Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 21, 2017

Fresno 16, Reno 2

W- Cy Sneed (1-0, 10-5 season)
L- Anthony Banda (7-7)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed 2 (28; 2-run in 3rd, 3-run in 9th), Tyler White (24, solo in 9th)

The Grizzlies got on the board in this series by demolishing the Aces.

Cy Sneed shook off a 2-run homer in the 1st to got 7 innings. He allowed 3 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 6 during his time on the mound. Dean Deetz walked 1 and struck out 5 over the last 2 innings.

Fresno will look to draw even with Reno in the standings as they conclude this series at 7:05 Pacific. Mike Hauschild takes on Eric Jokisch.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will start a 4-game series with Midland tonight at 7:05. Yoanys Quiala takes on Grant Holmes.

Buies Creek was off

The Carolina Stros are back at Campbell, where they'll start a 3-game series against Lynchburg at 7:00 Eastern. Elieser Hernandez will face Dominic DeMasi.

Quad Cities 8, Wisconsin 7

W- Yohan Ramirez (4-5)
L- Carlos Herrera (2-2)
S- Jesús Balaguer (1, 4 season)

QC home runs: Abraham Toro-Hernandez (7, 13 season; solo in 3rd), Daz Cameron (14, 2-run in 4th)

The Banditos hung on in order to get a road series win even though they nearly squandered an 8-1 lead in the finale.

Yohan Ramirez went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits (solo and 2-run homers), walked 3, and struck out 3. Lucas Williams was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Jesús Balaguer pitched the last 2.2 innings to get the save, allowing a run on 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4.

Ronnie Dawson put Quad Cities on the board and in the lead with a 2-run single in the 2nd. They got 2 more in the inning on a Chuckie Robinson RBI single and an RBI double from Troy Sieber. Abraham Toro-Hernandez launched a solo homer in the 3rd, and then in the 4th, Sieber added an RBI single to his ledger and scored on Daz Cameron's 2-run blast. Sieber (2B, RBI, R) and Robinson (2B, RBI, 2 R, SB) both finished with 2 hits on the day. Dawson stole 2 bases (17), while Robinson's stolen base gives him 7 on the year.

Quad Cities' final tour of Wisconsin in 2017 concludes with a 3-game series in Beloit that begins at 7:00. Carlos Sanabria will start game 1 and he'll go up against Matt Milburn.

Tri-City 10, Brooklyn 6

W- Ben Smith (6-2)
L- Joe Napolitano (0-2)

TC home runs: Colton Shaver 2 (4, 10 season; solo in 2nd, walk-off grand slam in 9th), Mike Papierski (3, solo in 4th), J.J. Matijevic (6, 2-run in 7th)

Colton Shaver has two career grand slams, and they're both walk-offs. He clubbed one to beat Staten Island in his first game as a ValleyCat back on July 27, and on Monday, he completed a Tri-City comeback by launching another one.

Shaver also opened the scoring with a solo shot in the 2nd inning. Mike Papierski launched a solo homer of his own in the 4th. Kyle Davis hit an RBI single in the 6th and J.J. Matijevic whacked a 2-run homer in the 7th.

Bryan De La Cruz ripped a one-out double in the bottom of the 9th and Matijevic joined him on the bases after getting a free pass to first base. Gabriel Bracamonte went down on strikes for the 2nd out, but De La Cruz scored the tying run on an error that allowed Adrian Tovalin to reach; Tovalin was credited with an RBI on the play.

With Papierski at the plate, Matijevic stole 3rd and Tovalin took 2nd on defensive indifference. Papierski eventually drew a walk to load the bases for Shaver, who decided that extra innings would not be required to determine the winner of this game. De La Cruz (2B, R, SB) also finished with 2 hits on the night alongside Shaver.

Adam Bleday and Juan Robles both pitched 4 innings. Bleday allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2, while Robles allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 5. Ben Smith worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 9th.

Tri-City will head to Connecticut to start a new series. The first order of business for both teams, however, is completing a game from June 30 that was suspended due to rain. The ValleyCats were leading 1-0 heading into the 5th inning.

Corbin Martin will start the regularly scheduled game, which will be a 7-inning contest.

Greeneville 16, Bristol 0

W- Hansel Paulino (4-1)
L- Hunter Stratton (0-2)

Greeneville home runs: Brody Westmoreland (7, 3-run in 8th), Patrick Mathis (3, 2-run in 8th)

The Appy Astros administered a severe beatdown on Monday night.

Meanwhile, on the mound, Hansel Paulino, Gerardo Bojorquez, and Dariel Aquino kept Bristol off the scoreboard. Paulino allowed 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 in his 5 innings of work. Bojorquez followed with 3 innings, allowing a hit and striking out 3, and Aquino worked around a hit in the 9th to complete the shutout.

Chad Donato takes the hill for the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Marlins 4, GCL Astros 0

W- Karl Craigie (3-0)
L- Javier Navas (1-2)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach Stros got held off the scoreboard on Monday.

Alfredo Angarita went 2-3 with a double.

Javier Navas went 2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Austin Kerns struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 3rd inning. Angel Heredia followed with 2 scoreless; he walked 1 and struck out 1. Tanner Duncan, Brendan Feldmann, and Carlos Pimentel all pitched an inning; Duncan allowed an unearned run on a groundout and a double in the 6th. Feldmann allowed a hit and struck out 1 in the 7th, and Pimentel worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 8th.

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Royals 2

W- Antonio Pujols (4-2)
L- Angel Zerpa (3-4)
S- Diosmerky Taveras (1)

Blue home runs: None.

Samir Caraballo and Kendy Moya both had 2 hits apiece in this game. Yorbin Ceuta opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd inning and Ronaldo Urdaneta followed by hitting a sac fly. Nerio Rodriguez's sac fly in the bottom of the 7th put Team Blue back in front after the Royals had tied it in the top half.

Jose Antonio Hernandez allowed a run on a sac fly, a single, and struck out 3 in 4 innings. Angel Matos struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 5th. Antonio Pujols followed with 3 innings, allowing a run on 6 hits and striking out 3. Diosmerky Taveras got three groundball outs in the 9th to get the save.

DSL Astros Orange 2, DSL Pirates 1

W- Hecduar Barcenas (1-1)
L- Luis Arrieta (2-1)
S- Wender Oberto (1)

Orange home runs: None.

Deury Carrasco went 2-4 and opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 6th. He also stole a base (30) and scored on an RBI double from Marco van der Wijst in the 9th. Van Der Wijst finished 3-4, while Renaigel Martis also had 3 hits on the day.

