Former Astros in Foreign/Independent Leagues: 2018 Update

Time for an update on former Astros playing internationally or with the Indy League clubs as a few more players have come and gone since my original post. I'm including a few stats on selected players which are generally through 7/5/18. If you see any former Astros or former Astros farm hands that I missed, leave a note in the comments and I'll include them in my next update.

Each year MLB affiliates pick up players from independent baseball. Last year, RHP Kevin McCanna (Astros 2015 13th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) started his season with the independent Sioux City Explorers club, but was picked up by the Diamondbacks organization and 1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) was picked up by the Red Sox from the New Jersey Jackals. And 3B  Bobby Wernes (Astros 2015 30th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) had signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums, but was picked up by the Rockies organization before playing a single game for the Bums. There are several players on this list that could very well make their way back into affiliated baseball ... I wish them all the best of luck!

David Rollins - June 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Hiroshima Carp
LHP Geronimo Franzua (2011-2013 Astros farm system)

Yakult Swallows
OF Nori Aoki (2017 Astros)
.306/.399/.459 in 68 games

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 8th season playing in Japan.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
3B Brandon Laird (2012-2013 Astros system)

Saitama Seibu Lions
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

Chiba Lotte Marines
3B Matt Dominguez (2012-2015 Astros)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
(Not updated because Baseball-Reference info is missing)

Doosan Bears
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 7th season with the KBO.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Diablos Rojas del Mexico
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
C Carlos Corporan (2011-2014 Astros)
RHP Juan Robles (2015-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/4

Guerreros de Oaxaca
RHP Arcenio Leon (2005-2012 Astros farm system)

Leones de Yucatan
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system) - signed with South Maryland Blue Crabs 5/11
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/2B Ruben Sosa (Astros 2011 23rd round pick; 2011-2014 Astros farm system)

Olmecas del Tabsco
2B Anderson Hernandez (2010 Astros)

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system) - now playing in the American Association
C Bernardo Heras (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
C Hank Conger (2015 Astros)

Saraperos de Saltillo
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Edgar Gonzalez (2012-2013 Astros)
C Luis Flores (2015 Astros farm system)

Tecolotes de los Dos Loredos
RHP Gerardo Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)
2B J.C. Thompson (2011-2012 Astros farm system)
RHP Fernando Nieve (2001-2008, 2011 Astros system) - signed 7/3

Tigres de Quintana Roo
OF Jason Bourgeois (2010-2011 Astros)
RHP Lupe Chavez (2015-2016 Astros farm system) - signed 7/3

Toros de Tijuana
RHP Hector Ambriz (2012-2013 Astros)
3B Jio Mier (Astros 2009 1st round pick; 2009-2015 Astros farm system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Lancaster Barnstormers
IF Rico Noel (2018 Astros farm system)
LHP Tommy Shirley (Astros 2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

York Revolution
1B/OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)
RHP Zac Grotz (Astros 2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system) - contract purchased by the Mets organization 6/10
RHP Jay Gause (Astros 2014 10th round pick; 2014 Astros farm system)

New Britain Bees
LHP Kevin Chapman (2012-2016 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Tigers organization 5/20
RHP Sam Gervacio (2005-2011 Astros system)
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system)
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
IF Reid Brignac (2017 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Ashur Tolliver (2017 Astros system)

Pennsylvania Road Warriors
LHP Luis Cruz (Astros 2008 9th round pick; 2008-2015 Astros farm system)
1.70 ERA/1.108 WHIP in 25 games (37 IP)
C Marlon Avea (2011-2016 Astros farm system) - released 4/24
OF/1B Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Somerset Patriots
LHP Brett Oberholtzer (2011-2015 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Rockies 4/24

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Jared Mortensen (Astros Rule 5 draft pick in December 2016; appeared in 3 games for Fresno in April 2017) - released 4/24
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)
RHP Mitch Talbot (Astros 2002 2nd round pick; 2003-2006 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Cleveland organization 5/23
OF Luke Scott (2004-2007 Astros system) - released 4/23
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system) - released 4/23
2B Colin Walsh (2017 Astros farm system) - signed 5/5

South Maryland Blue Crabs
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system) - signed 5/11

