Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 2: Corpus, Asheville, Fayetteville

Results for Week 2: May 11-16

Let's play two in Frisco!

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.

Corpus Christi @ Frisco

Game 1 (Wednesday, May 12): Frisco 3, Corpus Christi 1

W- Jake Latz (1-0)
L- J.P. France (1-1)
S- Noah Bremer (1)

CC home runs: None.

This was the first game of a doubleheader. The Hooks did not win this game.

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.

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Frisco 2, Corpus Christi 1

W- Tyler Phillips (1-0)
L- Jonathan Bermudez (1-1)
S- Scott Engler (1)

CC home runs: J.J. Matijevic (1, solo in 1st)

Corpus got swept in the twinbill. 

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Corpus Christi 4, Frisco 0

W- Hunter Peck (1-0)
L- Alex Speas (0-1)

CC home runs: None.

There was only one half-inning where runs were scored and thankfully, it belonged to the Corpus Christi Hooks.

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.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Corpus Christi 6, Frisco 5 in 11 innings

W- Willy Collado (1-1)
L- Joe Gatto (0-1)

CC home runs: Pedro Leon (1, 2-run in 6th)

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.

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Frisco 8, Corpus Christi 2

W- Alex Speas (1-1)
L- Cesar Rosado (0-1)

CC home runs: Chandler Taylor (1, solo in 8th)

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.

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.

Asheville @ Bowling Green

Game 1 (Tuesday, May 11): Bowling Green 5, Asheville 1

W- Evan McKendry (2-0)
L- Jose Bravo (0-1)

Asheville home runs: None.

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.

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.

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Bowling Green 8, Asheville 7

W- Jacob Lopez (1-0)
L- Devin Conn (0-1)

S- Michael Costanzo (1)

Asheville home runs: Korey Lee (1, solo in 1st), Alex Holderbach (1, 2-run in 5th)

The Tourists got the tying and go-ahead runs on base to lead off the 9th but couldn't get either of them in.

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.

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Asheville 6, Bowling Green 5

W- Jimmy Endersby (1-0)
L- Ezequiel Zabaleta (1-1)
S- Kyle Serrano (1)

Asheville home runs: Luis Santana (3, 2-run in 8th)

Asheville got on the board in this series by staving off a late rally from the Hot Rods.

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.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Bowling Green 1, Asheville 0

W- Carlos Garcia (2-0)
L- Tyler Brown (0-1)

S- Christopher Gau (1)

Asheville home runs: None.

The Tourists outhit the Hot Rods 6-3... but the game's only run did not belong to them.

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Bowling Green 7, Asheville 3 in 11 innings

W- Ezequiel Zabaleta (2-1)
L- Yeremi Ceballos (0-1)

Asheville home runs: None.

The Tourists surrendered a walk-off grand slam in the 11th.

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.

Game 6 (Sunday, May 16): Bowling Green 7,  Asheville 0

W- Peyton Battenfield (1-0)
L- Blair Henley (0-2)

S- Evan McKendry (1)

Asheville home runs: None.

A series to forget as the Tourists went 1-5.

The Tourists return home to start a series with the Greenville Drive on Tuesday.

Fayetteville vs. Kannapolis

Game 1 (Tuesday, May 11): Fayetteville 10, Kannapolis 1

W- Mark Moclair (1-0)

L- Jared Kelley (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: Matt Barefoot (3, solo in 1st)

The Woodpeckers cruised to a win in their home opener. 

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.

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.

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 12): Fayetteville 9, Kannapolis 2

W- Christian Mejias (1-1)
L- Chase Solesky (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: Zach Daniels (2, 2-run in 1st)

Fayetteville scored three runs in each of the first three innings as they strolled to another victory.

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.

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 13): Fayetteville 7, Kannapolis 6

W- Jaime Melendez (1-0)
L- Rigo Fernandez (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 14): Fayetteville 5, Kannapolis 0

W- Ernesto Jaquez (1-0)
L- Yoelvin Silven (0-1)
S- Angel Macuare (1)

Fayetteville home runs: Kenedy Corona (1, solo in 7th)

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.

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.

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 15): Kannapolis 1, Fayetteville 0

W- Jeremiah Burke (1-1)
L- Cesar Gomez (0-2)
S- Marcus Evey (1)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

The one run in this game did not belong to the Woodpeckers. 

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.

Game 6 (Sunday, May 16): Fayetteville 12, Kannapolis 2

W- Jonathan Sprinkle (1-0)
L- Jared Kelley (0-2)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

Fayetteville opened the floodgates with five runs in the 2nd. 

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.

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.

