacksonlinn27</a> (private account)</div><div>College commitment: Tulane</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b><br /></b></span>In the past, there were players that apparently signed undrafted free agent deals but never actually appeared in a game anywhere in the Houston Astros organization.</div><div><br /></div><div>Walker Brockhouse, RHP, Memphis</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/walkerb_34">@walkerb_34</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/waalker.b/">waalker.b</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jacob DeLabio, RHP, Carthage College</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobDeLabio">@JacobDeLabio</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/delabio55/">delabio55</a>; It looks like he hasn't touched it since he created it in high school.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kasey Ford, RHP, Kansas State</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/kc_ford12">@kc_ford12</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kc_ford55/">kc_ford55</a> (private account)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ray Gaither, RHP, Dallas Baptist</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/raygaither">@raygaither</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/raygaither/">raygaither</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Deylen Miley, RHP, Bellarmine</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DEYMAN7">@DEYMAN7</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deyman7/">deyman7</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bryan Perez, RHP, Glendale Community College</div><div><br /></div><div>Marshall Hunt, RHP, Sacramento City College</div><div><br /></div><div>Jaxon Hallmark, OF, Nebraska</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/HallmarkJaxon">@HallmarkJaxon</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jaxon_lee/">jaxon_lee</a></div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-89920066822810275412021-05-18T23:04:00.001-05:002021-05-18T23:04:05.355-05:00Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 2: Sugar Land<b><u>Results for Week 2: May 13-18</u></b><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>The Sugar Land Skeeters, fresh off a 5-1 series win in Albuquerque, were in Round Rock for the second leg of their inaugural road trip as an affiliated Minor League Baseball club.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sugar Land and Round Rock played two at Dell Diamond on Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, as a reminder, I will not be doing recaps this week.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Thursday, May 13): Sugar Land 10, Round Rock 4</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>W- Seth Martinez (2-0)<br />L- Jason Bahr (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: Jake Meyers (4, 2-run in 2nd), Jose Siri (3, grand slam in 2nd)</div><div><br /></div><div>It was the Jose Siri Show on Thursday as he cleared the bases with a double in the 1st and then proceeded to clear them again in the 2nd, this time by hitting the ball over the fence. That is what we call a grand slam. Before Siri's slam, Jake Meyers whacked a two-run homer. Garrett Stubbs capped off the night with an RBI single in the 9th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seth Martinez was the first man out of the Sugar Land bullpen and he got the win with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, walking one and striking out four. Well, he did inherit a bases-loaded situation from Austin Hansen and one run ended up scoring. Ralph Garza Jr. was the third reliever to appear and he also threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out three.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Friday, May 14): Sugar Land 5, Round Rock 1</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>W- Brett Conine (2-0)<br />L- Drew Anderson (1-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: C.J. Hinojosa (1, solo in 2nd), Miguelangel Sierra (1, solo in 2nd)</div><div><br /></div><div>Another multi-hit night for Jose Siri, who also drove in two and stole two bases. C.J. Hinojosa and Miguelangel Sierra went deep in the 2nd. Siri, Ronnie Dawson, and Bryan De La Cruz all had two hits on the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brett Conine allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out four over five shutout innings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Saturday, May 15): Round Rock 6, Sugar Land 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Spencer Patton (1-0)<br />L- Jojanse Torres (0-1)</div><div>S- Joe Barlow (2)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: Alex De Goti (2, 2-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Express snatched this game from the Skeeters thanks to a four-run 8th inning that gave them the lead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alex De Goti whacked a two-run homer in the 3rd and lashed an RBI triple in the 6th inning. Garrett Stubbs went 3-4 with an RBI double in the 7th. Colin McKee worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out two.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Monday, May 17): Round Rock 6, Sugar Land 4</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- DeMarcus Evans (1-0)|<br />L- Framber Valdez (0-1)<br />S- Spencer Patton (1)<br /><br />SL home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>Giving up five runs in the first inning... not ideal..</div><div><br />Framber Valdez made his first rehab start and gave up all five of those runs. Fortunately, I guess, only one of those runs was earned. Framber allowed seven hits and struck out three in three innings. Nivaldo Rodriguez also threw three innings and allowed an RBI single, walked two, and fanned four.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bryan De La Cruz went 2-4 and scored twice.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Monday, May 17): Round Rock 5, Sugar Land 4</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Luis Ortiz (1-0)<br />L- Shawn Dubin (1-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: Jose Siri (4, grand slam in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Siri put up all four Sugar Land runs with one swing of the bat and gave them the lead... and then the Express walked it off to sweep the twinbill. Okay, cool.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 6 (Tuesday, May 18): Round Rock 8, Sugar Land 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- James Jones (1-0)<br />L- Jake Odorizzi (0-1)</div><div>S- Joe Barlow (3)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: Bryan De La Cruz 2 (2; solo in 1st, solo in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>De La Cruz led off the game with a homer and launched another solo shot in the 3rd inning. C.J. Hinojosa has a two-run double in the 6th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jake Odorizzi also made his first rehab start and like Framber, he had a couple of good innings and a rough one. He allowed four runs, all in the 2nd, on five hits (3-run homer), walked one, and struck out four in his three innings of work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, on Thursday, weather permitting of course, the Skeeters will play their first home game as an affiliated minor league baseball team.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you guys next week.</div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-87978592646948269192021-05-17T09:00:00.001-05:002021-05-17T09:00:00.453-05:00Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 2: Corpus, Asheville, Fayetteville<b>Results for Week 2: May 11-16</b><div><br /></div><div>Let's play two in Frisco!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just a heads-up, I will not be recapping Week 3's action. I forget that I'm supposed to be on hiatus, so I will take a week off from recaps once a month.</div><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><u>Corpus Christi @ Frisco</u></b></div></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Wednesday, May 12): Frisco 3, Corpus Christi 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jake Latz (1-0)<br />L- J.P. France (1-1)<br />S- Noah Bremer (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>CC home runs: None.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This was the first game of a doubleheader. The Hooks did not win this game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Corey Julks led off the 6th with a double and he scored Corpus' only run of game one on Marty Costes' single. On the bright side, Enoli Paredes struck out two in a 1-2-3 6th. I think he's just about ready to return.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Frisco 2, Corpus Christi 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Tyler Phillips (1-0)<br />L- Jonathan Bermudez (1-1)<br />S- Scott Engler (1)<br /><br />CC home runs: J.J. Matijevic (1, solo in 1st)</div><div><br /></div><div>Corpus got swept in the twinbill. </div><div><br /></div><div>J.J. Matijevic's solo shot in the 1st was their one run in this game. Jonathan Bermudez pitched well, but he could only take a loss. Bermudez allowed two runs on four hits and struck out a career-high ten batters. Brandon Lawson worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 6th.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Corpus Christi 4, Frisco 0</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>W- Hunter Peck (1-0)<br />L- Alex Speas (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>CC home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was only one half-inning where runs were scored and thankfully, it belonged to the Corpus Christi Hooks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Frisco pitcher Alex Speas walked the bases loaded to lead off the 8th, and well, that usually doesn't end well. Pedro Leon scored the first run of the night when Corey Julks hit into a fielder's choice in which no outs were recorded. Grae Kessinger went down on the infield fly rule for the second out, but Scott Manea was able to come through with a bases-clearing double. David Hensley went 2-4 and was the only player on either side to finish with a multi-hit game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joe Record allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out four over five shutout innings. Enoli Paredes worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 6th, striking out one. Hunter Peck got two innings and he walked one and struck out four during his time on the mound. Nick Hernandez completed the shutout as he worked around a hit to strike out the side in the 9th.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Corpus Christi 6, Frisco 5 in 11 innings</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Willy Collado (1-1)<br />L- Joe Gatto (0-1)<br /><br />CC home runs: Pedro Leon (1, 2-run in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a rough introduction to baseball in the United States for Pedro Leon, but he showed a glimpse of what he can do with the bat when he demolished a Sal Mendez offering for a two-run homer in the 6th inning. Corpus scored three times in the two extra frames and they finally took the lead for good on Ross Adolph's RBI single in the 11th. Marty Costes scored three runs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brett Daniels got the start and he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, walked two, and struck out eight in 4.2 innings. Willy Collado got the victory; he got both of the extra innings and allowed a two-run homer in the 10th, one other hit, walked two, and fanned two.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Frisco 8, Corpus Christi 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Alex Speas (1-1)<br />L- Cesar Rosado (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>CC home runs: Chandler Taylor (1, solo in 8th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Corey Julks finished 3-4 with a triple and Chandler Taylor smacked his first homer of the season. Nick Hernandez struck out two over two hitless innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>The series finale was postponed due to the rain that's hitting Texas. No makeup date has been set. Corpus Christi will welcome the Arkansas Travelers to Whataburger Field for six starting Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Asheville @ Bowling Green</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Tuesday, May 11): Bowling Green 5, Asheville 1</i></b></div><div><br />W- Evan McKendry (2-0)<br />L- Jose Bravo (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists had a chance to get some runs in the 5th when they loaded the bases, but all they got was one run and that was when A.J. Lee grounded into a double play. The offense was rendered useless by former Astros farmhand Peyton Battenfield, who walked one and struck out nine over four scoreless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Bravo wasn't terrible in his four innings, but the non-existent run support meant that he could only take the loss. He allowed two hits, one of which was a two-run homer, walked one, and struck out five.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Bowling Green 8, Asheville 7</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jacob Lopez (1-0)<br />L- Devin Conn (0-1)</div><div>S- Michael Costanzo (1)<br /><br />Asheville home runs: Korey Lee (1, solo in 1st), Alex Holderbach (1, 2-run in 5th)</div><div><br />The Tourists got the tying and go-ahead runs on base to lead off the 9th but couldn't get either of them in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Korey Lee went 3-5 with a solo homer (1), an RBI double, and three runs scored. Scott Schrieber had a couple of doubles, and Alex McKenna and Luis Santana stole two bases apiece.</div><div><br /></div><div>Felipe Tejada was the third pitcher to appear for Asheville and he was stellar in his 2.2 innings: he did not allow a hit, walked one, and struck out seven.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Asheville 6, Bowling Green 5</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>W- Jimmy Endersby (1-0)<br />L- Ezequiel Zabaleta (1-1)<br />S- Kyle Serrano (1)<br /><br />Asheville home runs: Luis Santana (3, 2-run in 8th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville got on the board in this series by staving off a late rally from the Hot Rods.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jimmy Endersby was stellar in his five innings as he only allowed one hit. It was a two-run homer, but again, that was the only hit he gave up in his five innings. He also walked one and struck out seven. Kyle Serrano got a four-out save and all four outs he recorded came via the strikeout.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alex McKenna finished 2-5 from the leadoff spot. Luis Guerrero ripped a two-run double in the 6th and Luis Santana clubbed a two-run homer in the 8th.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Bowling Green 1, Asheville 0</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Carlos Garcia (2-0)<br />L- Tyler Brown (0-1)</div><div>S- Christopher Gau (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists outhit the Hot Rods 6-3... but the game's only run did not belong to them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scott Schreiber went 3-4. R.J. Freure was dominant as he allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out six over five shutout innings. Tyler Brown allowed the lone run on a single, one of two hits he allowed in three innings. He walked two and fanned six.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Bowling Green 7, Asheville 3 in 11 innings</i></b></div><div><br />W- Ezequiel Zabaleta (2-1)<br />L- Yeremi Ceballos (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists surrendered a walk-off grand slam in the 11th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Alberto Rivera was the first man out of the Asheville bullpen and he was excellent in his 3.2 innings; he walked one, struck out seven, and did not allow a hit. Devin Conn followed and he also did not allow a hit in 2.2 innings, walking one and striking out five.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 6 (Sunday, May 16): Bowling Green 7, Asheville 0</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Peyton Battenfield (1-0)<br />L- Blair Henley (0-2)</div><div>S- Evan McKendry (1)</div><div><br />Asheville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>A series to forget as the Tourists went 1-5.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists return home to start a series with the Greenville Drive on Tuesday.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><u>Fayetteville vs. Kannapolis</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Tuesday, May 11): Fayetteville 10, Kannapolis 1</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>W- Mark Moclair (1-0)</div><div>L- Jared Kelley (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: Matt Barefoot (3, solo in 1st)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers cruised to a win in their home opener. </div><div><br /></div><div>Matt Barefoot started off the evening with a solo blast and that sent Fayetteville on their way. After a single in the 3rd inning, Barefoot advanced to second on a wild pitch, then stole third and scored on an errant throw from the catcher. Not only did Barefoot open the scoring, he also finished it in the form of a two-run single in the 8th inning. Joe Perez finished 2-5 with a two-run double.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alfredi Jimenez got the start and he allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out five over four scoreless. Mark Moclair was the third Fayetteville pitcher to appear and he got the win, although he battled his command throughout his 2.2 innings of work. Moclair allowed Kannapolis's only run when he hit a man with the bases loaded in the 8th; he also allowed a hit, walked five, and struck out five.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Fayetteville 9, Kannapolis 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Christian Mejias (1-1)<br />L- Chase Solesky (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: Zach Daniels (2, 2-run in 1st)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville scored three runs in each of the first three innings as they strolled to another victory.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whit Drennan and Christian Mejias combined to throw six scoreless innings of relief. Drennan was the first man out of the bullpen and he went two innings, walking two and fanning two. Mejias finished the game and he was electric, allowing just three hits and striking out a career-high ten in the final four innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Zach Daniels had a monster night as he finished 3-4 with a two-run homer in the 1st and a two-run single in the 3rd. Nerio Rodriguez opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st and walked in a run in the 3rd. Nerio went 2-4 and was one of four Fayetteville hitters to finish with two hits. J.C. Correa had a pair of doubles and scored three times, Joe Perez walked three times and scored twice, and Shay Whitcomb had an RBI single in the 2nd.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Fayetteville 7, Kannapolis 6</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jaime Melendez (1-0)<br />L- Rigo Fernandez (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers fell behind 6-0 after the 1st inning. No matter, they found a way to come back and wound up walking off with the win.</div><div><br /></div><div>The comeback began with a pair of RBI singles from Zach Daniels and Jose Alvarez in the 6th. Matt Barefoot hit a sac fly in the 7th, and it was on in the 9th.</div><div><br /></div><div>J.C. Correa drew a bases-loaded walk and Justin Dirden followed with an RBI infield single. Daniels got plunked to bring Barefoot in, and Correa scored the winning run when Yeuris Ramirez hit into a fielder's choice that turned into an error. Alvarez had three hits in his season debut.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peyton Plumlee and Jaime Melendez both threw three innings of shutout ball. Plumlee walked one and struck out four and Melendez fanned seven in a perfect outing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Fayetteville 5, Kannapolis 0</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Ernesto Jaquez (1-0)<br />L- Yoelvin Silven (0-1)<br />S- Angel Macuare (1)<br /><br />Fayetteville home runs: Kenedy Corona (1, solo in 7th)</div><div><br /></div><div>History was made in Fayetteville Friday night as Jayson Schroeder, Ernesto Jaquez, and Angel Macuare combined to throw the first no-hitter in Woodpeckers history.</div><div><br /></div><div>Schroeder walked three and struck out four over the first four innings. Jaquez struck out two in a 1-2-3 5th to bridge the gap to Macuare, who finished by walking one and striking out seven over the final four innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers got four in the 5th on a couple of RBI doubles from Kenedy Corona and Matt Barefoot, an RBI single by Zach Daniels, and a passed ball that allowed Barefoot to score. Corona, who finished 3-3, whacked a solo homer in the 7th.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Kannapolis 1, Fayetteville 0</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jeremiah Burke (1-1)<br />L- Cesar Gomez (0-2)<br />S- Marcus Evey (1)<br /><br />Fayetteville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The one run in this game did not belong to the Woodpeckers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Alvarez and Matt Barefoot both finished 2-4. Cesar Gomez pitched well in his second start, but no run support condemned him to the loss. He allowed the one run on four hits, walked one, and struck out six.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 6 (Sunday, May 16): Fayetteville 12, Kannapolis 2</i></b></div><div><br />W- Jonathan Sprinkle (1-0)<br />L- Jared Kelley (0-2)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville opened the floodgates with five runs in the 2nd. </div><div><br /></div><div>J.C. Correa, Matt Barefoot, Ronaldo Urdaneta, and Zach Daniels all drove in two runs. Barefoot and Kenedy Corona both finished with three hits on the day. Corona also stole two bases; the Woodpeckers went 6-6 on stolen bases on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark Moclair, who got the start, went four innings and allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out six. Jonathan Sprinkle earned his first win as a pro; he allowed an unearned run on a wild pitch, a hit, walked three, and struck out four in two innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers close out May with a road trip. Their first stop is Augusta for six with the GreenJackets starting Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><u>Week 2's Stars</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Corpus Christi</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407592707_c225425cba_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407592707_c225425cba_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jonathan Bermudez, LHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: L (1-1), 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, career-high 10 K in game 2 of doubleheader</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051225368_f1c40e2097_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051225368_f1c40e2097_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Bryan Green</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe Record, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/696038/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/696038/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hunter Peck, LHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: W (1-0), 2 IP, BB, 4 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Asheville</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/842/42761453485_08a2cfa777_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/842/42761453485_08a2cfa777_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Felipe Tejada, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: 2.2 IP, BB, 7 K</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48258601137_fe2d1412f7_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48258601137_fe2d1412f7_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Korey Lee, C</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: 3-5, 2B, solo HR (1), 3 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/684544/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/684544/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jimmy Endersby, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: W (1-0), 5 IP, H (2-R HR), 2 ER, BB, 7 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/855/42761439215_cc14149f09_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/855/42761439215_cc14149f09_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">R.J. Freure, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 5 IP, H, BB, 6 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407607642_de5d498933_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407607642_de5d498933_z.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jose Alberto Rivera, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday: 3.2 IP, BB, 7 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407249826_e6e701716a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407249826_e6e701716a_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Devin Conn, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday: 2.2 IP, BB, 5 K</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Fayetteville</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>All of these pictures, except for Jayson Schroeder's and Angel Macuare's, are their headshots on MiLB.com.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/663452/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/663452/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matt Barefoot, OF</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday: 3-4, solo HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R, SB</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday: 3-5, 2 RBI, R, SB</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/678085/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/678085/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alfredi Jimenez, RHP</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday: 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/671113/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/671113/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zach Daniels, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: 3-4, 2-R HR (2), 4 RBI</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/671781/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/671781/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christian Mejias, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: W (1-1), 4 IP, 3 H, career-high 10 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/686459/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/686459/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jaime Melendez, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: W (1-0), 3 IP, 7 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/685744/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/685744/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenedy Corona, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 3-3, 2B, solo HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday: 3-5, 3B, RBI, R, 2 SB</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48276590792_06bcdd59e3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48276590792_06bcdd59e3_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/677656/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/677656/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48258644112_742ee220de_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48258644112_742ee220de_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday's pitchers: No-hitter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jayson Schroeder: 4 IP, 3 BB, 4 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ernesto Jaquez: W (1-0), IP, 2 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Angel Macuare: Save (1), 4 IP, BB, 7 K</div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-74982231426944727782021-05-12T08:30:00.001-05:002021-05-12T08:30:00.606-05:00Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 1: Sugar LandSugar Land gets its own post because AAA operates on a different schedule.<div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/06/646041#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=646041">Game 1 (Thursday, May 6): Sugar Land 9, Albuquerque 4</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Ralph Garza Jr. (1-0)<br />L- Antonio Santos (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sugar Land Skeeters' first game as an affiliated minor league baseball club ended in a victory. Albuquerque cut into a 5-0 lead with three runs in the 3rd, but the Skeeters hit back with three in the 6th to regain control. Six of the Skeeters' starting nine finished with multi-hit games.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alex De Goti finished 3-5 with a pair of RBI singles. The one guy who didn't finish with a multi-hit game, C.J. Hinojosa, still drove in two with a double and a sac fly. Jose Siri had a couple of RBI singles and scored three runs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shawn Dubin got the start and the three runs he allowed in his 4.1 innings of work came on homers. He allowed four other hits, walked two, and fanned five. Ralph Garza Jr. got the win with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, walking one and striking out four in the process.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/07/646040#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=646040">Game 2 (Friday, May 7): Sugar Land 10, Albuquerque 3</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Seth Martinez (1-0)<br />L- Brandon Gold (0-1)<br /><br />SL home runs: Jose Siri (1, 3-run in 4th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Sugar Land fell behind 3-0 early, but one swing of the bat completely flipped this game in their favor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Siri launched a three-run homer in the 4th that tied the game and put the Skeeters on the board. It was all Sugar Land after that as Ronnie Dawson smacked a two-run double in the 4th, Garrett Stubbs drove in a run with a single and scored a sac fly, and finally, Siri ripped an RBI double and Hinojosa capped off the evening with a two-run double of his own in the 7th. Everyone in the lineup had a hit on Friday; Siri and Bryan de la Cruz both finished with three. Hinojosa, De Goti, Taylor Jones, and Lorenzo Quintana all had two hits, while Jake Meyers and Ronnie Dawson had one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tyler Ivey went 4.2 innings and allowed three runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out seven. Seth Martinez and Riley Ferrell combined to shut the Isotopes out for the final 4.1 innings; Martinez walked one and fanned five in 2.1 scoreless, and Ferrell walked two and struck out two over the final two innings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/08/646020#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=646020">Game 3 (Saturday, May 8): Sugar Land 15, Albuquerque 1</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Brett Conine (1-0)<br />L- Ian Clarkin (0-1)<br />S- Austin Hansen (1)<br /><br />SL home runs: Ronnie Dawson (1, 2-run in 2nd), Jake Meyers (1, solo in 3rd), Alex De Goti (1, 3-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone in the lineup scored a run, eight of the nine players in the lineup drove in a run, a good time was had by all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wFW0aghL1E/YJgH13Ke5EI/AAAAAAAADJA/FxroIoAcdwoamQvB2jhhR40cB1pEtJ0ywCNcBGAsYHQ/s846/sl5821.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wFW0aghL1E/YJgH13Ke5EI/AAAAAAAADJA/FxroIoAcdwoamQvB2jhhR40cB1pEtJ0ywCNcBGAsYHQ/w568-h640/sl5821.PNG" width="568" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The one run Brett Conine allowed in his 5.2 innings came on a solo homer hit by Jose Briceno in the 5th inning. He allowed four other hits, walked one, and fanned five. Austin Hansen carried the Skeeters to the finish line by allowing a hit, walking one, and striking out four over the final 3.1 innings.</div><br /><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/09/646018#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=646018">Game 4 (Sunday, May 9): Albuquerque 6, Sugar Land 4</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Ryan Castellani (1-0)<br />L- Ryan Hartman (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>SL home runs: Taylor Jones (1, 2-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, Sugar Land's winning percentage as an affiliated club took a hit on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both Ryans pitched five innings, but the Isotopes' Ryan (Castellani), managed to allow just two runs. Colin McKee was the first man out of the Skeeters' bullpen and he allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out three in two scoreless innings of work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Taylor Jones drove in all four Sugar Land runs in this game: he whacked a two-run homer in the 3rd and ripped a two-run double in the 9th as they tried to mount a comeback. Jones, Lorenzo Quintana, and Jose Siri all had two hits on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/10/646017#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=646017">Game 5 (Monday, May 10): Sugar Land 7, Albuquerque 3</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Nivaldo Rodriguez (1-0)<br />L- Jose Mujica (0-1)<br />S- Hector Velazquez (1)<br /><br />SL home runs: Jose Siri (2, 2-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Skeeters returned to their winning ways as they posted the only crooked number in this game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nivaldo Rodriguez had a nice outing as he only allowed a run on a solo homer, two other hits, walked one, and struck out five in five innings of work. Jojanse Torres was all over the place in his 2.2 innings, judging by his five walks and 32 balls (54 pitches). However, he only allowed two runs (one earned) and one hit. Hector Velazquez allowed a hit and struck out one in the final 1.1 innings to get the save.