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
RHP Travis Ballew (Astros 2012 23rd round pick; 2012-2015 Astros system)
2.78 ERA/1.237 WHIP in 23 games (32.1 IP)
LHP Sebastian Kessay (Astros 2013 22nd round pick; 2013-2017 Astros farm system)
2.25 ERA/1.275 WHIP in 7 starts (40 IP)

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Daniel Minor (Astros 2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)
2.62 ERA/1.121 WHIP in 11 starts (68.2 IP)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher ( Astros 2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)
IF Tyler Wolfe (Astros 2016 39th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008-2009 Astros system)
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system) - signed 6/14

Kansas City T-Bones
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system) - traded to Sussex County in the Can-Am League 5/16

Sioux City Explorers
OF Jay Austin (Astros 2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system)
.345/.410/.453 in 37 games
RHP Andrew Thurman (Astros 2013 2nd round pick, 2013-2014 Astros farm system) - released 5/15
1B Dex McCall (Astros 2014 31st round pick, 2014-2017 Astros farm system)
.297/.372/.388 in 45 games

Texas Airhogs
LHP Michael Freeman (Astros 2015 7th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/16
LHP Sean Stutzman (2016-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 6/30

Chicago Dogs
RHP Tyson Perez (Astros 2011 17th round pick; 2011-2017 Astros farm system)

St. Paul Saints
RHP Andrew Thome (2015-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/3
LHP Chris Nunn (2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/2

CAN-AM LEAGUE

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (Astros 2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)

Rockland Boulders
RHP Ryan Deemes (Astros 2015 36th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system) - released 6/21 (torn UCL; having TJ surgery)
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system)
1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) - signed 5/23
.320/.425/.493 in 41 games

Sussex County Miners
LHP David Rollins (2012-2014 Astros farm system)
1.25 ERA/0.912 WHIP in 9 starts (64.2 IP)
C Martin Figueroa (Astros 2017 32nd round pick; 2017 Astros farm system)
.416/.536/.511 in 45 games
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system) - traded from the American Association

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (Astros 2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
C Anthony Hermelyn (Astros 2015 4th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Schaumberg Boomers
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
On the suspended list

Washington Wild Things
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)
.302/.339/.473 in 44 games

Windy City Thunderbolts
RHP Devin Raftery (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
1.96 ERA/1.093 WHIP in 18 games/1 start (23 IP)

Evansville Otters
LHP Austin Nicely (Astros 2013 10th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)

River City Rascals
RHP Reggie Johnson (2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/18
RHP Lucas Williams (Astros 2016 40th round draft pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/17

Lake Erie Crushers
LHP Ben Smith (Astros 2014 17th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 6/13

PACIFIC ASSOCIATION

San Rafael Pacifics
C Ricky Gingras (Astros 2012 18th round pick; 2012-2014 Astros farm system)

Sonoma Stompers
LHP Cole Watts (Astros 2017 31st round pick; 2017-2018 Astros farm system)

Pittsburg Diamonds
C Gabriel Bracamonte (2014-2018 Astros farm system)

PECOS LEAGUE

Ruidoso Osos
SS Jose Fernandez (2010-2016 Astros farm system)

Trinidad Triggers
LHP Jose Orta (2016 Astros farm system)

Former Astros in Independent/International Leagues (2018)

There are several former Astros already playing internationally or who are slated to play with the Indy League clubs that start up between late April and mid-May. I'll update this post with any late additions I see as the independent baseball season gets closer. If you see any former Astros or former Astros farm hands that I missed, leave a note in the comments and I'll include them in my next update.

Each year MLB affiliates pick up players from independent baseball. Last year, RHP Kevin McCanna (Astros 2015 13th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) started his season with the independent Sioux City Explorers club, but was picked up by the Diamondbacks organization and 1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) was picked up by the Red Sox from the New Jersey Jackals. And 3B  Bobby Wernes (Astros 2015 30th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) had signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums, but was picked up by the Rockies organization before playing a single game for the Bums. There are several players on this list that could very well make their way back into affiliated baseball ... I wish them all the best of luck!

