Showing posts with label Jordan Mills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jordan Mills. Show all posts

Monday, May 11, 2015

Happy Birthday - 5/11

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

LHP Jordan Mills (23)
Mills was born May 11, 1992 in Shingle Springs, California and was drafted by the Astros in the 28th round in 2013 out of St. Mary's College of California (Moraga, California). He is currently in Extended Spring Training in Florida.

Jordan Mills - July 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen


IF Anardo Peralta (19)
Peralta was born May 11, 1996 in Azua, Dominican Republic and was signed by the Astros in June 2014. He spent his first season in 2014 playing in the Dominican Summer League.

RHP Luis Castro (20)
Castro was born May 11, 1995 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and was signed by the Astros in February 2015.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Tweet of the Day

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

An Interview with Astros LHP Jordan Mills

Last August in Greeneville, Tennessee, I got my first look at Astros LHP and 2013 28th round draft pick Jordan Mills. He definitely caught my attention, but then at 6'5" and rocking the high socks, he's a tad bit hard to miss.

Jordan Mills - August 2013
Photo by Jayne Hansen

Aside from having a commanding presence on the mound, he also had the numbers to back it up. In his first 14 professional appearances (six starts), Mills went 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA, a 1.028 WHIP and he only walked 13 batters while striking out 43 in 47+ innings pitched. Batters only hit .216 against him and he had a 2.76 ground out/air out ratio, one of the highest ground ball rates in the organization.

I reached out to Jordan, who is currently at Extended Spring Training, via email to find out a little bit more about him. Here is what he had to say ~

JH: First things first. I always like to ask pitchers about their pitch repertoire, including velocity, movement, best out pitch, what you're working on, etc. Can you tell me a little about all that?

JM: The pitches I throw are a fastball (2 seam and 4 seam), change up, curveball, and cutter. I throw from a low 3/4s slot so I seem to get good action on my pitches tailing away from right handed batters. I’d have to say that my best out pitch is my change up and it produces strike outs and mass amounts of ground balls. I’m working on pitching to left handed batters more dominantly with perfecting my curve ball and cutter which both go away from a left handed batters barrel.

JH: What do you feel like you accomplished in your first professional season? What do you think you will need to accomplish this season in order to get to the next level developmentally?

JM: In my first professional season I feel like I accomplished being able to go out and compete more. Pitching to wood bats is a different experience and throwing strikes is a bigger part in the game as well as calling your own game. In order to get to the next level I need to be more consistent with throwing my cutter and curve ball to left handed hitters and just being more consistent in general.

JH: Can you tell me a little about your college career and the draft experience? Did you know that the Astros were interested in drafting you? Any other teams?

JM: My college career I went to Saint Mary’s College for 3 years and had an absolute great time. The team as well as the baseball was awesome and made quite a few life long friends along the way. It was tough junior year not to think about the draft cause for all baseball players, it's always in the back of your mind but as a team we always went out there and had fun and competed to the best of our ability and played for each other which helped take our mind off the pressure of the draft. I did know the Astros were interested. I got a pre-draft call from our area scout Bryan Byrne and was very excited to hear from him.

JH: What was the biggest surprise for you in your first professional season?

JM: The biggest surprise for me in my first professional season was how on our own we are. We call our own game and everything is on our shoulders when you toe the rubber so I felt it made you compete even more because you want to do as good as you can to help out your team as much as possible. As well as playing everyday, you really have to have your priorities straight to eat right, sleep right and do all of the right things on and off the field because it’s a grind compared to only playing 3 games a week in college.

JH: What Astros MiLB pitcher that you've played with or seen in ST or EST has a pitch you'd like to steal?

JM: Blaine Sims knuckleball for sure. When a catcher has to wear a special glove to catch you and even then still struggles, you know you have something unique and special.

JH:. What Astros MiLB player would you least like to face in the batter's box?

JM: I would have to say Jake Rodriguez; he’s always had my number even when we played together as kids.