</div><div><br /></div><div>C.J. Hinojosa scored Sugar Land's first run on a wild pitch in the 2nd. Taylor Jones put the Skeeters in front with a two-run single in the 3rd and one batter later, Jose Siri launched a two-run homer. They finished off the evening with RBI doubles from Mike Papierski in the 8th and Hinojosa in the 9th. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit; Jones and Hinojosa both went 3-5, while Siri and Garrett Stubbs finished with two each.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/skeeters-vs-isotopes/2021/05/11/645999#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=645999">Game 6 (Tuesday, May 11): Sugar Land 6, Albuquerque 4</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Shawn Dubin (1-0)<br /></div><div>L- Antonio Santos (0-2)</div><div>S- Peter Solomon (1)</div><div><br />SL home runs: Jake Meyers 2 (3; 2-run in 5th, solo in 7th), Taylor Jones (2, 2-run in 7th)</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a successful inaugural series for the Sugar Land Skeeters as they took five in Albuquerque.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jake Meyers and Taylor Jones drove in three runs apiece for the Skeeters in this one; they both did their damage in the 5th and the 7th. Meyers did so with his two homers and Jones had an RBI double in the 5th to go along with his two-run blast in the 7th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meyers went 3-5 from the leadoff spot, while Jones and Ronnie Dawson had two hits apiece.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shawn Dubin allowed a run on three hits, walked three, and fanned six in five innings. Peter Solomon tagged in for the final four innings and he allowed three runs on six hits (2-run homer) while striking out six.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second leg of the Skeeters' season-opening road trip takes them to Round Rock for six games starting Wednesday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Week 1's Stars</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/975/26901089137_8467cfd670_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/975/26901089137_8467cfd670_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taylor Jones,1B</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12-20 (.600/.692/1.050), 2 HR, 10 RBI in series</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48544475877_543ab79c78_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="587" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48544475877_543ab79c78_z.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake Meyers, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8-25 (.320/.346/.720), 3 HR, 7 RBI in series</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/642350/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/642350/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jose Siri, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11-25 (.440/.481/.840), 2 HR, 11 RBI in series</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4379/36748847315_66f1274405_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4379/36748847315_66f1274405_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ralph Garza Jr., RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: W (1-0), 2.1 IP, BB, 4 K</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/661527/headshot/milb/current" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/661527/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div>Seth Martinez, RHP</div><div>Friday: W (1-0), 2.1 IP, BB, 5 K</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48544314441_aa19ef7bd9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="640" height="333" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48544314441_aa19ef7bd9_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Brett Conine, RHP</div><div>Saturday: W (1-0), 5.2 IP, 5 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 5 K</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/938/42833214355_6523588807_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/938/42833214355_6523588807_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Austin Hansen, RHP, and Shawn Dubin, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansen (Saturday): Save (1), 3.1 IP, H, BB, 4 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dubin (Tuesday): W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067909767_af60f4fdcd_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067909767_af60f4fdcd_z.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nivaldo Rodriguez, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday: W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 5 K</div></div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-23574034647060105292021-05-10T08:00:00.006-05:002021-05-10T17:53:25.056-05:00Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 1: Corpus Christi, Asheville, Fayetteville<b>Results for Week 1: May 4-9</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>For the first time in two years... Happy Minor League Opening Day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, with the sheer volume of games to cover, I'll try to keep it short and sweet for each individual game.</div><div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Corpus Christi vs. San Antonio</u></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): San Antonio 8, Corpus Christi 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Reiss Knehr (1-0)</div><div>L- Nick Hernandez (0-1)</div><div><br />CC home runs: David Hensley (1, solo in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Rough night in the field for the Hooks as four errors condemned them to an opening-night defeat.</div><div><br /></div><div>David Hensley went 2-4 with a solo homer to lead off the 6th inning. Marty Costes drove in Corpus Christi's first two runs of the season with a single in the 2nd. Tough night for Pedro Leon, who went 0-4 with three strikeouts and an error in his US pro debut.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chad Donato got the start and allowed two unearned runs on two hits, walked one, and fanned four in three innings of work.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Corpus Christi 4, San Antonio 2</i></b></div><div><br />W- J.P. France (1-0)<br />L- Jerry Keel (0-1)<br />S- Hunter Peck (1)<br /><br />CC home runs: Grae Kessinger (1, 2-run in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>An Ole Miss Rebel picked up his old in-state SEC rival and saved him from a loss that would've marred an otherwise stellar start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Former Mississippi State Bulldog J.P. France struck out a career-high 11 over six strong innings. However, the Missions got to him with a two-run single in the 5th to take the lead, and for a couple of innings, he was in danger of taking a loss. </div><div><br /></div><div>Grae Kessinger, however, whacked a two-run homer in the 6th to put Corpus back in front and Corey Julks ripped an RBI double in the 8th to bring in a crucial insurance run. Kessinger was one of four Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits to finish with two hits in this game; Scott Manea, Chandler Taylor, and J.J. Matijevic also had two knocks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enoli Paredes began his rehab assignment by working around a walk to throw a scoreless 7th, striking out one. Hunter Peck, an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Gwinnett College, made his professional debut on his 24th birthday and he made it unforgettable by closing out a Corpus Christi victory, allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out five over the final two innings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Corpus Christi 6, San Antonio 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jonathan Bermudez (1-0)<br />L- Caleb Boushley (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>CC home runs: David Hensley 2 (3; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 3rd), Norel Gonzalez (1, solo in 2nd)</div><div><br /></div><div>David Hensley went off as he carried Corpus to a Thursday victory.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the Missions opened the scoring with a run in the top half of the 1st, Hensley responded in the bottom of the inning by launching his first two-run homer of the evening to put the Hooks on the board and in the lead. Norel Gonzalez, a Cuban who signed with the Astros in January, hit his first homer in the United States with two outs in the 2nd inning. Hensley, who went 3-5, clubbed his second two-run homer in the 3rd and he added an RBI single in the 6th for good measure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan Bermudez shook off that run in the 1st to turn in a nice outing; he allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out eight in five innings of work. Joe Record, one of the Astros' two minor league Rule 5 selections, walked six and struck out four in three scoreless innings after coming on for Bermudez. Nick Hernandez worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out one.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 7): San Antonio 5, Corpus Christi 4 in 11 innings</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Sam Williams (1-0)<br />L- Brandon Lawson (0-1)<br /><br /></div><div>CC home runs: Grae Kessinger (2, solo in 2nd), Ross Adolph (1, 2-run in 5th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Corpus Christi couldn't seal the deal in the 9th and the Missions wound up taking Friday's contest in extras.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grae Kessinger opened the scoring with his solo blast in the 2nd inning and Ross Adolph launched a two-run homer in the 5th. C.J. Stubbs had an RBI single in the 8th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brett Daniels turned in six solid innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking two, and striking out seven. Michael Horrell was the first man out of the Hooks' bullpen and he allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out two in two innings. Nolan Riggs, making his organizational debut, got the 9th but was unable to close it out. He allowed the tying run on three hits and struck out one. Brandon Lawson, who was also making his organizational debut, pitched both extra frames and he allowed the go-ahead RBI single in the 11th. Lawson struck out one in two innings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): San Antonio 6, Corpus Christi 0</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Mason Fox (1-0)<br />L- Hunter Brown (0-1)<br /><br />CC home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hooks fell behind early and their bats fell silent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hunter Brown struggled in his first start of the year as he allowed four runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out five in three innings of work. Enoli Paredes, Nick Hernandez, and Tommy DeJuneas finished out the game with two innings apiece. Enoli's rehab seems to be going fine as he struck out five of the six batters he faced. The lone hit that Hernandez allowed was a solo homer to Jack Suwinski; he walked one and struck out two. DeJuneas allowed an unearned run on two hits, walked two, and fanned two. Corey Julks finished 2-4; Corpus did not have an extra-base hit in this game.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 6 (Sunday, May 9): San Antonio 7, Corpus Christi 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Jerry Keel (1-1)<br />L- Willy Collado (0-1)<br />S- Jose Quezada (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>CC home runs: Scott Manea (1, grand slam in 4th)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hooks went off for five in the 4th to take a 5-1 lead... but some shambolic defense and the fact that they only scored in one inning sent them to a series loss. Grae Kessinger hit an RBI single to put Corpus on the board and one batter later, Scott Manea brought everyone home by launching a grand slam.</div><div><br /></div><div>In his second start of the year, Chad Donato allowed a run on five hits and struck out five in four innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Corpus will hit the road for the first time this season and they'll start a six-game set in Frisco on Tuesday.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><u>Asheville vs. Brooklyn</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><i><b>Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): Brooklyn 8, Asheville 2</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>W- Josh Walker (1-0)</div><div>L- Blair Henley (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: Scott Schreiber (1, solo in 7th), Colin Barber (1, solo in 8th)</div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>The Tourists had a chance to make it interesting by loading the bases to lead off the bottom of the 9th, but they got zero runs out of that situation. They were also no-hit through five innings by Brooklyn starter Josh Walker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, Scott Schreiber and Colin Barber went deep in an otherwise forgettable night for the Asheville bats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Bravo was the third pitcher for the Tourists and he walked one while striking out three over three scoreless. Layne Henderson was the fifth and final hurler to appear for Asheville and he got the final out of the 8th and went on to throw a scoreless 9th; he struck out three and kept the two men he inherited from Yeremi Ceballos from scoring.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Asheville 6, Brooklyn 1</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Chandler Casey (1-0)</div><div>L- Jose Butto (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville entered the win column for the first time in 2021 behind a four-run 4th and some solid pitching by the bullpen after Cole McDonald, who started this game for the Tourists, left with an injury before the 2nd inning.</div><div><br /></div><div>After McDonald left, Chandler Casey tagged in to throw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking one, and striking out one to get the win. </div><div><br /></div><div>Scott Schreiber ripped an RBI triple in the 1st to open the scoring. The Tourists got their four runs in the fourth thanks to four walks, all of which resulted in runs. Wilyer Abreu and Freudis Nova walked to lead off the frame and they successfully pulled off a double steal. Abreu wound up scoring on an A.J. Lee groundout, and then Asheville would load the bases on a pair of walks by Ramiro Rodriguez and Alex McKenna. Enmanuel Valdez came through with a two-run single and McKenna also scored on the throw from the outfield. Rodriguez drove in the game's final run with a single in the 8th.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Asheville 11, Brooklyn 4</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Matt Ruppenthal (1-0)<br />L- Oscar Rojas (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: Luis Santana 2 (2; 3-run in 1st, 2-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists jumped out to an early 8-1 lead to cruise to the win.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luis Santana went deep twice and unleashed a glorious bat flip after one of them. If you don't like it, that's tough. Trust me, I'm not the person you should be complaining to. Plus, Santana used to be a boxer, so opposing pitchers might think twice before retaliating.</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Santana woke up this morning and chose violence..<br /><br />And we are absolutely here for it. <a href="https://t.co/WUs7WXdB0G">pic.twitter.com/WUs7WXdB0G</a></p>— Asheville Tourists (@GoTourists) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoTourists/status/1390485816758132740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div>Enmanuel Valdez opened the scoring with an RBI triple and two batters later, Santana clubbed a three-run homer. Santana's other homer was a two-run blast in the 3rd. He finished 3-5 on the night; Ramiro Rodriguez (2 RBI, R) and Alex Holderbach (2B, 2 R) both finished 2-4.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt Ruppenthal went five innings allowed two runs on three hits, one of which was a solo homer, walked two, and struck out five. Jimmy Endersby, in his pro debut, pitched the final four innings and allowed two runs on four hits, walked two, and fanned seven.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 7): Asheville 13, Brooklyn 7</i></b></div><div><br />W- R.J. Freure (1-0)<br />L- Jaison Vilera (0-1)<br /><br />Asheville home runs: Alex McKenna (1, solo in 2nd), Freudis Nova (1, 2-run in 3rd)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville scored ten runs in the first four innings and were once again able to cruise to another victory. Brooklyn managed to score one in the 7th and three more in the 8th, but fortunately, the ten-run lead the Tourists built held up in the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alex McKenna led off the bottom of the 1st with a double and scored Asheville's first run on a single from Enmanuel Valdez. The Tourists wound up loading the bases and Santana came through with a two-run single. McKenna smacked a solo homer in the 2nd inning, and Nova whacked a two-run shot in the 3rd. </div><div><br /></div><div>The top four of the Asheville order (McKenna, Valdez, Korey Lee, and Scott Schrieber) combined to score nine of the 13 runs. Schreiber didn't have a hit, but he still managed to score three runs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tyler Brown made his pro debut and allowed three runs on three hits (2-run homer), walked four, and struck out five in four innings of work. R.J. Freure was the first man out of the Asheville bullpen and he allowed a run on three hits, walked one, struck out six in 2.1 innings, and got credited with the win.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): Brooklyn 16, Asheville 12</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Alec Kisena (1-0)<br />L- Juan Pablo Lopez (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Asheville home runs: Colin Barber (2, 2-run in 4th), Alex McKenna (2, grand slam in 8th)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cyclones had a field day with Tourists' pitching as McCormick Field lived up to its reputation as Lancaster East. Everyone in the Tourists lineup scored a run.</div><div><br /></div><div>Felipe Tejada was the only Asheville pitcher who didn't have a run charged to his line, but he inherited a bases-loaded situation from Yeremi Ceballos in the 9th and two of those runners scored. He struck out two in the 9th.</div><div><br /></div><div>For a time, Colin Barber's two-run shot in the 4th was Asheville's scoring play. Tyler Krabbe had an RBI single in the 7th. The Tourists went off for nine runs in the 8th to cut a 13-3 deficit to one run. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enmanuel Valdez doubled to lead off the 8th and came home on a Scott Schreiber single. Korey Lee, who followed up Valdez's double with a single, made his way home when Barber grounded into a force out. A.J. Lee reached on an error after a fielder's choice to load the bases, and another Brooklyn error following a fielder's choice allowed Krabbe to reach and Luis Santana to score. Ramiro Rodriguez walked in Barber and one batter later, Alex McKenna brought everyone in, including himself, with a grand slam. Lee ripped a double in his second plate appearance of the inning and came around to score after two wild pitches.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sixth and final game of this series was canceled due to a non-COVID-related health concern.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourists will hit the road for six in Bowling Green beginning Tuesday.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><u>Fayetteville @ Carolina</u></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): Carolina 6, Fayetteville 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Abner Uribe (1-0)</div><div>L- Misael Tamarez (0-1)</div><div>S- Cam Robinson (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: Nerio Rodriguez (1, 2-run in 3rd), J.C. Correa (1, solo in 8th)</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>Fayetteville outhit Carolina 11-5 but lost in the column that matters most. The Woodpeckers were doomed because they went 0-10 with runners in scoring position... and they allowed the Mudcats to score two in the 6th and four in the 7th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nerio Rodriguez went 2-5 and hit the first home run of the Astros' minor league season when he went deep in the 3rd to extend Fayetteville's lead to 3-0. J.C. Correa had a nice pro debut as he finished 3-5 with a solo blast in the 8th, his first home run as a professional. Juan Paulino also had two hits on the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cesar Gomez had a fine professional debut as he allowed just one hit while fanning four over five shutout frames. Unfortunately, he received a no-decision for his efforts. Jonathan Sprinkle was the third pitcher to appear for Fayetteville and he walked one while striking out five over 1.2 scoreless, but the two runners he inherited from Misael Tamarez also scored. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Carolina 5, Fayetteville 3</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Joey Matulovich (1-0)<br />L- Alfredi Jimenez (0-1)<br />S- Evan Reifert (1)<br /><br />Fayetteville home runs: Ronaldo Urdaneta (1, solo in 8th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, a late Mudcats rally sent the Woodpeckers to another loss. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mark Moclair started things off by allowing two hits, walking two, and striking out seven in four scoreless innings. Ronaldo Urdaneta launched a solo homer in the 8th and Luke Berryhill ripped an RBI double in the 9th as Fayetteville tried to rally.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Carolina 12, Fayetteville 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- T.J. Shook (1-0)<br />L- Christian Mejias (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt Barefoot's two-run double in the 4th was Fayetteville's only scoring play in this game. Kevin Holcomb was the first man out of the Woodpeckers bullpen and he walked one while striking out four over two scoreless frames.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 4 (Friday, May 7): Fayetteville 8, Carolina 4</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Whit Drennan (1-0)<br />L- Justin Bullock (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: None.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers doubled up the Mudcats on Friday to get off the schneid. Shay Whitcomb had a huge night as he went 4-5 with a couple of doubles and scored three runs. Justin Dirden ripped a couple of doubles of his own and drove in three. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jaime Melendez got the start and he allowed a hit while striking out six over four scoreless. Whit Drennan got the victory and he went three innings, allowing three runs on two hits (2-run homer), walking two, and striking out five. Fabricio Reina got the final two innings and the one hit he allowed was a solo homer to Zavier Warren. Reina struck out three.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): Carolina 6, Fayetteville 2</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Juan Geraldo (1-0)<br />L- Angel Macuare (0-1)<br /><br />Fayetteville home runs: Matt Barefoot (1, solo in 2nd), Luke Berryhill (1, solo in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, timely hitting eluded the Woodpeckers as they went 0-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two solo shots you see above represent Fayetteville's only scoring plays in this game. Luke Berryhill finished 2-4.</div><div><br /></div><div>Angel Macuare got the start and he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits, walked three, and struck out five in 3.2 innings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Game 6 (Sunday, May 9): Carolina 8, Fayetteville 5</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>W- Evan Reifert (1-0)<br />L- Cesar Gomez (0-1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville home runs: Zach Daniels (1, solo in 3rd), Matt Barefoot (2, solo in 3rd), Yeuris Ramirez (1, solo in 6th)</div><div><br /></div><div>A forgettable first series for the Woodpeckers, to say the least. Well, at least they got hits with runners in scoring position (2-12), but... neither of those hits resulted in runs and they left 11 more on base.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three solo homers were Fayetteville's three scoring plays in this one. Joe Perez finished 2-4 from the leadoff spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Woodpeckers will open the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday when they start a six-game series with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><u>Week 1's Stars</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Corpus Christi</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/840/29730927048_aa69afa2ce_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/840/29730927048_aa69afa2ce_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David Hensley, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday: 2-4, solo HR (1), 2 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: 3-4, 2 HR (3), 5 RBI, 2 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/936/42831916965_d68d71cd5b_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/936/42831916965_d68d71cd5b_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">J.P. France, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: W (1-0), 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, career-high 11 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/696038/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/696038/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hunter Peck, LHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: Save (1), 2 IP, H, BB, 5 K in pro debut, which occurred on his birthday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48396369812_c926971c18_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48396369812_c926971c18_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grae Kessinger, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: 2-4, 2-R HR (1)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/848/28684972557_dd54f20909_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/848/28684972557_dd54f20909_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chad Donato, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Asheville</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407407092_c3bcbd9d5d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407407092_c3bcbd9d5d_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jose Bravo, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday: 3 IP, BB, 3 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/687453/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/687453/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chandler Casey, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: W (1-0), 4 IP, 3 H, BB, K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48276590962_a8daf85881_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48276590962_a8daf85881_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luis Santana, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday: 3-5, 2B, 2 HR (2), 5 RBI, 3 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 2-4, 3 RBI</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407455151_87e883ba63_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="634" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48407455151_87e883ba63_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alex McKenna, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 2-5, 2B, solo HR (1), 2 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday: 2-5, Grand Slam (2)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/683145/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/683145/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is his headshot on MiLB.com.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colin Barber, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday: 1-3, 2-R HR (2), 3 RBI, 3 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067639101_e53bb11e49_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067639101_e53bb11e49_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enmanuel Valdez, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 3-5, RBI, 2 R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Fayetteville</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of these pictures, except for Mark Moclair's, are their headshots on MiLB.com.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/672760/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/672760/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nerio Rodriguez, C</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday: 2-5, 2-R HR (1)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/682182/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/682182/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">J.C. Correa, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday: 3-5, solo HR (1)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/685461/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/685461/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cesar Gomez, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday: 5 IP, H, 4 K in pro debut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/841/42761464415_b0906393c0_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/841/42761464415_b0906393c0_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark Moclair, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/686459/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/686459/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jaime Melendez, RHP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 4 IP, H, 6 K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/688869/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/688869/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Justin Dirden, OF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/694376/headshot/milb/current" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/694376/headshot/milb/current" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shay Whitcomb, IF</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday: 4-5, 2 2B, 3 R</div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-34016433599566483992021-05-04T08:00:00.002-05:002021-05-04T08:00:00.368-05:00Meet the Fayetteville WoodpeckersWrapping up the Meet the Team series is the Fayetteville Woodpeckers!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/42/6668/full/6197_fayetteville_woodpeckers-primary-2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="800" height="374" src="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/42/6668/full/6197_fayetteville_woodpeckers-primary-2019.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo from Chris Creamer's <a href="https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/666861972019/Fayetteville_Woodpeckers/2019/Primary_Logo">SportsLogos.Net</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, with the glut of minor league clubs in the Southeastern United States and the contraction of Minor League Baseball, some clubs in the region having to move down a level would be inevitable. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, who entered MiLB as a Class A Advanced club, were one of the clubs to draw the short stick and dropped to Class A as a result. Fayetteville will begin its season on the road against the Carolina Mudcats Tuesday night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Woodpeckers will now compete in Low-A East, which consists of seven teams from the Carolina League and five from the South Atlantic League. It's a 12-team league split into three divisions of four. Fayetteville is in the Central division, which consists of the four North Carolina teams. Their division rivals are the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox). The Cannon Ballers were known as the Intimidators until 2020.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The South division consists of the four teams located in South Carolina: the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays, formerly a Yankees affiliate), Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs), Columbia Fireflies (Royals, formerly a Mets affiliate), and the Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta, formerly a Giants affiliate). Augusta, best known as the site of the Masters, is located in Georgia, but the GreenJackets' ballpark is located across the Savannah River in North Augusta, South Carolina.</div><div><br /></div><div>The North has all the teams not located in the Carolinas: three Virginia teams and one club in Maryland. The Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles), Salem Red Sox (guess their parent club), Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland), and the Fredericksburg (formerly Potomac) Nationals (again, guess who their parent club is).</div><div><br /></div><div>Opened in 2019, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segra_Stadium">Segra Stadium</a> serves as Fayetteville's home park. Segra also owns the naming rights to Columbia's ballpark, but their stadium is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segra_Park">Segra Park</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fayetteville is home to a major U.S. Army installation, Fort Bragg, and the Woodpeckers have drawn inspiration from the city's military history, as evidenced by their special "Black Ops" alternate uniforms. The city is located on the Cape Fear River, in North Carolina's coastal plain. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1789, Fayetteville was the site of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayetteville_Convention">state convention</a> to ratify the United States Constitution; by a 194-77 decision, the Constitution was ratified and North Carolina became the 12th state in the Union.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>SOCIAL MEDIA</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Official website: <a href="http://fayettevillewoodpeckers.com">fayettevillewoodpeckers.com</a></div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/WoodpeckersNC">@WoodpeckersNC</a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fayettevillewoodpeckers/">fayettevillewoodpeckers</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>COACHING STAFF</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Manager: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hernan000ray">Ray Hernandez</a></div><div>Pitching Coach: Todd Naskedov</div><div>Hitting Coach: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=godfre000sea">Sean Godfrey</a></div><div>Development Coach: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=muniz-000bry">Bryan Muniz</a></div><div>Athletic Trainer: Takeaki Ando</div><div>Strength Coach: Michael Hoffman</div><div><br /></div><div>Former Astros farmhand Bryan Muniz will get his first coaching opportunity in the minors. Muniz, a 22nd-round pick out of Southeastern, an NAIA school in Lakeland, Florida, played in the Astros system from 2014-17, topping out at Corpus Christi.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>ROSTER</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Matt Barefoot, a 6th-round pick back in 2019, gets to play close to home. He's from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunn,_North_Carolina">Dunn</a>, which is literally the next town after Fayetteville on Interstate 95 and played at Campbell University, which temporarily hosted the Buies Creek Astros before they moved to Fayetteville. </div><div><br /></div><div>Zach Daniels, a 4th-round pick in last year's draft, has explosive athleticism and the Astros are banking on his tools to translate to the professional level.</div><div><br /></div><div>You may know J.C. Correa's older brother. I hear he's not bad at baseball. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jayson Schroeder had a rough 2019, which saw him get sent down to the complex-level Gulf Coast League. Now that he's gotten a chance to reset, he'll give Class A another try. The 2018 second-rounder from a high school in the Seattle area, Schroeder has plenty of talent, but this could be a pivotal year in his development. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ernesto Jaquez caught my attention in 2018 when he completely dominated the Dominican Summer League. Unfortunately, his encore would be delayed as he missed all of the 2019 season. Can he recapture that dominant form?</div><div><br /></div><div>Joe Perez has shown some of the best power in the system, but has also had some injury issues since entering the Astros system. Fortunately, he made it through 2019 without any major health scares. It's now time for him to become a more complete hitter. He should form one half of a pretty potent left side of the infield with Shay Whitcomb, the final pick of the 2020 draft. Whitcomb was drafted for his bat and that should get him plenty of playing time all over the infield.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nerio Rodriguez took a big step forward with his bat in 2019. Can he continue to make progress on offense?</div><div><br /></div><div>Janos "Johnny" Meszaros is a minor league free agent signing with a <a href="https://alaskasportshall.org/2021/03/dare-to-dream-meszaros-always-believed-now-the-astros-do-too/">very interesting back story.</a> A native of Alaska, he was originally drafted in the 39th round by the Rays out of high school but did not sign. He went to junior college but his career ended up getting derailed by injuries. Meszaros, who still tried to keep his dream alive, got the attention that had long eluded him with one video of him throwing upper-90s heat and a wicked slider. He caught Brent Strom's eye and was signed basically on Strom's recommendation. Now, seven years later, at the age of 26, Meszaros is finally getting his chance to play professional baseball. </div><div><br /></div><div>Italics - player bats/throws left-handed</div><div>Bold - player is a switch-hitter</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Pitchers</i></b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=depaul000bra"><i>Brayan De Paula</i></a> - Acquired via trade along with Adonis Giron from Marlins for future considerations, 2018; De Paula mainly played for the GCL Astros in 2019 and appeared in two games with Tri-City.<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=drenna000whi"><i>Whit Drennan</i></a> - 29th round, 2019 draft (Rollins College); GCL Astros<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia004fre">Freylin Garcia</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; last played in 2018 with the GCL Astros<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gomez-000ces">Cesar Gomez</a> - Undrafted free agent (UT-Arlington), 2020; making pro debut<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=holcom000kev">Kevin Holcomb</a> - 13th round, 2019 draft (Glendale CC), GCL Astros<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jaquez000ern">Ernesto Jaquez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2017; last played in 2018 with DSL Astros, GCL Astros, and Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jimene004alf">Alfredi Jimenez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2017; GCL Astros<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=macuar000ang">Angel Macuare</a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2016; Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mejias001chr">Christian Mejias</a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2016; Tri-City/GCL Astros<br /></div><div>Johnny Meszaros - Minor league free agent signing, 2021; making pro debut</div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mezqui000cri"><i>Cristofer Mezquita</i></a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic); DSL Astros<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moclai000mar">Mark Moclair</a> - 12th round, 2019 draft (Tampa); Quad Cities<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire009man">Manny Ramirez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2017; Quad Cities/Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schroe002jay">Jayson Schroeder</a> - 2nd round, 2018 draft (Juanita HS, Kirkland, Washington); Quad Cities/Tri-City/GCL<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sprink000jon">Jonathan Sprinkle</a> - Undrafted free agent (Central Missouri), 2020; making pro debut<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tamare000mis">Misael Tamarez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2019; GCL Astros/DSL Astros<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Catchers</i></b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=berryh000luk">Luke Berryhill</a> - Acquired via trade from Reds for Cionel Perez, 2021; Greeneville (Reds)<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=paulin000jua"><i>Juan Paulino</i></a> - 27th round, 2018 draft (Western Oklahoma State); Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig002ner">Nerio Rodriguez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; GCL Astros<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Infielders</i></b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=correa000jc-">J.C. Correa</a> - Undrafted free agent (Lamar), 2020; making pro debut<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=perez-012joe">Joe Perez</a> - 2nd round, 2017 draft (Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Florida); Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yeu">Yeuris Ramirez</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2015; Tri-City/GCL<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ronaldo-urdaneta-666653"><b>Ronaldo Urdaneta</b></a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2015; Tri-City/GCL<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whitco000sha">Shay Whitcomb</a> - 5th round, 2020 draft (UC San Diego); making pro debut<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Outfielders</i></b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barefo000mat">Matthew Barefoot</a> - 6th round, 2019 draft (Campbell); Tri-City<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=corona002ken">Kenedy Corona</a> - Acquired via trade along with Blake Taylor from Mets for Jake Marisnick, 2019; Brooklyn/GCL Mets/DSL Mets 2<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=daniel004zac">Zach Daniels</a> - 4th round, 2020 draft (Tennessee); making pro debut<br /></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dirden000jus"><i>Justin Dirden</i></a> - Undrafted free agent (Southeast Missouri State); making pro debut</div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-56224247857538431892021-05-02T17:39:00.000-05:002021-05-02T17:39:24.099-05:00Meet the Asheville TouristsIn part three of our Meet the Team series, we head to Western North Carolina. Let's meet the Asheville Tourists!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/45/2742/full/dl57etjfjvbehh7dcpt3kxthr.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="734" height="327" src="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/45/2742/full/dl57etjfjvbehh7dcpt3kxthr.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo from Chris Creamer's <a href="https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/dl57etjfjvbehh7dcpt3kxthr/Asheville_Tourists/2011/Primary_Logo">SportsLogos.Net</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Asheville Tourists, formerly of the Class A South Atlantic League, will be moving up one level to Class A Advanced following the realignment of Minor League Baseball. The Tourists will begin their third stint as a Houston Astros minor league affiliate on Tuesday when they host the Brooklyn Cyclones. Before the 2021 season, the Tourists were the Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, a distinction they had held since 1994. Before entering into that association, they were an Astros affiliate from 1982 to 1993 and they also spent the 1967 season as an Astros farm club in the Carolina League. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Asheville plays in High-A East, which is a mishmash of teams from various minor leagues on the East Coast. The league consists of six South Atlantic League clubs (Asheville, Hickory, Greensboro, Greenville, Rome, and Jersey Shore, formerly Lakewood), three New York-Penn League teams (Hudson Valley, Aberdeen, and Brooklyn), two Carolina League clubs (Winston-Salem and Wilmington), and Bowling Green, coming in from the Midwest League.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Tourists will play in the South division along with the Rome Braves (Atlanta), Hickory Crawdads (Rangers), Greenville Drive (Red Sox), Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates), and the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays). The North division consists of the Hudson Valley Renegades (now a Yankees affiliate), Wilmington Blue Rocks (now a Nationals affiliate, Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets), Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles), and the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina. I've heard that it is a really beautiful place and it has compelled me to look up flights and drive times. It is home to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biltmore_Estate">Biltmore Estate</a>, the largest private residence in the United States, owned by the Vanderbilt family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Tourists play at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCormick_Field">McCormick Field</a>, the third-oldest active ballpark in the minors. It was featured in the film <i>Bull Durham</i>. McCormick Field also boasts a reputation as being a hitter's park, though that bias is not nearly as extreme as Lancaster.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>COACHING STAFF</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nate Shaver returns to manage the Astros' Class A Advanced affiliate. Now the question is... did he stay put by remaining at this level or did he move up since Fayetteville moved down a level?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Manager: Nate Shaver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pitching Coach: Eric Nielsen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hitting Coach: Ren<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">é Rojas</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Development Coach: Kyle Brennan</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Athletic Trainer: Brandon Zumbach</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Strength Coach: Zach Reding</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #202122;"><b>ROSTER</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #202122;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Freudis Nova, a million-dollar international free agent signing a few years back, moves up to the next rung on the ladder. He's had some mixed reports during his time at the alternate site and the instructional league, but he is also 20 years old. A solid season from him should at least quell the uncertainty a little. Korey Lee, the Astros' 2019 first-rounder, gets his first full-season assignment here. Colin Barber, who has drawn some rave reviews down in the alternate site, will also get his first shot for a full season with the Tourists. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Asheville's pitching contingent doesn't have the sexy names, but it looks to be a group of dependable guys. Felipe Tejada and Blair Henley are two to watch, and Baseball America tagged Jimmy Endersby, an undrafted free agent signing last year, as their sleeper prospect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Italics - player bats/throws left-handed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bold - player is a switch hitter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Pitchers</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bravo-000jos">José Bravo</a> - International free agent (Mexico), 2016; Bravo pitched at all four full-season affiliates for the Astros in 2019. The bulk of his appearances came with Quad Cities.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brown-010tyl">Tyler Brown</a> - 3rd round, 2020 draft (Vanderbilt); making pro debut<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cabral000ril">Riley Cabral</a> - 31st round, 2018 draft (Memphis); Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=casey-002ste">Chandler Casey</a> - 26th round, 2019 draft (Lubbock Christian); GCL Astros<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ceball000yer"><i>Yeremi Ceballos</i></a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; pitched for four different teams in 2019, mainly with Tri-City and Fayetteville<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cody--000dan">Danny Cody</a> - 17th round, 2019 draft (Baldwin Wallace); Quad Cities/Tri-City/GCL<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=conn--000dev">Devin Conn</a> - 19th round, 2018 draft (Nova Southeastern); Quad Cities. with one appearance for Fayetteville<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=enders000jim">Jimmy Endersby</a> - Undrafted free agent (Concordia-Irvine); making pro debut<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=freure001rj-">R.J. Freure</a> - 6th round, 2018 draft (Pittsburgh); Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hender000lay">Layne Henderson</a> - 30th round, 2018 draft (Azusa Pacific); Corpus/Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=henley000bla">Blair Henley</a> - 7th round, 2019 draft (Texas); Tri-City, with one appearance in the GCL<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-016jua"><i>Juan Pablo Lopez</i></a> - International free agent (Mexico), 2016; Tri-City, with one appearance for Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcdona000col">Cole McDonald</a> - 15th round, 2019 draft (Iowa); Tri-City, with one appearance in the GCL<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rivera011jos">Jose Alberto Rivera</a> - Rule 5 draft selection by Angels returned to Astros in 2021. Originally signed by the Astros as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2016. Pitched for Quad Cities in 2019.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ruppen000mat">Matt Ruppenthal</a> - 17th round, 2017 draft (Vanderbilt); Quad Cities</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=serran000kyl">Kyle Serrano</a> - 10th round, 2017 draft (Tennessee); Tri-City, with two appearances in the GCL<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tejada001fel">Felipe Tejada</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2014; Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Catchers</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=holder001ale">Alex Holderbach</a> - 16th round, 2018 draft (Eastern Kentucky); Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=krabbe000tyl">Tyler Krabbe</a> - 19th round, 2019 draft (Montevallo); GCL Astros<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lee---000kor">Korey Lee</a> - 1st round, 2019 draft (Cal); Tri-City</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Infielders</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lee---000aj-">A.J. Lee</a> - 34th round, 2019 draft (Maryland); Quad Cities/Tri-City<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nova--000fre">Freudis Nova</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=santan002lui">Luis Santana</a> - Acquired via trade along with Ross Adolph and Scott Manea from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Corpus Christi/Tri-City<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000enm"><i>Enmanuel Valdez</i></a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2015; Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Outfielders</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=abreu-002wil"><i>Wilyer Abreu</i></a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2017; Quad Cities/Tri-City<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barber000col"><i>Colin Barber</i></a> - 4th round, 2019 draft (Pleasant Valley HS, Chico, California); GCL in 2019, Chicago Deep Dish (<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d22bc2b3">City of Champions Cup</a>) in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckenn000ale">Alex McKenna</a> - 4th round, 2018 draft (Cal Poly); Quad Cities in 2019, Tully Monsters (City of Champions Cup) in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig018ram"><i>Ramiro Rodriguez</i></a> - International free agent (Panama), 2015; Corpus/Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schrei000sco">Scott Schreiber</a> - 9th round, 2018 draft (Nebraska); Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-5258649516116372102021-05-02T10:50:00.001-05:002021-05-02T10:50:18.440-05:00Meet the Corpus Christi HooksPart two of the Meet the Team series takes us down to South Texas. Let's get to know the 2021 Corpus Christi Hooks!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/40/1440/full/6649.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="615" height="319" src="https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/40/1440/full/6649.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo from Chris Creamer's <a href="https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/6649/Corpus_Christi_Hooks/2005/Primary_Logo">SportsLogos.Net</a></i></div><br /><div>The Hooks have been an Astros affiliate since its inception in 2005. 2020 would have been the 15th anniversary of their inaugural season, but again, unless you have been living off the grid, there was no Minor League Baseball season. During the (still) ongoing pandemic, Whataburger Field has served as the Astros' Alternate Site.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following the MiLB realignment, Corpus was placed in the AA Central League, which is essentially a continuation of the Texas League. (Why didn't they just retain the league names?) This ten-team league consists of the eight teams that comprised the Texas League, with San Antonio and Wichita moving down from what used to be the AAA Pacific Coast League. Wichita makes its return to minor league baseball with the Wind Surge. The last franchise in that city now does business as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. </div><div><br /></div><div>Corpus Christi will play in the South division, which consists of all Texas clubs just like the old Texas League, alongside Amarillo (now a D-Backs affiliate), Frisco (Rangers), Midland (A's), and San Antonio (back with the Padres). The North division is, well, the Texas League's North division (Arkansas, NW Arkansas, Springfield, Tulsa) with Wichita added in.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Corpus Christi is the birthplace of Whataburger, the Hooks have decided to commemorate the beloved burger chain's Coastal Bend roots. You have probably seen the apparel collection, complete with their twist on the iconic orange W logo. Every Wednesday, they will take the field as the "Corpus Christi Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits," with jerseys that evoke the table tents that you get with every Whataburger order. </div><div><br /></div>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@cchooks/video/6954060790483717381" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6954060790483717381" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cchooks" target="_blank" title="@cchooks">@cchooks</a> <p>Get your 🔥 merch at cchooks.com/shop <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/whataburger" target="_blank" title="whataburger">##whataburger</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mlb" target="_blank" title="mlb">##MLB</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/milb" target="_blank" title="milb">##milb</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/baseball" target="_blank" title="baseball">##baseball</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" title="fyp">##fyp</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/astros" target="_blank" title="astros">##astros</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fastfood" target="_blank" title="fastfood">##fastfood</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen" target="_blank" title="greenscreen">##greenscreen</a></p> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Pumpkins-6777283937384269825" target="_blank" title="♬ Pumpkins - Clutch">♬ Pumpkins - Clutch</a></section></blockquote><p>Corpus opens its 2021 season Tuesday as they host the San Antonio Missions.</p><p><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>SOCIAL MEDIA/TEAM-RELATED ACCOUNTS</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;">Official website: <a href="https://www.milb.com/corpus-christi">cchooks.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks">@cchooks</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cchooks/">cchooks</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Michael Coffin, radio play-by-play, Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting: <a href="https://twitter.com/CoffinMJC">@CoffinMJC</a></div><p><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>COACHING STAFF</b></span></p><p>2014 Astro Gregorio Petit will finally get his first managerial opportunity. He was originally slated to take over as Hooks manager in 2020 and then you know what happened next.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Manager: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/petitgr01.shtml">Gregorio Petit</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pitching Coach: Graham Johnson</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hitting Coach: Rafael Pe<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ña</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Athletic Trainer: Nate Stewart</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Strength Coach: Mike Myers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>ROSTER</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Corpus Christi has served as a landing spot for many top Astros prospects to start and this year is no different. Hunter Brown appears to be on the fast track as he's skipping both A levels to begin his first full professional season with the Hooks. The man to watch, however, is Pedro <span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">León, the highly-touted Cuban outfielder who will be making his professional debut as an infielder. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">León has received significant hype in advance, but now it's time for him to deliver.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Italics - player bats/pitches left-handed</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bold - player is a switch-hitter</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Pitchers</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bermud000jon" style="font-style: italic;">Jonathan Berm</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bermud000jon" style="font-style: italic;">údez</a><i> - </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">23rd round, 2018 draft (Southeastern); played with Quad Cities and Corpus Christi in 2019</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brown-003hun">Hunter Brown</a> - 5th round, 2019 draft (Wayne State); Tri-City<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=collad000wil">Willy Collado</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; Corpus/Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=daniel000bre">Brett Daniels</a> - 17th round, 2018 draft (North Carolina); Corpus/Quad Cities<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dejune000tom">Tommy DeJuneas</a> - Acquired via trade from Cleveland for James Hoyt, 2018; Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=donato000cha">Chad Donato</a> - 11th round, 2016 draft (West Virginia); Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=france000jp-">J.P. France</a> - 14th round, 2018 draft (Mississippi State); Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hernan007nic">Nick Hernandez</a> - 8th round, 2016 draft (Houston); Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=horrel000mic">Michael Horrell</a> - 30th round, 2019 draft (Campbell); Tri-City<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mushin000par"><i>Parker Mushinski</i></a> - 7th round, 2017 draft (Texas Tech); Fayetteville, with rehab appearances in Tri-City and the Gulf Coast League<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Hunter Peck -</i> Undrafted free agent, 2020 (Georgia Gwinnett)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=record000joe">Joe Record</a> - Rule 5 draft selection (minor league phase) from Twins, 2020; Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers (Twins)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosado000ces">C</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosado000ces">ésar Rosado</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2014; Fayetteville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><b><i>Catchers</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=manea-000sco">Scott Manea</a> - Acquired via trade along with Ross Adolph and Luis Santana from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stubbs000cj-">C.J. Stubbs</a> - 10th round, 2019 draft (Southern Cal); Quad Cities/Tri-City<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Infielders</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal002nor"><i>Norel </i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal002nor"><i>Gonz</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal002nor"><i>ález</i></a> - International free agent (Cuba), 2021; last played in 2018-19 for Villa Clara (Cuban National Series)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hensle000dav">David Hensley</a> - 26th round, 2018 draft (San Diego State); Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kessin000gra">Grae Kessinger</a> - 2nd round, 2019 draft (Ole Miss); Quad Cities/Tri-City<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=leon--000ped">Pedro </a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=leon--000ped">León</a> </span></span>- International free agent (Cuba), 2021; last played in 2018-19 for Mayabeque (Cuban National Series)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=matije000jj-"><i>J.J. Matijevic</i></a> - 2nd round, 2017 draft (Arizona); Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wielan000mic">Michael Wielansky</a> - 18th round, 2018 draft (College of Wooster); Quad Cities<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Outfielders</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=adolph000ros">Ross Adolph</a> - </i>Acquired via trade along with Scott Manea and Luis Santana from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Fayetteville/Quad Cities</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=costes000mar">Marty Costes</a> - 22nd round, 2018 draft (Maryland); Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=julks-000cor">Corey Julks</a> - 8th round, 2017 draft (Houston); Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor011cha"><i>Chandler Taylor</i></a> - 10th round, 2018 draft (Alabama); Fayetteville</div> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-38149057334507637662021-05-01T21:38:00.006-05:002021-05-02T09:36:04.256-05:00Meet the Sugar Land Skeeters<p>As Jayne is on her sabbatical, it looks like I will be assuming the responsibility of operating <i>What the Heck, Bobby?</i></p><p>I recently made the decision to step away from my own blog for the time being, so that process is very much up in the air. I might just recap according to who's playing. Since Triple-A and Double-A have Wednesdays off, I'll start the posts on Thursday, add to them, and post on Wednesday.</p><p>The Class A clubs have Mondays off, so I'll utilize that same method starting on Tuesday and then adding to them until they're ready to post on Monday. So, I'll have at least two posts a week and probably a Farm Report at the end of the month. Seems manageable, especially since I had a recap post every single day.</p><p>Well, without further ado, let's meet the Houston Astros minor league affiliates! First up is the Sugar Land Skeeters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GB_l0-BnUcg/YI3rl2tc00I/AAAAAAAADI0/SKmVKVu0cjMFqCKXz14TkvkhrK_sL5PfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s720/314_sugar_land-skeeters-primary-2012.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="720" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GB_l0-BnUcg/YI3rl2tc00I/AAAAAAAADI0/SKmVKVu0cjMFqCKXz14TkvkhrK_sL5PfgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h315/314_sugar_land-skeeters-primary-2012.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo from Chris Creamer's <a href="https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/tuweveqr5le859g5wdz3ju1th/Sugar_Land_Skeeters/2012/Primary_Logo">SportsLogos.Net</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Established in 2012 in the independent Atlantic League, the Sugar Land Skeeters won two championships during its tenure as an independent league club in 2016 and 2018. Now, with the realignment of Minor League Baseball, the Skeeters will continue operations as the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate after the Astros purchased a majority ownership stake in the club back in November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sugar Land begins its journey as an affiliated club as members of the Triple-A West league, which consists of nine teams that were formerly in the Pacific Coast League; they are the one outlier, considering that they joined from the independent ranks. The Skeeters will play in AAA West's East division along with El Paso, Albuquerque, Round Rock, and Oklahoma City. The West teams are Las Vegas, Sacramento, Reno, Tacoma, and Salt Lake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sugar Land opens its season with 12 games on the road. They will open up with six in Albuquerque on Thursday and they'll head to Round Rock next Thursday, May 13.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Personally, I am excited that there will be a minor league baseball team close to home. I loved Corpus and I hope to head down there again soon, but the thought of not having to drive four hours is quite appealing to me. Plus, most of my family lives down in Sugar Land, so I can foresee a few gatherings of the cousins at Constellation Field in the future...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Skeeters have played at <a href="https://www.milb.com/sugar-land/ballpark/constellation-field">Constellation Field</a> since its inception. The stadium's most prominent feature is its Texas-shaped video board that forms the batter's eye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, a friend of mine recently got hired on as a scorekeeper for the Skeeters. He went for an opening on the Astros in that regard but didn't get that position. But, he tried again for Sugar Land and got it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>SOCIAL MEDIA</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Official website: <a href="https://www.milb.com/sugar-land">https://www.milb.com/sugar-land</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/SL_Skeeters">@SL_Skeeters</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sugarlandskeeters/">sugarlandskeeters</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can also find the various other social media platforms that they utilize on their official website, but for brevity's sake, I only listed the apps that I (and I'm sure most of you) use most often.