Jio Mier - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Yakult Swallows
OF Nori Aoki (2017 Astros)

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 8th season playing in Japan.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
3B Brandon Laird (2012-2013 Astros system)

Saitama Seibu Lions
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION

Doosan Bears
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 7th season with the KBO.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Diablos Rojas del Mexico
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
C Carlos Corporan (2011-2014 Astros)

Guerreros de Oaxaca
RHP Arcenio Leon (2005-2012 Astros farm system)

Leones de Yucatan
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system)
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/2B Ruben Sosa (Astros 2011 23rd round pick; 2011-2014 Astros farm system)

Olmecas de Tabasco
RHP Cesar Valdez (2016 Astros farm system)

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system)
C Bernardo Heras (2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Saraperos de Saltillo
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Edgar Gonzalez (2012-2013 Astros)

Tecolotes de los Dos Loredos
IF Anderson Hernandez (2010-2011 Astros system)

Tigres de Quintana Roo
OF Jason Bourgeois (2010-2011 Astros)

Toros de Tijuana
RHP Hector Ambriz (2012-2013 Astros)
RHP Gerardo Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)
3B Jio Mier (Astros 2009 1st round pick; 2009-2015 Astros farm system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Lancaster Barnstormers
IF Rico Noel (2018 Astros farm system)
LHP Tommy Shirley (Astros 2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

York Revolution
1B/OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)
RHP Zac Grotz (Astros 2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system)
RHP Jay Gause (Astros 2014 10th round pick; 2014 Astros farm system)

New Britain Bees
LHP Kevin Chapman (2012-2016 Astros system)
RHP Sam Gervacio (2005-2011 Astros system)
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system)
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
IF Reid Brignac (2017 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Ashur Tolliver (2017 Astros system)

Pennsylvania Road Warriors
LHP Luis Cruz (Astros 2008 9th round pick; 2008-2015 Astros farm system)
C Marlon Avea (2011-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/1B Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Somerset Patriots
LHP Brett Oberholtzer (2011-2015 Astros system)

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Jared Mortensen (Astros Rule 5 draft pick in December 2016; appeared in 3 games for Fresno in April 2017)
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)
RHP Mitch Talbot (Astros 2002 2nd round pick; 2003-2006 Astros system)
OF Luke Scott (2004-2007 Astros system)
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
RHP Travis Ballew (Astros 2012 23rd round pick; 2012-2015 Astros system)
LHP Sebastian Kessay (Astros 2013 22nd round pick; 2013-2017 Astros farm system)

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Daniel Minor (Astros 2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher ( Astros 2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)
IF Tyler Wolfe (Astros 2016 39th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008-2009 Astros system)

Kansas City T-Bones
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system)

Sioux City Explorers
OF Jay Austin (Astros 2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system)
RHP Andrew Thurman (Astros 2013 2nd round pick, 2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Texas Airhogs
LHP Michael Freeman (Astros 2015 7th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

CAN-AM LEAGUE

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (Astros 2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)

Rockland Boulders
RHP Ryan Deemes (Astros 2015 36th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system)

Sussex County Miners
LHP David Rollins (2012-2014 Astros farm system)
C Martin Figueroa (Astros 2017 32nd round pick; 2017 Astros farm system)

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (Astros 2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
C Anthony Hermelyn (Astros 2015 4th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Schaumberg Boomers
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
On the suspended list

Washington Wild Things
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)

Windy City Thunderbolts
RHP Devin Raftery (2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Evansville Otters
LHP Austin Nicely (Astros 2013 10th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)

River City Rascals
RHP Reggie Johnson (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
RHP Lucas Williams (Astros 2016 40th round draft pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Lake Erie Crushers
LHP Ben Smith (Astros 2014 17th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)
(Pro debut was delayed due to recovery from Tommy John surgery followed by a battle with Burkitt lymphoma)

Roster Moves

Sorry, guys, this blog is in no way affiliated with Bobby Heck although he was nice enough to give me an interview a while back. The "announcement" of Jay Austin's release came from me looking at today's transactions on MiLB.com.

Corpus Christi
C Ben Heath went on the 7-day DL.

Lancaster
LHP  Pat Urckfitz was placed on the 7-day DL.
RHP Zach Grimmett was activated from the DL.
OF Grant Hogue was activated from the DL.

