Happy Birthday - 9/11

No future Astros with birthdays today, but two former Astros mark the day ~

1B/3B Brandon Laird (27)
Drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round in 2007, Laird was selected off waivers from the Yankees in September 2012. Laird played in 42 games for Houston in 2012 and 2013, hitting .198/.248/.406 with four doubles, six home runs and 15 RBI. He is currently playing in the National's organization.

LHP Dave Roberts (died January 9, 2009 at age 64)
An absolute workhorse in the four seasons that he pitched for Houston (1972 to 1975), Roberts pitched 843.2 innings for the Astros. He was 47-44 with 34 complete games, 11 shutouts, four saves, a 3.69 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP. In 13 seasons in the majors (from 1969 to 1981), he also played for San Diego, Detroit, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Seattle and the New York Mets.

Roster Moves/Transactions

I'm a little late to the party on this one, but apparently the Astros signed free agent right-handed reliever Peter Moylan to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. The 34-year old (35 in December) Australian was originally signed by the Twins as an amateur free agent in 1996. Moylan made his major league debut 10 years later for the Braves. In 295 appearances for the Braves between 2006 and 2012, he had a 2.59 ERA and a 1.285 WHIP. In 2013, he signed with the Dodgers and appeared in a handful of games in June and September, putting up a 6.46 ERA and a 1.957 WHIP. Moylan spent the rest of his season with the AAA Albuquerque team, managing a more respectable 2.74 ERA and a 1.261 WHIP in 38 appearances. Moylan's reaction?

I have a job next year!!!!!
— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) November 22, 2013

 In addition, two minor league free agents have left the Astros nest. IF Brandon Laird signed with the Royals and IF Jose Martinez signed with the Athletics.

Happy Birthday - 9/11

Astros Bench Coach Eduardo Perez (44)
Perez was drafted by the Angels in the first round in 1991 and made his major league debut two years later. Perez spent 13 seasons playing primarily first base and outfield for six different teams. He is in his first season as the Bench Coach for the Astros. For more on Perez' coaching career, go here.

1B/3B Brandon Laird (26)
Drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round in 2007, Laird was selected off waivers from the Yankees in September 2012. Laird has spent a handful of games at the major league level this season, but spent the bulk of 2013 at Oklahoma City where he hit .277/.324/.449 with 33 doubles and 16 home runs in 119 games.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

LHP Dave Roberts (died January 9, 2009 at age 64)
An absolute workhorse in the four seasons that he pitched for Houston (1972 to 1975), Roberts pitched 843.2 innings for the Astros. He was 47-44 with 34 complete games, 11 shutouts, four saves, a 3.69 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP. In 13 seasons in the majors (from 1969 to 1981), he also played for San Diego, Detroit, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Seattle and the New York Mets.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Saturday's Games

Greeneville Astros 3, Bristol White Sox 4 
Greeneville scored three runs before Bristol answered back Saturday and once they did Greeneville fell behind. Troy Scribner took the start for the Astros and threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks as he struck out four. Krishawn Holley (3-1) tossed the final six outs and earned his second blown save and the loss. Holley gave up two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out one. Chase McDonald (1X4 R HR RBI SO) scored Greeneville's last run of the game when he hit a solo knock in the sixth inning. Tanner Mathis went nothing-for-one at the plate but scored a run in the fifth after drawing a walk, one of three he drew in the game.

GCL Astros 7, GCL Phillies 8

The Astros held a seven to two lead entering the ninth inning and allowed six runs to score in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in a loss. Jorge Perez and Joe Musgrove both pitched in the ninth inning and only Perez (.1 IP 2H 4ER 2BB) recorded an out. Together they allowed six runs on six hits and two walks. Musgrove (0-3), who allowed the final two runs, picked up the loss and his first blown save. Yonathan Mejia (2X5 R 2B HR 2RBI SO) began the scoring in the first inning with a two-run shot that scored Javaris Reynolds (2X3 2R 2BB SO). Jose Solano and Joel Silfa both went two-for-four in the game with a run scored. Solano also picked up his 21^st RBI of the season.

DSL Astros 7, DSL Indians 2

The DSL Astros nearly shut out their opponent on Saturday before giving up a pair of runs in the ninth inning. Joselo Pinales (2-0) picked up the win, going the first five innings on the mound and giving up just a hit and walk while he was there. Pinales struck out six. Luis Payano closed out at one-for-four batting with a couple walks, a strike out and a pair of RBI and run scored. Payano hit a triple in the fourth that plated the first two runs for Astros. Kristian Trompiz also hit one-for-four, but collected three RBI and a walk in the game. Payano and Trompiz accounted for six of their team’s seven runs on the day.