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now... the 2021 Sugar Land Skeeters! This roster is preliminary and subject to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>COACHING STAFF</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.milb.com/sugar-land/news/astros-announce-skeeters-2021-coaching-staff">Press Release</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Manager: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/storemi01.shtml">Mickey Storey</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pitching Coach: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=abreu-002eri">Erick Abreu</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hitting Coach: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosent001ben">Ben Rosenthal</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Development Coach: Sean Connole</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strength and Conditioning Coach: Hazael Wessin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Athletic Trainers: John Gregorich, A.J. Smith</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Erick Abreu moves up to Triple-A after spending 2019 as the pitching coach at Quad Cities. He was supposed to return to Quad Cities in 2020, but as you know... there was no Minor League season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b>ROSTER</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Italics - bats/throws left-handed</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Bold - switch-hitter</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Pitchers</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's an advanced group of mainly college guys, and they are essentially the same guys you've read about on here for the last three years. Tyler Ivey, Brett Conine, and Shawn Dubin could see some time in Houston this summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ronel Blanco and Jojanse Torres are a couple of Dominicans with fireballs who are still learning to harness their pitches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Austin Hansen and Colin McKee have shown that they can rack up some serious strikeout numbers as they've climbed the ladder. This is an aggressive assignment for Hansen, who carved up both Class A levels in 2019 and will be skipping Corpus to start 2021.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=blanco000ron">Ronel Blanco</a> - International free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2016; Blanco played in Corpus and Round Rock in 2019 and he also made four rehab appearances with Tri-City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=conine000bre">Brett Conine</a> - 11th round, 2018 draft (Cal State Fullerton); Quad Cities/Fayetteville/Corpus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dubin-000sha">Shawn Dubin</a> - 13th round, 2018 draft (Georgetown College); Quad Cities/Fayetteville</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000ril">Riley Ferrell</a> - Returned to Astros by the Marlins during the 2019 season after being selected in the 2018 Rule 5 draft. Originally drafted by the Astros in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft (TCU). Ferrell played for five different teams in the Marlins and Astros systems in 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garza-000ral">Ralph Garza Jr.</a> - 26th round, 2015 draft (Oklahoma); Round Rock</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hansen001aus">Austin Hansen</a> - 8th round, 2018 draft (Oklahoma); Quad Cities/Fayetteville</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hartma002rya">Ryan Hartman</a> - </i>9th round, 2016 draft (Tennessee Wesleyan); Round Rock</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ivey--000tyl">Tyler Ivey</a> - 3rd round, 2017 draft (Grayson County College); Corpus Christi, with rehab appearances in Fayetteville and the Gulf Coast League</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin000set">Seth Martinez</a> - Rule 5 draft selection (minor league phase) from Athletics, 2020; Stockton/Midland</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckee-000col">Colin McKee</a> - 18th round, 2016 draft (Mercyhurst); Corpus/Round Rock<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrini01.shtml">Nivaldo Rodríguez</a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2016; Houston/Alternate Site in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=scheet000kit"><i>Kit Scheetz</i></a> - Undrafted free agent (Virginia Tech), 2017; Round Rock/Corpus, with two rehab appearances in the GCL<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres000joj">Jojanse Torres</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2018; Fayetteville/Quad Cities<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Catchers</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=papier000mic">Michael Papierski</a> - </b>9th round, 2017 draft (LSU); Fayetteville</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=quinta000lor">Lorenzo Quintana</a> - International free agent (Cuba), 2018; Round Rock/Corpus<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shaver000col">Colton Shaver</a> - 39th round, 2017 draft (BYU); Fayetteville/Corpus<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stubbga01.shtml"><i>Garrett Stubbs</i></a> - 8th round, 2015 draft (Southern Cal); 14 games with Houston in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Infielders</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Taylor Jones is probably making his way back to the Houston area to join the Skeeters as he was optioned to the Alternate Site on April 30. Miguelangel Sierra is skipping Corpus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/degotal01.shtml">Alex De Goti</a> - 15th round, 2016 draft (Barry); Round Rock, appeared in two games with Houston earlier this season<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hinojo001cj-">C.J. Hinojosa</a> - Minor league free agent signing, 2021; Biloxi (Brewers) in 2019, played in the Constellation Energy League with the Lightning Sloths in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra002mig">Miguelangel Sierra</a> - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; Fayetteville<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/toroab01.shtml"><b>Abraham Toro</b></a> - 5th round, 2016 draft (Seminole State College); 33 games with Houston in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Outfielders</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bryan De La Cruz is the longest-tenured member of the Astros organization; he originally signed with the Astros out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. I think I started writing for WTHB in 2013.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As this is his seventh season in the system, De La Cruz will be eligible for Minor League free agency following this season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dawsoro01.shtml"><i>Ronnie Dawson</i></a> - 2nd round, 2016 draft (Ohio State); Round Rock/Corpus, appeared in three games with Houston this season<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=delacr000bry">Bryan De La Cruz</a> - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2013; Fayetteville/Corpus<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=meyers000jak">Jake Meyers</a> - 13th round, 2017 draft (Nebraska); Corpus/Fayetteville<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=siri--000jos">Jose Siri</a> - Minor league free agent signing, 2020; Louisville/Chattanooga (Reds) in 2019, Giants Alternate Site in 2020<br /></div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-39189720414636606182021-03-12T09:26:00.000-06:002021-03-12T09:26:07.695-06:00See You LaterA year ago tomorrow, my life changed in ways that I never anticipated. My first 22,936 days on this planet had not prepared me for the next 365. Don’t get me wrong. I completely understand that I have been so much luckier than so many others, but luck is relative. I live alone and I have always enjoyed that. But more than enough of anything can be too much. I have struggled with depression and anxiety as so many of you have. Mix in more than a little heretofore uncharacteristic anger and bitterness toward the callousness of those whose selfish self-interest trumped simple basic human decency and respect for humanity, and the result became toxic at times. <br /><br />In survival mode, one has a tendency to dwell on getting through the here and now rather than on those things we’ve missed out on. But there were so many things that went by the wayside. My sweet friend Buca’s wedding, my great-niece’s high school graduation, a long-planned (and much needed) home renovation, a family trip to Vienna and Budapest, an entire summer of carefully planned minor league trips (hell, an entire minor league season!), the Olympic games (I watch the games like the obsessively demented crazy person that I am), and an EPIC 3-week+ late summer road trip that was going to take me through 12 states (!) with the highlight being Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I also missed saying goodbye to my lovely Aunt Elaine, the last of her generation, lost more to ignorance and negligence than to the virus. <br /><br />It hasn’t been all bad, though. The weekly Zoom happy hours with my family have brought me closer to them, particularly my adult nieces who are all funny, caring, wonderful women (and all are fierce as hell!). I learned that meditation is legit. I reconnected with several friends who I hadn’t talked to in far too long. And I started research for a book on the draft that I’d been thinking about for several years since I suddenly had enough time to dive into what had before seemed like an unrealistically formidable process. <br /><br />Looking forward to spending time indoors and unmasked with my sister over the holidays (after each of us strictly self-quarantined for two weeks) kept me going. The hugs alone were life-affirming. But then came the insurrection and I went into a very dark place. The worst moment for me over the last year came less than a month ago when, after 11 months of relative isolation, I lost cell service on top of losing power during a lethal winter storm. I couldn’t call anyone. I couldn’t text anyone. I’ve never felt so alone and isolated in my entire life and I hope to hell I never feel that way again. <br /><br />The slow roll-out of the vaccine in Houston and the (in my opinion) terrible communication regarding signup didn’t help my mood. I was tracking how long it would take to vaccinate 80% of the adult population of Harris County as an approximation of herd immunity and, based on the rates from a month ago, it would take around 16 months (it has gotten much better, but Texas still lags all but 2 or 3 states). Intellectually, I knew that I would get the vaccine far sooner than that, but my anxiety levels soared with all the “what-if’s.” Friends and family suggested I seek out the vaccine in a different county or state, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. What could be more “white privilegey” than taking someone else’s spot in line just because I could? <br /><br />But on February 24th, the fog finally lifted. An angel by the name of Erin who I have never met and who I only know from Twitter seemed to understand my angst regarding the vaccine and she made it her goal in life to make sure I got the shot. I woke up to an urgent DM from Erin about a supply from CVS that would be going fast. I texted the link to my sister first and then, hands literally shaking, I was able to sign up and got my confirmation. My sister’s signup was not as seamless. For whatever reason, she had to put in random zip codes until one finally took. But it did take and suddenly there really was a light at the end of the tunnel. <br /><br />Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve thought a lot about my life and what is truly important to me. I keep coming back to something that a friend my age once said to me. Over an occasional lunch, we would often discuss our love of travel and any future plans. At one particular lunch, I asked where his next trip would be and he said that he was getting pickier about where he would go because as he put it, “At my age, I know that I only have so many trips left in me.” <br /><br />That off-hand comment from six or seven years ago has made me look at things differently, from how many trips I have left in me to take to how many books I have left in me to read and other such things. I’ll be 64 in a couple of months. Realistically, based on family history, I have maybe 20 to 25 years left on this beautiful orb. It could be far less if things go sideways. And I just lost one of those years. It’s gone. I can’t get it back. And I didn’t check one single item off my bucket list during that year. <br /><br />2021 is going to be about me. It’s going to be about my family. It’s going to be about hopping in the car and exploring new places or re-visiting old favorites. It’s going to be about reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. It’s going to be about getting long-delayed work on my house done. It’s going to be about reading purely for pleasure, taking photos for pleasure and watching baseball for pleasure. <br /><br /><div>What it’s not going to be is unnecessary stress. After a year of focusing on keeping myself alive and not killing anyone else, I’ve never felt a greater desire to be unencumbered. I will work on my book at my own pace and when I want to and not put arbitrary deadlines on myself. And, to address the elephant in the room, I won’t be writing regularly on the blog in 2021. I don’t know if I’ll write at all this year, but I suspect I will at some point. I just don’t want to feel like I have to. <br /><br />So it’s time for this old bird to leave the nest while I still can. I may and probably will swoop in from time to time this season, but it will only be because I want to, not because I feel I need to. I hope that my co-conspirator Dustin will continue to contribute his excellent recaps, but that is and has always been totally up to him. He has been such a terrific partner over the years and I want him to do what makes him happy too. <br /><br />I can’t wait to go to Corpus Christi and catch a few Hooks games with some of the wonderful friends I’ve made without spending 8+ hours at the ballpark for early work, batting practice and interviews and games. I won’t miss spending 5 or 6 hours back at the hotel going through my photos and uploading them or spending several days transcribing my interview notes before writing them up. This has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, but eliminating that admittedly self-imposed pressure for a little while sounds like heaven. I’ll see you guys in the stands in Corpus or Sugar Land or Houston or wherever else I find myself. <br /><br />We will see what 2022 brings (and how the CBA negotiations go), but I will mostly be on hiatus in 2021. Consider this a “see you later” and not a “goodbye.” Stay safe, stay sane and start living life again as soon as you are able.</div><div><br /></div><div>And one last thing to remind us all that change is the one thing in life that is certain ...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VUbdK6amQs/YEuFBrpY_aI/AAAAAAAAGyY/9pB0HXStjSQG3CxeOgsbrhTg75BEbHwqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/George%2BJayne%2BRafy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VUbdK6amQs/YEuFBrpY_aI/AAAAAAAAGyY/9pB0HXStjSQG3CxeOgsbrhTg75BEbHwqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/George%2BJayne%2BRafy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">George Springer, Me, Rafy Valenzuela</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">August 2012 - Lancaster, CA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm going to miss you, George!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-58900257796609225792021-02-18T11:59:00.006-06:002021-02-18T18:15:15.038-06:002021 MiLB Schedule Reveal (plus quick refresher on new MiLB structure)Yes, I'm still here. As long as there's baseball to talk about, Jayne and I will still be here. We hope that we can give you something to take your minds off the chaos that has run riot on society over the last year or so. The 2021 Minor League schedule is now out, but first, I want to put out a quick refresher on the changes that have come to Minor League Baseball.<div><br /></div><div>In case you missed it, Minor League Baseball as we know it has been radically changed forever. The domestic short-season leagues are no longer affiliated with MLB clubs, and its member clubs have dispersed between the old Rookie leagues that have now been repurposed into summer leagues for college players and existing independent leagues that are now considered "MLB Partner Leagues," which means that these independent leagues are technically no longer independent from the Major League Baseball purview. The only "Rookie-level" minor league teams will be based out of the spring training and Dominican complexes.</div><div><br /></div><div>All 30 MLB teams will have four affiliate clubs. For the Houston Astros, their organization ladder is as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div>AAA: Sugar Land Skeeters (Triple-A West, East Division) </div><div>AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A Central, South Division; which is essentially the Texas League with two Pacific Coast League teams joining the league) </div><div>Class A Advanced: Asheville Tourists (High-A East, South Division)</div><div>Class A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Low-A East, Central Division)</div><div>And then you have the complex leagues, which won't change.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, on to the schedule. All series will be six games in length, with Monday designated as an off-day for everyone for travel and safety purposes. </div><div><br /></div><div>AAA Opening Day is scheduled for April 8, with Sugar Land traveling to Reno. They will then head to Sacramento for six games before returning to Sugar Land for their home opener on April 22 against Salt Lake. AAA will have a 142-game season that finishes on September 21.</div><div><br /></div><div>Double-A and both Class A leagues will have a 120-game season that starts May 4 and ends September 19. Corpus Christi welcomes San Antonio to Whataburger Field to kick off the 2021 season, while Asheville hosts the Brooklyn Cyclones. Fayetteville will begin their 2021 season on the road against the Carolina Mudcats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Click each team's name to view their schedule.</div><div><a href="https://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/schedule">Sugar Land</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.milb.com/corpus-christi/schedule/2021-05">Corpus Christi</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/cj2vsmbvh4ynjwntugov.pdf">Asheville</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/ubppyxdatehktcgnt92j.pdf">Fayetteville</a></div><div><br /></div><div>As the season gets closer, I'll try to put out a "Know the Team" series to get everyone familiar with each affiliate. And of course, all dates are subject to change.</div>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-55662361811654663132020-11-10T17:29:00.003-06:002020-12-10T12:02:58.004-06:002020 Rule 5 Draft<p> 2020 Rule 5 Draft Primer and Eligible Players</p><div>Post Draft Update ...</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">To recap the Astros’ 2020 Rule 5 Draft:<br /><br />-lost bullpen prospect Jose Alberto Rivera to the Angels<br /><br />-lost outfielder Drew Ferguson the Mets and catcher Chuckie Robinson to the Reds in the MiLB phase<br /><br />-added relievers Joe Record (Twins) & Seth Martinez (A’s) in the MiLB phase</p>— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemkaplan/status/1337094473050939392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>[Update: Five players had their contracts selected by the Astros in advance of the Rule 5 Draft which will be held on Thursday, December 10th. See the list below for updated availability.]</div><div><br /></div>Here is a primer based on my understanding of how the Rule 5 draft works and a list of current draft eligible players. I am including additional information below regarding my best guess on what players will be considered for protection.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYyHMfye3r0/X6se0FInecI/AAAAAAAAGvI/BpfrMtU7R_Y6H-4ysXaJCfxaQ2S12hizwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/32897733707_e9245234b0_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYyHMfye3r0/X6se0FInecI/AAAAAAAAGvI/BpfrMtU7R_Y6H-4ysXaJCfxaQ2S12hizwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/32897733707_e9245234b0_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forrest Whitley - May 2019</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0oJ8XsgPjs/X6se5c4oA1I/AAAAAAAAGvM/6T22tqXvp_sXEdYWFu1VCVZxmzAdVKxVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s726/48411234362_ef29eefdb1_c%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0oJ8XsgPjs/X6se5c4oA1I/AAAAAAAAGvM/6T22tqXvp_sXEdYWFu1VCVZxmzAdVKxVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/48411234362_ef29eefdb1_c%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Freudis Nova - July 2019</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by Jayne Hansen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">RULE 5</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Rule 5 draft (no, it's not the Rule V draft; please stop calling it that!) was updated somewhat prior to 2016's draft in two ways: it eliminated the lower of two minor league phases of the draft and it increased the compensation payment to teams for players who are lost through the draft. Here is the text of Rule 5 with the <b><span style="color: blue;">Eligibility Rules highlighted in Blue</span></b>.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Rule 5<br />ANNUAL SELECTION OF PLAYERS<br />(a) MEETINGS. A selection meeting shall be held each year at such time and place as the Commissioner shall designate and shall be known as the Rule 5 Selection Meeting. At the Rule 5 Selection Meeting, Major League Clubs may claim the contracts of players who are on Minor League Reserve Lists (filed pursuant to Rule 2) and who are subject to selection as set forth in this Rule 5. If any Major League or Minor League Club shall fail to file Minor League Reserve Lists in accordance with Major League Rule 2, its players on Minor League Reserve Lists shall be subject to selection under this Rule 5 without any restrictions. The Commissioner shall decide all procedural questions that may arise during the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.<br />(b) METHOD AND PRIORITY OF SELECTIONS. Selections under this Rule 5 shall be made in two separate phases: the Major League phase and the Class AAA phase. A player selected in one of these phases must be placed on the Major League Club’s Reserve List in the same classification of the phase in which the player was selected. Within each phase, only players from a Reserve List of a lower classification Club are eligible for selection. Within each phase, selections shall be made according to the following order and conditions:<br />(1) Major League Clubs shall select in reverse order of their winning percentages at the close of the preceding championship season, without regard to standings within any Division or League and without regard to post-season results. If two or more Clubs had an identical percentage of games won at the close of the preceding championship season, the selection order of those Clubs shall be determined by the percentage of games won in the next prior championship season, with any remaining ties resolved by continuing to examine the tied Clubs’ respective championship season winning percentages in each preceding prior year, until the tie is broken.<br />(2) As called in the above order of priority in a phase, each Major League Club shall have a right to select one player subject to selection under this Rule 5. If a Club does not exercise its right of selection when called, or if its right of selection in that phase has ceased because its Reserve List(s) for the classification covered by the phase has reached the allowable limit under Rule 2, the next Club in order shall be called. When a round has been completed, the process of selection shall be repeated until all Major League Clubs have no further right of selection in that phase. A Club<br />having announced its selection in proper order cannot later cancel the selection.<br />(3) In any year in which one or more new members have been admitted to a Major League for operations in the next championship season, each such new member may select player contracts under this Rule 5. The procedures and regulations governing such selections shall be as agreed upon by the Major League Clubs.<br />(4) Any Major League Club may authorize (in writing or by electronic communication) any employee, the Commissioner, or an employee of the Commissioner’s Office to announce its selection or selections at the meeting. Such authorized selections shall be as binding and effective as if announced by a Major League Club official.<br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>(c) PLAYERS SUBJECT TO SELECTION. All players on the Minor League Reserve Lists of Major League and Minor League Clubs, except players on the Voluntarily Retired, Disqualified or Ineligible Lists, shall be subject to selection by other Major League Clubs at the Rule 5 Selection Meeting in accordance with the following:</b></span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(1) A player without previous Major or Minor League service who signs with a Major League or independent Minor League Club shall be subject to selection based on the following:</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(A) if 18 years of age or under on the June 5 immediately preceding the player’s signing, the player shall be subject to selection at the fifth Rule 5 Selection Meeting that follows the signing date of the player’s first Major or Minor League contract, unless Rule 5(c)(1)(C) applies;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(B) if 19 years of age or over on the June 5 immediately preceding the player’s signing, the player shall be subject to selection at the fourth Selection Meeting that follows the signing date of the player’s first Major or Minor League contract, unless Rule 5(c)(1)(C) applies;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(C) if the signing date of a player’s first Major or Minor League contract is between</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(i) the conclusion of the championship season for the Major or Minor League Club to which the player is assigned on such contract and</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(ii) the next Rule 5 Selection Meeting,</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">then the player shall be deemed to have signed after the next Rule 5 Selection Meeting, for purposes of this Rule 5(c)(1).</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(2) A player who is re-signed by a Club within one year from the date the Club released the player shall be subject to draft at the Rule 5 Selection Meeting following the date of the latest contract with that Club.</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(3) A player who has been subject to draft at a Rule 5 Selection Meeting shall be subject to draft at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List (filed pursuant to Rule 2 (Player Limits and Reserve Lists)) at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(4) A player</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(A) whose contract has been assigned outright by a Major League Club to a Minor League Club,</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(B) who has been signed as a free agent to a Minor League Uniform Player Contract for services in the following year and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), or</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(C) who has been released unconditionally from a Minor League roster and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), shall be subject to selection at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List (filed pursuant to Rule 2 (Player Limits and Reserve Lists)) at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">(5) A Major League or independent Minor League Club may designate any player on one of its Minor League Reserve Lists to be subject to selection who otherwise would not be selectable under this Rule 5.</span></b><br />(d) CONSIDERATION, PAYMENT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. The consideration for a selection under this Rule 5 shall be as follows:<br />(1) $100,000, if the selected player is placed on a Major League Reserve List;<br />(2) $24,000, if the selected player is placed on a Class AAA Reserve List;<br />In addition to the compensation set forth in this paragraph, an independent Minor League Club shall be reimbursed by a selecting Major League Club for all compensation (including salary, bonuses and benefits) that it has paid to a selected player if the player is selected at the first selection meeting following the first year of the player’s initial Minor League Uniform Player Contract. Payment of the consideration due the selectee Club shall be made in the same manner as provided in Rule 12 Transfer Agreements) regarding other assignments of player contracts. The selector Major League Club must assume all responsibility for the player’s physical condition and for the player’s reporting.<br />(e) PLAYER-MANAGERS. A Player-Manager shall be subject to selection if the player would otherwise be selectable under Rule 5(c) (Players Subject to Selection). However, a player-manager shall be subject to selection as a player only and the player-manager selected may reject such selection by giving written or electronic notification of such rejection to the Commissioner within 30 days from the date that the player-manager receives notification of such selection from the Commissioner. A player-manager contract that has been executed within 30 days before the close of the season shall not be changed to a player contract during the season following execution of such player-manager contract unless the Commissioner approves such a change in writing.<br />(f) COVERING UP. No agreement shall be made for the purpose or with the effect of covering up a player from selection. If the Commissioner shall be of opinion that any such agreement has been made, the Commissioner may impose a fine upon each party to such an agreement.</blockquote></div><div><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">RULE 5 ELIGIBILITY</b><br /><br />The highlighted passage above regarding Rule 5 eligibility is somewhat cumbersome. What it means in English is that this year's eligible players basically include: 1) any player who signed prior to the end of the 2016 season; and 2) players who signed after the end of the 2016 season and prior to the end of the 2017 season who were 19 years old or older when they signed. That means most 2017 drafted college players are eligible, but high school players (and some community college players) drafted in 2017 may not be eligible until next year. For the international free agents, one needs to know when the player signed his first professional agreement and his age at signing to make the determination. There is an exception based on players who signed during the off-season, but otherwise, that is the basic gist of it.</div><div><br /><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">MAJOR LEAGUE PHASE OF THE RULE 5 DRAFT</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The first phase of the Rule 5 draft is the major league phase. In order to protect an eligible player from being drafted in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, he must be on the major league club's 40-man roster prior to November 20th (if that falls on a business day). Players on the 40-man roster at that deadline are considered "protected."<br /><br />Obviously not all of a team's best players can be protected on the 40-man roster. That is where the AAA Reserve List helps. If a player from the AAA Reserve List is drafted in the Rule 5 draft, that player must remain on the drafting team's 25-man major league roster for the full season or he will have to be put through waivers. If claimed, the new team will be subject to the same conditions regarding that player. If not claimed, the player will be offered back to the team from which he was drafted.<br /><br />The cost of drafting a player in the major league phase of the draft is now $100,000. If the player is offered back to the team from which he was drafted, the original team must pay $50,000 back to the drafting team. If the original team declines, the player will be put on waivers.<br /><br />Last season <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesta01.shtml" target="_blank">1B Taylor Jones</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/javiecr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Cristian Javier</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pareden01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Enoli Paredes</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrini01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez</a> were added to the 40-man roster by the Astros in advance of the deadline. The front office made the determination that these players were the most likely players to be taken in the Rule 5 draft. The front office took a calculated risk by not adding other players such as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dawson002ron" target="_blank">OF Ronnie Dawson</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arauzjo01.shtml" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (who were both in the Astros Top 30 at the time) to the 40-man roster, but only included them on the AAA Reserve List. They made a determination as to which players, if drafted, were more likely to "stick" on a major league roster for a full season and had mixed success in that one of the three unprotected players claimed in last year's Rule 5 draft (<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailebr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a>) was returned to the team, but two other players were lost. The rules for sticking with a team changed in 2020 due to the pandemic-shortened season, but <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramiryo01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (Seattle) and SS Jonathan Arauz (Boston) ultimately stuck.