Lexington
CF Jay Austin (2008 2nd round pick) has been released.
OF Chris Epps has been assigned from Lancaster to Lexington.

Tri-City
SS Jean Batista was assigned from Greeneville to Tri-City.
LHP Scott Zuloaga was assigned from Greeneville to Tri-City.
RHP Euris Quezada was assigned from Greeneville to Tri-City.

Roster Moves

Sorry for the delay in getting these out. I've had computer issues which I hope are over.

Houston/Oklahoma City
C Carlos Corporan is being optioned to Oklahoma City from Houston.
C Jason Castro is being activated from rehab assignment.
LF Travis Buck is being placed on the 7-day DL.

Lexington
CF Jay Austin was activated from the DL.

Greeneville
3B Rio Ruiz was assigned from the GCL Astros to Greeneville.
SS Carlos Correa was assigned from the GCL Astros to Greeneville.

Happy Birthday - 8/10

CF Jay Austin (22)
A second round pick by the Astros in 2008, Austin broke his hand at the beginning of Spring Training and, after starting his season late, has had trouble staying off the DL. He has only appeared in 12 games for Lexington this season with a .273/.373/.341 batting line.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

OF Josh Anderson (30)
Drafted by Houston in the fourth round in 2003, Anderson made his major league debut four years later on September 2, 2007. He only played in 21 games for Houston hitting .358/.413/.403 before being traded to Atlanta for Oscar Villarreal. Anderson was second in all-time stolen bases in the Astros minor league system until he was recently passed by Delino DeShields, Jr.

RHP Brandon Lyon (33)
A 14th round pick by the Blue Jays in 1999, Lyon signed as a free agent with Houston in December 2009. It is only fitting that he was included in a 10-player trade that sent him back to the Blue Jays organization in July of 2012. In between he pitched in 131 games for the Astros with a 9-11 record, a 4.03 ERA, a 1.406 WHIP and 24 saves.

RHP Bobby Tiefenauer (died June 13, 2000)
Tiefenauer came to Houston from St. Louis prior to the 1962 season. In 43 games out of the bullpen that season, he was 2-4 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.318 WHIP.

LHP Al Osuna (47)
Osuna was drafted by Houston in the 16th round in 1987. A September call-up in 1990, he played in 193 games for the Astros over four seasons with a 16-10 record, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.339 WHIP.

2B/SS Andy Stankiewicz (48)
Originally drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round in 1986, Stankiewicz came to Houston in a November 1993 trade and played for the Astros in the 1994 and 1995 seasons. In 80 games, he hit .189/.344/.255.

CF Chuck Carr (45)
A ninth round draft pick by the Reds in 1986, Carr signed as a free agent with Houston in June 1997. In 63 games for Houston that season, he hit .276/.333/.417. Carr led the National League in stolen bases with 58 in 1993 while playing for the Marlins.

Roster Moves - Updated

Houston
SS Marwin Gonzalez was activated from the DL.
SS Jed Lowrie was placed on the 15-day DL.
C Carlos Corporan was put on the 40-man roster and assigned from Oklahoma City to Houston.
C Jason Castro was placed on the 15-day DL.
RHP Kyle Weiland was placed on the 60-day DL.

Oklahoma City
C Jair (Jay) Fernandez was assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City.
RHP Jonnathan Aristil was placed on the temporary inactive list.
2B Jimmy Paredes was activated from the temporary inactive list.

Corpus Christi
C Rene Garcia was assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi.
RHP Jarred Cosart was activated from the DL.
SS Jonathan Villar was placed on the 7-day DL.
SS Ben Orloff was assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi.

Lancaster
RHP Bobby Doran was assigned from Corpus Christi to Lancaster.
SS Chan Moon was assigned from Lexington to Lancaster.
UNCONFIRMED report that C Roberto Pena is being assigned from Lexington to Lancaster.

Lexington
Jay Austin was activated from the DL.
UPDATED TO ADD: C Luis Alvarez was assigned from Greeneville to Lexington.

Greeneville
2B Josh Magee was released.
LHP Zach Hardoin was released.
One I missed - RHP Jose Perdomo was released a couple of weeks ago.

Roster Moves - 7/2

Lexington
OF Jay Austin was placed on the 7-day DL retroactive to 6/30.