JH: Since you get a lot of ground ball outs, is there a particular player that you really liked having play behind you when you pitched last season?

JM: I really liked having Jack Mayfield and Tyler White last year behind me. If the ball's hit in their direction you know they’re going to make the play.

JH: What teammate really makes you laugh?

JM: Chris Lee definitely makes me laugh the most. He’s always got energy day in and day out.

JH: What would you do if you couldn't play baseball?

JM: If I couldn’t play baseball I would go back to school and finish my last year of school at Saint Mary’s College and get my business degree

JH: Can you tell me a little bit about Extended Spring Training and the day-to-day experience?

JM: The Extended spring training day-to-day experience is a blast but still is a grind. You start off waking up at 6 am every morning and shower and get ready and eat breakfast to catch the bus by 7. Then we start practice and stretch around 8 and that usually goes to 11:30 eat lunch and get ready to play our game around 1. It’s all worth it because the knowledge that our coaches have is out of this world and we can learn so much from them day in and day out. They make it fun and interesting for us and we really get better every day we are out there.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Thank you for your time, Jordan, and best of luck in the 2014 season.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happy Birthday - 5/11

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Jordan Mills (22)
Drafted by Houston in the 28th round in 2013 out of St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, Mills hit the ground running in his first season with the Greeneville team. In 14 games (6 starts), he was 5-1 with 2 saves, a 2.08 ERA and a 1.028 WHIP. Mills is currently at Extended Spring Training. Look for my interview with him coming out later this week.

One former Astro celebrates today as well ~

RHP Francisco Cordero (39)
Originally signed by the Tigers as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic n 1994, Cordero came to the Astros as a part of a 10-player trade with the Blue Jays in July 2012. Cordero only appeared in six games (five innings) for Houston before being released in September 2012. And that appears to have concluded a 14-season major league career in which Cordero was 47-53 in 800 appearances (all out of the bullpen) with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.365 WHIP and 329 saves. He was a three-time All-Star for the Rangers, the Brewers and the Reds.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Tweet of the Day

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tweet of the Day


When the lady at the front desk of a hotel tells you "it's just fleas, not bed bugs" in your third room of the summer hahahaha

Monday, August 5, 2013

Astros Minor League Recaps

Sunday's Games

Oklahoma City over Colorado Springs 5-2
Jake Buchanan (W, 4-2) went the first seven, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four, and was followed by perfection from Jason Stoffel and Kevin Chapman out of the bullpen. OKC got on the board early with a George Springer (2x4 RBI R) single driving in Trevor Crowe (3x3 2R) in the first, and put two more up on a Brandon Laird (2x4) two-run double. Rene Garcia (1x4) singled in the final two runs in the sixth. Ruben Sosa was two-for-two.

Corpus Christi over Midland 2-1 in 10 innings
It was a terrific AA debut by David Rollins as he pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing only one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Jonas Dufek and Pat Urckfitz pitched the final four and a third scoreless innings. The Hooks took advantage of an error and a walk to score their first run in the bottom of the eighth to tie things up. Max Stassi (2x5 2B R) hit a ground rule double in the 10th and scored on a Domingo Santana single for the walk off win. Kike Hernandez was two-for-four, and both Erik Castro and Michael Burgess doubled in the game.

Lancaster over High Desert 6-5
The Heart Attack 'Hawks are back with another come-from-behind win. Down 5-1 going into the fifth, the JetHawks put up five unanswered runs while starter Colton Cain (6.1IP 11H 5R/2ER 0BB 2SO HR) and the bullpen (Michael Dimock, Travis Ballew and Kenny Long) kept High Desert off the scoreboard for the final five innings. Luis Alvarez' solo shot in the third accounted for Lancaster's first run. They scored three more in the fifth with help from High Desert's two errors, a walk and a wild pitch, and two more in the seventh as High Desert loaded the bases with no outs by way of two walks and a hit batter. Because of the High Desert miscues, Lancaster scored its six runs on only seven hits, six of them singles. Matt Duffy was one-for-four with two RBI.