</div><div><br />Since players taken in the Rule 5 draft have to remain on the drafting team's 25-man roster for the full season, pitchers are taken much more frequently than position players simply because it's fairly easy to use a pitcher sparingly out of the bullpen. Position players can't be tucked away quite so neatly if they struggle. It all comes down to another team's ability to find room on their 25-man roster for a full season. It's simply not that easy to do and that's why so very few players are drafted in the Rule 5 draft and stick with a team.<br /><br />It's also the case that often minor league fans overvalue prospects. We may think much more highly of a player than the other teams' front offices do. When all is said and done, the Astros front office will take some risks in leaving players unprotected, but it will be a highly educated guess based on many factors, including future needs.<br /><br /><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">MINOR LEAGUE PHASE OF THE RULE 5 DRAFT</b><br /><br />There is now only one minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, reduced from two phases in earlier years. The players on the 40-man roster and the AAA reserve list aren't eligible to be taken in the minor league phase of the draft. To my knowledge the AAA reserve list is still set at 38 players so, in essence, you are protecting your top 78 players from the minor league phase. (As far as I know, AAA Reserve Lists are not made public so we are left to guess who the Astros will be shielding from the minor league phase of the draft.)<br /><br />In the AAA Phase of the draft, a player who is on the AA Reserve List or lower can be drafted for inclusion on the drafting team's AAA Reserve list for a cost of $24,000. The kicker on the minor league phase of the draft is that the drafted player basically becomes that team's property. There is no requirement to offer the player back if he doesn't work out. He can be traded, released, etc. at a team's discretion.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>ASTROS 2020 RULE 5 ELIGIBLE PLAYERS</b></span><br /><br />According to my records, the following are those players who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December if they are left unprotected. I am grouping them into two categories, those who ended the 2019 season at High A or above and those who ended the 2019 season at Low A or below. Players who are first year eligible have been #'d. Players who are currently on the MLB Pipeline Top 30 Prospect List (as of 11/10) have their ranking noted.<br /><br />This is going to be a tough one. There are NINE players from the Astros Top 30 available and currently only four openings on the 40-man roster (as of 11/10). Regardless of any issues that Forrest Whitley has had, at number 1 in the prospect pecking order, he's pretty much a lock for one of those spaces. And, although Freudis Nova hasn't played above Low A, I'm not sure that the Astros are going to want to expose their number 2 prospect either. Beyond that, you have a number of pitching prospects that other teams will be taking a hard look at. Personally, Jairo Solis would have the edge for me even though he hasn't pitched above Low A; he is a special talent and will be two years removed from TJ surgery. But Jose Alberto Rivera, Tyler Ivey and Peter Solomon will all be attractive targets as well. From a position player standpoint, Ronnie Dawson (#29) is probably as ready for prime time as he's going to get. And there are certainly other players on this list who aren't currently on the Top 30 prospect list that could help another team out immediately. In particular, Alex DeGoti, Collin McKee and Ralph Garza stand out for me. But, unfortunately, all of this conjecture is based on the 2019 season since there was no actual minor league season in 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think this may very well be an unusually active Rule 5 draft as well. With smaller draft classes likely to become the norm and payrolls being squeezed by the pandemic, teams are going to be looking for bargains. It will not be surprising if the Astros lose a number of players unless they are able to find a bit more wiggle room on the roster.</div><div><br /></div><b>Players Ending 2019 at High A or above</b><div><b><br /></b><div><b>Position Players</b><br /><span><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=adams-000luk" target="_blank">#1B Jake Adams</a></span></div><div><b><span><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dawson002ron" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">OF Ronnie Dawson</span></a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span>#29</span></b></div><div><span><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=delacr000bry">OF Bryan de la Cruz</a></span></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=degoti000ale" target="_blank">IF Alex De Goti</a><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fergus000dre">OF Drew Ferguson</a></span></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=julks-000cor" target="_blank">OF Corey Julks</a> </div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=manea-000sco" target="_blank">C Scott Manea</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=matije000jj-" target="_blank">#1B/OF J.J. Matijevic</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=meyers000jak" target="_blank">#OF Jake Meyers</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=papier000mic" target="_blank">#C Mike Papierski</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins000chu" target="_blank">C Chuckie Robinson</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shaver000col" target="_blank">#3B/C Colton Shaver</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra000ani" target="_blank">SS Anibal Sierra</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra002mig">SS Miguelangel Sierra</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wrenn-002ste" target="_blank">OF Stephen Wrenn</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000enm" target="_blank">2B/3B Enmanuel Valdez</a><br /><br /><b>Pitchers</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=benede000car" target="_blank">LHP/OF Carmen Benedetti</a> (was converting to pitcher in 2019)</div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=blanco000ron" target="_blank">RHP Ronel Blanco</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ceball000yer" target="_blank">#LHP Yeremi Ceballos</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=collad000wil" target="_blank">#RHP Willy Collado</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dejune000tom" target="_blank">#RHP Tommy DeJuneas</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=donato000cha" target="_blank">RHP Chad Donato</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000ril">RHP Riley Ferrell</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garza-000ral">RHP Ralph Garza</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hartma002rya" target="_blank">LHP Ryan Hartman</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hernan007nic" target="_blank">RHP Nick Hernandez</a></div><div><b><strike><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ivey--000tyl" target="_blank">#RHP Tyler Ivey</a> #12</strike> - Contract selected</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=larue-000car" target="_blank">RHP Carson LaRue</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckee-000col" target="_blank">RHP Colin McKee</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mushin000par" target="_blank">#LHP Parker Mushinski</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig008leo" target="_blank">RHP Leovanny Rodriguez</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosado000ces" target="_blank">RHP Cesar Rosado</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=scheet000kit" target="_blank">#LHP Kit Scheetz</a></div><div><b><strike><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=solomo000pet" target="_blank">#RHP Peter Solomon</a> #27 (TJ surgery in 2019)</strike> - Contract selected</b></div><div><b><u><strike><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres000joj" target="_blank">RHP Jojanse Torres</a> </span>#15</strike></u> - Not eligible this year due to a signing irregularity</b></div><div><b><strike><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whitle000for" target="_blank">#RHP Forrest Whitley</a> #1</strike> - Contract selected<br /></b><br /><b>Players ending 2019 at Low A or lower</b></div><div><br /><b>Position Players</b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=alvare014jos" target="_blank">#C Jose Alvarez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=carras000deu" target="_blank">#SS Deury Carrasco</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castil004ger" target="_blank">#C Gerry Castillo</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ceuta-000yor" target="_blank">#SS Yorbin Ceuta</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=machad000car">OF Carlos Machado</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mendoz000sea" target="_blank">#3B Sean Mendoza</a></div><div><b><strike><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nova--000fre" target="_blank">#IF Freudis Nova</a> #2</strike> - Contract selected</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yeu" target="_blank">IF Yeuris Ramirez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig002ner" target="_blank">#C Nerio Rodriguez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig018ram" target="_blank">#OF Ramiro Rodriguez</a></div><div><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=santan002lui" target="_blank">#SS Luis Santana</a> #19</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=urdane000ron" target="_blank">IF Ronaldo Urdaneta</a> <br /><br /><b>Pitchers</b><br /><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bojorq000ger" target="_blank">#RHP Gerardo Bojorquez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bravo-000jos" target="_blank">#RHP Jose Bravo</a> </div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chavez000jer" target="_blank">LHP Jervic Chavez</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chavez000lup" target="_blank">RHP Lupe Chavez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia004fre" target="_blank">#RHP Freylin Garcia</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia004ron" target="_blank">#RHP Ronny Garcia</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal000fla" target="_blank">#RHP Flaer Gonzalez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-016jua" target="_blank">#LHP Juan Pablo Lopez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=macuar000ang" target="_blank">#RHP Angel Macuare</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=medina003fre" target="_blank"><strike>RHP Fredy Medina</strike></a> - Traded to the Reds<br /><b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rivera011jos" target="_blank">#RHP Jose Alberto Rivera</a> #14</b></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig004eli" target="_blank">#RHP Elian Rodriguez</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ruppen000mat" target="_blank">#RHP Matt Ruppenthal</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=serran000kyl" target="_blank">#RHP Kyle Serrano</a><br /><b><strike><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=solis-000jai" target="_blank">#RHP Jairo Solis</a> #8 (TJ surgery in 2018)</strike> - Contract selected</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sandov000edg">RHP Edgardo Sandoval</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tejada001fel" target="_blank">RHP Felipe Tejada</a><br /><br />#First year eligibility for Rule 5 Draft<br /><br />In addition to the above, the following players are now minor league free agents as of the conclusion of the major league season and they can explore free agency.<br /><br /><b>Minor League Free Agents</b><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=campos002osc">C Oscar Campos</a><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=canelo000car">C Carlos Canelon</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deetzde01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Dean Deetz</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=duarte000osv">IF Osvaldo Duarte</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mccurr000bre">RHP Brendan McCurry</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ritchi000jam">C Jamie Ritchie</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=saldan000abd">RHP Abdiel Saldana</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taniel000nic">3B Nick Tanielu</a></div><div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000gab">RHP Gabriel Valdez</a><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-16605096735347155712020-10-18T08:34:00.004-05:002020-10-18T08:34:37.120-05:00Glass HousesLast night I was, of course, watching the final game of the ALCS. I was very happy that the Astros were able to battle back from a 0-3 deficit, but I wasn’t particularly surprised that their efforts fell short as they dealt with injuries and everything else that was a part of this hellscape we call 2020. <br /><br />I was legitimately happy for the Rays to move on to the World Series and was about to post a congratulatory tweet when I saw the Rays AAA affiliate Durham Bulls put out a tweet calling the Astros trash. Here I am seeing a ton of Astros fans sincerely congratulating the Rays, and this Rays affiliate seems to be more excited to “trash” the Astros than they are about the fact that their team just advanced to the World Series. Nothing like being a sore winner. <br /><br />Here’s the deal. I do not now nor have I ever condoned what the Astros did. They stole signs in a manner that was against the rules and it shouldn’t have happened. But it did. At the time, I wrote a post telling the players involved to grow up. Well, guess what? They did. They confessed. They apologized. And they owned it. And, in retrospect, that was the problem. Other teams were cheating in similar fashion around the same time. But they chose to obfuscate and cover up their investigations with the winking consent of Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. The Yankees have fought to keep sealed a letter regarding their own scandal because it “might harm their reputation.” No confessions. No apologies. And no owning it for them. Just sweeping it under the rug. <br /><br />I was not proud of what the Astros did, but I am proud of the way the players handled it. They did not deflect blame. They did not hide behind Manfred’s skirts. They owned it. Carlos Correa went from a boy to a man in the blink of an eye and I could not be prouder of him. He became the team leader and franchise spokesman. Bregman ramped up his efforts to help the community during the current crisis. They refuse to let this scandal define them as people or as players. <br /><br />The fans of other teams view the collective Astros brand as the boogeyman. They do not see the individual players for what they are. And these same people have zero self-awareness. Hey, Rays fans, since the Astros are so evil, please send us Charlie Morton back. He was one of those 2017 Cheating ‘Stros. You must really hate him. And while you’re at it, you can send us back your third base coach (Rodney Linares) and one of your bullpen pitchers (Ryan Thompson) because they were in the Astros system in 2017 and you wouldn’t want to risk being tainted by their Astros stank. And I know you just acquired Brett Phillips, but you do know that he is besties with Lance McCullers and Carlos Correa, right? And worst of all, you have a Special Assistant to the GM (Bobby Heck) that was, gasp, the Scouting Director for the Astros and was instrumental in signing George Springer and Carlos Correa. How do you know that he isn’t trying to corrupt your organization? And it’s not just the Rays. You will be hard-pressed to find an MLB organization with zero connection to this team. The Astros tentacles are everywhere. <br /><br />This is the reality. Someone on your favorite team may very well be trying to get an edge by stealing signs or by doctoring a baseball or by taking performance-enhancing drugs. Or they may be gambling on baseball. Or they may be going out of their way to intentionally hurt other players with hard slides or beanballs. Or they may be domestic abusers. Or they may be stone-cold cowards who like to date underage girls (I’m looking at you A’s). Or your front office may be trying to steal proprietary information. Or your coaches or managers may be the ones who persuaded players to cheat. Or you may have players on your team who are just lousy human beings. Your team is only as pure and blameless as the worst person in your organization. Go ahead and throw stones, but don’t be surprised when the glass gets broken in your own house. <br /><br />Oh, and one final word. Since the Astros (booga booga booga) are so horrible and evil, I am assuming that there is not one single fan of another team that will want George Springer in free agency. Who could possibly want “trash” like that? With that said, I am sincerely happy for the Rays and would like to congratulate them on moving on to the World Series. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-15339807422248400042020-07-24T09:03:00.001-05:002020-08-20T14:37:21.770-05:00It's Opening Day ... in JulySo, I guess we're actually going to do this thing ... at least at the major league level. I've been on an extended hiatus while the world is burning down around us to concentrate on my own well-being, both mental and physical. Ironically, I was really feeling rested and more ready for this MiLB season than I had in a while. But, alas and alack, it was not meant to be. I certainly plan to continue WTHB and will post from time to time until minor league baseball is back, but in the meantime, I am heavy into a research project for a book I've been wanting to write for a while; the time involved always seemed prohibitive, but suddenly I have all the time in the world.<br />
<br />
Let's catch up (or at least refresh our memories a bit) on minor league happenings ...<br />
<br />
<b>RULE 5 DRAFT</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<b>MLB JUNE DRAFT</b><br />
<br />
The Astros signed all four of their draft picks.<br />
<br />
Round 2, Pick 72: Alex Santos II, RHP, Mount St. Michael Academy (Bronx, NY) - <a href="https://twitter.com/alexxmansantos">@alexxmansantos</a>; committed to Maryland<br />
Round 3, Pick 101: Tyler Brown, RHP, Vanderbilt - <a href="https://twitter.com/TbTy10">@TbTy10</a><br />
Round 4, Pick 131: Zach Daniels, OF, Tennessee - <a href="https://twitter.com/zach_daniels2/">@zach_daniels2</a><br />
Round 5, Pick 160: Shay Whitcomb, SS, UC San Diego - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shay_whitcomb/">@shay_whitcomb</a> (Instagram)<br />
<br />
In addition, in light of the extremely abbreviated 2020 draft, the Astros signed several undrafted free agents as well.<br />
<br />
Jimmy Endersby, RHP, Concordia University Irvine (California) - <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmyendersby20">@jimmyendersby20</a><br />
Justin Dirden, OF, Southeast Missouri State - <a href="https://twitter.com/j_dirr">@j_dirr</a><br />
César Gomez, RHP, UT-Arlington - <a href="https://twitter.com/CDaGoat9">@CDaGoat9</a><br />
Peter Zimmermann, IF, Missouri - <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterZim30">@PeterZim30</a><br />
Jonathan Sprinkle, RHP, Central Missouri - <a href="https://twitter.com/JSprinkle47">@JSprinkle47</a><br />
Kyle Gruller, RHP, Houston Baptist - <a href="https://twitter.com/Kylegruller17">@Kylegruller17</a><br />
Cody Orr, OF, Tiffin - <a href="http://cody_orr14/">@Cody_Orr14</a><br />
Zack Matthews, RHP, Oklahoma - <a href="https://twitter.com/zack8matthews">@zack8matthews</a><br />
J.C. Correa, IF, Lamar - <a href="https://twitter.com/Jc_Correa1">@Jc_Correa1</a><div>Hunter Peck, LHP, Georgia Gwinnett College - <a href="https://twitter.com/H_Peck11">@H_Peck11</a><br />
<br />
Many thanks to my partner in crime, Dustin, for keeping up with all this while I've been checked out!<br />
<br />
<b>ASTROS ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?cid=3252" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to the players who are currently assigned to the Astros alternate training site.<br />
<br />
<b>OTHER TRANSACTIONS</b><br />
<br />
Here are the other Astros minor league transactions since the end of the 2019 season.<br />
<br />
7/23: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> contract selected<br />
6/5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nix---002jam" target="_blank">OF James Nix</a> (Tri-City) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=adcock000bre" target="_blank">LHP Brett Adcock</a> (Round Rock) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castro004rub" target="_blank">C Ruben Castro</a> (Round Rock) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000jus" target="_blank">RHP Justin Ferrell</a> (Corpus Christi) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sandov000edg" target="_blank">RHP Edgardo Sandoval</a> (Fayetteville) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=billin000jac" target="_blank">RHP Jacob Billingsley</a> (Fayetteville) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=depaul003lui" target="_blank">RHP Luis de Paula</a> (Quad Cities) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=figuer004mig" target="_blank">RHP Miguel Figueroa</a> (Quad Cities) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dennis000aus" target="_blank">2B Austin Dennis</a> (Quad Cities) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dawson000tre" target="_blank">2B Trey Dawson</a> (Quad Cities) released<br />
5/28?: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal008joe" target="_blank">RHP Joey Gonzalez</a> (Quad Cities) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pavlic000pre" target="_blank">OF Preston Pavlica</a> (Tri-City) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reese-002edw" target="_blank">OF E.P. Reese</a> (Tri-City) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire009jua" target="_blank">OF Juan Ramirez</a> (Tri-City) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castil003abr" target="_blank">OF Abraham Castillo</a> (GCL) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin004bry" target="_blank">LHP Bryan Martinez</a> (GCL) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bello-001dan" target="_blank">LHP Daniel Bello</a> (GCL) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=marte-001jun" target="_blank">3B Junior Marte</a> (DSL) released<br />
5/28: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=grullo000seb" target="_blank">2B Sebastian Grullon</a> (DSL) released<br />
3/19: 2/17: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheja02.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Jared Hughes</a> released<br />
3/6: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (Rule 5) returned by the Orioles<br />
2/28: RHP Alimber Santa signed (17-year old from the Dominican Republic)<br />
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)<br />
2/17: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheja02.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Jared Hughes</a> signed as a free agent<br />
1/16: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deetzde01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Dean Deetz</a> outrighted to Round Rock<br />
1/9: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=batten000pey">RHP Peyton Battenfield</a> (Tri-City) and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=steven000cal">OF Cal Stevenson</a> (Fayetteville) traded to the Rays for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pruitau01.shtml">RHP Austin Pruitt</a><br />
Notes: Battenfield was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University and had an excellent first pro season. <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astrostri-city-rhp.html" target="_blank">Here is my interview with him from July</a>. 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.<br />
1/9: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deetzde01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Dean Deetz</a> designated for assignment<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marisja01.shtml" target="_blank">CF Jake Marisnick</a> (Houston) traded to the Mets for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bla" target="_blank">LHP Blake Taylor</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=corona002ken" target="_blank">OF Kenedy Corona</a> (assigned to Tri-City) - see below for more<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" target="_blank">RHP Cristian Javier</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jones-000tay" target="_blank">1B Taylor Jones</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig000niv" target="_blank">RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez</a> (Fayetteville) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parede000eno" target="_blank">RHP Enoli Paredes</a> (Corpus Christi) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=emanue001ken" target="_blank">LHP Kent Emanuel</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster (Emanuel was due to become a MiLB FA)<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=goetzm000gra" target="_blank">OF Granden Goetzman</a> (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pinale000era" target="_blank">RHP Erasmo Pinales</a> (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency<br />
10/16: RHP Chanderson Perez signed (18 year old Dominican)<br />
<br />
Further information about the two players who came to the Astros from the Mets in the December Marisnick trade.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bla" target="_blank">LHP Blake Taylor</a>: 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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=corona002ken" target="_blank">OF Kenedy Carona</a>: 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."<br />
<br />
<b>INTERVIEWS</b><br />
<br />
In case you missed these from February, <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2020/02/catching-up-with-former-astro-daniel.html" target="_blank">I interviewed former Astros minor leaguer Daniel Minor</a> 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 <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-conversation-with-astros-scout-jim.html" target="_blank">long-time Astros scout Jim Stevenson</a> on some of his hits, one memorable miss and some of the ways scouting has changed over the years.<br />
<br />
Also, I did a short interview with <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-enoli-paredes-and.html" target="_blank">Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier</a> back in August in Corpus Christi. From Corpus in August to opening day roster spots!<br />
<br />
<b>ONE FINAL NOTE</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Please support this GoFundMe for the family of Johan Maya, a baseball brother that we lost to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID</a> this morning. Johan was a wonderful father and baseball man, dedicated to his family and to this game. Rest In Peace <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mayimbe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mayimbe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLB</a> <a href="https://t.co/c5TE1sodZT">https://t.co/c5TE1sodZT</a></div>
— Oz (@OcampoBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/OcampoBaseball/status/1286452541429960705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-66228120795385471622020-06-11T17:48:00.001-05:002020-06-17T21:34:37.978-05:002020 Astros Draft Picks/Undrafted Free Agents on Social MediaThere are more pressing matters in this world at the moment, but nevertheless, let's welcome the 2020 Houston Astros draft class.<br />
<br />
We hope that you all remain safe throughout these uncertain times and we look forward to seeing you on the field when things return to normal.<br />
<br />
Round 2, Pick 72: Alex Santos II, RHP, Mount St. Michael Academy (Bronx, NY) - <a href="https://twitter.com/alexxmansantos">@alexxmansantos</a>; committed to Maryland<br />
Round 3, Pick 101: Tyler Brown, RHP, Vanderbilt - <a href="https://twitter.com/TbTy10">@TbTy10</a><br />
Round 4, Pick 131: Zach Daniels, OF, Tennessee - <a href="https://twitter.com/zach_daniels2/">@zach_daniels2</a><br />
Round 5, Pick 160: Shay Whitcomb, SS, UC San Diego - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shay_whitcomb/">@shay_whitcomb</a> (Instagram)<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b><br /></b></span>
In the past, there were players that apparently signed undrafted free agent deals but never actually appeared in a game anywhere in the Houston Astros organization. <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2020-mlb-undrafted-free-agent-tracker-agreements-for-all-30-teams/">Baseball America</a> is keeping track of undrafted free agent signings.<br />
<br />
Jimmy Endersby, RHP, Concordia University Irvine (California) - <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmyendersby20">@jimmyendersby20</a><br />
Justin Dirden, OF, Southeast Missouri State - <a href="https://twitter.com/j_dirr">@j_dirr</a><br />
César Gomez, RHP, UT-Arlington - <a href="https://twitter.com/CDaGoat9">@CDaGoat9</a><br />
Peter Zimmermann, IF, Missouri - <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterZim30">@PeterZim30</a><br />
Jonathan Sprinkle, RHP, Central Missouri - <a href="https://twitter.com/JSprinkle47">@JSprinkle47</a><br />
Kyle Gruller, RHP, Houston Baptist - <a href="https://twitter.com/Kylegruller17">@Kylegruller17</a><br />
Cody Orr, OF, Tiffin - <a href="http://cody_orr14/">@Cody_Orr14</a><br />
Zack Matthews, RHP, Oklahoma - <a href="https://twitter.com/zack8matthews">@zack8matthews</a><br />
J.C. Correa, IF, Lamar - <a href="https://twitter.com/Jc_Correa1">@Jc_Correa1</a>Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-61638682955452390062020-05-28T20:33:00.000-05:002020-06-15T12:03:55.114-05:00Astros Minor League TransactionsDespite the prospect of no Minor League Baseball this year, we still have some transaction news to convey and, I'll be honest, it's not pleasant.<br />
<br />
We'll update this post as we get more information.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: #cccccc;">DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE</b><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><br /></b></span>
5/27 - RHP Carlos Manuel Hiraldo assigned to DSL Astros<br />
- Hiraldo, 21, signed on February 24 of this year. There is also another <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hirald000car">Carlos Hiraldo</a> already in the system, but he is a left-handed pitcher and his middle name is Julio.<br />
<br />
RHP Alimber Santa assigned to DSL Astros<br />
- Santa, who turned 17 on May 3, signed on February 28.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>RELEASES</b></span><br />
<br />
Cuts, unfortunately, have begun across MLB and according to Baseball America's <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleAGlaser/status/1266139631050878977">Kyle Glaser</a>, at least 20 players in the Astros system have been released.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvig83JFTK/">LHP Brett Adcock</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvf1tDHI7a/">RHP Justin Ferrell</a> confirmed their releases via Instagram.<br />
<br />
<b>Update, May 29:</b> Here is the full list of players who have been released from the Astros organization.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
The Astros have released 17 players in the past week. They also released 1 in March. Their total of 18 players released March-May compares to 10 in 2019 and 24 in 2018. <a href="https://t.co/pZ3vhQQ9OQ">pic.twitter.com/pZ3vhQQ9OQ</a></div>
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/1266471749388034049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<b>Update, June 15: </b><a href="http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=687610#/career/R/hitting/2019/ALL">OF James Nix</a><b> </b>(actually released June 5) and <a href="http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=682111#/career/R/pitching/2020/ALL">RHP Joey Gonzalez</a> are listed as being released on their MiLB.com player pages.<br />
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<i>What the Heck, Bobby?</i> would like to wish each and every player who received this stunning and unfortunate news all the best in their future endeavors.<br />
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Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-62483383206013842842020-04-10T12:14:00.003-05:002020-04-10T18:10:36.600-05:00Astros Minor League Recaps<b>Results for Thursday, April 9. 2020</b><br />
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A message from Dustin:<br />
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Right now, under normal circumstances, this post would consist of the previous night's results and happenings in the Houston Astros' minor league system. Usually, the second Friday in April is the first of these posts.<br />
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Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we'll have to wait a while before we get a chance to see Forrest Whitley, Alex De Goti, Jeremy Peña, Cristian Javier, César Salazar, Cody Deason, Chas McCormick, Freúdis Nova, Nivaldo Rodriguez, and the rest of the players in the organization take the field.<br />
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We all have a role to play in curtailing the spread of COVID-19, whether it's through practicing social distancing when we're out in public or better yet, staying at home if we know we don't need to go anywhere. It's also made me think quite a bit before I head out; these days, I ask myself whether I need to be going anywhere that's not work and that's further than a mile from my house. And also, there are about a thousand things racing through my head whenever I do something harmless like walking by people when I'm at HEB.<br />