Fredy Medina allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 over 4 scoreless. Hecduar Barcenas walked 1 and struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings of relief, and Wender Oberto threw the last 3 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits, walking 4, and striking out 6.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Fredy Medina, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Jose Antonio Hernandez, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 4 IP, H, ER, 3 K

Marco van der Wijst, IF, DSL Astros Orange: 3-4, 2B, RBI
Deury Carrasco, IF, DSL Astros Orange: 2-4, RBI, R, SB (30)

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Greeneville Astros: W 16-0 vs. Bristol

Offense: 16 R, 13 H

Pitching: 9 IP, 9 H, BB, 8 K

Patrick Mathis: 4-4, 2-R HR (3), 3 R

Brody Westmoreland: 3-R HR (7)

Joan Mauricio: 2-3, 3 RBI, R

Gilberto Celestino: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI

Hansel Paulino: W (4-1), 5 IP, 7 H, BB, 5 K

Gerardo Bojorquez: 3 IP, H, 3 K

Dariel Aquino: IP, H

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Fresno Grizzlies: W 16-2 @ Reno

Offense: 16 R, 18 H

Pitching: 9 IP, 4 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K

Cy Sneed: W (1-0, 10-5 season), 7 IP, 4 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, BB, 6 K

Dean Deetz: 2 IP, BB, 5 K

A.J. Reed: 3-5, 2 HR (28), 6 RBI

Tyler White: 2-3, solo HR (24), 3 RBI, 2 R

Garrett Stubbs: 3-4, 3 RBI, R

Jack Mayfield: 3-5, 2 2B, 5 R

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Colton Shaver, 1B, Tri-City

2-5, 2 HR (4, 10 season), 5 RBI; walk-off grand slam in 9th

Chuckie Robinson, C, and Troy Sieber, 1B, Quad Cities

Robinson: 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB (7)

Sieber: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, August 10, 2017

Fresno 8, El Paso 4

W- Mike Hauschild (6-2)
L- Chad Huffman (0-1)

Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (22, solo in 1st), A.J. Reed (25, solo in 1st)

The Grizzlies avoided the sweep and snapped a 6-game losing streak by doubling up the Chihuahuas.

Preston Tucker and A.J. Reed smacked back-to-back solo shots in the 1st inning. Fresno got 2 more in the 2nd on a pair of RBI singles from Drew Ferguson and Tony Kemp. In the 7th, Garrett Stubbs ripped a 2-run double and Max Stassi added a 2-run single later in the frame.

Reed went 3-5 on the evening; Jack Mayfield also finished with 3 hits. Stubbs (2B, 2 RBI, 2 R), Stassi (2 RBI, R), Ferguson (RBI, SB), Tucker (solo HR, 2 R), and Kemp (RBI) all had 2-hit nights.

The Grizzlies are in Albuquerque tonight to start a 4-game set. Rogelio Armenteros will be on the mound for game 1 and he'll face Ryan Carpenter at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 1, Tulsa 0

W- Riley Ferrell (1-2)
L- Karch Kowalczyk (5-6)

CC home runs: Carlos Canelon (1, solo in 8th)

There was one scoring play in this game and it belonged to the Hooks.

Franklin Perez dueled Mitchell White to a draw; both of them allowed 2 hits over 5 shutout innings for their respective clubs. Perez walked 1 and struck out 6. Kevin Hill was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 2.2 innings. Riley Ferrell retired all 4 Tulsa hitters he faced, striking out 2.

Carlos Canelon was the hero in his Corpus debut as his solo homer in the 8th was the difference.

The Hooks welcome Springfield to Whataburger Field this weekend. Akeem Bostick will take on Ryan Helsley in game 1. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 7, Salem 6, in 10 innings

W- Sean Stutzman (1-1, 2-2 season)
L- Daniel McGrath (2-8)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros took the series despite blowing a 5-1 lead. All three games in this series were decided by one run.

Cionel Perez and Justin Ferrell pitched 4 innings apiece. Cionel got the start and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3, while Ferrell allowed a run on 3 hits and fanned 4. Sean Stutzman allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 over 2 scoreless.

Yordan Alvarez opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. He hit another RBI single in the 3rd inning, and an error on the play allowed him to advance to 2nd while Jake Rogers took 3rd. Rogers scored on a Taylor Jones groundout and Alvarez eventually came home on a wild pitch. Rogers ripped an RBI double in the 4th. Alvarez hit his third RBI single of the evening in the 6th and his fourth and final hit of the evening was an RBI double in the first extra frame that turned out to be the game-winner.

Stephen Wrenn also finished with 4 hits on the night; he doubled, stole a base, and scored 4 runs. Carmen Benedetti (2 2B) and Taylor Jones (RBI groundout) had 2 hits apiece.

Brett Adcock will start the first of a 3-game series against Down East. He'll go up against Steven Bruce at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 7, Cedar Rapids 6

W- Jesús Balaguer (3-0, 4-1 season)
L- Tyler Watson (0-2)
S- Salvador Montaño (5)

QC home runs: Troy Sieber (5, solo in 5th), Abraham Toro-Hernandez (5, 11 season; solo in 5th)

The Banditos staved off a late rally from the Kernels to win the first game of the series.

Ronnie Dawson opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd. Luis Payano hit a 2-run single in the 4th, Troy Sieber and Abraham Toro-Hernandez launched back-to-back solo shots in the 5th, and in the 7th, Sieber scored on an error that allowed Dawson to reach and Josh Rojas scored on another error on the same ball that Dawson put in play. Sieber went 3-5 and scored 3 runs, while Daz Cameron went 2-4 with 2 stolen bases (26) and scored twice.

Carlos Sanabria allowed 3 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 5, and struck out 6. Devon Carr was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 2. Jesús Balaguer and Salvador Montaño threw an inning apiece: Balaguer allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 8th, and Montaño worked around a walk to get the save.

Yohan Ramirez will take the mound in game 2. He'll face Clark Beeker at 6:35.

Tri-City 8, Lowell 5

W- Carlos Hiraldo (1-4)
L- Yorvin Pantoja (0-5)
S- Colin McKee (4)

TC home runs: Colton Shaver (2, 8 season; solo in 9th)

The ValleyCats scored in fewer innings, but they put up a crooked number in all of them.

J.B. Bukauskas went 3 innings in his Tri-City debut and allowed a run on a wild pitch, a single, walked 2, and struck out 3. Diogenes Almengo pitched the 4th and allowed 2 hits, one of which was a solo homer, and struck out 1. Carlos Hiraldo allowed 3 runs (1 inherited) on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 6 in 2.2 innings, and Colin McKee allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 5 in 2.1 innings.

TC took control with 4 in the 4th. Adrian Tovalin put them on the board and in the lead with a 2-run single and scored on a Gabriel Bracamonte triple. Bracamonte wound up scoring on a passed ball that was also ball 4 to Kyle Davis. Davis walked again to lead off the 6th and scored on Andy Piñeda's triple. Piñeda came home on a sac fly from Bryan De La Cruz. The ValleyCats got some insurance in the final inning as they held on to a one-run lead: J.J. Matijevic singled to lead off the 9th and scored on an errant pickoff throw and another errant throw in an attempt to throw him out on the basepaths. Colton Shaver capped off the evening with a solo homer. He (solo HR, 2 R, SB) and Tovalin (2 RBI, R) both finished with 2 hits on the night.

The ValleyCats will kick off a 3-game series in Williamsport at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 5, Elizabethton 2

W- Hansel Paulino (2-1)
L- Brusdar Graterol (1-1)
S- Juan Corniel (1)

Greeneville home runs: Roman Garcia (4, solo in 5th)

The Appy Astros came out on top to start a big series as they try to make up some ground on the Twins while simultaneously trying to hold off Johnson City, who is right on their tails.

Almost all of the scoring in this game was done in the very first inning. Greeneville put up 4 to start the game.Cody Bohanek walked to start things off. He then stole 2nd (2), advanced to 3rd on the errant throw down, and scored the first run on a Gilberto Celestino double. Roman Garcia got plunked, and then Brody Westmoreland ripped an RBI double. Garcia scored on a Jose Benjamin groundout and Frankeny Fernandez hit an RBI single to score Westmoreland. Garcia went 2-3 and launched a homer to start the 5th, which was Greeneville's only hit after the 3rd inning.

Hansel Paulino shook off a 2-run homer in the 1st to throw 5 innings. He allowed 2 other hits and struck out 8. Cole Watts went 3.1 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 9. He left the bases loaded for Juan Corniel, who got the last two outs of the game without any further incident.