The Woodpeckers close out May with a road trip. Their first stop is Augusta for six with the GreenJackets starting Tuesday.

Week 2's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Corpus Christi

Jonathan Bermudez, LHP

Wednesday: L (1-1), 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, career-high 10 K in game 2 of doubleheader

Photo by Bryan Green

Joe Record, RHP

Thursday: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K

This is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Hunter Peck, LHP

Thursday: W (1-0), 2 IP, BB, 4 K

Asheville

Felipe Tejada, RHP

Wednesday: 2.2 IP, BB, 7 K

Korey Lee, C

Wednesday: 3-5, 2B, solo HR (1), 3 R

This is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Jimmy Endersby, RHP

Thursday: W (1-0), 5 IP, H (2-R HR), 2 ER, BB, 7 K

R.J. Freure, RHP

Friday: 5 IP, H, BB, 6 K

Jose Alberto Rivera, RHP

Sunday: 3.2 IP, BB, 7 K

Devin Conn, RHP

Sunday: 2.2 IP, BB, 5 K

Fayetteville

All of these pictures, except for Jayson Schroeder's and Angel Macuare's, are their headshots on MiLB.com.

Matt Barefoot, OF

Tuesday: 3-4, solo HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R, SB

Sunday: 3-5, 2 RBI, R, SB

Alfredi Jimenez, RHP

Tuesday: 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K

Zach Daniels, OF

Wednesday: 3-4, 2-R HR (2), 4 RBI

Christian Mejias, RHP

Wednesday: W (1-1), 4 IP, 3 H, career-high 10 K

Jaime Melendez, RHP

Thursday: W (1-0), 3 IP, 7 K

Kenedy Corona, OF

Friday: 3-3, 2B, solo HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R

Sunday: 3-5, 3B, RBI, R, 2 SB

Friday's pitchers: No-hitter

Jayson Schroeder: 4 IP, 3 BB, 4 K

Ernesto Jaquez: W (1-0), IP, 2 K

Angel Macuare: Save (1), 4 IP, BB, 7 K

Astros Minor League Recaps, Week 1: Corpus Christi, Asheville, Fayetteville

Results for Week 1: May 4-9

For the first time in two years... Happy Minor League Opening Day!

Obviously, with the sheer volume of games to cover, I'll try to keep it short and sweet for each individual game.

Corpus Christi vs. San Antonio

Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): San Antonio 8, Corpus Christi 3

W- Reiss Knehr (1-0)

L- Nick Hernandez (0-1)

CC home runs: David Hensley (1, solo in 6th)

Rough night in the field for the Hooks as four errors condemned them to an opening-night defeat.

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.

Chad Donato got the start and allowed two unearned runs on two hits, walked one, and fanned four in three innings of work.

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Corpus Christi 4, San Antonio 2

W- J.P. France (1-0)
L- Jerry Keel (0-1)
S- Hunter Peck (1)

CC home runs: Grae Kessinger (1, 2-run in 6th)

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Corpus Christi 6, San Antonio 1

W- Jonathan Bermudez (1-0)
L- Caleb Boushley (0-1)

CC home runs: David Hensley 2 (3; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 3rd), Norel Gonzalez (1, solo in 2nd)

David Hensley went off as he carried Corpus to a Thursday victory.

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.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 7): San Antonio 5, Corpus Christi 4 in 11 innings

W- Sam Williams (1-0)
L- Brandon Lawson (0-1)

CC home runs: Grae Kessinger (2, solo in 2nd), Ross Adolph (1, 2-run in 5th)

Corpus Christi couldn't seal the deal in the 9th and the Missions wound up taking Friday's contest in extras.

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.

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): San Antonio 6, Corpus Christi 0

W- Mason Fox (1-0)
L- Hunter Brown (0-1)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks fell behind early and their bats fell silent.

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.

Game 6 (Sunday, May 9): San Antonio 7, Corpus Christi 5

W- Jerry Keel (1-1)
L- Willy Collado (0-1)
S- Jose Quezada (1)

CC home runs: Scott Manea (1, grand slam in 4th)

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.

In his second start of the year, Chad Donato allowed a run on five hits and struck out five in four innings.

Corpus will hit the road for the first time this season and they'll start a six-game set in Frisco on Tuesday.

Asheville vs. Brooklyn

Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): Brooklyn 8, Asheville 2

W- Josh Walker (1-0)

L- Blair Henley (0-1)

Asheville home runs: Scott Schreiber (1, solo in 7th), Colin Barber (1, solo in 8th)

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.

Well, Scott Schreiber and Colin Barber went deep in an otherwise forgettable night for the Asheville bats.

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.