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I pray that we come out of this with our health and sanity close to intact as possible and I hope that I can provide you with everything you need to know in the Astros system in 2020.<br />
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Until then, don't forget to:<br />
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1. Check up on your loved ones.<br />
2. Support local eateries when you get that chance.<br />
3. Wear a mask if you need to be out and about! Maybe have a pair of gloves on hand too.<br />
4. WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!<br />
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And, this is probably the most important thing:<br />
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5. IF YOU DON'T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE, STAY HOME! I'd love to go relax at Sharetea in Bellaire, window-shop at The Galleria, spend some time at the Museum of Fine Arts and go out for some ice cream at Milk + Sugar in Montrose or Jeni's in The Heights but that's not possible if we keep going about our business like this! HEB is awesome but you really don't need to be going there that much! Seriously.<br />
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Yours truly,<br />
Dustin NguyenDustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-42314871233062370542020-02-19T09:34:00.001-06:002020-02-19T09:34:46.079-06:00Catching up with Former Astro Daniel MinorFormer Astros <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=minor-000dan" target="_blank">RHP Daniel Minor</a> has had many baseball adventures since he was first drafted by the Astros in the 9th round in 2012 out of Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. His first experience was with the 2012 Greeneville Astros, a team that produced nine major league players, including such names as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correca01.shtml" target="_blank">Carlos Correa</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/musgrjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Joe Musgrove</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcculla02.shtml" target="_blank">Lance McCullers</a>. In addition to those players, Minor played alongside another seven future major leaguers (including <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haderjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Josh Hader</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernate01.shtml" target="_blank">Teoscar Hernandez</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/velasvi01.shtml" target="_blank">Vince Velasquez</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/devench02.shtml" target="_blank">Chris Devenski</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kempto01.shtml" target="_blank">Tony Kemp</a> and others) the next season in Quad Cities. Between those and even more players in his time with the Lancaster JetHawks in 2014 and with the Corpus Christi Hooks in 2015, Minor played with around two dozen future big leaguers in his four years with the Astros.<br />
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Daniel Minor - September 2019</div>
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Photo by Jayne Hansen</div>
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Thinking back to 2012 in Greeneville, Minor said, “We really had an unbelievable stacked, talented team back then. You never really noticed because we were all still getting our feet wet with pro ball and it was such a wide range of ages.” But the next two years, things really started to gel for Minor and his teammates. “When we really started getting all together, that’s when we won Low A. And we won High A the next year. We had a minor league major league team. When you look now, it’s no wonder the Astros ran out of room coming up and had to release people that you didn’t think were going to be released. They just ran out of room because there was just so much talent in the system at that time between the draft and trades and all that,” said Minor. In addition to the League Championships in Quad Cities in 2013 and Lancaster in 2014, another highlight of Minor’s MiLB career was closing out a <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/lancaster-jethawks-roommates-josh-hader-jd-osborne-and-daniel-minor-combine-for-class-a-no-hitter/c-75577930" target="_blank">combined no-hitter with then roommate Josh Hader for the JetHawks in 2014</a>.<br />
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Minor continued with his thoughts on that talented Astros system, “When I got drafted, it was like wow, we’re with the Astros. They’ve lost 100 games three years in a row. They’re going to be a lot of opportunities, but it was like an overnight turn. So much talent. Looking back, we had half a roster with major league players.” So, despite having a very respectable minor league career (3.57 ERA/1.286 WHIP over 4 seasons), Minor was squeezed out during the 2015 season, a move that Minor called a “gut punch.” After a couple of forgettable appearances in the American Association later that year, Minor took some time away from baseball to work on his degree.<br />
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While working on his degree in 2016, Minor said, “I started helping out with the Texas State baseball team and I was coaching youth baseball and starting to give lessons and I just kind of re-found the love for the game seeing children play because (it helped me) realize how I was building this up so much in my mind when it’s really, in the end, just a game.” So Minor decided to give it another shot in 2017 and his baseball adventures continued in the American Association, Mexico, Venezuela and most recently the Atlantic League.<br />
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“The Texas State pitching coach remembered me from playing against him in college and he kind of reached out to some people for me and that’s when Winnipeg got in touch with me and I went there for about a month, two months, just trying to get myself back in the door. I was throwing well (out of the bullpen). I was throwing pretty hard. And then ended up getting traded to Gary in the American Association around the middle of August (2017). They gave me the opportunity to be a starter. I had a really, really good month with them. We ended up making the playoffs.<br />
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“Then I went back to Gary the following year (2018). Pitched really, really well for two months, two and a half months. And then that’s when I got in touch with a Mexican team and signed and went down to play there. Played there the rest of the year. Finished down there in September. I pitched well there. And Omar Lopez (then an Astros minor league Manager) reached out to me about coming to Venezuela. That’s when I went down to Venezuela last winter and played. That was a really cool experience, getting to play in another country and see their culture and how they go about things. It was a really cool experience getting to play there.”<br />
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On playing in Mexico, Minor told me, “It was different. Just the culture, the fans. You have drumlines in the stands. People yelling. It was a really, really cool experience playing down there. They’re very, very, very passionate. In all honesty, the games are more exciting there or in Venezuela because the fans are more into it. Not like here in America where people are looking at their phones, not fully knowing what’s going on. They’re just very into the game and aware of the in-game situations of what’s going on. It was very good competition. The majority of places are actually higher elevation than the Colorado stadium. So it’s a big hitter-friendly league which I don’t think people realize. It was unbelievable watching people hit (because of the thin air and low humidity). So you had to learn how to pitch there. Down there, you make a mistake and it gets hit, you don’t even have to hit it hard for it to go a long ways.”<br />
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And despite all of the reported trouble in Venezuela, Minor never felt particularly concerned for his safety when playing there. He had to be careful (no “wandering around”), but the constant presence of security was more than enough to allay any concerns that he had. “I never really had a moment where I was worried or scared, but they definitely do a good job of making you feel like that by taking care of you and making sure that if something were to happen, there’s more than enough resources to where you’re going to be OK.”<br />
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As to the playing experience in Venezuela, Minor said, “Probably the most fun I’ve ever had. Stands were usually decently full, and the fans were just unbelievable. They were just into it because that’s one of the few positives they have in their country. They really take that stuff serious. It was very cool, going to different cities and people recognize you as a foreign player.”<br />
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As a side note, although it is highly dependent on the team, player experience and other factors, playing in Mexico and Venezuela can be much more lucrative than playing in minor league affiliated ball and independent league ball in the United States. It isn’t unusual to see players making almost $10,000 to $20,000 a month with more established players making even more.<br />
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After Minor played winter league ball in Venezuela during the 2018-2019 season, he wanted to head back to the States, though, despite an offer to play for more money in Mexico so he would have the opportunity to continue working toward finishing up his degree, and he ended up playing for the York (PA) Revolution in the Atlantic League. The Atlantic League has a three-year deal with MLB to experiment with different potential rule changes that started in 2019 and according to Minor and others that I have spoken with, those experiments did not always go smoothly. I went through each of these rule changes with Minor in order to get a better idea of how these changes affected the players who had to implement them. I found his thoughts on the matter both educational and elucidating. [Please note that the following commentary includes my personal observations and characterizations regarding the rules and may not necessarily be Minor’s opinions.]<br />
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<b><u>Robo Ump</u></b><br />
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The rule change getting the most notice is the use of TrackMan data to determine balls and strikes a.k.a. the “Robo Ump.” Simply explained, a TrackMan system (basically Doppler technology) is set up to determine balls and strikes with the call being conveyed to the home plate umpire via earpiece; the umpire then signals the transmitted call on the field. Everybody should love Robo Ump, right? I mean who doesn’t want to have the umpire get the call right? So, I went to several Atlantic League games in the second half of the season last year and I can tell you from personal experience exactly who doesn’t like it. The pitchers. The hitters. The umpires. The fans. None of them like it. And there are a lot of reasons, depending upon who you talk with. Read on for Minor’s take on some of those reasons as well as my take from both personal observation and talking with Minor and other players involved in all of these rule changes.<br />
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One of the biggest issues is the inability to make adjustments. “If you take a ball and put it right on the edge (the corner of the plate) and you take it a millimeter off, that’s a ball. But then you take the ball and you move it over a millimeter, it’s a strike on TrackMan. So the computer can see that, but when you are a pitcher or a catcher or a hitter, you can’t physically see the difference in that. The catcher can have his mitt there, I throw it into his mitt and it can be a ball. He can set up in the same exact spot and I throw it into his mitt again and he doesn’t move and it can be a strike. But (that small difference on TrackMan), we as humans can’t see that. At least with an umpire, you can turn around and ask how much did that miss by? ‘Oh about an inch.’ And then you have an idea. Well then I’m going to move in by a little more than an inch and the catcher will give you a better target. So the catcher is having to put their mitt, earlier in the count, directly over the plate because you’re trying to make sure you’re throwing strikes because you can’t physically see where the edge of that zone is. And with up and down, it’s the same idea but again you don’t know looking where it’s crossing for the strike zone. You can see it over the plate but again, it could be a millimeter high and it can be a ball. It moves down a millimeter and you really don’t know what to swing at and what not to swing at. Again, with a regular umpire you can at least turn and get instant feedback,” said Minor.<br />
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“When you get to the lower part of the zone, you’re seeing balls bounce (in the dirt and still be called strikes). You can throw a nasty changeup. I’d see other people throwing curveballs that would just clip that very front of the zone, right at the front of the plate and then end up in the dirt and (the hitter) gets punched out. I enjoyed having the higher strike actually finally called because by the rule book it is a strike, but you don’t really see umpires call it up there at the major league level. But then you start getting the lower strikes too that you know crossed the zone but into the dirt. But we’re all with the same understanding that if it hits the dirt, you’re not going to call it a strike. But now with the TrackMan, if it hits the dirt, you can just be out of luck and you just struck out. I felt bad for hitters on the up and down, especially the down. Up they can make an adjustment. Down, that was just way too tough for them,” continued Minor.<br />
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Minor felt that the zone up and down overall benefited the pitcher and was tough for the hitter, and vice versa for the zone side to side. “As a pitcher, you like trying to nibble and see how much you can get off the plate, but then that just goes away completely because there is no nibbling. You’ve got to throw it to where you think the edge of that zone is to clip it.”<br />
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And according to multiple sources, there was a lot of confusion as to how the zone was actually determined and whether or not it was being programmed consistently throughout the league. The player’s height apparently factored into setting up the zone, but so did TrackMan data on players from their time in MLB (if applicable). One source said that the system was recalibrated for the playoffs and the players were discouraged from complaining about the change.<br />
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Minor confirmed some of this confusion, “I still do not know to this day what the parameters were for the strike zone. I heard it was the hitters (listed height). Well, if that’s the case, they can just go and lie about it. You’d have to have someone come in and measure them and then put it into the system. And then I also heard it was a set zone so the shorter people had a bigger zone and the taller people had a smaller zone. Then I also heard that people who had played in the major league had a smaller zone than people who hadn’t played in the major leagues. So we never really got a true answer about what the zone actually was.”<br />
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To complicate matters, human umpires are supposed to be able to override TrackMan on things like balls in the dirt and absurdly high strikes, but my understanding is that the umpires were discouraged from doing this so that the system could truly be tested and the league could get accurate data on how TrackMan worked. This may make sense from a viewpoint of testing the system, but my feeling is that it is hardly fair to those players in the Atlantic League who are working toward either getting back to the big leagues or getting there in the first place to be used as guinea pigs. In any event, I never saw one ball or strike call overruled by an umpire in the games I watched last season.<br />
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The biggest frustration for most of the players I talked with was just not knowing exactly where the strike zone was from day to day, hitter to hitter and ballpark to ballpark. Some players still benefited from the system with hitters getting more of the inside and outside calls to go their way and pitchers getting the high strike and balls in the dirt called. But for most players it was a mixed bag. Minor admits that the high strike zone helped him, but he was hurt when trying to establish the outside corners, but overall he was able to make adjustments to the system for the most part. His biggest concern with the system was the lack of communication and the inconsistency of the system. Robo Umps may be (and probably are) the future, but there are still many kinks to be worked out.<br />
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But there were several other rules being tested that, in my opinion, made little sense in an environment in which MLB’s stated goal is to speed up the game. The result of some of these rules was to increase offense. More runners on base = a longer game, something that I personally encountered in a late season 10-inning game that clocked in at over 4-1/2 hours. I asked Minor to weigh in on some of these rules and their real world results.<br />
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<b><u>Stepping off the rubber to attempt a pickoff</u></b><br />
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This was, to me, the absolute worst experiment attempted in the Atlantic League in the second half. If a player had any speed whatsoever and got on base in any way, they just ran willy-nilly. It was absurd how many stolen bases I saw in one game. Minor described the situation, “If someone got on base from a walk, a single, a hit by pitch, you could expect them to be at second and third within a couple of pitches. Especially the fast guys, first to second, first pitch, second to third, pitch after that. I’m coming set and I’m just looking at them and they’re looking at me and I’m looking back at them like ‘I know you’re going to go’ and they’re, ‘yep, you know I’m going to go.’ They were taking huge leads because they knew the pitcher couldn’t do anything.”<br />
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<b><u>One foul bunt with two strikes</u></b><br />
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This rule did nothing to speed up the game. As Minor aptly put it, “That literally adds another pitch to a hitter” and slows down the game.<br />
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<b><u>Stealing first base</u></b><br />
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A player can “steal” first base on a wild pitch or passed ball if there is no one on first base. According to Minor, he really didn’t see this rule factor in much, if at all. But in any event, an extra runner getting on base due to this rule does nothing to speed up the game.<br />
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<b><u>Eliminating the shift</u></b><br />
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A chalk line appears on the field at second base and the rule requires two infielders to be on either side of that line at the time the pitch is thrown. Minor didn’t really notice an appreciable difference one way or the other due to this rule, but again, it is a rule that favors the offense and which does nothing to speed up the game.<br />
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<b><u>Check swing rule</u></b><br />
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There was also a check swing rule that was poorly defined, but which was intended to be more hitter-friendly. Since it was so poorly defined, it didn’t appear to be much of a factor.<br />
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However, there were a few rules implemented which were specifically intended to speed up the game.<br />
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<b><u>Time between innings and pitching changes reduced</u></b><br />
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The time was reduced from 2:05 to 1:45. The time savings was more than offset by the extra offense in the games I saw. They were certainly not shorter and, anecdotally, I was told that the average game times increased 20 minutes under the new rules. I have no data to back that up, but I saw several very long games in the second half of the Atlantic League season.<br />
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<b><u>Three-batter minimum</u></b><br />
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This is one change that should serve to speed up the game if only slightly, but lefty specialists may become an endangered species as a result (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). I think this is probably the least controversial of all the rules that were tried out which is probably why it is being adopted by MLB this season.<br />
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<b><u>No Mound Visits</u></b><br />
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The rule prohibited all mound visits from coaching staff and trainers with the exception of pitching changes and injuries. The catcher was not allowed to make a mound visit except to discuss signs and the umpire accompanied the catcher to the mound to confirm that signs were the only item discussed. My first instinct when seeing this rule was that there would suddenly be a lot of <a href="https://youtu.be/bjyqCqiMc0M" target="_blank">soccer-style fake injuries</a> occurring to justify a mound visit (and that phenomenon could very well occur with the three-batter minimum as well). Apparently, there was some of that, but Minor had a really good take on another aspect of the mound visit that I hadn’t contemplated.<br />
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Minor said, “Actually if you have a struggling pitcher out there and he’s giving it up, giving it up, giving it up because he doesn’t have a second to talk to a pitching coach, he’s just going to keep continuing to struggle. That 30-second break can re-lock you in. How many times have you seen a pitcher, a coach go out and talk to them, and the next pitch he gets an out. It happens all the time. So that actual quick get-your-mind-right kind of thing actually benefits the pitcher, hitter, game speed because it allows you to refocus instead of just standing out there and just drowning and drowning and drowning.”<br />
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That inability to get a quick mound visit has, apparently, led to some phantom injuries and has resulted in catchers walking out to the mound just to say “same sign” so the pitcher can get a second to re-focus. Another consideration is that a quick mount visit could also eliminate the need for a new pitcher and that pitcher’s associated warm up time. So, although the no-mound-visit rule is intended to speed up the game, it may very well be having the opposite effect.<br />
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One final rule that I want to discuss is one that didn’t go into effect in 2019. Originally, the pitcher’s mound was supposed to be moved back from 60’6” to 62’6” at some point in 2019, but that change was delayed. I haven’t seen any updates on when (or if) it will be implemented. This is absolutely the most controversial of all the rule changes. The rule was originally proposed with the intention of cutting down on strikeouts, but the pitchers that I’ve talked with are adamantly opposed to the change. It is hard for me to see MLB players agreeing to such a major change to the game.<br />
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My first thoughts when this was proposed were a:) guys are going to try to throw even harder and are going to end up getting hurt, and b:) guys are going to be working against 20 years of mechanics and muscle memory and are going to end up getting hurt. Stop me if you sense a theme.<br />
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And that’s what Minor is hearing from pitchers he's talked with as well. “That’s what everybody was saying. We’re going to end up getting hurt. I’ve been practicing throwing my changeup for 20 years, my curveball for 20 years from 60’6” and I’m supposed to just on a dime reach in my body in a very small time period and throw that from further away. How many curveballs do you think bounce in the dirt already?”<br />
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Minor doesn’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park for hitters either. He asked a few players about it. “Isn’t it going to mess with ya’lls timing? You’re primed up to hit from 60’6”. You’re going to be early on everything now. If you swing early on my changeup, I’m going to throw you changeups all day and you’re never going to be able to stay back. And the second you try to stay back, I’m going to maybe throw, maybe sneak an 88 mph fastball past you because my velo's going to be lower because I’m going to be further back now.” It may be easier for hitters to catch up with a fastball with the new mound rules, but breaking balls could be even harder for them to hit. It is not a given that this will be to the hitter’s advantage.<br />
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And Minor added one other great point, “What happens to the guys who get signed (out of the Atlantic League) from 62’6”? And then they go to (affiliated ball) and they go back to 60’6”? You know how many hitters are just going to get blown away again? How many pitchers are going to have to readjust to getting the ball down?” It really isn’t fair to those players who are trying to get back into affiliated ball to be working from two separate sets of rules.<br />
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In any event, Minor won’t have to worry about the rules in the Atlantic League this coming season. He is working on finishing up his internship, the last step in finishing his Exercise and Sports Science Degree. The end of his internship coincides with the beginning of the American Association season so he will be headed to play with the St. Paul Saints in May with a degree in his pocket and a smile on his face (in addition to a brand new fiancé!).<br />
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I have always enjoyed talking with Minor and find his takes on different aspects of the game to be thoughtful and very, very smart. This time was no different. Thank you for your time, Daniel, and best of luck in 2020.<br />
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Also, check out my <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-conversation-with-astros-scout-jim.html" target="_blank">interview with long-time Astros Scout Jim Stevenson</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-88361373804802064232020-02-13T09:10:00.001-06:002020-02-13T09:10:40.973-06:00A Conversation with Astros Scout Jim StevensonThe one constant that I’ve found throughout my years of writing about baseball is this. Baseball people love to talk about baseball. This was definitely the case last week when I talked with Astros Scout Jim Stevenson. A professional scout since 1994, Stevenson previously scouted for Cleveland and Milwaukee and has been with the Astros since November of 2007, a remarkable tenure given the comings and goings of Astros staff over the last several years.<br />
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<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2015/10/looking-back-at-astros-2007-draft-class.html" target="_blank">The 2007 draft was, in my mind, the worst draft in Astros history</a> prompting a change to the scouting department. Bobby Heck was brought in as Director of Scouting under General Manager Ed Wade and Heck, in turn, brought in Stevenson to serve as an Area Scout. The five years in which Heck and Stevenson worked side by side were productive years, culminating with <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/former-top-scout-bobby-heck-proud-of-astros/c-158512636" target="_blank">11 drafted players peppering the 2015 Astros postseason roster</a>. In addition, several players drafted under Heck were traded for players instrumental to the success of that team.<br />
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Jim Stevenson - Twitter profile photo</div>
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Since coming to the Astros, Stevenson (who lives in Tulsa) has been the Area Scout for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and north and west Texas (roughly north of I-20). He has had several success stories, but none quite so prominent as 2015 Cy Young winner <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keuchda01.shtml" target="_blank">LHP Dallas Keuchel</a>. As a Friday night pitcher in the SEC, it isn’t surprising to Stevenson that Keuchel went on to have success in the big leagues, but he says, “At the same time, we didn’t get a whole lot of looks at him. I really banged the table for that one and Bobby was great. He trusted me.”<br />
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But Stevenson is very excited about another of his signings who he sees as having the chance to be a real impact player. Unfortunately, that impact will not benefit the Astros. Stevenson signed <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laurera01.shtml" target="_blank">OF Ramon Laureano</a> in the 16th round in 2014 out of Northeast Oklahoma A&M College (the Astros were the only team to actually call him to talk). Laureano was traded to the A’s in November 2017 for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (who was claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft in December). Laureano went on to make his MLB debut in August 2018 and has since made quite an impression. As Stevenson puts it, “He was hurt last year and still hit .288 with 24 home runs.”<br />
<br />
Laureano’s performance came as a surprise to a lot of people but not to Stevenson. Stevenson has a close bond with Laureano that is uncommon between scout and player. They still keep in close touch and it has given Stevenson the opportunity to really get to know the type of player and type of person Laureano is. Needless to say, Stevenson wasn’t a fan of the trade.<br />
<br />
Laureano had struggled badly to start the 2017 season in AA. According to Stevenson, Laureano was his own worst enemy in that he was putting so much pressure on himself to succeed and, in retrospect, getting invited to big league camp that year probably added to the pressure he was feeling. At this point, some in the Astros front office had cooled on Laureano, but Stevenson felt that the team had overlooked the X factor of Laureano’s makeup. “That’s what separates the guys who get to the big leagues and stick and the guys who don’t. It’s the makeup. We knew he had great makeup. Hinch called him a machine in Spring Training that year,” said Stevenson. Despite Laureano’s turnaround later in the season, the Astros chose to make a trade within their division that may very well come back to haunt them.<br />
<br />
The period from August 2018 through August 2019 was a particularly gratifying time for Stevenson as five players he signed made their major league debuts. Four of those five were from the 11th round or lower. “Your success when you look at yourself and you pride yourself in who have you drafted and gotten to the big leagues and then second, who have you drafted and gotten to the big leagues that was a later round pick. Those are the guys that really give you pride and make you want to go out and work harder at finding other ones,” said Stevenson. In addition to Laureano (16th round), Stevenson also signed <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deetzde01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Dean Deetz</a> (11th round, September 2018 debut); <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jamesjo02.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Josh James</a> (34th round, September 2018 debut); <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayfija01.shtml" target="_blank">IF Jack Mayfield</a> (NDFA, May 2019 debut); and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/toroab01.shtml" target="_blank">3B Abraham Toro</a> (5th round, August 2019). Stevenson continued, “I was blessed. Toro was a fifth rounder, but still he was from a juco, a Canadian kid, not a real high profile guy. That five guys went to the big leagues over two years was pretty special. It never happens.”<br />
<br />
Of those debuts, Mayfield is definitely the best feel-good story of the bunch. Stevenson “begged and begged and begged” to take Mayfield all day on Day 3 of the draft in 2013, but he went unsigned. According to Stevenson, he kept after (former Astros Director of Decision Sciences) Sig Mejdal about Mayfield, “I said, Sig please, just sign this kid. He’s a great player. His makeup’s off the charts. He’s bilingual. His teammates will love him. His coaches will love him.” Ultimately Stevenson prevailed in getting Mayfield signed as a non-drafted free agent. “He was always a really good player. You want to talk about just a baseball player. His tools don’t stand out. Nothing he does is great. But what he does, he brings his A game every night. He makes all the plays that he’s supposed to make. And he’s got some pop in his bat. And he’s always liked being there in the moment, the guy that you want up at bat. At all the levels, he’s like the team MVP that goes unrecognized every year with every club. And he’s one of the greatest human beings in baseball,” said Stevenson.<br />
<br />