Cedar Rapids over Quad Cities 3-2
Brian Holmes got his first start for Quad Cities since completing his rehab assignment with the GCL and did a nice job. He threw six innings (2H 2BB 3SO) with only one run coming across in the first inning as a lead-off triple came around to score in the frame. Daniel Minor pitched two scoreless innings before giving way to Juan Minaya who gave up two runs (one earned) to give Cedar Rapids the walk off-win. Quad Cities drew first blood in the first inning with a bases-loaded walk, but didn't score again until the ninth inning when Teoscar Hernandez doubled and was driven in by a Carlos Correa (3x5) single. Danry Vasquez was two-for-five and scored a run, and Dan Gulbransen drew three walks in the game.

Tri-City over Aberdeen 9-3
Zach Morton (5.2IP 3H 2R 1BB) got the start and the much-needed win. Andrew Walter did a great job with a perfect two and a third innings and four strikeouts. J.D. Osborne gave up the final Aberdeen run in the ninth. Tri-City had the lead from the third inning on, but it was a slim 3-2 lead going in to the eighth. Six runs scored in the final two innings gave the 'pen all the breathing room they needed to end the losing streak at nine games. The first runs came in the third on a Brett Booth sac fly and a Conrad Gregor RBI double, and another in the fourth as Ronnie Mitchell (3x5 2B 3R) doubled and was driven in by a Ryan Dineen single. The 'Cats got four runs across in the eighth on only two singles, thanks to four walks, five wild pitches from two different pitchers and a throwing error. The final two came in the ninth on a Jon Kemmer RBI double and a Ryan Dineen sac fly. James Ramsay went two-for-five with a double and stole a base.

As a side note, congratulations are due to LHP Chris Cotton, RHP Michael Feliz and SS Chan Moon as they were named to the New York-Penn League All-Star squad.

Greeneville over Kingsport 17-1
See Appy Astros Eyewitness report of the game here.

Player of the Day: Marc Wik went four-for-five with a triple, drove in three and scored three in the huge Greeneville win. Wik was injured when I saw him in Greeneville last season, but he is obviously healthy now. He has hit .389/.488/.444 in his last 10 games.

Pitcher of the Day: Jordan Mills' start for Greeneville was simply terrific - only two hits and no walks allowed in five innings and striking out seven for the win.

Eyewitness Report: 8/4/13 G-Stros 17, K-Mets 1

It only counts as one win in the standings but it was a solid statement.  Greeneville stretched its two game lead to three with an all around dominate performance.  Here are the highlights:

The night got off to a good night when Little Appy and I got our Jose Altuve give away t-shirts when we walked in the gate.

On The Mound
When a team scores 17 runs in a game, it can be tempting to overlook the pitching but that would be a mistake.  Jordan Mills started the game for the G-Stros and pitched five solid innings facing just one batter over the minimum. His line read: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Unofficially, I had him at 58 pitches with 43 of them for strikes!  Of the seven strikeouts, five were swinging and two were looking.  The two hits were both doubles.  One was a ball that bounded over third baseman Tyler White down the left field line.  The other was another ball down the left field line.   

Austin Chrismon relieved Mills and pitched the next three innings.  The first pitch he delivered was deposited over the wall for a solo HR.  After that, he settled down allowing just one more hit.  He struck out three and walked one.  He threw several very nice curves on the night.

Tyler Brunnemann finished off the game with a rather eventful ninth.  After striking out the first batter, he walked the next batter on four pitches.  He the gave up a double down the right field line that luckily went under the gate for a ground rule double. Otherwise it is a run scoring triple.  He walked the next batter on a full count pitch to load the bases before getting a visit from the pitching coach.  The very next pitch went for a 4-6-3 double play to wrap up the game.