Humberto Castellanos faces Ryley Widell in game 2. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue 8, DSL Braves 7 in 10 innings

W- Luis Garcia (1-0)
L- Jhonny Diaz (2-5)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team saw the Braves tie this game in the 9th and take the lead in the 10th, but they managed to pull themselves together and walked off with the victory.

Wilyer Abreu went 2-5 and drove in 3 runs; he won it with a 2-run single. Nerio Rodriguez and Yorbin Ceuta both scored twice; Nerio tied the game with an RBI double in the 10th. Abreu, Ceuta, and Luis Coronel both finished with 2 hits on the day.

Manny Ramirez allowed 2 runs, a hit, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 3 innings. Angel Macuare was the first man out of the Blue team bullpen and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3 in 2 innings. Flaer Gonzalez went 4 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4, and Luis Garcia allowed a couple of unearned runs, a hit, and struck out the side in the 10th.

DSL Astros Orange 10, DSL Indians/Brewers 3

W- Asael Uribe (2-2)
L- Wilmer Mejia (0-3)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team's bats came alive as they scored all 10 of their runs in a three-inning span.

Sean Mendoza went 3-4 with a double, drove in 2, and scored twice. Deury Carrasco and Jose Alvarez both finished 1-3 with a couple of walks and a couple of runs scored.

Asael Uribe allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 over 5 shutout innings. Carlos Perdomo went 3 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2, and Ronny Garcia walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Asael Uribe, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (2-2), 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K
Sean Mendoza, UTIL, DSL Astros Orange: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Wilyer Abreu, OF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-5, 3 RBI; walk-off 2-run single in 10th

Hansel Paulino's photo taken by Bryan Green.

Cole Watts' and Juan Corniel's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Greeneville Astros pitchers: W 5-2 @ Elizabethton

9 IP, 7 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, BB, 17 K

Hansel Paulino: W (2-1), 5 IP, 3 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, 8 K

Cole Watts: 3.1 IP, 4 H, BB, 9 K

Juan Corniel: Save (1), 0.2 IP; stranded bases loaded to end game

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Colton Shaver, 1B, Tri-City

2-2, solo HR (2, 8 season), 2 R

Colin McKee, RHP, Tri-City

Save (4), 2.1 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K

Troy Sieber, 1B, Quad Cities

3-5, solo HR (5), 3 R

Yordan Alvarez's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Yordan Alvarez, 1B/LF, and Stephen Wrenn, OF, Buies Creek

Alvarez: 4-5, 2B, 4 RBI, SB (4, 6 season); Go-ahead RBI double in 10th

Wrenn: 4-6, 2B, 4 R, SB (8, 16 season)

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Carlos Canelon, C, Corpus Christi

Solo HR (1) in 8th accounted for game's only run

Corpus Christi Hooks pitchers: W 1-0 vs. Tulsa

9 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 9 K

Franklin Perez: 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K

Kevin Hill: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, K

Riley Ferrell: W (1-2), 1.1 IP, 2 K

Preston Tucker, RF, A.J. Reed, 1B, and Garrett Stubbs, C, Fresno

Tucker: 2-5, solo HR (22), 2 R

Reed: 3-5, solo HR (25), 2 R

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

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, July 13, 2017 and Friday, July 14, 2017

Thursday: Fresno 5, Tacoma 1

W- Trent Thornton (6-2, 7-4 season)
L- Sam Gaviglio (2-4)

Fresno home runs: Teoscar Hernandez 2 (10; solo in 5th, solo in 6th)

The Grizzlies only had 4 hits, but three of them resulted in runs.

Teoscar Hernandez led off the 5th with a solo shot. Colin Moran and A.J. Reed walked and scored on a Jon Kemmer triple. Kemmer ended up scoring on an error after Reid Brignac hit into a fielder's choice. Teoscar smacked another solo homer to lead off the 6th.

Trent Thornton allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7 in 5 innings. Aaron West struck out 2 over 2 perfect innings. Reymin Guduan worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 8th, and Brendan McCurry walked 2 and struck out the side in the 9th.

Friday: Fresno 4, Tacoma 0

W- Kevin Comer (4-3)
L- Casey Lawrence (2-2)

Fresno home runs: None.

There was only one half-inning with runs and it belonged to Fresno.

Reid Brignac walked to lead off the top of the 8th, advanced to 2nd on an Alejandro Garcia sac bunt, went to 3rd on a Tony Kemp single, and scored the first run of the evening on a Preston Tucker single. D.J. Fisher walked to load the bases. Teoscar Hernandez flew out for the 2nd out, but Colin Moran kept the line moving by drawing a walk to bring Kemp home. A.J. Reed followed with a 2-run double. Kemp finished 3-5 with a stolen base (15) and extended his hitting streak to 19 games.

Four Grizzlies pitchers combined on a shutout. David Martinez started it off by allowing 4 hits, walking 3, and striking out 3 over 6 innings. Kevin Comer, Jordan Jankowski, and Dayan Diaz finished it off by throwing scoreless innings. Comer and Jankowski struck out the side in order in the 7th and the 8th, and Diaz worked around a hit in the 9th, striking out 2.

Dean Deetz faces Tyler Cloyd in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Thursday: Corpus Christi 6, Midland 3

W- Ryan Thompson (1-2, 1-3 season)
L- Joel Seddon (3-3)
S- Andrew Walter (1, 2 season)

CC home runs: Jon Singleton (16, solo in 4th), J.D. Davis (20, 2-run in 7th)

The Hooks scored the last 6 runs of the game and took control with a 3-run 7th inning.

Jon Singleton started off the 4th by launching a homer to put Corpus on the board. J.D. Davis added an RBI single in the 5th. Tony Nuñez doubled to lead off the 7th and scored the tying run on a Ramon Laureano groundout. Two batters later, Davis put the Hooks in front with a 2-run blast. Bryan De La Cruz capped off the evening with a sac fly in the 8th. Davis is the first man in the system to 20 homers. He, Singleton, and Nuñez all finished with 2 hits on Thursday.

Brock Dykxhoorn allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 5 innings. Ryan Thompson and Andrew Walter threw 2 scoreless innings apiece and they both allowed 3 hits. Thompson struck out 3, while Walter got the save and struck out 1.

Friday: Midland 7, Corpus Christi 1

W- Grant Holmes (6-9)
L- Yoanys Quiala (1-2, 6-3 season)

CC home runs: None.

Midland got the jump on Yoanys Quiala with 5 1st-inning runs, which turned out to be enough for them to get the win on Friday.

Quiala went 4.1 innings and allowed 7 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits (all singles), walked 3, and struck out 2. Nick Hernandez went 2.2 innings, allowing a hit and walking 1. Ralph Garza worked around a couple of singles to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 2.

Ramon Laureano doubled to lead off the game and scored the lone Hooks run on a Jon Singleton RBI single.

Corpus and Midland will wrap up their series at 7:00 as Framber Valdez takes on Heath Fillmyer.

Thursday: Buies Creek 6, Frederick 5

W- Sebastian Kessay (6-2)
L- Tanner Chleborad (0-3)

BC home runs: Jake Rogers (9, 15 season; 2-run in 3rd)

The Carolina Stros walked off with the win after withstanding a 5-5 night from Ryan Mountcastle and a 3-run top of the 8th from the Keys which gave them a 5-4 lead.

Both teams scored a run in the 2nd; Buies Creek's came on an Anibal Sierra sac fly. Jake Rogers whacked a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning. Stephen Wrenn scored on a Myles Straw groundout in the 6th.