I also asked Stevenson if there was a player that stood out as one who got away and he told me a very entertaining story about <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml" target="_blank">A.J. Burnett</a>. Back when Burnett was drafted in 1995, the scouting world was a lot different than it is now. Stevenson described the days before social media, before the showcase events when “you carried a pocketful of dimes and quarters” because you relied on payphones to make phone calls. “You went and found guys on your own. And now everyone knows who the top kids are. It’s on social media. It’s on twitter. It’s on the baseball blogs. Now you know who the kids are,” said Stevenson. But in the mid 90’s it was different.<br />
<br />
On scouting Burnett, Stevenson said, “I thought this is a guy that I’m going to get. Nobody knows about him and it’s (only) weeks before the draft. He comes out of a tiny little Christian school in the middle of Arkansas.” At that time, only a few small college coaches had seen Burnett plus a bird dog scout for the Royals who “couldn’t keep a secret” and tipped Stevenson off. “I went and saw him and I was like, oh my God. You can dream on this guy all you want. He was only (throwing) 90, 91, nothing great, but the kid was 6’4” or 6’5”. You could just dream on him. His arm worked. He could spin the curveball. He had a feel for the changeup. But he was so immature on the mound. He had no idea what he was doing. He was green.” Even so, Stevenson had seen enough that he called for his crosschecker to take a look at Burnett.<br />
<br />
Stevenson continued the story, “So now it’s three weeks before the draft. I kid you not. A.J. was great that day (when the crosschecker came to see him). If you watched his mannerisms during the game … he was playing air guitar on the mound … you have to overlook all that. He didn’t even know what professional baseball was. I was working with the Cleveland Indians at the time. I was the area guy. And I sat down and talked to him and we had a great talk and I really got to know him.” Stevenson went back to see Burnett for one last game, got to the parking lot and saw the Scouting Director for the Mets. “And I’m thinking, Oh my God, what is he doing here? He and the area guy are going to see another guy in Arkansas. They were at the wrong field and happened to stumble into this kid by accident. Everything I had in me was kind of deflated. That was the guy that I thought, I’ve got this one for sure. They ended up taking him in the 8th round that year.”<br />
<br />
“That was before the internet and all this stuff that goes on now where everyone knows who everyone is. And that was the fun of it when we started. You had to go find your own. Now they give me a list of a hundred guys and (tell me to) go find some juco guys if you want to. They give me all the top high school names and the top D1 guys (to scout). We don’t have any information on the juco guys and we don’t have any information on any D2, D3 guys so those guys I can go find on my own. But that’s what it used to be like in the whole draft. Now you go to high school games with the top tiers, there are 50-60 guys there (scouting).”<br />
<br />
Scouting has changed a lot with the advance of analytics, but it’s not just the Astros. The changes are industry wide. Scouts are encouraged to turn in reports on as many players as they can with the front office doing more of the "sifting out" than the area scouts do. The scouts still look for the unheralded players out there, but the scout’s influence in getting players signed has diminished somewhat. Stevenson’s opinion still counts, but maybe not as much as it did in the pre-analytics days. But that won’t stop him from looking for that diamond in the rough, that guy that nobody knows about. It won’t stop him from banging the table on Day 3 to get a Josh James or a Jack Mayfield signed.<br />
<br />
Stevenson has just rolled with all of the changes in the industry. The fact that he has lasted 12 years in an Astros organization that has seen scores of people come and go is evidence enough that he must be doing something right. “I love the Houston Astros. I love all the guys I work with. It’s not the Houston Astros have changed. The whole industry has changed,” said Stevenson. He’s looking forward to working with the new GM, but most of all he’s looking forward to the draft. “Our Super Bowl is the draft. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I still enjoy the hunt, the hunt out looking for that guy. You may not get him, but I like finding that guy every year who’s flying under the radar. Those are the fun ones, the late round guys. I’m going to keep going and hopefully find some this year.”<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
>>>>>>><<<<<<<</div>
<br />
I truly enjoyed my conversation with Stevenson. We ended up on so many tangents that I didn't even get to all of my questions. But I have a feeling I'll be talking with Stevenson again and can get some of those other questions answered plus others that may come up because baseball people love talking about baseball. Thanks for your time, Jim!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-81716108844387755492020-01-14T08:01:00.002-06:002020-01-14T08:08:31.239-06:00Astros Soapbox: Time to Grow UpThe Astros shot themselves in the foot … again. The following words are my personal thoughts and opinions on the matter. For background and a great fact-based rant, please read <a href="http://www.astroscounty.com/2020/01/judgment-day.html" target="_blank">Astros County’s usual excellent contribution</a>.<br />
<div>
<br />
I feel like I should write something about yesterday’s big news, but I’m not sure what and I’m not sure why. I wasn’t the least bit surprised by the MLB sanctions. They were pretty much what I expected. I was, however, more than a bit surprised that Jim Crane took it all a step further and actually fired A.J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow, even though I think it was the right thing to do. <br />
<br />
I’m also not terribly upset by the news. It is what it is. You get to be my age (which admittedly isn’t ancient but definitely older than most of my readers) and you don’t get all that worked up about those things over which you have no control. You just let them slide. And you don’t get all that worked up about those things that don’t result in loss of life or freedom or home. It’s baseball and I love it dearly, but when something goes wrong in baseball, it’s not war or the fate of the country or death and devastation from floods, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and blizzards. Sure, I get pissed off when MLB does something dumb, but I generally bitch about it and move on. <br />
<br />
Jeff Luhnow is a grown man. If he didn’t know what was going on on his team (which he should have) or he did and looked the other way, it doesn’t really matter. Manfred made it pretty damn clear that the GM and Field Manager would be held responsible if this crap happened again. It did and he was. Luhnow is very personable and charming and he always treated me well personally. But he had squandered every bit of good will he might have had within the industry over the years. Internally (and now externally if they were fired or otherwise left the fold), there are a whole lot of players, scouts, coaches and other staff that had axes to grind with Luhnow over the way he handled his business. (Sorry, you’ll have to take my word for this. You don’t talk to hundreds of people in the Astros system over Luhnow’s entire tenure without getting a good feel for how people really felt about him. Right or wrong, he wasn’t widely beloved by the insiders.) Externally, many writers and pundits hated his scorched earth rebuild and other facets of the Astros model. And Luhnow’s public mishandling of situations going back to the Brady Aiken/Jacob Nix debacle didn’t help endear him to anyone. <br />
<br />
Again, it doesn’t matter who was right and who was wrong. At some point, perception becomes reality. The obfuscation over the Osuna signing was the last straw for many of us. First Luhnow declared that Osuna was remorseful, then Osuna’s lawyer comes out and says he’s not remorseful because he didn’t do anything wrong. Then Osuna does a national print interview basically saying ‘just wait until the case is resolved and I’ll clear up everything.’ And then when the case was resolved, he says nothing. And the Astros throw some money at the local domestic violence charity and pretend that they didn’t insult every single fan who is not particularly happy about hiring someone who has received a massive MLB penalty for domestic violence prior to his case even being resolved. Everything was A-OK and female fans, in particular, were ignored and taken for granted. Add the news that he had to be talked out of drafting confessed child molestor Luke Heimlich and Luhnow no longer gets the benefit of a doubt on his intentions from the vast majority. Again, right or wrong, he was never going to come out of this situation in one piece. And he didn’t. <br />
<br />
A.J. Hinch’s situation was a little different. Hinch is truly liked throughout the industry. His statements about this whole situation are gobsmacking. First nothing happened. Then on the record, he knew what was happening but he tried to stop it by busting up a monitor or two, but didn’t actually tell anyone to stop it? That’s horseshit. Either he knew and looked the other way or he knew and someone TOLD HIM to look the other way. Either way, he was a weak leader and shouldn’t be in charge. Personally, I think by trying to keep from throwing people under the bus, he just ended up throwing himself under the bus and made himself look foolish in the process. At least his public response looked sincerely remorseful and apologetic. I honestly feel badly for Hinch. It felt to me like he tried to thread the needle too finely and ended up sticking himself in the eye. <br />
<br />
As to Jim Crane, I was shockingly touched by his presser yesterday. Crane is not known for handling the media well. But he appeared sincere and very contrite in his statement and the later Q&A. As surprised as I was initially about his decision to fire Hinch and Luhnow, I really couldn’t see how he could move on with them a year from now. If you temporarily award GM and Field Manager to people and they do well in the positions, do you take that away from them after the season? That makes zero sense to me. And do you really need that baggage after everything that's happened? I think you have to move on and I’m glad that he made that decision. I am, however, more than apprehensive about who Crane will pick for these jobs, though, as I remember back to George Postolos's days as President prior to Reid Ryan (who we really, really need right now by the way). <br />
<br />
But none of that really bothers me all that much. I’ve come to expect zero, zilch, nada when it comes to character and honesty in the front office of any team, much as I do for corporate offices, governmental entities, etc. When any of them actually DO show character and honesty, I am more than pleasantly surprised, but I am old enough to know that money and power usually trump character and honesty. It’s not right, but it’s real. <br />
<br />
But with that said, there is something from this whole debacle that does bother me. I expect better from individuals that I have met in person. Individuals that I have supported and spent my hard-earned (now hard-saved) money visiting and talking with to tell their stories and help promote them in their quest to make the MLB. When reading the report yesterday, my first thought was this … <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
This is the part that pisses me off the most. Apparently I'm not the judge of character that I thought I was or some of the guys I knew changed a lot after they got to the bigs. "They knew the scheme was wrong ..." but they did it anyway. <a href="https://t.co/eeEhlGkOic">https://t.co/eeEhlGkOic</a></div>
— Jayne Hansen (@JayneWTHB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayneWTHB/status/1216806319010844673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
The report names no players. Honestly, I think it should. Why should they get off? When the news first came out, my sister was almost in tears as she contemplated the idea of Jose Altuve cheating. She and I talked on the phone again last night. She said to me. “I just want to sit down with Altuve face to face and ask him why? They were so good. Why would they need to cheat? Was I giving my money (we were season ticket holders at the time) to a bunch of cheaters?”<br />
<br />
I know that “veteran presence” Carlos Beltran was one of the ringleaders, but not one single player was man enough to tell him to cut it out, to tell him that he wasn’t going to participate? Not one? There comes a time in life when you need to man the hell up and do the right thing even when it’s not easy. Peer pressure is no excuse for doing something that you know is wrong.<br />
<br />
Every single player who knew what was going on and didn’t do anything to stop it (whether they participated or not) owes me and you and every player they played against a public apology. They need to prove to me that they are capable of owning up to their mistakes. You want to know who got A.J. Hinch fired? It wasn’t Rob Manfred. It wasn’t Jim Crane. It wasn’t even A.J. Hinch himself despite my earlier comments. It was every single immature, irresponsible player (including Mike Fiers) who let it happen and did nothing to stop it at the time. Yeah, guys, you are directly responsible for the fact that the manager you profess to love is no longer your leader. It’s time to grow up, boys.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-59126265660288795162020-01-13T09:41:00.000-06:002020-01-13T09:41:04.072-06:00Astros Farm Report: 1/13/20After a long (and much needed) hiatus, WTHB is back to catch you up on the off-season Astros minor league happenings ...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS</span></b><br />
<br />
Here are the offseason roster moves for the Astros minor league players.<br />
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1/9: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=batten000pey" target="_blank">RHP Peyton Battenfield</a> (Tri-City) and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=steven000cal" target="_blank">OF Cal Stevenson</a> (Fayetteville) traded to the Rays for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pruitau01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Austin Pruitt</a><br />
Notes: Battenfield was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University and had an excellent first pro season. <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astrostri-city-rhp.html" target="_blank">Here is my interview with him from July</a>. 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.<br />
1/9: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deetzde01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Dean Deetz</a> designated for assignment<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/12: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft<br />
12/5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marisja01.shtml" target="_blank">CF Jake Marisnick</a> (Houston) traded to the Mets for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bla" target="_blank">LHP Blake Taylor</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=corona002ken" target="_blank">OF Kenedy Corona</a> (assigned to Tri-City) - see below for more<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" target="_blank">RHP Cristian Javier</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jones-000tay" target="_blank">1B Taylor Jones</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig000niv" target="_blank">RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez</a> (Fayetteville) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/20: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parede000eno" target="_blank">RHP Enoli Paredes</a> (Corpus Christi) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=emanue001ken" target="_blank">LHP Kent Emanuel</a> (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster (Emanuel was due to become a MiLB FA)<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=goetzm000gra" target="_blank">OF Granden Goetzman</a> (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency<br />
11/4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pinale000era" target="_blank">RHP Erasmo Pinales</a> (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency<br />
10/16: RHP Chanderson Perez signed (18 year old Dominican)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">RULE 5 DRAFT NOTES</span></b><br />
<br />
A little about the players taken in the Rule 5 Draft.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (Baltimore): 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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FEATURED PLAYERS</span></b><br />
<br />
This week, let's look at the two players who came to the Astros from the Mets in the December Marisnick trade.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bla" target="_blank">LHP Blake Taylor</a>: 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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=corona002ken" target="_blank">OF Kenedy Carona</a>: 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."<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2019-2020 FALL AND WINTER BALL</span></b><br />
<br />
All of the regular seasons are complete except for the Australian Baseball League (where Chuckie Robinson has been playing as recently as over this past weekend). In addition, a few Astros minor leaguers have been playing in the postseason in their respective leagues. Their most recent postseason stats are shown below.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=matije000jj-" target="_blank">1B J.J. Matijevic</a>: 27 G | .255/.315/.412<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pena--002jer" target="_blank">SS Jeremy Pena</a>: 24 G | .183/.248/.290<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shaver000col" target="_blank">C Colton Shaver</a>: 18 G | .175/.294/.333<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=deason000cod" target="_blank">RHP Cody Deason</a>: 6 G | 8.0 IP | 6.75 ERA/2.13 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sanabr000car" target="_blank">RHP Carlos Sanabria</a>: 8 G | 9.0 IP | 9.00 ERA/1.89 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taylor002bla" target="_blank">LHP Blake Taylor</a>: 7 G | 9.0 IP | 2.00 ERA/0.78 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres000joj" target="_blank">RHP Jojanse Torres</a>: 7 G | 8.0 IP | 3.38 ERA/1.50 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whitle000for" target="_blank">RHP Forrest Whitley</a>: 6 G | 25.0 IP | 2.88 ERA/1.24 WHIP<br />
<br />
<b>AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins000chu" target="_blank">C Chuckie Robinson</a>: 21 G | .227/.301/.440<br />
<br />
<b>DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=delacr000bry" target="_blank">OF Bryan de la Cruz</a>: 10 G | .294/.278/.471<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/armenro01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Rogelio Armenteros</a>: 5 G | 19.0 IP | 2.37 ERA/1.16 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=blanco000ron" target="_blank">RHP Ronel Blanco</a>: 1 G | 0.2 IP | 27.00 ERA/3.00 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=collad000wil" target="_blank">RHP Willy Collado</a>: 3 G | 2.1 IP | 0.00 ERA/0.43 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martefr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Francis Martes</a>: 3 G | 5.2 IP | 7.94 ERA/1.41 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig008leo" target="_blank">RHP Leovanny Rodriguez</a>: 16 G | 16.1 IP | 2.76 ERA/0.86 WHIP<br />
(Postseason: 4 G | 3.0 IP | 0.00 ERA/1.33 WHIP)<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosado000ces" target="_blank">RHP Cesar Rosado</a>: 1 G | 0.1 IP | 27.00 ERA/3.00 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdefr01.shtml" target="_blank">LHP Framber Valdez</a>: 5 G | 23.2 IP | 2.28 ERA/1.14 WHIP<br />
<br />
<b>MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=quinta000lor" target="_blank">C Lorenzo Quintana</a>: 42 G | .278/.339/.405<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=salaza002ces" target="_blank">C Cesar Salazar</a>: 15 G | .222/.276/.370<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bravo-000jos" target="_blank">RHP Jose Bravo</a>: 6 G | 20.0 IP | 5.85 ERA/1.75 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castel001hum" target="_blank">RHP Humberto Castellanos</a>: 13 G | 9.1 IP | 5.79 ERA/1.82 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chavez000lup" target="_blank">RHP Lupe Chavez</a>: 7 G | 17.1 IP | 4.67 ERA/1.38 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garza-000ral" target="_blank">RHP Ralph Garza</a>: 13 G | 15.0 IP | 2.40 ERA/1.00 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-016jua" target="_blank">LHP Juan Pablo Lopez</a>: 15 G | 13.2 IP | 0.66 ERA/1.24 WHIP<br />
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<b>PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castro004rub" target="_blank">C Ruben Castro</a>: 11 G | .000/.333/.000<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bermud000jon" target="_blank">LHP Jonathan Bermudez</a>: 4 G | 3.2 IP | 0.00 ERA/2.00 WHIP<br />
(Postseason: 3 G | 2.1 IP | 3.86 ERA/1.29 WHIP)<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hender000lay" target="_blank">RHP Layne Henderson</a>: 11 G | 7.2 IP | 3 saves | 7.04 ERA/2.48 WHIP<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tejada001fel" target="_blank">RHP Felipe Tejada</a>: 9 G | 6.0 IP | 1.50 ERA/1.33 WHIP<br />
(Postseason: 1 G | 1.0 IP | 0.00 ERA/0.00 WHIP)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2019 FINAL SEASON STANDINGS</span></b><br />
<div>
<br />
<b>AAA ROUND ROCK (Pacific Coast League/American Southern Division)</b><br />
<b>Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Won over Iowa in Semifinals 3-2</b><br />
<b>Lost to Sacramento in LCS 0-3</b><br />
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1st 84-56 .600 -.-GB L1<br />
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<b>AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League/South Division)</b></div>
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4th 66-73 .475 7.0GB L3<br />
<br />
<b>ADV A FAYETTEVILLE (Carolina League/Southern Division)</b><br />
<b>2nd half Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Won over Down East in the Semifinals 3-2</b><br />
<b>Lost to Wilmington in LCS 2-3</b></div>
<div>
3rd 72-67 .518 15.0GB W2<br />
<br />
<b>LOW A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League/Western Division)</b><br />
<b>1st half Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Lost to Cedar Rapids in MWL Quarterfinals 1-2</b></div>
<div>
2nd 79-57 .581 0.5GB W1<br />
<br />
<b>SHORT SEASON A TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League/Stedler Division)</b><br />
4th 32-42 .432 9.0GB W3<br />
<br />
<b>ROOKIE LEVEL GULF COAST LEAGUE (East Division)</b><br />
4th 25-26 .490 3.5GB W1<br />
<br />
<b>ROOKIE LEVEL DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (Northwest Division)</b><br />
2nd 38-31 .551 2.5GB W2<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">INTERVIEWS</span></b><br />
<br />
The following links are to the interviews I conducted during the 2019 season. <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/p/interviews.html" target="_blank">Here is a full list of links to all of the interviews</a> I've done since December 2011.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-hooks-rhp-colin-mckee.html" target="_blank">Colin McKee</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-enoli-paredes-and.html" target="_blank">Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-catcher.html" target="_blank">Cesar Salazar</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-rhp-brett.html" target="_blank">Brett Daniels</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-rhp-felipe.html" target="_blank">Felipe Tejada</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-tri-city-if-aj-lee.html" target="_blank">AJ Lee</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astrostri-city-rhp.html" target="_blank">Peyton Battenfield</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-tri-citys-franny-cobos.html" target="_blank">Franny Cobos and Juan Pablo Lopez</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-rhp-austin-hansen.html" target="_blank">Austin Hansen</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astros-1b-jake-adams.html" target="_blank">Jake Adams</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-rhp-nivaldo-rodriguez.html" target="_blank">Nivaldo Rodriguez and Enmanuel Valdez</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-astros-3b1bcdh-colton.html" target="_blank">Colton Shaver</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-fayetteville-rhp-brett.html" target="_blank">Brett Conine</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-hooks-rhp-bryan-abreu.html" target="_blank">Bryan Abreu and Ronel Blanco</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-astroshooks-ofdh.html" target="_blank">Granden Goetzman</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-osvaldo-duarte-and-jose.html" target="_blank">Osvaldo Duarte and Jose Urquidy</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-astroshooks-of-stephen.html" target="_blank">Stephen Wrenn</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK</span></b><br />
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Montana 2009</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-37414546642231288582019-11-04T09:16:00.001-06:002019-12-12T12:11:23.859-06:002019 Rule 5 Draft Primer and Astros Eligible Players2019 Rule 5 Draft Primer and Eligible Players<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATED 12/12</b><br />
The Astros lost three players in today's Rule 5 draft (while claiming no one). Here is a little info on those who were lost:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">RHP Brandon Bailey</a> (Baltimore): 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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">RHP Yohan Ramirez</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon" target="_blank">SS Jonathan Arauz</a> (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.<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATED 12/11</b><br />
The current <a href="http://m.mlb.com/hou/roster/40-man/" target="_blank">Astros 40-man roster</a> (as of 12/11) stands at 38 players. The Astros added four players to the 40-man roster on November 20th to protect them from being taken in the Rule 5 draft. They are <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" target="_blank">RHP Cristian Javier</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parede000eno" target="_blank">RHP Enoli Paredes</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig000niv" target="_blank">RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jones-000tay" target="_blank">1B Taylor Jones</a>. The draft will take place at 9:00 a.m. ET on December 12th at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. Let's take a look at all the draft rules and the current Astros eligible players ...<br />
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Nick Tanielu and Alex De Goti - August 2019</div>
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Photo by Jayne Hansen</div>
<br />
Here is a primer based on my understanding of how the Rule 5 draft works and a list of current draft eligible players.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">RULE 5</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Rule 5 draft (no, it's not the Rule V draft; please stop calling it that!) was updated somewhat prior to 2016's draft in two ways: it eliminated the lower of two minor league phases of the draft and it increased the compensation payment to teams for players who are lost through the draft. Here is the text of Rule 5 with the <b><span style="color: blue;">Eligibility Rules highlighted in Blue</span></b>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Rule 5<br />
ANNUAL SELECTION OF PLAYERS<br />
(a) MEETINGS. A selection meeting shall be held each year at such time and place as the Commissioner shall designate and shall be known as the Rule 5 Selection Meeting. At the Rule 5 Selection Meeting, Major League Clubs may claim the contracts of players who are on Minor League Reserve Lists (filed pursuant to Rule 2) and who are subject to selection as set forth in this Rule 5. If any Major League or Minor League Club shall fail to file Minor League Reserve Lists in accordance with Major League Rule 2, its players on Minor League Reserve Lists shall be subject to selection under this Rule 5 without any restrictions. The Commissioner shall decide all procedural questions that may arise during the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.<br />
(b) METHOD AND PRIORITY OF SELECTIONS. Selections under this Rule 5 shall be made in two separate phases: the Major League phase and the Class AAA phase. A player selected in one of these phases must be placed on the Major League Club’s Reserve List in the same classification of the phase in which the player was selected. Within each phase, only players from a Reserve List of a lower classification Club are eligible for selection. Within each phase, selections shall be made according to the following order and conditions:<br />
(1) Major League Clubs shall select in reverse order of their winning percentages at the close of the preceding championship season, without regard to standings within any Division or League and without regard to post-season results. If two or more Clubs had an identical percentage of games won at the close of the preceding championship season, the selection order of those Clubs shall be determined by the percentage of games won in the next prior championship season, with any remaining ties resolved by continuing to examine the tied Clubs’ respective championship season winning percentages in each preceding prior year, until the tie is broken.<br />
(2) As called in the above order of priority in a phase, each Major League Club shall have a right to select one player subject to selection under this Rule 5. If a Club does not exercise its right of selection when called, or if its right of selection in that phase has ceased because its Reserve List(s) for the classification covered by the phase has reached the allowable limit under Rule 2, the next Club in order shall be called. When a round has been completed, the process of selection shall be repeated until all Major League Clubs have no further right of selection in that phase. A Club<br />
having announced its selection in proper order cannot later cancel the selection.<br />
(3) In any year in which one or more new members have been admitted to a Major League for operations in the next championship season, each such new member may select player contracts under this Rule 5. The procedures and regulations governing such selections shall be as agreed upon by the Major League Clubs.<br />
(4) Any Major League Club may authorize (in writing or by electronic communication) any employee, the Commissioner, or an employee of the Commissioner’s Office to announce its selection or selections at the meeting. Such authorized selections shall be as binding and effective as if announced by a Major League Club official.<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>(c) PLAYERS SUBJECT TO SELECTION. All players on the Minor League Reserve Lists of Major League and Minor League Clubs, except players on the Voluntarily Retired, Disqualified or Ineligible Lists, shall be subject to selection by other Major League Clubs at the Rule 5 Selection Meeting in accordance with the following:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(1) A player without previous Major or Minor League service who signs with a Major League or independent Minor League Club shall be subject to selection based on the following:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(A) if 18 years of age or under on the June 5 immediately preceding the player’s signing, the player shall be subject to selection at the fifth Rule 5 Selection Meeting that follows the signing date of the player’s first Major or Minor League contract, unless Rule 5(c)(1)(C) applies;</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(B) if 19 years of age or over on the June 5 immediately preceding the player’s signing, the player shall be subject to selection at the fourth Selection Meeting that follows the signing date of the player’s first Major or Minor League contract, unless Rule 5(c)(1)(C) applies;</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(C) if the signing date of a player’s first Major or Minor League contract is between</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(i) the conclusion of the championship season for the Major or Minor League Club to which the player is assigned on such contract and</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(ii) the next Rule 5 Selection Meeting,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">then the player shall be deemed to have signed after the next Rule 5 Selection Meeting, for purposes of this Rule 5(c)(1).</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(2) A player who is re-signed by a Club within one year from the date the Club released the player shall be subject to draft at the Rule 5 Selection Meeting following the date of the latest contract with that Club.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(3) A player who has been subject to draft at a Rule 5 Selection Meeting shall be subject to draft at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List (filed pursuant to Rule 2 (Player Limits and Reserve Lists)) at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(4) A player</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(A) whose contract has been assigned outright by a Major League Club to a Minor League Club,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(B) who has been signed as a free agent to a Minor League Uniform Player Contract for services in the following year and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), or</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(C) who has been released unconditionally from a Minor League roster and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), shall be subject to selection at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List (filed pursuant to Rule 2 (Player Limits and Reserve Lists)) at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">(5) A Major League or independent Minor League Club may designate any player on one of its Minor League Reserve Lists to be subject to selection who otherwise would not be selectable under this Rule 5.</span></b><br />