At The Plate

15 hits. 6 BB. 1 HBP and 1 reached on a drop third strike. That is 23 base runners on the night and 17 scored.   The team was 7-10 with runners in scoring position.  Every Astro who played scored a run.  Even Angle Ibanez who struck out in his only at bat.  He reached when the third strike got by the catcher and he reached first safely.  It was just one of those nights.

Marc Wik went 4 for 5 with three singles and a bases clearing stand up triple to the gap in right center. Wik scored three runs on the night to lead the team. 

Tyler White was 2 for 4 with a two run homer before leaving the game in the seventh.

Chase McDonald went 3 for 4 - all singles - plus a walk.  The one time he got out required a nice play by the shortstop.  McDonald hit the ball toward left field.  The SS dove to his right and threw from his knees to nab McDonald or he perfect night.

Juan Santana only had one hit but it was a big hit.  A three run HR to left field.  He also had a sac fly to plate the final run of the game.

Ariel Ovando went 2 for 4 on the night and led the team with five RBI.  He had three run HR to RF that got out in a hurry.  He latter had a hustle double on a ball hit in shallow center.  He rounded first and realized that both the shortstop and the second baseman had gone out to try to catch the ball and 2nd was unattended.  He cruised in for a stand up double on a ball that was just out of the reach of the second baseman.  He later walked in the game with the bases loaded for his final RBI of the night.

Brian Holberton was 2 for 4 with both of his hits coming in the seven run third inning.  He lead off the inning with a single to left and then added a double down the right field line later in the inning.  He added a walk in the ninth. 

The game was out of hand in the ninth but the K-Mets couldn't get the Astros out so they resorted to bringing in their closer who got a double play ball with the bases loaded to put an end to the massacre.

In The Field

Tyler White made several nice plays at third.  He made a leaping grab of a line drive and a nice play ranging to his left in the third.  He added another good play to his left in the fourth.  He also applied a tag to catch a runner attempting stealing third in the first.   The runner was out by two feet thanks to a great throw by Brian Holberton.

The other play I have circled in my score book as a 3-6-1 double play to end the seventh.  First baseman McDonald fielded the ball moving to his right.  He made the throw to the SS Thomas Lindauer who threw back to pitcher Austin Chrismon covering first.  Just like you work on in in PFPs.

The one error of the night was charged to Lindauer on a ball that was hit up the middle.  He got to the ball in time but couldn't field it cleanly to make the throw.  It would have been a very nice play had he pulled it off. He made a similar play later in the game. 

Friday, July 19, 2013

Astro Minor League Recaps

Thursday's Games

Oklahoma City at Memphis - Postponed

Frisco at Corpus Christi - Postponed

Lancaster over Inland Empire 6-3
Tommy Shirley went seven, allowing only one run on five hits to secure his first win of the season. He was followed by Jonas Dufek (1IP 4H 2R 1SO) and Travis Ballew who pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to earn his 16th save. The JetHawks scored two off the rehabbing Tommy Hanson, one in the first on a M.P. Cokinos single and one in the third as Andrew Aplin doubled in Joe Sclafani who had also doubled in the inning. They added two more in the fourth on a Delino DeShields RBI single, one in the seventh on a Cokinos double and one in the eighth on a Aplin single. Nolan Fontana was one-for-two, walked three times and scored two runs. Aplin stole his 14th base of the season and DeShields stole his 32nd.

Fort Wayne over Quad Cities 8-3
Velasquez got the start and the loss as he gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out four. He was followed by Gera Sanchez (2IP 2H 1R 2SO) and Jamaine Cotton (1IP 4H 2R 1SO). Carlos Correa drove in two of the three Bandits runs with an RBI single in the first and an RBI double in the eighth. The other run came via a Bobby Borchering home run in the second.