Buies Creek scored both of their runs in the bottom of the 9th while down to their final out. Yordan Alvarez kept the game going with a double and scored the tying run on Anthony Hermelyn's two-bagger. Alex De Goti came on to run and Wrenn won it with a single. Wrenn went 2-4 and was the only player in the starting 9+1 to finish with more than one hit.

Matt Bower allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 3 in 5 innings. Jorge Alcala and Sebastian Kessay followed with 2 innings apiece; Alcala allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2, while Kessay allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Friday: Frederick 6, Buies Creek 2

W- Cristian Alvarado (4-8)
L- Justin Ferrell (7-4)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros saw their 5-game winning streak go by the wayside on Friday.

Justin Ferrell was unable to get out of the 1st as the Keys got 3 runs off of him. He got 2 outs, both via strikeout, walked 1, and allowed 4 hits. Kevin Hill restored some order, allowing a run on 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4 in 5.1 innings. Erasmo Pinales pitched the last 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1.

Stephen Wrenn put Buies Creek on the board with an RBI groundout in the 2nd inning. Alex De Goti hit an RBI single in the 8th. Jake Rogers went 3-4 and scored on Wrenn's groundout back in the 2nd.

Forrest Whitley makes his third Carolina League start in the series finale. He'll go up against Reid Love at 6:00 Eastern.

Thursday: Quad Cities 5, South Bend 3

W- Ronel Blanco (4-2, 4-3 season)
L- Michael Knighton (2-2)
S- Salvador Montaño (3)

QC home runs: Josh Rojas (5, 3-run in 6th)

The Banditos scored in three straight innings, culminating in Josh Rojas' 3-run blast in the 6th inning.

Ronel Blanco went 6.1 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned, both on a homer) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Robert Corniel was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and allowed a run on a wild pitch, a hit, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 1.2 innings. Salvador Montaño worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

Tyler Wolfe opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the 4th, Daz Cameron ripped an RBI double in the 5th, and Rojas whacked a 3-run homer in the 6th. Daz (2 2B, RBI, R) and Chuckie Robinson (2B) both finished 2-5.

Friday: South Bend 7, Quad Cities 4

W- Bryan Hudson (4-3)
L- Patrick Sandoval (0-1, 1-3 season)
S- Mark Malave (1)

QC home runs: Marcos Almonte (9, 3-run in 2nd)

The Cubs foiled the Banditos' bid to sweep the series by putting up crooked numbers in all of their scoring innings.

Marcos Almonte smacked a 3-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Carmen Benedetti scored the other Quad Cities run on a double play in the 3rd. Ronnie Dawson finished 2-4 to extend his hitting streak to 8 games.

In his Midwest League debut, Patrick Sandoval went 2.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Dustin Hunt was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and went 1.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2. Abdiel Saldaña allowed 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2 over 4 scoreless innings.

The River Bandits will start a 3-game series with West Michigan at 6:00 Eastern. TBA goes up against Spenser Watkins.

Thursday: State College 7, Tri-City 6

W- Daniel Castano (5-0)
L- Carlos Hiraldo (0-3)
S- Spencer Trayner (1)

TC home runs: Abraham Toro-Hernandez (4, 2-run in 9th)

The ValleyCats almost erased a 7-2 deficit. Almost.

Abraham Toro-Hernandez reached on an error in the 1st inning and scored on a Kyle Davis triple. Jake Meyers ripped an RBI double in the 2nd. Andy Piñeda tripled to start the 5th and trotted home on Toro's single. Piñeda tripled again in the 7th and came home on a J.J. Matijevic groundout. In the 9th, Matijevic walked and then advanced to 2nd on defensive indifference. Toro followed by smacking a 2-run homer. Toro (2-R HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) and Piñeda (2 3B, 2 R) both finished with 2 hits on the night.

Carlos Hiraldo allowed 7 runs on 5 hits (grand slam), walked 4, and struck out 2 in 2.2 innings. The bullpen picked him up with 6.1 scoreless to close the game. Diogenes Almengo had a perfect outing, striking out 3 in 2.1 innings. Juan Robles went 3 innings and allowed 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2, and Reggie Johnson threw a 1-2-3 9th.

Friday: Batavia 8, Tri-City 4

W- Shane Sawczak (1-0)
L- Tyler Ivey (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats scored 2 in the 7th to tie the game at 4... only to see the Muckdogs regain control of this game with 4 after stretch time.

Andy Piñeda tripled to start the 3rd and scored Tri-City's first run on a Corey Julks single. J.J. Matijevic added a sac fly in the 4th. Mike Papierski singled to lead off the 7th and scored on Miguelangel Sierra's double. Matijevic, who joined Papierski on the bases after a single, ended up scoring on a wild pitch.

Cristian Javier went 2.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Luis Ramirez was the first man out of the ValleyCats bullpen and went 1.1 innings, walking 1 and striking out 1. Tyler Ivey bore the brunt of Batavia's assault; he pitched 2.2 innings and allowed all 4 Muckdogs runs in the 7th, 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Jesús Balaguer allowed a hit and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings.

Both teams will get back to it at 7:05 Eastern.

Thursday: Bluefield 10, Greeneville 9

W- Marcus Reyes (1-0)
L- Felipe Tejada (0-1)
S- Ty Tice (4)

Greeneville home runs: Frankeny Fernandez (1, 3-run in 1st)

The Appy Astros got off to a fast start. Unfortunately, the finish was forgettable.

Cody Bohanek singled to lead off the game and scored the first run of the evening on a balk. Adrian Tovalin followed with an RBI single. Tovalin wound up scoring on a Patrick Mathis single and one batter later, Frankeny Fernandez whacked a 3-run homer to put Greeneville up 6-0. In the 5th, Brody Westmoreland hit an RBI single and Mathis added a sac fly to his ledger. Mathis legged out an RBI infield single in the 9th to cut the deficit to one run, but Fernandez struck out to end the game.

Gilberto Celestino finished 3-5 and scored twice. Bohanek, Tovalin, Roman Garcia, and Mathis all had 2 hits on the evening.

Francisco Villegas and Felipe Tejada started off with 3 innings apiece and they both allowed 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Villegas allowed 5 runs and two homers (solo and 2-run) while Tejada allowed 4 runs (3 earned). Austin Kerns allowed a run on 2 hits and walked 1 in 2 innings.

Friday: Greeneville 11, Bluefield 0

W- Tim Hardy (1-1)
L- Joel Espinal (1-2)

Greeneville home runs: Cody Bohanek (3, solo in 6th), Patrick Mathis (1, grand slam in 6th)

Both teams combined to put up ten zeroes on the scoreboard until the Appy Astros blew this game wide open with a pair of homers in the 6th.

Cody Bohanek opened the scoring with a solo homer in the 6th. Gilberto Celestino singled, Roman Garcia walked, and Colton Shaver singled to load the bases for Patrick Mathis, who promptly sent everyone and himself home with a grand slam, his first home run as a pro.

Celestino legged out an infield single to lead off the 8th and Garcia joined him on the bases after getting plunked. They both advanced on a wild pitch, and Shaver walked to load the bases once more. Mathis and Brody Westmoreland followed with RBI singles, and then Oscar Campos ripped a 2-run double. Westmoreland scored on a Wilson Amador groundout, and Celestino capped off the scoring with an RBI single in his second plate appearance of the inning. He (RBI, 2 R, SB) and Mathis (grand slam, 5 RBI, 2 R) both finished 3-5. Bohanek (2B, solo HR), Westmoreland (RBI, R), and Campos (2B, 2 RBI, R) all finished with 2 hits on the evening.

Meanwhile on the mound, three pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Leovanny Rodriguez allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 8 in 4 innings. Tim Hardy followed with 3.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3. Ian Hardman allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings.