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Asheville 6, Brooklyn 1

W- Chandler Casey (1-0)

L- Jose Butto (0-1)

Asheville home runs: None.

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.

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. 

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Asheville 11, Brooklyn 4

W- Matt Ruppenthal (1-0)
L- Oscar Rojas (0-1)

Asheville home runs: Luis Santana 2 (2; 3-run in 1st, 2-run in 3rd)

The Tourists jumped out to an early 8-1 lead to cruise to the win.

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.

Santana woke up this morning and chose violence..

And we are absolutely here for it. pic.twitter.com/WUs7WXdB0G

— Asheville Tourists (@GoTourists) May 7, 2021

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.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 7): Asheville 13, Brooklyn 7

W- R.J. Freure (1-0)
L- Jaison Vilera (0-1)

Asheville home runs: Alex McKenna (1, solo in 2nd), Freudis Nova (1, 2-run in 3rd)

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): Brooklyn 16, Asheville 12

W- Alec Kisena (1-0)
L- Juan Pablo Lopez (0-1)

Asheville home runs: Colin Barber (2, 2-run in 4th), Alex McKenna (2, grand slam in 8th)

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.

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.

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. 

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.

The sixth and final game of this series was canceled due to a non-COVID-related health concern.

The Tourists will hit the road for six in Bowling Green beginning Tuesday.

Fayetteville @ Carolina

Game 1 (Tuesday, May 4): Carolina 6, Fayetteville 5

W- Abner Uribe (1-0)

L- Misael Tamarez (0-1)

S- Cam Robinson (1)

Fayetteville home runs: Nerio Rodriguez (1, 2-run in 3rd), J.C. Correa (1, solo in 8th)

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.

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.

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. 

Game 2 (Wednesday, May 5): Carolina 5, Fayetteville 3

W- Joey Matulovich (1-0)
L- Alfredi Jimenez (0-1)
S- Evan Reifert (1)

Fayetteville home runs: Ronaldo Urdaneta (1, solo in 8th)

Once again, a late Mudcats rally sent the Woodpeckers to another loss. 

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.

Game 3 (Thursday, May 6): Carolina 12, Fayetteville 2

W- T.J. Shook (1-0)
L- Christian Mejias (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

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.

Game 4 (Friday, May 7): Fayetteville 8, Carolina 4

W- Whit Drennan (1-0)
L- Justin Bullock (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

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. 

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.

Game 5 (Saturday, May 8): Carolina 6, Fayetteville 2

W- Juan Geraldo (1-0)
L- Angel Macuare (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: Matt Barefoot (1, solo in 2nd), Luke Berryhill (1, solo in 6th)

Once again, timely hitting eluded the Woodpeckers as they went 0-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

The two solo shots you see above represent Fayetteville's only scoring plays in this game. Luke Berryhill finished 2-4.

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.

Game 6 (Sunday, May 9): Carolina 8, Fayetteville 5

W- Evan Reifert (1-0)
L- Cesar Gomez (0-1)

Fayetteville home runs: Zach Daniels (1, solo in 3rd), Matt Barefoot (2, solo in 3rd), Yeuris Ramirez (1, solo in 6th)

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.

Three solo homers were Fayetteville's three scoring plays in this one. Joe Perez finished 2-4 from the leadoff spot.

The Woodpeckers will open the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday when they start a six-game series with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

Week 1's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Corpus Christi

David Hensley, IF

Tuesday: 2-4, solo HR (1), 2 R

Thursday: 3-4, 2 HR (3), 5 RBI, 2 R

J.P. France, RHP

Wednesday: W (1-0), 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, career-high 11 K

This is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Hunter Peck, LHP

Wednesday: Save (1), 2 IP, H, BB, 5 K in pro debut, which occurred on his birthday

Grae Kessinger, IF

Wednesday: 2-4, 2-R HR (1)

Chad Donato, RHP

Sunday: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K

Asheville

Jose Bravo, RHP

Tuesday: 3 IP, BB, 3 K

This is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Chandler Casey, RHP

Wednesday: W (1-0), 4 IP, 3 H, BB, K

Luis Santana, IF

Thursday: 3-5, 2B, 2 HR (2), 5 RBI, 3 R

Friday: 2-4, 3 RBI

Alex McKenna, OF

Friday: 2-5, 2B, solo HR (1), 2 R

Saturday: 2-5, Grand Slam (2)

This is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Colin Barber, OF

Saturday: 1-3, 2-R HR (2), 3 RBI, 3 R

Enmanuel Valdez, IF

Friday: 3-5, RBI, 2 R

Fayetteville

All of these pictures, except for Mark Moclair's, are their headshots on MiLB.com.