Tri-City over Auburn 9-3
Andrew Thurman pitched his way to his first professional win Thursday night, allowing only one run on a solo homer while striking out six over five innings. He was followed by Michael Feliz (3IP 5H 2R/1ER 3SO) and Andrew Walter (1IP 1H 1SO). The ValleyCats banged out 18 hits and got the scoring started early with a Mike Martinez (2x4) RBI double in the first and added on four more in the second in a frame that featured a Jake Rodriguez (3x4 2-2B R) double and back-to-back triples from Tony Kemp and D'Andre Toney (3x5 3B RBI 3R SB). Thomas Lindauer also doubled in the sixth, driving in a run. Conrad Gregor was two-for-four with an RBI; Ryan Dineen was three-for-five and scored twice; and James Ramsay went two-for-four with an RBI and a run.

Greeneville over Princeton 10-0 in 7 innings (Game 1)
Edison Frias (5IP 2H 1BB 2SO) and Ryan Connelly (2IP 1BB 1SO) combined on a two-hit shutout. Ricky Gingras (2x3 BB HR 4RBI 2R) and Chase McDonald (2x4 2B 3RBI 2R) had particularly good games, driving in seven of Greeneville's 10 runs, but Edwin Gomez and Angel Ibanez had multi-hit games as well, and each hit a double. Birthday boy Marc Wik had an 0-fer, but walked three times and scored once. Brian Holberton walked twice and scored two runs.

Greeneville over Princeton 4-0 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Jordan Mills tossed four perfect innings and struck out five in the process. The bullpen kept the shutout alive with two innings from Krishawn Holley (2H 2BB 1SO) and a perfect frame from Raul Rivera (1SO). Greeneville scored twice in the first on RBI singles from Edwin Gomez and Angel Ibanez, and two more in the fifth on a Brett Phillips single. Phillips also stole a base.

GCL Phillies over GCL Astros 14-2
Austin Nicely did ... nicely, that is, in his professional debut. He allowed one walk over two hitless innings. And Yonathan Mejia did nicely, going two-for-four with two doubles and scoring a run. And Brett Booth did nicely, going two-for-four with a solo home run and two RBI. But the rest of this mess? Not so nice. Not so nice at all. I decided that I don't get paid enough to recap the two two-run home runs, the grand slam and the two wild pitches from the rest of the Astros pitching staff. Or the four errors and two passed balls from the Astros catchers and position players. That's mainly because I don't get paid at all. But that's neither here nor there. As my friend Buca said, when discussing this game, "They had a bad day at the office." If you insist on looking at the train wreck, you can find the full boxscore here.

DSL Astros over DSL Athletics 6-4 (completion of 7/2 suspended game)
Juan Hernandez pitched the first two innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks, and then giving way to four scoreless innings from Junior Garcia (3IP 1H 2BB 1SO) and Juan Delis (1IP 1H 1SO). Delis got the win, and Victor Mesa got the save despite allowing three runs (two earned) over his three innings. Several Astros had good outings at the plate: Hector Roa (2x5 3B RBI 2R), Randy Cesar (2x4 2B 2RBI R), Brian Pena (2x4) and Dariel Aquino (2x4 RBI R SB). Jarico Reynoso also contributed with a solo home run.

DSL Athletics over DSL Astros 3-1 in 7 innings
Scoreless outings from Elieser Hernandez (2IP 1BB 2SO) and Yonquelys Martinez (1IP 1SO) sandwiched a less effective three innings from Javier Saucedo (3H 3R 1BB 3SO) who was pegged with the loss. The Astros lone run came in the first inning as Arturo Michelina (2x3) doubled in Jean Estrella.

Player of the Day: Ricky Gingras drove in four, including a three-run home run, in his great night at the plate. Honorable mention goes to his Greeneville teammate, Chase McDonald, for his three RBI night.

Pitcher of the Day: Jordan Mills, a 28th round pick, not only pitched four perfect innings on Thursday, he's been busy putting up a very nice start to his professional career. He has a 0.90 ERA and a 0.950 WHIP in his first seven appearances.