Happy Birthday - 8/31

Happy Birthday to ~

C Marlon Avea (21)
From Nicaragua, Marlon was signed by the Astros as a NDFA in 2010 and played his first season in the U.S. this year in the Gulf Coast League. In 21 games, he hit .279/.383/.353, and he had a 41% caught stealing rate.

One former Astro celebrates the day as well ~

RHP Tom Dukes (72)
Dukes came to Houston via a trade with Atlanta prior to the 1967 season. In 60 appearances out of the bullpen in 1967 and 1968, he was 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.651 WHIP. He was subsequently picked up by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft.

Happy Birthday - 8/31

C Marlon Avea (20)
From Nicaragua, Marlon was signed by the Astros as a NDFA in 2010 and played his third season this year in the DSL. Over 52 games, he hit .225/.353/.324. Against lefties, he hit a brisk .339/.431/.429. He caught 44 of 90 would-be base stealers, a 49% caught stealing rate.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP Tom Dukes (71)
Dukes came to Houston via a trade with Atlanta prior to the 1967 season. In 60 appearances out of the bullpen in 1967 and 1968, he was 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.651 WHIP. He was subsequently picked up by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft.

Happy Birthday - 8/31

C Marlon Avea (19)
From Nicaragua, Marlon was signed by the Astros as a NDFA in 2010 and played his second season this year in the DSL. Over 35 games, he hit .204/.286/.312 which was actually an improvement over 2011.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP Tom Dukes (70)
Dukes came to Houston via a trade with Atlanta prior to the 1967 season. In 60 appearances out of the bullpen in 1967 and 1968, he was 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.651 WHIP. He was subsequently picked up by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft.

Baseball World Cup Stats - Round 1

Through Round 1 of the Baseball World Cup, this is how your Astros have done:

CANADIAN TEAM

Jimmy VanOstrand
.304/.407/.478/.885 with 1-2B 1HR 4RBI 4BB 2SO

Emerson Frostad
.385 with 2RBI 1BB 5SO

NICARAGUAN TEAM

Marlon Avea
.214 with 2BB 3SO

U.S. TEAM

Andy Van Hekken
2-0 with a 0.64 ERA 0.714 WHIP 5SO 1BB 1-3B

Baseball World Cup Update

The Astros have 4 minor league players involved in the World Cup.  Here is how they are currently faring:

Nicaraguan Team (1-2)
C Marlon Avea has 2 hits over 8 AB's

U.S. Team (1-1)
LHP Andy Van Hekken got the win last night with 6IP 4H 1R 1ER 1BB 2SO

Canadian Team (3-0)
1B Jimmy VanOstrand had 3 hits in 7 AB's with 4 RBI, 1 HR and 1 2B in the first 2 games
C Emerson Frostad had 2 hits in 5 AB's with 1 RBI in the third game

The only action today is U.S. vs. Japan, rescheduled from an earlier rain-out.

Happy Birthday - 8/31

C Marlon Avea (18)
From Nicaragua, Marlon was signed by the Astros as a NDFA in 2010 and played his first season this year in the DSL. Over 37 games, he had a .165 BA and a .280 OBP which increased to .226BA/.359OBP with runners in scoring position. At only 18, he has plenty of time to develop his skills.

Former Astro with a Birthday Today:

RHP Tom Dukes (69) - Played for Houston from 1967 to 1968