(d) CONSIDERATION, PAYMENT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. The consideration for a selection under this Rule 5 shall be as follows:<br />
(1) $100,000, if the selected player is placed on a Major League Reserve List;<br />
(2) $24,000, if the selected player is placed on a Class AAA Reserve List;<br />
In addition to the compensation set forth in this paragraph, an independent Minor League Club shall be reimbursed by a selecting Major League Club for all compensation (including salary, bonuses and benefits) that it has paid to a selected player if the player is selected at the first selection meeting following the first year of the player’s initial Minor League Uniform Player Contract. Payment of the consideration due the selectee Club shall be made in the same manner as provided in Rule 12 Transfer Agreements) regarding other assignments of player contracts. The selector Major League Club must assume all responsibility for the player’s physical condition and for the player’s reporting.<br />
(e) PLAYER-MANAGERS. A Player-Manager shall be subject to selection if the player would otherwise be selectable under Rule 5(c) (Players Subject to Selection). However, a player-manager shall be subject to selection as a player only and the player-manager selected may reject such selection by giving written or electronic notification of such rejection to the Commissioner within 30 days from the date that the player-manager receives notification of such selection from the Commissioner. A player-manager contract that has been executed within 30 days before the close of the season shall not be changed to a player contract during the season following execution of such player-manager contract unless the Commissioner approves such a change in writing.<br />
(f) COVERING UP. No agreement shall be made for the purpose or with the effect of covering up a player from selection. If the Commissioner shall be of opinion that any such agreement has been made, the Commissioner may impose a fine upon each party to such an agreement.</blockquote>
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<div>
<b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">RULE 5 ELIGIBILITY</b><br />
<br />
The highlighted passage above regarding Rule 5 eligibility is somewhat cumbersome. What it means in English is that this year's eligible players basically include: 1) any player who signed prior to the end of the 2015 season; and 2) players who signed after the end of the 2015 season and prior to the end of the 2016 season who were 19 years old or older when they signed. That means most 2016 drafted college players are eligible, but high school players (and some community college players) drafted in 2016 may not be eligible until next year. For the international free agents, one needs to know when the player signed their first professional agreement and their age at signing to make the determination. There is an exception based on players who signed during the off-season, but otherwise, that is the basic gist of it.</div>
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<br />
<b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">MAJOR LEAGUE PHASE OF THE RULE 5 DRAFT</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The first phase of the Rule 5 draft is the major league phase. In order to protect an eligible player from being drafted in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, he must be on the major league club's 40-man roster prior to November 20th (if that falls on a business day). Players on the 40-man roster at that deadline are considered "protected."<br />
<br />
Obviously not all of a team's best players can be protected on the 40-man roster. That is where the AAA Reserve List helps. If a player from the AAA Reserve List is drafted in the Rule 5 draft, that player must remain on the drafting team's 25-man major league roster for the full season or he will have to be put through waivers. If claimed, the new team will be subject to the same conditions regarding that player. If not claimed, the player will be offered back to the team from which he was drafted.<br />
<br />
The cost of drafting a player in the major league phase of the draft is now $100,000. If the player is offered back to the team from which he was drafted, the original team must pay $50,000 back to the drafting team. If the original team declines, the player will be put on waivers.<br />
<br />
Last season <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stubbga01.shtml" target="_blank">C Garrett Stubbs</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/armenro01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Rogelio Armenteros</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Bryan Abreu</a> were added to the 40-man roster by the Astros in advance of the deadline. The front office made the determination that these players were the most likely players to be taken in the Rule 5 draft. The front office took a calculated risk by not adding players such as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/urquijo01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Jose Urquidy</a> (and others who emerged as top prospects in 2019) to the 40-man roster, but only included them on the AAA Reserve List. They made a determination as to which players, if drafted, were more likely to "stick" on a major league roster for a full season and were very successful in that the only two unprotected players claimed in the major league phase of last year's Rule 5 draft, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000ril" target="_blank">RHP Riley Ferrell</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fergus000dre" target="_blank">OF Drew Ferguson</a>, were ultimately returned to the Astros. The Astros did, however, lose one player in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft (see below) and that was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=thomps005rya" target="_blank">RHP Ryan Thompson</a> who had been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery when selected.<br />
<br />
Since players taken in the Rule 5 draft have to remain on the drafting team's 25-man roster for the full season, pitchers are taken much more frequently than position players simply because it's fairly easy to use a pitcher sparingly out of the bullpen. Position players can't be tucked away quite so neatly if they struggle. It all comes down to another team's ability to find room on their 25-man roster for a full season. It's simply not that easy to do and that's why so very few players are drafted in the Rule 5 draft and stick with a team.<br />
<br />
It's also the case that often minor league fans overvalue prospects. We may think much more highly of a player than the other teams' front offices do. When all is said and done, the Astros front office will take some risks in leaving players unprotected, but it will be a highly educated guess based on many factors, including future needs.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">MINOR LEAGUE PHASE OF THE RULE 5 DRAFT</b><br />
<br />
There is now only one minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, reduced from two phases in earlier years. The players on the 40-man roster and the AAA reserve list aren't eligible to be taken in the minor league phase of the draft. To my knowledge the AAA reserve list is still set at 38 players so, in essence, you are protecting your top 78 players from the minor league phase. (As far as I know, AAA Reserve Lists are not made public so we are left to guess who the Astros will be shielding from the minor league phase of the draft.)<br />
<br />
In the AAA Phase of the draft, a player who is on the AA Reserve List or lower can be drafted for inclusion on the drafting team's AAA Reserve list for a cost of $24,000. The kicker on the minor league phase of the draft is that the drafted player basically becomes that team's property. There is no requirement to offer the player back if he doesn't work out. He can be traded, released, etc. at a team's discretion.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>ASTROS 2019 RULE 5 ELIGIBLE PLAYERS</b></span><br />
<br />
According to my records, the following are those players who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December if they are left unprotected. I have organized them by the level at which they were assigned at the end of the minor league regular season. Players who are first year eligible have been #'d. Players who are currently on the MLB Pipeline Top 30 Prospect List (as of 11/4) are <span style="color: red;">noted in red</span>.<br />
<br />
My best guess is that the Astros will protect the three top 30 pitchers first (Javier, Paredes and Rodriguez) and then possibly the position players who are the most ready for primetime (De Goti, Jones and Tanielu would be on my short list but cases could be made for MANY more of the players on this list). This could be one of the toughest Rule 5 decisions in a while.</div>
<br />
<b>AAA Position Players</b><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=degoti000ale" target="_blank">#IF Alex De Goti</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fergus000dre">OF Drew Ferguson</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jones-000tay" target="_blank"><strike><span style="color: red;">#1B Taylor Jones</span></strike></a> - </span><span style="color: red;">added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft</span><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ritchi000jam">C Jamie Ritchie</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=taniel000nic">3B Nick Tanielu</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wrenn-002ste" target="_blank">#OF Stephen Wrenn</a><br />
<br />
<b>AAA Pitchers</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=blanco000ron" target="_blank">#RHP Ronel Blanco</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000ril">RHP Riley Ferrell</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garza-000ral">RHP Ralph Garza</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hartma002rya" target="_blank">#LHP Ryan Hartman</a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" style="color: red;" target="_blank"><strike>#RHP Cristian Javier</strike></a> - added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft</span><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=larue-000car" target="_blank">#RHP Carson LaRue</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mccurr000bre">RHP Brendan McCurry</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000gab">RHP Gabriel Valdez</a> (on IL at end of season)<br />
<br />
<b>AA Position Players</b><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arauz-000jon"><span style="color: red;">SS Jonathan Arauz</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=canelo000car">C Carlos Canelon</a> (on IL at end of season)<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dawson002ron" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#OF Ronnie Dawson</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=delacr000bry">OF Bryan de la Cruz</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=duarte000osv">IF Osvaldo Duarte</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins000chu" target="_blank">#C Chuckie Robinson</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra000ani" target="_blank">#SS Anibal Sierra</a><br />
<br />
<b>AA Pitchers</b><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=adcock000bre" target="_blank">#LHP Brett Adcock</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bailey004bra" target="_blank">#RHP Brandon Bailey</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=benede000car" target="_blank">#LHP/OF Carmen Benedetti</a> (converting to pitcher; on IL at end of season)<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=donato000cha" target="_blank">#RHP Chad Donato</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ferrel000jus">RHP Justin Ferrell</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hernan007nic" target="_blank">#RHP Nick Hernandez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckee-000col" target="_blank">#RHP Colin McKee</a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parede000eno" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><strike>#RHP Enoli Paredes</strike></span></a> </span>- added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">#RHP Yohan Ramirez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sanabr000car">RHP Carlos Sanabria</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=scrubb000and" target="_blank">#RHP Andre Scrubb</a><br />
<br />
<b>Position Players at High A or lower</b><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=campos002osc">C Oscar Campos</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castro004rub">C Ruben Castro</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=machad000car">OF Carlos Machado</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=manea-000sco" target="_blank">#C Scott Manea</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire009jua" target="_blank">#OF Juan Ramirez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yeu" target="_blank">#IF Yeuris Ramirez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra002mig">SS Miguelangel Sierra</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=urdane000ron" target="_blank">#IF Ronaldo Urdaneta</a> (ended season on IL)<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000enm" target="_blank">#2B/3B Enmanuel Valdez</a><br />
<br />
<b>Pitchers at High A or lower</b><br />
<div>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castel001hum" target="_blank">#RHP Humberto Castellanos</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chavez000jer" target="_blank">#LHP Jervic Chavez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chavez000lup" target="_blank">RHP Lupe Chavez</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=medina003fre" target="_blank">#RHP Fredy Medina</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig008leo" target="_blank">#RHP Leovanny Rodriguez</a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig000niv" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><strike>#RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez</strike></span></a> </span>- added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rosado000ces" target="_blank">#RHP Cesar Rosado</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=saldan000abd">RHP Abdiel Saldana</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sandov000edg">RHP Edgardo Sandoval</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tejada001fel" target="_blank">#RHP Felipe Tejada</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres000joj" target="_blank">#RHP Jojanse Torres</a><br />
<br />
#First year eligibility for Rule 5 Draft<br />
<br />
In addition to the above, the following players are now minor league free agents as of the conclusion of the major league season and they can explore free agency.<br />
<br />
<b>Minor League Free Agents</b><br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=emanue001ken"><strike>LHP Kent Emanuel</strike></a> - Added to the 40-man roster on 11/4<br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=goetzm000gra">OF Granden Goetzman</a><br />
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pinale000era">RHP Erasmo Pinales</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-68952234164424183402019-09-16T11:58:00.000-05:002019-09-16T11:58:28.276-05:00Astros Farm Report: 9-16One final regularly scheduled Astros farm report to wrap up the season ...<br />
<br />
Two teams (Fayetteville and Round Rock) made it to their respective League Championship Series, but ultimately neither team was able to bring home the hardware. The Astros minor league season officially ended on Saturday with Fayetteville's loss to Wilmington in Game 5. Despite a brilliant outing from MLB Pipeline 29th ranked Astro prospect <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia020lui" target="_blank">Luis Garcia</a> (6.1 IP 3H 1R 0BB 11K), Garcia was charged with the loss as the solo home run he allowed in the fourth inning proved to be all the run support Wilmington needed.<br />
<br />
There will be one final minor league game on Tuesday as the Pacific Coast League Champion Sacramento River Cats will face the International League Champion Columbus Clippers for a one-game winner-take-all AAA Championship game on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Memphis Redbirds Autozone Park. The game will be televised on FS1.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS</span></b><br />
<br />
Here are the final roster moves for the minor league season. An ongoing list of all of the <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/ongoing-2019-astros-milb-roster.html" target="_blank">2019 season transactions and roster moves can be found here</a>.<br />
<br />
9-14: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayfija01.shtml" target="_blank">IF Jack Mayfield</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-13: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correca01.shtml" target="_blank">SS Carlos Correa</a> sent to Round Rock on a rehab assignment<br />
9-7: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sierra000ani" target="_blank">SS/2B Anibal Sierra</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-7: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Bryan Abreu</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-7: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckee-000col" target="_blank">RHP Colin McKee</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guduare01.shtml" target="_blank">LHP Reymin Guduan</a> released<br />
9-5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strawmy01.shtml" target="_blank">OF/SS Myles Straw</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-5: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=duarte000osv" target="_blank">IF Osvaldo Duarte</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Bryan Abreu</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whitle000for" target="_blank">RHP Forrest Whitley</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig018ram" target="_blank">OF Ramiro Rodriguez</a> (Quad Cities) activated from the IL<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wielan000mic" target="_blank">IF Michael Wielansky</a> (Quad Cities) activated from the IL<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bierma000zac" target="_blank">1B Zach Biermann</a> assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lee---000aj-" target="_blank">SS AJ Lee</a> assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities<br />
9-4: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-004jai" target="_blank">RHP Jairo Lopez</a> assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City<br />
9-3: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guduare01.shtml" target="_blank">LHP Reymin Guduan</a> activated from the restricted list and designated for assignment<br />
9-3: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martefr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Francis Martes</a> assigned to Corpus Christi from Round Rock<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezci01.shtml" target="_blank">LHP Cionel Perez</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stubbga01.shtml" target="_blank">C Garrett Stubbs</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tuckeky01.shtml" target="_blank">OF Kyle Tucker</a> recalled to Houston<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=goetzm000gra" target="_blank">OF Granden Goetzman</a> (Corpus Christi) activated from the IL<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wrenn-002ste" target="_blank">OF Stephen Wrenn</a> assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valdez000enm" target="_blank">2B/3B Enmanuel Valdez</a> (Fayetteville) placed on the 7-day IL<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martefr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Francis Martes</a> (Round Rock) activated from the IL<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ceball000yer" target="_blank">RHP Yeremi Ceballos</a> assigned to Fayetteville from Tri-City<br />
9-2: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-016jua" target="_blank">LHP Juan Pablo Lopez</a> assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City<br />
9-1: <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martefr01.shtml" target="_blank">RHP Francis Martes</a> (Round Rock) sent to Quad Cities on a rehab assignment<br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2019 FINAL SEASON STANDINGS</span></b></div>
<div>
<br />
<b>AAA ROUND ROCK (Pacific Coast League/American Southern Division)</b><br />
<b>Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Won over Iowa in Semifinals 3-2</b><br />
<b>Lost to Sacramento in LCS 0-3</b><br />
<div>
1st 84-56 .600 -.-GB L1<br />
<br />
<b>AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League/South Division)</b></div>
<div>
4th 66-73 .475 7.0GB L3<br />
<br />
<b>ADV A FAYETTEVILLE (Carolina League/Southern Division)</b><br />
<b>2nd half Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Won over Down East in the Semifinals 3-2</b><br />
<b>Lost to Wilmington in LCS 2-3</b></div>
<div>
3rd 72-67 .518 15.0GB W2<br />
<br />
<b>LOW A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League/Western Division)</b><br />
<b>1st half Division Winner</b><br />
<b>Lost to Cedar Rapids in MWL Quarterfinals 1-2</b></div>
<div>
2nd 79-57 .581 0.5GB W1<br />
<br />
<b>SHORT SEASON A TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League/Stedler Division)</b><br />
4th 32-42 .432 9.0GB W3<br />
<br />
<b>ROOKIE LEVEL GULF COAST LEAGUE (East Division)</b><br />
4th 25-26 .490 3.5GB W1<br />
<br />
<b>ROOKIE LEVEL DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (Northwest Division)</b><br />
2nd 38-31 .551 2.5GB W2<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">INTERVIEWS</span></b><br />
<br />
The following links are to the interviews I conducted during the 2019 season. <a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/p/interviews.html" target="_blank">Here is a full list of links to all of the interviews</a> I've done since December 2011.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-hooks-rhp-colin-mckee.html" target="_blank">Colin McKee</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-enoli-paredes-and.html" target="_blank">Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-catcher.html" target="_blank">Cesar Salazar</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-rhp-brett.html" target="_blank">Brett Daniels</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-to-know-quad-cities-rhp-felipe.html" target="_blank">Felipe Tejada</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-tri-city-if-aj-lee.html" target="_blank">AJ Lee</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astrostri-city-rhp.html" target="_blank">Peyton Battenfield</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-tri-citys-franny-cobos.html" target="_blank">Franny Cobos and Juan Pablo Lopez</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-rhp-austin-hansen.html" target="_blank">Austin Hansen</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/07/getting-to-know-astros-1b-jake-adams.html" target="_blank">Jake Adams</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-rhp-nivaldo-rodriguez.html" target="_blank">Nivaldo Rodriguez and Enmanuel Valdez</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-astros-3b1bcdh-colton.html" target="_blank">Colton Shaver</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/06/getting-to-know-fayetteville-rhp-brett.html" target="_blank">Brett Conine</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-hooks-rhp-bryan-abreu.html" target="_blank">Bryan Abreu and Ronel Blanco</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-astroshooks-ofdh.html" target="_blank">Granden Goetzman</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-osvaldo-duarte-and-jose.html" target="_blank">Osvaldo Duarte and Jose Urquidy</a><br />
<a href="https://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2019/05/getting-to-know-astroshooks-of-stephen.html" target="_blank">Stephen Wrenn</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WATCH THIS SPACE</span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
If you are a regular reader, you know that I have regularly featured players who I felt were flying below the radar this season, in other words, players who weren't considered top prospects. Two of those players (Nivaldo Rodriguez and Taylor Jones) have since been included on MLB Pipeline's Top Prospect List for the Astros at #26 and #28 respectively and I wouldn't be surprised to see others added to the list as some of the current top prospects graduate over time.<br />
<br />
But one of the biggest impacts this season has been the emergence of several Latin pitchers who seemingly came out of nowhere. Coming into the season, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" target="_blank">Cristian Javier</a> (#10), <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/urquijo01.shtml" target="_blank">Jose Urquidy</a> (#12), <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig000niv" target="_blank">Nivaldo Rodriguez</a> (#26), <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia020lui" target="_blank">Luis Garcia</a> (#29) and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rivera011jos" target="_blank">Jose Alberto Rivera</a> (#30) were not ranked at all by MLB Pipeline. But some of us have been paying attention all along. I would advise against getting wrapped up in the MLB June Draft as the be-all and end-all of player acquisition. The Astros have done an excellent job on the international front and the fruits of those labors are really starting to show.<br />
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So my final Watch This Space of the 2019 season is to remind you not to forget about the Latin players in the system. This group below from Corpus Christi represented 188 appearances (61 starts), a 32-26 record with 23 saves, and a 3.06 ERA and 1.169 WHIP over 558.2 innings. They combined for 708 strikeouts (11.4 SO/9). Watch this space ...<br />
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(L-R) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parede000eno" target="_blank">Enoli Paredes</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pinale000era" target="_blank">Erasmo Pinales</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubr01.shtml" target="_blank">Bryan Abreu</a>,</div>
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<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramire000yoh" target="_blank">Yohan Ramirez</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sanabr000car" target="_blank">Carlos Sanabria</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=collad000wil" target="_blank">Willy Collado</a>,</div>
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and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=javier000cri" target="_blank">Cristian Javier</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-48543766253406881902019-09-14T11:58:00.001-05:002019-09-14T11:58:55.837-05:00Astros Minor League Playoff Recaps<b>Results for Friday, September 13, 2019</b><br />
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Tough night on the farm.<br />
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<b><u><a href="https://www.milb.com/scores/astros/2019-09-13">PCL Championship: Sacramento 7, Round Rock 5</a></u></b><br />
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Sacramento wins series 3-0.<br />
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W- Pat Venditte<br />
L- Carson LaRue<br />
S- Enderson Franco<br />
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RR home runs: Drew Ferguson (1, solo in 2nd), Taylor Jones (1, 2-run in 3rd)<br />
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The River Cats captured the Pacific Coast League crown as they scored three in the top of the 8th to take the lead.<br />
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Rogelio Armenteros went 2.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits, walked four, and struck out one. Carson LaRue tagged in for 4.2 innings and he allowed two runs, both of which were inherited runners that were charged to him, on two hits, walked three, and struck out four. Ralph Garza Jr. pitched the last 1.2 innings and he allowed a run of his own on a groundout, a two-run single that resulted in both of the runners he inherited from LaRue to score, walked one, and struck out two.<br />
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Taylor Jones opened the scoring by ripping an RBI double in the 1st inning. Drew Ferguson led off the 2nd with a homer and Jones struck again in the 3rd with a two-run blast. Round Rock had the bases loaded in the 7th but all they got out of it was Jack Mayfield walking in Ronnie Dawson. Carlos Correa went 1-2 and drew a couple of walks; he got the start at shortstop and played seven innings.<br />
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Round Rock's next game will take place on April 9, 2020.<br />
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<b><u><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/blue-rocks-vs-woodpeckers/2019/09/13/601342#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=601342">Mills Cup: Wilmington 2, Fayetteville 0</a></u></b><br />
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Series tied 2-2.<br />
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W- Austin Cox<br />
L- Jojanse Torres<br />
S- Tad Ratliff<br />
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Fayetteville home runs: None.<br />
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The Woodpeckers' bats were silenced as the Blue Rocks forced a deciding game five.<br />
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Jojanse Torres pitched well but he received a loss for the first time this season. Torres allowed three hits, one of which was a solo homer, walked two, and struck out six in six innings of work. J.P. France was the first man out of the Woodpeckers' bullpen and he allowed a run, which was an inherited runner that was charged to him, on two hits, walked three, and struck out two in 2.1 innings. Yeremi Ceballos allowed a hit and struck out one as he got the last two outs of the 9th.<br />
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Fayetteville only had three hits: a double from David Hensley and singles from Jeremy Peña and Chandler Taylor.<br />
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Luis Garcia will take the mound for the decisive game five and he'll take on Rito Lugo at 6:00 Eastern.<br />
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<b><u>Friday's Stars</u></b><br />
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All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.<br />
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Taylor Jones, 1B, Round Rock</div>
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2-4, 2B, 2-R HR (1), 3 RBI</div>
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Jojanse Torres, RHP, Fayetteville</div>
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L, 6 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 2 BB, 6 K</div>
Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258113540412686164.post-31059124304184266082019-09-13T09:49:00.002-05:002019-09-13T09:49:22.182-05:00Astros Minor League Playoff Recaps<b>Results for Thursday, September 12, 2019</b><br />
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Woodpeckers one win away!<br />
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<b><u><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/blue-rocks-vs-woodpeckers/2019/09/12/601341#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=601341">Mills Cup: Fayetteville 2, Wilmington 1</a></u></b><br />
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Fayetteville leads series 2-1.<br />
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W- Nivaldo Rodriguez<br />
L- Kris Bubic<br />
S- Humberto Castellanos<br />
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Fayetteville home runs: None.<br />
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Both teams had one scoring play; the Woodpeckers' yielded more runs and now, they are one win away from defending the crown they won last year as the Buies Creek Astros.<br />
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David Hensley put Fayetteville on the board and in the lead by ripping a two-run double in the 6th inning. Chandler Taylor, who scored one of those two runs, finished 2-4.<br />
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Nivaldo Rodriguez delivered in the clutch as he allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven over six excellent innings. César Rosado struck out three in two perfect innings of relief and Humberto Castellanos worked around a hit in the 9th to close it out, striking out one.<br />
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Jojanse Torres will take the mound in game four and he'll face Austin Cox at 6:00 Eastern.<br />
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<b><u>Thursday's Stars</u></b><br />
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All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.<br />
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From top:</div>
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Nivaldo Rodriguez: W, 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 7 K</div>
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César Rosado: 2 IP, 3 K; perfect outing</div>
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Humberto Castellanos: Save, IP, H, K </div>
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David Hensley: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI</div>
Dustin Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16933954373505505887noreply@blogger.com0