Also, no longer an Astro but this may be of interest to you. Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller Times tweeted a link to an article last night that said T.J. Steele was retiring from baseball (he had been playing for the San Antonio Missions) and is considering playing college football.

Minor League Schedule and Recaps

Friday's Games

DSL Astros	DSL Rays	9:30 CST
GCL Astros	GCL Nationals	11:00 CST
Danville	Greeneville	6:00 CST		Houser, Adrian (0-2, 6.75)
Connecticut	Tri-City	6:00 CST
Asheville	Lexington	6:05 CST MiLB.tv
NW Arkansas	Corpus Christi	7:05 CST MiLB.tv	Dwyer, Chris (5-6, 5.24)	Cisnero, Jose (4-6, 3.79)
Oklahoma City	Iowa	7:05 CST MiLB.tv	Clemens, Paul (8-6, 6.19)	Lopez, Rodrigo (1-3, 4.50)
Rancho Cucamonga	Lancaster	9:00 pm	Gould, Garrett (1-6, 5.13)	Martinez, David (2-3, 5.54)

Thursday's Results

DSL Astros over DSL Rays 11-4
I get to say something I haven't gotten to say about the DSL much yet this season - nice game! Johan Arias (W, 1-2) allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings. Luis Reynosa (3x4, 3R), Yoel Silfa (3x5, 2-2B, 4RBI) and Pedro Coa (3x4, 2B) all had particularly fine outings at the plate.

GCL Marlins over GCL Astros 7-6 (Game 1)
The pitching was pretty bad in this one, but the offense did a pretty good job scraping across six runs on only four hits thanks in large part to poor play by the Marlins. Carlos Correa had the only extra base hit, a double. Kyle Redinger drove in two runs. Wallace Gonzalez stole home.

GCL Marlins over GCL Astros 3-1 (Game 2)
Andrew Walter and Alan Abreu had the best pitching outings with runless, hitless frames. Brett Phillips was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

Greeneville over Danville 5-2
Daniel Minor had a decent outing allowing two runs on six hits over four, but Mitch Lambson (W, 1-0) and Mike Hauschiled (S, 2) had outstanding relief performances. Mike Martinez hit a solo home run; Jimmy Howick was two-for-three with an RBI; and Jean Batista was one-for-four with an RBI.

Tri-City over Connecticut 5-2
And Tri-City just keeps winning with their sixth victory in a row. Joe Bircher had a good, albeit short (4IP) outing, followed by four scoreless innings from Juan Minaya (W, 1-1). Blake Ford pitched the ninth for his third save. Connecticut took the early lead but Tri-City came back in the sixth to take the lead and stayed there. Tri-City only had four hits but took advantage of poor play by the Connecticut team to supplement their sparse offensive output. Dan Gulbransen contributed an RBI triple and Austin Elkins, an RBI double.

Oklahoma City over Iowa 3-1
Aneury Rodriguez had a strong start, allowing only one run on eight hits over five innings, but it was Sergio Perez (W, 2-1) who got the win in relief with Mickey Storey getting his first save of the season. No fireworks in this one as the Redhawks only managed seven singles and an Angel Sanchez double. Jimmy Paredes had the only multi-hit game of the evening as he went two-for-four with an RBI.

Lancaster over Rancho Cucamonga 10-3
The bad news is that Lancaster is having more pitching woes as last night's probable starter, RJ Alaniz, was placed on the DL with shoulder soreness. The good news is that: a) Nick Tropeano is on the way from Lexington to join the Lancaster staff, and b) Jose Trinidad (W, 7-3) did a terrific job in a spot start in place of Alaniz last night, pitching seven shutout innings. George Springer was three-for-five with an RBI; Domingo Santana was two-for-four with a double and an RBI; and Jonathan Meyer was two-for-five with an RBI. Erik Castro hit his 11th home run for two RBIs and Telvin Nash struck out four times before hitting his 21st home run of the season.

Texas League North All-Stars over South All-Stars 3-1
Performances from Hooks players who made the All-Star team were mixed. The only position player to reach base was Jon Singleton with a walk. Ross Seaton gave up all three North runs in his one inning of work and was charged with the loss. But Jarred Cosart pitched a perfect inning, and Jason Stoffel and Kevin Chapman allowed one hit each with no runs.