The Appy Astros will start a big 3-game set with Elizabethton tonight at 6:00 Eastern. Both teams enter the series separated by a half-game in the standings.

Friday: GCL Astros 11, GCL Mets 2

W- Saul Martinez (1-0)
L- Yeizo Campos (1-2)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach Stros broke a 2-2 tie in a massive way with 4 in the 6th and 5 more in the 7th for good measure.

Prior to the outburst, they scored twice in the 4th on a Carlos Machado sac fly and a Juan Piñeda RBI triple.

Jonathan Matute walked to lead off the 6th and scored the go-ahead run on a Bernardo Heras single. Piñeda followed by adding a sac fly to his ledger, and then Enmanuel Valdez ripped an RBI double and César Cortez added an RBI single. Heras hit another RBI single in the 7th and an error on the play allowed Jose Benjamin to score another run. A balk allowed Machado to score. Heras scored when Piñeda hit into a fielder's choice. Cortez finished off the day with an RBI double. He, Machado, and Heras all had 2 hits on the day.

Nivaldo Rodriguez allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 4 innings. Saul Martinez allowed a run on 2 hits in the 5th. Corbin Martin and Brandon Bielak threw 2 scoreless innings in their pro debuts. Martin struck out 5 in a perfect outing, while Bielak allowed 2 hits and struck out 4.

Thursday: DSL Astros Blue 17, DSL Marlins 10

W- Angel Matos (1-0)
L- Yoilan Quinonez (0-2)

Blue home runs: Ronaldo Urdaneta (3, 2-run in 8th)

The Blue team jumped out to a 12-0 lead. The Marlins managed to put a few dents into that lead, but it proved to be a comfortable enough cushion.

Fredis Guerrero went 4 innings and allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Nathanael Ventura came on for the 5th but failed to record an out; he allowed 3 runs (all inherited runners charged to him), hit 2 batters, and walked 1. Asael Uribe took ownership of the 5th inning and ended up allowing 4 runs on 2 hits and also walked 3. Angel Matos pitched the last 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 5. 

Friday: DSL Astros Blue 2, DSL Marlins 1

W- Jose Antonio Hernandez (1-1)

L- Winston Mora (0-2)
S- Yulian Frontado (1)

Blue home runs: None.

Angel Tejeda's 2-run double in the 8th inning allowed the Blue team to edge the Marlins. Ronaldo Urdaneta finished 2-2 with a stolen base (14).

Angel Macuare allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 1st inning. Antonio Pujols followed with 5 scoreless, allowing 2 hits and striking out 5. Jose Antonio Hernandez was next; he allowed the lone Marlins run on 2 hits and struck out 3 in 2 innings. Yulian Frontado worked around a hit and a walk to get the save.

Thursday: DSL Cubs1 7, DSL Astros Orange 3

W- Hector Matos (2-0)

L- Elian Rodriguez (0-2)
S- Miguel Estevez (2)

Orange home runs: None.

The Cubs 1 got out to a 5-0 lead after 2.5 innings.

Gerry Castillo drew a bases-loaded walk in the 3rd and Euclides Chavez had a 2-run single in the 7th. Ramiro Rodriguez scored 2 of Team Orange's 3 runs in this game.

Elian Rodriguez allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2. Ronny Garcia retired all 4 Cubs he faced, striking out 2 of them. Cristofer Melendez allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 4 innings, and Luis De Paula struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Friday: DSL Cubs1 14, DSL Astros Orange 5

W- Yan De La Cruz (2-2)

L- Carlos Perdomo (2-1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team faced another big deficit early on.

Euclides Chavez hit an RBI single in the 6th. Jeury Castillo didn't have a hit, but he still managed to drive in 2 with a sac fly in the 8th and a bases-loaded walk in the 9th. Kelvin Perez went 2-2 with an RBI single in the 9th. Ramiro Rodriguez and Sean Mendoza also finished with 2 hits. Luis Barajas drew a bases-loaded walk in the 9th.

Carlos Perdomo struggled and I'll just keep it at that. Diosward Gonzalez went 3.2 innings and allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Gustavo Almonte, Hecduar Barcenas, and Fredy Medina all pitched an inning with varying results. Almonte allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and walked 2 in the 6th, Barcenas allowed a hit in a scoreless 7th, and Medina allowed 4 runs on 4 hits (3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 1 in the 8th.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

DSL Astros Blue: W 17-10 @ DSL Marlins

Ronaldo Urdaneta: 4-5, 2B, 2-R HR (3), 5 RBI, 2 R

Leonardo Gonzalez: 3-3, 2B, RBI, 3 R, 2 BB

Angel Tejeda: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B/C, Tri-City

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

Tri-City ValleyCats bullpen

6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K

Diogenes Almengo: 2.1 IP, 3 K; perfect outing

Juan Robles: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K

Reggie Johnson: IP

J.D. Davis, 3B, Corpus Christi

2-5, 2-R HR (20), 3 RBI

Stephen Wrenn, OF, Buies Creek

2-4, walk-off RBI single, 2 R, SB (5, 13 season)

Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Fresno

2-4, 2 solo HR (10)

Friday's Stars

Once again, all photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Antonio Pujols, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: 5 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Photo by Don Carson

Corbin Martin, RHP, GCL Astros

2 IP, 5 K; perfect outing in pro debut

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Greeneville Astros: W 11-0 @ Bluefield

Patrick Mathis: 3-5, grand slam (1), 5 RBI, 2 R; first pro HR

Gilberto Celestino: 3-5, RBI, 2 R, SB (3)

Cody Bohanek: 2-4, 2B, solo HR (3)

Oscar Campos: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Leovanny Rodriguez: 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 8 K

Tim Hardy: W (1-1), 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Ian Hardman: 1.1 IP, 2 H, K

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Fresno Grizzlies pitchers: W 4-0 @ Tacoma

David Martinez: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K

Kevin Comer: W (4-3), IP, 3 K

Jordan Jankowski: IP, 3 K

Dayan Diaz: IP, H, 2 K

Kevin Hill, RHP, Buies Creek

5.1 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Abdiel Saldaña, RHP, Quad Cities

4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K

Meet the 2017 Greeneville Astros

The Greeneville Astros start their season at home against the Bluefield Blue Jays at 7:00. 

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

But, before I introduce you to the Appy Astros, I would like to introduce you to the town of Greeneville, Tennessee.

Greeneville is located in the far reaches of East Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The town prides itself on being the only "Greeneville" in the United States, as it was named for Nathanael Greene, a general in the American Revolution. Former President Andrew Johnson, Abraham Lincoln's successor, considered Greeneville to be his hometown.

In addition, the USS Greeneville, a submarine of the United States Navy, is named for the town.

The Appy Astros play their home games at Pioneer Park, located on the campus of Tusculum College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Tennessee. They play in the Appalachian League's West Division, along with the Bristol Pirates, the Elizabethton Twins, the Kingsport Mets, and the Johnson City Cardinals.

Greeneville has been an Astros affiliate since 1999; they began in 1988 as a Phillies farm club and were originally located in Martinsville, Virginia before moving to Greeneville in 2003.

So now, let's meet the 2017 Greeneville Astros!

The roster is a mix of 2017 draftees along with players who are making the leap from the Gulf Coast League, a few who made cameos last season after spending most of 2016 in the complex leagues, and there are even some who have skipped the GCL altogether.

Of the 33 players currently on the roster, 25 are Hispanic (11 Dominicans, 5 Venezuelans, 3 Mexicans, 2 Mexican Americans, 1 Dominican American, 1 Puerto Rican, 1 Cuban and 1 Panamanian). The Astros have hit the international free agent market as hard as any team and it shows in Greeneville's roster composition. As I have said before, Oz Ocampo and his team have done an outstanding job in the IFA market and we are starting to see their efforts bear fruit, especially in the lower levels of the organization.