Tri-City Valley Cats 2, Aberdeen IronBirds 6

The Valley Cats scored first and last, but at one run an installment it was not enough for the win. It might have been had Tri-City not committed three errors which led to four unearned runs in the game. Chris Cotton strode to the hill first and worked four and a third, recording five runs (2ER) on seven hits (HR) and four Ks. Cotton (3-3) would take the loss.  Brett Booth and James Ramsay split four of Tri-City’s seven hits, both going two-for-four. Ramsay scored a run and hit a triple while Booth hit a two-bagger and struck out once.

Quad Cities River Bandits 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 2

Starting pitcher Joe Bircher went seven innings on Saturday allowing just a run on a pair of hits and essentially slowed the Kernels offense down to just a trickle. Bircher (3-1) also struck out two on route to the win. While Bircher was working his magic the Quad Cities bats were busy. The River Bandits had 11 hits in the game and Carlos Correa and Austin "Catfish" Elkins were responsible for seven of them. Correa finished at four-for-five batting with a pair of RBIs and a strikeout while Elkins went three-for-four with two runs scored and an RBI, ending up a double short of cycling. Saturday's win is Quad Cities' seventh consecutive and moves them to half a game back in the second half standings (behind the Kernels).

High Desert Mavericks 9, Lancaster JetHawks 12

The JetHawks were down nine to three headed into the fifth inning. Through the fifth and sixth Lancaster scored nine uncontested runs and rode that rally to the win, marking their sixth double-digit score in a row. MP Cokinos (1X2 R HR 2RBI 2BB) and Luis Alvarez (2X3 2R 3B HR 2RBI BB) helped with the comeback, both hitting two-run homers in the sixth inning. Andrew Aplin (2X3 3R 2B 3RBI 2BB) also helped, batting in a run in the fifth and two in the sixth. Aplin stole a base too. Delino DeShields didn't have any RBIs but managed to keep himself in scoring position, hitting four-for-five in the game with three doubles and a triple, scoring three runs and striking out once. Kyle Smith, in his debut with the Houston organization, made it only two outs into the game, allowing four runs on four hits (HR) and walking a trio. Tyson Perez, who pitched the fifth through eighth, picked up the win, tallying three hits and a walk in his four innings of work. Travis Ballew earned his 18th save after completing the ninth with one hit, a walk and a K.

Midland RockHounds 8, Corpus Christi Hooks 1

The Hooks had two hits and one run in their loss at home on Saturday. The run came by way of a two out, Preston Tucker (1X2 R HR RBI BB) solo shot in the fourth inning. Ronald Torreyes (1X4) singled in the sixth inning for the only other hit of the game. Tucker also drew the only Hooks walk of the game. Kyle Hallock, who took the loss, (0-1) pitched the first four and a third, recording five runs, four hits (HR), four walks and four Ks.

Colorado Springs Sky Sox 5, Oklahoma City RedHawks 24

Sometimes the best offense is not a good defense. Sometimes the best offense is simply having tons of offense. The latter is certainly the strategy the RedHawks employed on Saturday at home as they won their ninth game in a row. Bobby Doran started on the mound and worked four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, a pair of walks, while striking out three. Eric Berger (4-3) clocked in for the next one and a third, keeping it scoreless, allowing a hit, walking one and striking out three to pick up the win. Jon Singleton hit a grand slam in the first inning and Brandon Laird followed in the second with a three-run knock. Seven players had multiple hits for Oklahoma City and three had more than four RBI. There were 20 hits all told and they scored no less than three runs in five separate innings. Only one RedHawk struck out the game. Here's a look at the box score chronicling the RedHawks Saturday slug fest:

Player of the Day: The baseball gods shone on the Astros farm Saturday and so WTHB will shine as well. There were several outstanding performances yesterday and that means five guys are going to have to share the honor today.

First, Jon Singleton for his Grand Salami—a guarantee of the honors any day.

Next there is Brandon Laird who hit a three run homer and collected seven RBI on the day. That is rare and slightly intimidating.

Third, we have Carlos Correa, who was on fire, batting four-for-five Saturday to bring his RBI total to 63—pretty sweet.

Fourth is Mr. Delino DeShields. DeShields hit three doubles and a triple Saturday! How is that not honor worthy?

Last, but certainly not least, is "Catfish" Elkins who came up a double short of hitting for the cycle—another solid game.

So, in summation, if you think any of these guys doesn't deserve the honors today take it up with him. Just remember, they all know how to swing a bat.

Pitcher of the Day: Joe Bircher personified the expression "to be in the driver's seat" Saturday. For seven innings he slowed Cedar Rapids to a crawl and allowed his team get out ahead for the win. Nicely done.