Game of the Day
Lexington over Greensboro 11-8
Lexington really needed this one to right the ship after three straight losses. Jonas Dufek, who has been quite reliable for the Legends with four straight wins, had a rare bad outing, but Evan Grills (W, 3-1) pitched a terrific 3.2 innings and kept Greensboro at bay until the Legends hitters put up a six spot in the sixth to get back in the game. Two players that we need to see do well did do well. Jay Austin had a terrific night going four-for-five with two RBIs and he appears to be doing just fine since coming back from a hand injury. Brandon Meredith, three-for-six with two RBIs, has also started heating up and has now hit .359 over his last 10 games. Delino DeShields stole three bases to bring his season total to 54.

What went right: Good relief from Grills, Murilo Gouvea and Dayan Diaz kept the door open for the Legends to come back in a big way.

What went wrong: Justin Gominsky got a rude welcome back to Lexington as he went hitless in five at-bats.

Jonas Dufek - 1.2IP 9H 7R/6ER 0BB 2SO 1HR
Evan Grills - 3.2IP 5H 1R 1BB 1SO
Murilo Gouvea - 2.2IP 1H 0R 1BB 1SO
Dayan Diaz (S, 9) - 1IP 2H 0R 0BB 1SO

Delino DeShields - 2x4 2B BB 3R 3SB
Jordan Scott - 1x4 2B 2RBI BB R
Zach Johnson - 1x3 3BB 2R
Matt Duffy - 1x5 2B 2RBI SO
Jay Austin - 4x5 2B 2RBI BB R
Brandon Meredith - 3x6 2B 2RBI BB R
Roberto Pena - 2x6 RBI SO
Chan Moon - 1x3 3B RBI 2BB 2R SB

Player of the Day: Jay Austin gets the nod for his four-for-five night and for his success as he comes back from a hand injury suffered in spring training. He is now hitting .289/.400/.368.

Pitcher of the Day: Jose Trinidad came in for only his third start of the season on short notice and pitched seven shutout innings with one walk and two strikeouts. His ERA, after 24 appearances is 1.95.

Roster Moves - 6/14

In addition to the announced short season rosters which you can find here, the following moves were also made effective 6/14:

Oklahoma City
2B Jordan Kreke was assigned to Oklahoma City from Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi
1B Carlos Lee was sent on rehab assignment to Corpus Christi.
3B Andrew Simunic was assigned to Corpus Christi from Oklahoma City.

Lancaster
OF Emilio King was assigned to Tri-City from Lancaster.
RHP Ruben Alaniz was activated from the temporary inactive list.

Greeneville
C Ernesto Genoves was assigned from Lexington to Greeneville.

Also, the following change will be made effective 6/15:

Lexington
OF Jay Austin will be assigned to Lexington.

Jay Austin Sighting

Sean (@native_astro) brought up a good question the other day on twitter, wondering whether or not Jay Austin is ready to be activated from Extended Spring Training. For those who don't know or remember, he broke his hand at the very beginning of Spring Training. Well, I did a little detective work and this photo of Jay was taken May 25th. He's definitely playing (although I still have no idea about any timetable on him). Now, you know as much as I do.

Jay Austin, Photo Courtesy Bryan Green

Jay Austin Out with Broken Hand

Just saw this in today's Chronicle.

Outfielder Jay Austin, a second-round pick in 2008, suffered a broken hand and will miss four weeks before rehab.

“We were concerned three or four days ago that it was something that might require surgery and that’s not the case right now,” director of player development Fred Nelson said.

 No explanation of what happened, but I really hate to see that kind of setback for Austin after his strong Arizona Fall League appearance. I had been looking for a breakthrough season for him this year; let's hope that this injury doesn't derail that possibility.

Arizona Fall League Update

In Jay Austin's first action in the fall league, he went 2-5 with an RBI in the Salt River Rafter's win over the Mesa Solar Sox.  Josh Zeid pitched a scoreless 8th with 1BB and 1SO and got the win.

Next Game:
Salt River Rafters (4-1) vs. Surprise Saguaros (4-0) Monday at 12:35 MST (2:35 CST)