The biggest name in this contingent is probably Gilberto Celestino, a Dominican outfielder who signed for $2.25 million on July 2, 2015. Celestino isn't the typical Dominican bonus baby; the Astros were enamored with him after seeing his performances in youth tournaments. He's received critical acclaim for his defense in center as well.

One player who will be making the jump from the Dominican to East Tennessee is Enmanuel Valdez, who enjoyed a good debut season in 2016 after signing for $450,000. He did hit a wall after moving over to the DSL Blue team, but he certainly opened a few eyes within the organization.

Chas McCormick finished his college career as the PSAC's (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) hit king.

Juan Robles debuted in 2015 with a huge splash in the complex leagues and was rewarded with two appearances for Quad Cities. 2016 was a bit of a lost year for him, so he'll look to regain some momentum from his excellent debut season. Tim Hardy, the largest man on the roster, will be pitching in familiar surroundings; he played his college ball at Tusculum before the Astros picked him in the 18th round last week. Javier Navas excelled in his two years in the Dominican and that earned him a spot with the Appy Astros.

Bold - player bats/throws left-handed
Italics - player is a switch-hitter

Coaching Staff

In his first coaching job in the United States after starting his career in the Dominican Summer League, Danny Ortega will replace Josh Bonifay as the skipper of the Appy Astros. Ortega shared hitting coach duties with Omar Rosario on the DSL Blue team in 2016.

Erick Abreu and Ben Myers are moving up from the GCL. César Cedeño needs no introduction.

Manager: Danny Ortega
Pitching Coach: Erick Abreu
Hitting Coach: César Cedeño
Athletic Trainer: Ben Myers
Strength & Conditioning: Jacob Behara

Pitchers

Bryan Abreu - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL/Greeneville
Dariel Aquino - International free agent (DR), 2013 (originally signed as an infielder); GCL/Greeneville
Johsson Arias - International free agent (DR), 2015; DSL Blue
Jesus Balaguer - International free agent (Cuba), 2017; pro debut
Adam Bleday - 27th round, 2017 draft (UPenn); pro debut
Gerardo Bojorquez - International free agent (Mexico), 2015; DSL Orange
Jheyson Caraballo - International free agent (Venezuela), 2015; DSL Blue
Willy Collado - International free agent (DR), 2016; DSL Orange/Blue
Ian Hardman - 36th round, 2016 draft (Seminole State, OK); GCL
Tim Hardy - 18th round, 2017 draft (Tusculum); pro debut
Javier Navas - International free agent (Venezuela) signed for $175,000 in 2014; DSL Blue
Hansel Paulino - International free agent (DR), 2014; DSL Orange/GCL
Noel Pinto - 34th round, 2017 draft (Connors State, OK); pro debut
Juan Robles - International free agent (Mexico), 2014; GCL/Greeneville
Francisco Villegas - International free agent (Mexico), 2015; DSL Orange

Catchers

Oscar Campos - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; GCL/Greeneville
Martin Figueroa - 32nd round, 2017 draft (Rhode Island); pro debut
Orlando Marquez - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; DSL Blue/GCL

Infielders

Reiny Beltre - International free agent (DR), 2014; GCL/Greeneville
Cody Bohanek - 30th round, 2017 draft (Illinois-Chicago); pro debut
Roman Garcia - 19th round, 2017 draft (San Diego); pro debut
Vicente Mota - International free agent (DR) signed for $7500 in 2015; DSL Orange
Juan Piñeda - International free agent (Panama) signed for $100,000 in 2015; DSL Blue/GCL
Colton Shaver - 39th round, 2017 draft (BYU); pro debut
Adrian Tovalin - 16th round, 2017 draft (Azusa Pacific) pro debut
Enmanuel Valdez - International free agent (DR) signed for $450,000 in 2015; DSL Orange/Blue
Brody Westmoreland - 30th round, 2016 draft (College of Southern Nevada, signed for $75,000); GCL

Outfielders

Wilson Amador - International free agent (DR) signed for $400,000 in 2013; GCL/Greeneville
José Benjamin - International free agent (DR), 2014; DSL Blue/GCL
Gilberto Celestino - International free agent (DR) signed for $2.25 million in 2015; DSL Orange/GCL
Carlos Machado - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; GCL/Greeneville
Patrick Mathis - 22nd round, 2017 draft (Texas); pro debut
Chas McCormick - 21st round, 2017 draft (Millersville, PA); pro debut

Getting to Know Astros LHP Ben Smith

The headline reads Astros playing long game with rehabbing Draftee Smith. But no one realized how long it would take for 2014 17th round draft pick LHP Ben Smith to finally make it back to the mound. After a year of rehab, Smith was assigned to the rookie league Greeneville team in June 2015, but he never made a start that season. Shortly after arriving in Tennessee, Smith was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. One day shy of two years from the day he signed with the Astros in 2014, he pitched his first professional inning for Tri-City in the New York-Penn League on June 18, 2016.

Ben Smith - August 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Of Smith, Greeneville Pitching Coach Bill Murphy told me, "He's a competitor. He's got good stuff. He has a tremendous focus and relentless effort to get better every single day. People like that are going to be successful. He's a very special person." Murphy went on to talk about Smith's calm demeanor and down-to-earth personality, traits that were very evident in my conversation with him last week in Greeneville.

Smith told me that seeing the doctor who had diagnosed him with Burkitt lymphoma in the stands for one of his outings this summer was probably the most memorable experience of his summer.

Smith was once regarded as a highly-ranked prospect. Now that he has his feet back under him, look for him to work his way back on to some of those prospect lists. After all he's been through, I wouldn't bet against him.

Thank you for your time, Ben, and best of luck to you in your career and in your life.

Getting to Know Astros CF Frankeny Fernandez

When I spoke with Greeneville Astros Manager Josh Bonifay this week about his centerfielder, the first words that came to mind were, "Exciting young player." Later that evening, I would find that the words "Most Valuable Player" could also be used to describe Frankeny Fernandez as the 19-year old Dominican earned those honors for the Greeneville club.

Frankeny Fernandez - August 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Fernandez had a terrific freshman season in the Dominican Summer League in 2014, but was unable to replicate that in 2015. However, he displayed enough tools that I looked for a comeback year in 2016 and he didn't disappoint. Bonifay described Frankeny's season, "He's just been tremendous here all year. He's been a leader in the clubhouse. He leads our team in runs scored. He leads our team in RBIs. Tied for second in doubles with 10. I think he's got four homers, two triples [three after Wednesday's game]. He has 18 bags, going to try to get him to 20 bags [he accomplished this on Tuesday].

"He's been our most consistent player all year. The batting average isn't as high as you'd want, but when the game is on the line, you don't want anybody else at the plate. He's been just outstanding for us. Good leader. Good communicator. He helps with the staff in bridging the gap with some of the Latin players with the language barrier sometimes. Just very exciting. I love having him out in centerfield."

I really enjoyed getting to know Fernandez. He has an outgoing, charismatic personality and obviously loves playing baseball. And knowing that he mastered English in just one year should tell you everything you need to know about his work ethic. I would never, ever bet against his success.

Best of luck, Frankeny, and thank you for your time!

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, July 17, 2016

Fresno 2, New Orleans 0

W- Brad Peacock (4-4)
L- Jeremy Guthrie (6-6)
S- James Hoyt (23)

Fresno home runs: Alex Bregman (6, 20 season; solo in 4th), Tyler White (9, solo in 9th)

The Grizzlies earned the series split as Brad Peacock handcuffed the New Orleans offense.