Roster Moves

HOUSTON
LHP Xavier Cedeno designated for assignment
1B/3B Brandon Laird contract selected and assigned from Oklahoma City to Houston

OKLAHOMA CITY
1B Brett Wallace assigned from Houston to Oklahoma City
LHP Travis Blackley to Oklahoma City for rehab assignement

CORPUS CHRISTI
OF Domingo Santana placed on the 7-day DL

Astros Minor League Recaps

Friday's Games

Quad Cities over Kane County 4-1
Lance McCullers got off to a great start in his first appearance of the season, allowing four hits and striking out five in his five scoreless innings of work. McCullers' tandem partner Daniel Minor gave up one run on five hits in two and a third innings. Interestingly enough, Kyle Hallock worked one inning out of the bullpen. I had assumed he would be one of the starters. Hallock and John Neely both provided scoreless relief with Hallock striking out two. 3B Rio Ruiz, OF Ariel Ovando and C Roberto Pena all went 2-for-4 with a double with Ruiz' double being of the two RBI variety.

Springfield over Corpus Christi 2-0
Nick Tropeano got the hard luck loss despite allowing only one run via a solo homer in his five innings of work as Corpus Christi managed to collect only one hit off the Springfield team. Tropeano ended his night with three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in five innings and was followed by his tandem partner Bobby Doran who allowed one run on three hits and two strikeouts in three innings. Andrew Robinson rounded things out with two strikeouts in his scoreless outing. LF Austin Wates collected that one hit, a single in the first at bat of the game, to go with two walks later in the match, as well as a stolen base. Wates and RF Domingo Santana also recorded outfield assists in the game.

High Desert over Lancaster 7-3
Starter Brady Rodgers was the latest initiate into the brotherhood of Lancaster pitchers, a fraternity of hardship that bonds these men for life. A little overly dramatic? Yeah, well, maybe so. Rodgers definitely held his own in the first three innings before allowing four of his six hits consecutively to start the fourth, including a two-run home run. T.J. Geith finished out the fourth, pitched another frame and allowed another two runs before handing it over to Chris Devenski, the second half of the tandem team. Devenski pitched a strong three innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Jonas Dufek rounded things off with a scoreless frame. RF Preston Tucker provided some fireworks with a two-run shot in his 2-for-4 outing; LF Brandon Meredith was 2-for-3 and stole a base; and 1B Rafy Valenzuela had the only other extra base hit of the night, a double.

Memphis over Oklahoma City 9-0 in 7 innings (Game 1)
Jordan Lyles got the loss in his first start of the season as he allowed four runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts over four and a third innings. He was not helped by reliever Kevin Chapman who allowed two of Lyles' runners to score. Chapman gave up a hit and a walk without recording an out before giving way to C.J. Fick. Fick then allowed Lyles' remaining runner to score, along with one of Chapman's runners before giving up three runs of his own. Before all was said and done, 12 runners came to the plate with eight of them scoring, two on bases loaded walks. Gives new meaning to the phrase "pay it forward." Josh Zeid was the only pitcher with an effective outing as he struck out the side in the sixth, working around a walk and a Jimmy Paredes error that should have been the third out. The bats weren't exactly on fire either as the RedHawks only collected five hits, including a double from RF Jimmy Paredes. 3B Brandon Laird was 2-for-3 and didn't strike out three times like a certain big league first baseman who also screwed up by cutting off a throw to home last night and is hitting .071 for the season with 11 strikeouts. Wait. Where was I? Let's suffice to to say that Wallace had better watch his back or Laird is going to take his job from him. But no pressure there, Brett.

Oklahoma City over Memphis 8-7 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Paul Clemens gave up three runs on seven hits and three strikeouts to earn the win, but not before Wes Musick and Jose Valdez made it interesting allowing four runs to score in the bottom of the seventh to come within a run. 3B Jimmy Paredes was 2-for-3 with a double as was C Cody Clark. CF Robbie Grossman was 1-for-3 with two RBI; LF Trevor Crowe was also credited with two RBI despite not recording a hit. Grossman and Paredes each stole a base. And 1B Brandon Laird was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two RBI sac flies. Just sayin', Brett, just sayin'.

Pitcher of the Day: Lance McCullers wins this one hands down with an excellent start. Because of the tandem pitching assignments, he will likely have to wait through his next outing before getting another chance to get that first professional win, but I have no doubt he will be getting it soon.

Players of the Day: It's a tie. I've got to send Austin Wates some love because his lead-off first inning hit kept Corpus from being on the wrong end of a no-no. The two walks, outfield assist and stolen base were just gravy. And Brandon Laird's four RBI night makes him look awfully good in light of what some of us witnessed in person at Minute Maid Park last night, small sample size or not.

Astros Minor League Depth - Third Base

Over the next few weeks as we approach Spring Training, I'll be looking at the Astros minor league depth, position by position. Today, we look at the third basemen in the organization who had the best seasons in 2012.

