Astros Farm Report: 1/13/20

After a long (and much needed) hiatus, WTHB is back to catch you up on the off-season Astros minor league happenings ...

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Here are the offseason roster moves for the Astros minor league players.

1/9: RHP Peyton Battenfield (Tri-City) and OF Cal Stevenson (Fayetteville) traded to the Rays for RHP Austin Pruitt
Notes: Battenfield was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University and had an excellent first pro season. Here is my interview with him from July.  Cal Stevenson came to the Astros, along with Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini, as a part of the 7/31/19 trade with the Blue Jays that sent Derek Fisher to Toronto. Here's hoping that his family didn't invest a lot in Astros gear after the trade.
1/9: RHP Dean Deetz designated for assignment
12/12: RHP Brandon Bailey (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: RHP Yohan Ramirez (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft
12/12: SS Jonathan Arauz (Corpus Christi) claimed by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft
12/5: CF Jake Marisnick (Houston) traded to the Mets for LHP Blake Taylor and OF Kenedy Corona (assigned to Tri-City) - see below for more
11/20: RHP Cristian Javier (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: 1B Taylor Jones (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez (Fayetteville) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/20: RHP Enoli Paredes (Corpus Christi) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11/4: LHP Kent Emanuel (Round Rock) added to the 40-man roster (Emanuel was due to become a MiLB FA)
11/4: OF Granden Goetzman (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
11/4: RHP Erasmo Pinales (Corpus Christi) elected minor league free agency
10/16: RHP Chanderson Perez signed (18 year old Dominican)

RULE 5 DRAFT NOTES

A little about the players taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

RHP Brandon Bailey (Baltimore): Bailey had a very solid season with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks in 2019 (3.30 ERA/1.219 WHIP in 22 games/17 starts). Bailey came to the Astros in the November 2017 trade with Oakland that sent Ramon Laureano to that team. Bailey allowed 41 walks while striking out 103 in 92.2 innings of work. He has solid command and is expected to take on a swing man/middle relief role. In my opinion, Bailey showed enough polish and pitch development in 2019 that he is the most likely of the three taken to stick with his new team.

RHP Yohan Ramirez (Seattle): Ramirez is a real wild card (in more than one meaning of the word wild). Ramirez has an electric arm with a fastball that touches the upper 90's and a plus curveball, but his control is still very much a work in progress. In 106 innings pitched between High A Fayetteville and AA Corpus Christi in 2019 (3.99 ERA/1.302 WHIP), Ramirez allowed 74 walks while striking out 158. There was also the matter of 17 wild pitches and 15 hit batters. He is the ultimate high risk, high reward pick up. It will be difficult for him to stick with a team without showing a lot of progress on control and command, but if he is able to harness his talent, watch out! Ramirez is, in my opinion, the least likely of the three to stick.

SS Jonathan Arauz (Boston): Arauz falls somewhere in between the other two in his ability to stick with a new team (again, in my opinion). Arauz's bat has lagged his solid defense over his career, but he mostly held his own in 2019 between High A Fayetteville and AA Corpus Christi, hitting a combined .249/.319/.388 with 22 doubles, three triples and 11 home runs in 115 games. Arauz will be helped by the expansion of the MLB rosters to 26 and could conceivably earn his keep as a utility infielder, helping him to stick on the roster until his bat catches up to the major league level.

FEATURED PLAYERS

This week, let's look at the two players who came to the Astros from the Mets in the December Marisnick trade.

LHP Blake Taylor: Taylor was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2013 and was traded to the Mets a year later. Tommy John surgery and recovery sidelined him from late 2015 to late 2016. For the next two years, Taylor was a starter who failed to break through, but a move to the bullpen in 2019 suited him and he put together the most successful season of his career to date (2.16 ERA/1.095 WHIP in 40 appearances, converting 10 of 11 save opportunities). He spent approximately half of the season at High A, half at AA (1.85 ERA/0.949 WHIP) and finished the season by facing and retiring one batter at AAA. Taylor built on his 2019 success with seven appearances in the Arizona Fall League (2.00 ERA/0.778 WHIP). Taylor becomes one of only seven lefty pitchers in the Astros system who finished the 2019 season at AA or higher. Baseball America describes him as having a "mid-90's fastball and a high spin rate on his breaking ball." He turned 24 in August.

OF Kenedy Carona: Corona, a 19-year old Venezuelan (20 in March), has only one professional season under his belt at this point, but it was a very successful season in which he progressed from the DSL to the GCL to four games at short season A to end the year. In 63 games, he hit .301/.398/.470 with 14 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 29 RBI. He also snagged 19 bases (five caught stealing) and walked (29 times) almost as much as he struck out (36 times). He can play all the outfield positions and his defensive numbers stack up nicely against most of his outfield competition in the system. Baseball America describes Corona as athletic with "the ability to play the outfield with some polish at a young age."