Fresno only had 4 hits in this game, but they had the only scoring plays of the game. Alex Bregman smacked a solo homer in the 4th inning, and Tyler White provided a little insurance in the 9th with a solo blast of his own.

Peacock allowed just 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 9 over 7.2 shutout innings. James Hoyt earned the save by striking out 2 over 1.1 perfect innings.

Tonight, Fresno will begin a 4-game series in Round Rock. Brady Rodgers will take on Eric Jokisch at 7:05.

Midland 6, Corpus Christi 3

W- Trey Cochran-Gill (4-3)
L- Keegan Yuhl (8-3)
S- Bobby Wahl (6)

CC home runs: Chase McDonald (13, solo in 2nd)

The Hounds took control of this game with 4 runs in the 4th inning, and the Hooks were held off the scoreboard for the final 5 innings.

Chase McDonald put Corpus on the board with a solo homer in the 2nd inning, his 13th of the year. J.D. Davis added a 2-run single in the 3rd inning.

Keegan Yuhl pitched 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits (3-run homer) and walked 3. Ryan Thompson allowed 4 hits over 4 scoreless innings. Neither of them recorded a strikeout.

Kent Emanuel will face Daniel Gossett in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 6:30.

Rancho Cucamonga 10, Lancaster 7

W- Adam Bray (1-0)
L- Scott Weathersby (3-5, 4-5 season)

Lancaster home runs: Bobby Boyd (7, solo in 3rd), Trent Woodward (3, 4 season; 3-run in 7th)

The JetHawks scored 4 runs in the top of the 7th to tie the game at 7, but the Quakes quickly broke the tie with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the 7th.

Trent Woodward opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the 1st inning. Bobby Boyd whacked a solo homer in the 3rd, and Marc Wik added an RBI single in the 6th.

Tony Nuñez started the 7th-inning rally with a 1-out single and scampered home on a triple from Johnny Sewald. Ramon Laureano drew a walk and stole 2nd (33), and Woodward stepped up and tied the game with a 3-run home run. Woodward matched a career high with 4 RBI, while Sewald (3B, RBI, 2 R), Laureano (2 2B, 2 R, SB), and Wik (RBI) all finished with 2 hits in the game.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 6 hits (1 solo and two 2-run homers), walked 2, and struck out 1. Scott Weathersby was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen, and he allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits and walked 2 in 2 innings. He faced 2 batters in the 7th and did not retire either of them, so Jacob Dorris took over the 7th. The 2 runners he inherited from Weathersby both scored, and he allowed a run of his own on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the inning. Kevin Comer worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 8th.

In game 3 of this series, Josh James will take on Felipe Gonzalez. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Lake County 9, Quad Cities 4

W- Matt Esparza (8-6)
L- Chris Murphy (3-6)
S- Devon Stewart (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Captains took the series thanks to a 5-run 5th inning.

Chris Murphy's outing went well for the first 4 innings, but Lake County shelled him in the 5th with a grand slam and a solo homer. In his 5 innings, he allowed 6 other hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Zac Person allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in 2 innings. Makay Nelson came out for the 8th but failed to record an out; the Captains loaded the bases on him with a single and 2 walks. Ralph Garza Jr. came on to take over the inning. Garza didn't allow any runs of his own, but he couldn't prevent the Captains from inflicting damage in the inning, which went to Nelson. He allowed 2 hits and struck out 1.

Hector Roa put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI double in the 7th inning. In the 8th, Kyle Tucker hit an RBI infield single. He ended up getting forced out at 2nd base, but Arturo Michelena scored on the play. Pat Porter drove in the Banditos' final run with an RBI triple. Myles Straw finished 3-4 with a double and scored a run.

The Banditos are back home, and they have two days off. They'll be back in action on Wednesday against the Dayton Dragons.

Tri-City 9, Batavia 8

W- Sebastian Kessay (2-1, 3-4 season)
L- Brent Wheatley (0-2)
S- Juan Carlos Santos (1, 3 season)

TC home runs: Ronnie Dawson 2 (4; 3-run in 1st, 2-run in 7th)

This game was a little crazy, to say the least.

The ValleyCats jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the 1st inning, but Batavia took the lead thanks to a 5-run 5th. TC responded with a 5-run inning of their own in the 7th to regain control and successfully fended off a 9th-inning rally from the Muckdogs to escape with the victory.

Randy César opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. One batter later, Ronnie Dawson whacked a 3-run home run, his first homer of the night.

Rodrigo Ayarza singled with one out in the 7th inning and came around to score on a Ryne Birk double. Brauly Mejia and César followed with RBI singles, and Dawson put Tri-City in the lead once again with his second home run of the game; this one was of the two-run variety.

Dawson reached base in all four of his plate appearances; he also drew a couple of walks to go along with his homers. César had a couple of RBI singles and scored on both of Dawson's blasts. Ayarza finished 2-5 at the top of the order.

Erasmo Pinales went 4.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (all inherited runners that were charged to him) on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Luis Ramirez got the final out of the 5th with a strikeout, but not before he allowed 5 runs in the inning. He walked in one of Pinales' runners, and the other two runners scored on a bases-clearing double, which was the only hit he allowed in the inning. Ramirez, who was charged with a run of his own on the double, also had an unearned run charged against him thanks to an error.

Sebastian Kessay was next, and he allowed a hit and struck out 4 over 2 scoreless innings. Carlos Sierra threw a 1-2-3 8th and got 2 outs in the 9th, but getting that last out proved to be a challenge. The Muckdogs had the bases loaded once again in the 9th inning, and Juan Carlos Santos came on to try and rescue Sierra. He allowed a 2-run single to the first man he faced, but he pulled himself together to secure the victory. Sierra allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him), 2 hits, walked 2, and fanned 1.

In game 2 of this series, Framber Valdez will face Jordan Holloway. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 5, Bluefield 4 in 20 innings

W- Reggie Johnson (2-0)
L- Juandy Mendoza (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

This game started at 6:01 P.M. Eastern. 6 hours and 31 minutes later, the Appy Astros walked off with their 7th consecutive victory. This was the longest game in Greeneville history.

The Appy Astros used 7 pitchers and two position players on the mound. Some of the highlights included Tyler Britton recording 7 strikeouts in 3.1 innings, Devin Raftery recording 8 of his 9 outs via the strikeout, and two position players, Chaz Pal and Tyler Wolfe, coming in to throw two scoreless innings apiece. Wolfe, who is normally a second baseman, even got 3 strikeouts!

Greeneville staved off a Bluefield threat in the 9th in which they had the bases loaded and one out. They also threw out the potential go-ahead run at home in the 16th and stranded another would-be go-ahead runner at 3rd. Both teams had runners thrown out at the plate in the 18th inning.

Marcos Almonte tripled in the 1st inning and opened the scoring by coming home on a wild pitch. Reiny Beltre added a sac fly in the 2nd inning. Jonathan Arauz hit an RBI single in the 4th, and Almonte doubled and later scored when Troy Sieber grounded into a fielder's choice in the 5th inning. Nash Knight tied the game at 4 with a solo home run in the top of the 8th for Bluefield, and for the next 11.5 innings, the game remained in a 4-4 deadlock.

Gabriel Bracamonte singled with 1 out in the bottom of the 20th, advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, and scored the winning run on a single from Abraham Toro. Arauz and Toro both finished with 3 hits, while Almonte and Bracamonte had 2 hits apiece.