Rio Ruiz - August 2012

Photo by Jayne Hansen

The embedded chart shows third basemen in the organization ranked from high to low in terms of OPS. I have noted their current age, the last level at which they played and, if they spent significant time at multiple positions, that information is included as well. I am including Brandon Laird's 2012 minor league numbers since he was removed from the 40-man roster and will likely start the season at AAA in 2013.

With the arrival of Matt Dominguez in the Carlos Lee trade last season, some of the pressure has been taken off in shoring up a position which I would argue is still the worst in the Astros system in terms of depth. The acquisitions of Bobby Borchering and Brandon Laird also helped give the Astros some breathing room at the top of the system. Borchering is still a work in progress since he struggled in his promotion to AA this season and in the Arizona Fall League this past fall, but at only 22, he has time.

Matt Duffy leads the list out of all the third basemen in OPS. As I had hoped, he turned some of his doubles power from 2011 into home run power in 2012. He's just been an all-around solid hitter since being drafted in 2011. Despite a fairly average walk rate, he has kept his OBP high in an unconventional way -- he was hit by pitches 41 times in 2012. If Duffy can keep hitting and showing that power stroke, he should be able to move quickly through the ranks, but he will have to keep proving that he can handle the position defensively.

I'll be honest. I'm not sure what to make of Jonathan Meyer. He is considered a good defender, but in his second year with Lancaster, his power numbers declined slightly and he drew significantly fewer walks. Meyer only recently turned 22 so he is definitely still young enough to make some adjustments and get to the next level developmentally, but I think 2013 will be crucial for him.

Andy Simunic is a symbol of the third base depth problem. Simunic did a terrific job in giving the Astros an option in playing third base for them and he defended at that position very capably, but he really doesn't profile as a third baseman. He profiles as the middle infielder he was drafted as. He had a very good season with Corpus, but he doesn't bring the power expected from a corner infielder.

Another symbol of the depth problem is Darwin Rivera. He had a great season with the bat for the GCL, but it was a step backward for him as he played at Greeneville the prior season and did not do well. If he shows he can hit more advanced pitching, there may be hope for him as a DH, but his poor fielding at third base to date makes it unlikely that he will stick at that position.

Which brings me to Rio Ruiz, the Astros fourth round draft pick from 2012. In my opinion, Ruiz is the real deal. He will be a good defender, a great hitter and a natural leader. He won't turn 19 until May, but I think he will move very rapidly through the system.

As a final note, there are players who did not play extensively (if at all) at third base in the 2012 season who may see some time at third base if the need arises, particularly 1B/DH Erik Castro and 2B John Hinson.

Monday: First Base
Tuesday: Second Base
Wednesday: Shortstop

Roster Moves

The Astros announced on Friday that they had finalized the long-rumored deal to sign Free Agent Jose Veras. The right-handed relief pitcher has a major league career 4.01 ERA and 1.358 WHIP in 327 relief appearances scattered over seven seasons. He was first signed by Tampa Bay out of the Dominican Republic in 1998 and has played in the majors for the Yankees, Cleveland, Florida, Pittsburgh and, most recently, the Brewers.

The press release accompanying the announcement noted that Veras was tied for second in the majors in appearances over the last two seasons and that his strikeout rate and opponent batting average were in the top ten in the National League over the last three seasons. What they failed to note, however, was a high walk rate -- 4.9 walks per nine innings for his career and 5.4 walks per nine in 2012.

In order to make room for Veras on the 40-man roster, 3B/1B Brandon Laird was outrighted to Oklahoma City. OF Che-Hsuan Lin was also outrighted to Oklahoma City in order to make room for RHP John Ely who was picked up in a trade earlier this week. According to Brian Smith of the Chronicle, both Laird and Lin made it through waivers without being claimed.

I have updated the ongoing Off-Season Transaction list to reflect these moves.

Happy Birthday - 9/11

1B/3B Brandon Laird (25)
Drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round in 2007, Laird was selected off waivers from the Yankees on September 1st. In 130 games for the Yankees AAA affiliate in 2012, Laird hit .254/.307/.414 with 31 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, and 77 RBI. In two games with the Astros, he is hitting .400 in five at-bats.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

LHP Dave Roberts (died January 9, 2009 at age 64)
An absolute workhorse in the four seasons that he pitched for Houston (1972 to 1975), Roberts pitched 843.2 innings for the Astros. He was 47-44 with 34 complete games, 11 shutouts, four saves, a 3.69 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP. In 13 seasons in the majors (from 1969 to 1981), he also played for San Diego, Detroit, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Seattle and the New York Mets.

Roster Moves

Houston/Oklahoma City
3B Brandon Laird was claimed off waivers from the Yankees and assigned to Houston.
CF Jordan Schafer was activated from the DL.
IF/OF Matt Downs was recalled from Oklahoma City to Houston.
RHP Jose Valdez was called up to Houston.
RF Adam Bailey was assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City.