Nerio Rodriguez, C

Tuesday: 2-5, 2-R HR (1)

J.C. Correa, IF

Tuesday: 3-5, solo HR (1)

Cesar Gomez, RHP

Tuesday: 5 IP, H, 4 K in pro debut

Mark Moclair, RHP

Wednesday: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Jaime Melendez, RHP

Friday: 4 IP, H, 6 K

Justin Dirden, OF

Friday: 2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R

Shay Whitcomb, IF

Friday: 4-5, 2 2B, 3 R

Meet the Asheville Tourists

In part three of our Meet the Team series, we head to Western North Carolina. Let's meet the Asheville Tourists!

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

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. 

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.

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).

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 Biltmore Estate, the largest private residence in the United States, owned by the Vanderbilt family. 

The Tourists play at McCormick Field, the third-oldest active ballpark in the minors. It was featured in the film Bull Durham. McCormick Field also boasts a reputation as being a hitter's park, though that bias is not nearly as extreme as Lancaster.

COACHING STAFF

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?

Manager: Nate Shaver

Pitching Coach: Eric Nielsen

Hitting Coach: René Rojas

Development Coach: Kyle Brennan

Athletic Trainer: Brandon Zumbach

Strength Coach: Zach Reding

ROSTER

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. 

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.

Italics - player bats/throws left-handed

Bold - player is a switch hitter

Pitchers

José Bravo - 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.

Tyler Brown - 3rd round, 2020 draft (Vanderbilt); making pro debut

Riley Cabral - 31st round, 2018 draft (Memphis); Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Chandler Casey - 26th round, 2019 draft (Lubbock Christian); GCL Astros

Yeremi Ceballos - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; pitched for four different teams in 2019, mainly with Tri-City and Fayetteville

Danny Cody - 17th round, 2019 draft (Baldwin Wallace); Quad Cities/Tri-City/GCL

Devin Conn - 19th round, 2018 draft (Nova Southeastern); Quad Cities. with one appearance for Fayetteville

Jimmy Endersby - Undrafted free agent (Concordia-Irvine); making pro debut

R.J. Freure - 6th round, 2018 draft (Pittsburgh); Quad Cities

Layne Henderson - 30th round, 2018 draft (Azusa Pacific); Corpus/Quad Cities

Blair Henley - 7th round, 2019 draft (Texas); Tri-City, with one appearance in the GCL

Juan Pablo Lopez - International free agent (Mexico), 2016; Tri-City, with one appearance for Quad Cities

Cole McDonald - 15th round, 2019 draft (Iowa); Tri-City, with one appearance in the GCL

Jose Alberto Rivera - 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.

Matt Ruppenthal - 17th round, 2017 draft (Vanderbilt); Quad Cities

Kyle Serrano - 10th round, 2017 draft (Tennessee); Tri-City, with two appearances in the GCL

Felipe Tejada - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2014; Quad Cities

Catchers

Alex Holderbach - 16th round, 2018 draft (Eastern Kentucky); Quad Cities

Tyler Krabbe - 19th round, 2019 draft (Montevallo); GCL Astros

Korey Lee - 1st round, 2019 draft (Cal); Tri-City

Infielders

A.J. Lee - 34th round, 2019 draft (Maryland); Quad Cities/Tri-City

Freudis Nova - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; Quad Cities

Luis Santana - Acquired via trade along with Ross Adolph and Scott Manea from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Corpus Christi/Tri-City

Enmanuel Valdez - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2015; Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Outfielders

Wilyer Abreu - International free agent (Venezuela), 2017; Quad Cities/Tri-City

Colin Barber - 4th round, 2019 draft (Pleasant Valley HS, Chico, California); GCL in 2019, Chicago Deep Dish (City of Champions Cup) in 2020

Alex McKenna - 4th round, 2018 draft (Cal Poly); Quad Cities in 2019, Tully Monsters (City of Champions Cup) in 2020

Ramiro Rodriguez - International free agent (Panama), 2015; Corpus/Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Scott Schreiber - 9th round, 2018 draft (Nebraska); Fayetteville/Quad Cities

2021 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.

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.

All 30 MLB teams will have four affiliate clubs. For the Houston Astros, their organization ladder is as follows:

AAA: Sugar Land Skeeters (Triple-A West, East Division) 

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A Central, South Division; which is essentially the Texas League with two Pacific Coast League teams joining the league) 

Class A Advanced: Asheville Tourists (High-A East, South Division)

Class A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Low-A East, Central Division)

And then you have the complex leagues, which won't change.

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. 

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.

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.

Click each team's name to view their schedule.

Sugar Land

Corpus Christi

Asheville

Fayetteville

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.