Greeneville will look for the sweep tonight as Ricardo Castro takes on Kyle Weatherly. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Game 1: GCL Marlins 2, GCL Astros 1

W- Chris Mazza (1-1)
L- Agapito Barrios (0-1)
S- Kyle Fischer (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros made it a 1-run game in the 7th, but their comeback bid was denied. Brody Westmoreland scored their only run on an error in the top of the 7th.

Agapito Barrios went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Yhoan Acosta allowed a hit and struck out 1 in a scoreless 4th, and Ian Hardman allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 over 2 scoreless innings.

Game 2: GCL Astros 2, GCL Marlins 0

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (2-2, 3-2 season)
L- Eliezer Cuello (1-1)
S- Manuel Gonzalez (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros earned the split in the twinbill by blanking the Marlins.

Leovanny Rodriguez allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings, and Manuel Gonzalez allowed a hit and struck out 1 in the final 2 innings to get the save.

Both of the GCL Astros' runs came in the 3rd inning; Brody Westmoreland hit an RBI groundout and Carlos Machado added an RBI single. Machado finished 2-4.

Dominican Summer League All-Star Game

The American League All-Stars came out on top, 4-3 in the DSL All-Star Game.

Gilberto Celestino (Orange) got the start in center field and finished 1-2. Jose Benjamin (Blue) entered the game at right field in the 4th inning and played the rest of the game, going 1-2. Ronel Blanco (Blue) got the final out of the 6th inning by inducing a force out.

Sunday's Stars

Leovanny Rodriguez, RHP, GCL Astros: W (2-2, 3-2 season), 5 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Ronnie Dawson, OF, Tri-City

2-2, 2 HR (4), 5 RBI

Photo from MiLB.com

Abraham Toro, 3B, Greeneville

3-8, walk-off RBI single in 20th inning

Brad Peacock, RHP, Fresno

W (4-4), 7.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K

James Hoyt, RHP, Fresno

Save (23), 1.1 IP, 2 K

Photo from Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page

Greeneville Astros pitchers: 20 IP, 16 H (2 HR), 4 ER, 10 BB, 34 K

Notables:

Tyler Britton: 3.1 IP, H, BB, 7 K

Devon Carr: 2.1 IP, H, BB, 5 K

Devin Raftery: 3 IP, 2 H, 8 K

Chaz Pal: 2 IP, H, 2 BB

Tyler Wolfe: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Meet the Greeneville Astros

The Greeneville Astros head into the 2016 season as the defending champions of the Appalachian League, and tonight, they will take the first step towards defending their crown as they play host to the Johnson City Cardinals. For those who are not familiar with the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, here is a little introduction.

Greeneville is located in the far reaches of East Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The town prides itself on being the only "Greeneville" in the United States, as it was named for Nathanael Greene, a general in the American Revolution. Former President Andrew Johnson, Abraham Lincoln's successor, considered Greeneville to be his hometown.

In addition, the USS Greeneville, a submarine of the United States Navy, is named for the town.

The Appy Astros play their home games at Pioneer Park, located on the campus of Tusculum College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Tennessee. They play in the Appalachian League's West Division, along with the Bristol Pirates, the Elizabethton Twins, the Kingsport Mets, and the Johnson City Cardinals.

For some of these players, Greeneville is their first stop on the road to Houston. Others are continuing their journey to the Majors, and Greeneville is serving as their next stop. You can learn more about some of these players by purchasing the 2016 Houston Farm System Handbook, a must-have for Houston Astros fans who want to learn more about the players in the Minor League system.

So, without further ado, your 2016 Greeneville Astros!

Italics - player throws/bats left-handed
Asterisk - player is a switch-hitter

Coaching Staff

Manager - Josh Bonifay
Hitting Coach - César Cedeño
Pitching Coach - Bill Murphy
Coach - Wladimir Sutil

Josh Bonifay returns for his second stint as Greeneville manager after spending 2015 as the manager at Quad Cities. Prior to his managerial career, he was Greeneville's hitting coach in 2011 and was the hitting coach at Lexington in 2012.

Anyone claiming to be a Houston Astros fan surely has to know César Cedeño, who was one of the first superstars in Astros history. Cedeño is in his fifth season as Greeneville's hitting coach.

Bill Murphy is the Appy Astros' new pitching coach. Before joining the Astros organization, he was the pitching coach at Brown and was co-manager and pitching coach of the Battle Creek Bombers in the Northwoods League. He pitched at Rutgers for three years, graduating in 2010. Murphy transferred to Wagner, and earned his MBA there. He also played his final collegiate season for Wagner as a first baseman.

Wladimir Sutil has spent much of his baseball career with the Astros organization; he signed with Houston in 2003 and played in the Astros system until 2011. After spending the 2012 season in the D-Backs organization, Sutil concluded his career with Southern Maryland of the independent Atlantic League in 2013 before returning to the Astros to begin his coaching career.

Pitchers

Diogenes Almengo - International free agent (DR), 2014; played with the DSL Blue team, the GCL team, and Greeneville in 2015
Howie Brey - 31st round, 2016 draft, Rutgers; making professional debut
Tyler Britton - 23rd round, 2016 draft, High Point; making pro debut
Devon Carr - NDFA, 2016, Florida Atlantic
Ricardo Castro - International free agent (Mexico), 2015; appeared in 1 game with Quad Cities and 1 game with Tri-City before being assigned to Greeneville
Carlos Hiraldo - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL/Greeneville
Colin McKee - 18th round, 2016 draft, Mercyhurst; making pro debut
Salvador Montaño - International free agent (DR), 2013; Greeneville
Devin Raftery - NDFA, 2016, Nova Southeastern; making pro debut
Abdiel Saldaña - International free agent (Panama), 2013; GCL
Carlos Sanabria - International free agent (VZ), 2014; GCL
Patrick Sandoval - 11th round, 2015 draft, Mission Viejo High School, Mission Viejo, California; GCL
Angelo Serrano - International free agent (DR), 2015; DSL Blue/Orange
Sean Stutzman - NDFA, 2016, Dallas Baptist; making pro debut
Nathan Thompson - 27th round, 2016 draft, Oklahoma Baptist; making pro debut
Framber Valdez - International free agent (DR), 2015; appeared in 1 game with Tri-City before being assigned to Greeneville
Lucas Williams - 40th round, 2016 draft, Central Missouri; making pro debut

Catchers

Gabriel Bracamonte; International free agent (VZ), 2014; Greeneville
Ruben Castro - 19th round, 2014 draft, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School
Ray Henderson - 22nd round, 2016 draft, Grayson College; making pro debut

Infielders

Jonathan Arauz - Acquired from the Phillies, along with Ken Giles, in a trade for Brett Oberholtzer, Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Harold Arauz, and Thomas Eshelman in December 2015. Originally signed with the Phillies in 2014 out of Panama. Played with the GCL Phillies in 2015.
*Wander Franco - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL/Quad Cities
Justin Garcia - 17th round, 2015 draft, Nova Southeastern; Greeneville
Connor MacDonald - International free agent (Australia), 2012; GCL
Miguelangel Sierra - International free agent (VZ), 2014; DSL Orange/GCL
Tyler Wolfe - 39th round, 2016 draft, Kansas State; making pro debut

Outfielders

Bryan De La Cruz - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL
Frankeny Fernandez - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL
Spencer Johnson - 16th round, 2016 draft, Missouri State; making pro debut
Chaz Pal - 38th round, 2016 draft, South Carolina—Aiken; making pro debut
Luis Payano - International free agent (DR), 2013; appeared in 1 game for Tri-City before being assigned to Greeneville
Vicente Sanchez - International free agent (DR), 2014; GCL