2019-2020 FALL AND WINTER BALL

All of the regular seasons are complete except for the Australian Baseball League (where Chuckie Robinson has been playing as recently as over this past weekend). In addition, a few Astros minor leaguers have been playing in the postseason in their respective leagues. Their most recent postseason stats are shown below.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

1B J.J. Matijevic: 27 G | .255/.315/.412
SS Jeremy Pena: 24 G | .183/.248/.290
C Colton Shaver: 18 G | .175/.294/.333
RHP Cody Deason: 6 G | 8.0 IP | 6.75 ERA/2.13 WHIP
RHP Carlos Sanabria: 8 G | 9.0 IP | 9.00 ERA/1.89 WHIP
LHP Blake Taylor: 7 G | 9.0 IP | 2.00 ERA/0.78 WHIP
RHP Jojanse Torres: 7 G | 8.0 IP | 3.38 ERA/1.50 WHIP
RHP Forrest Whitley: 6 G | 25.0 IP | 2.88 ERA/1.24 WHIP

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

C Chuckie Robinson: 21 G | .227/.301/.440

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

OF Bryan de la Cruz: 10 G | .294/.278/.471
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 5 G | 19.0 IP | 2.37 ERA/1.16 WHIP
RHP Ronel Blanco: 1 G | 0.2 IP | 27.00 ERA/3.00 WHIP
RHP Willy Collado: 3 G | 2.1 IP | 0.00 ERA/0.43 WHIP
RHP Francis Martes: 3 G | 5.2 IP | 7.94 ERA/1.41 WHIP
RHP Leovanny Rodriguez: 16 G | 16.1 IP | 2.76 ERA/0.86 WHIP
(Postseason: 4 G | 3.0 IP | 0.00 ERA/1.33 WHIP)
RHP Cesar Rosado: 1 G | 0.1 IP | 27.00 ERA/3.00 WHIP
LHP Framber Valdez: 5 G | 23.2 IP | 2.28 ERA/1.14 WHIP

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE

C Lorenzo Quintana: 42 G | .278/.339/.405
C Cesar Salazar: 15 G | .222/.276/.370
RHP Jose Bravo: 6 G | 20.0 IP | 5.85 ERA/1.75 WHIP
RHP Humberto Castellanos: 13 G | 9.1 IP | 5.79 ERA/1.82 WHIP
RHP Lupe Chavez: 7 G | 17.1 IP | 4.67 ERA/1.38 WHIP
RHP Ralph Garza: 13 G | 15.0 IP | 2.40 ERA/1.00 WHIP
LHP Juan Pablo Lopez: 15 G | 13.2 IP | 0.66 ERA/1.24 WHIP

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE

C Ruben Castro: 11 G | .000/.333/.000
LHP Jonathan Bermudez: 4 G | 3.2 IP | 0.00 ERA/2.00 WHIP
(Postseason: 3 G | 2.1 IP | 3.86 ERA/1.29 WHIP)
RHP Layne Henderson: 11 G | 7.2 IP | 3 saves | 7.04 ERA/2.48 WHIP
RHP Felipe Tejada: 9 G | 6.0 IP | 1.50 ERA/1.33 WHIP
(Postseason: 1 G | 1.0 IP | 0.00 ERA/0.00 WHIP)

2019 FINAL SEASON STANDINGS

AAA ROUND ROCK (Pacific Coast League/American Southern Division)
Division Winner
Won over Iowa in Semifinals 3-2
Lost to Sacramento in LCS 0-3

1st 84-56 .600 -.-GB L1

AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League/South Division)

4th 66-73 .475 7.0GB L3

ADV A FAYETTEVILLE (Carolina League/Southern Division)
2nd half Division Winner
Won over Down East in the Semifinals 3-2
Lost to Wilmington in LCS 2-3

3rd 72-67 .518 15.0GB W2

LOW A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League/Western Division)
1st half Division Winner
Lost to Cedar Rapids in MWL Quarterfinals 1-2

2nd 79-57 .581 0.5GB W1

SHORT SEASON A TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League/Stedler Division)
4th 32-42 .432 9.0GB W3

ROOKIE LEVEL GULF COAST LEAGUE (East Division)
4th 25-26 .490 3.5GB W1

ROOKIE LEVEL DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (Northwest Division)
2nd 38-31 .551 2.5GB W2

INTERVIEWS

The following links are to the interviews I conducted during the 2019 season. Here is a full list of links to all of the interviews I've done since December 2011.

Colin McKee
Enoli Paredes and Cristian Javier
Cesar Salazar
Brett Daniels
Felipe Tejada
AJ Lee
Peyton Battenfield
Franny Cobos and Juan Pablo Lopez
Austin Hansen
Jake Adams
Nivaldo Rodriguez and Enmanuel Valdez
Colton Shaver
Brett Conine
Bryan Abreu and Ronel Blanco
Granden Goetzman
Osvaldo Duarte and Jose Urquidy
Stephen Wrenn

RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Montana 2009

Happy Minor League Opening Day!!

Happy Minor League Opening Day!! Here's what you may have missed since the end of last season if you haven't been paying attention ...

TRANSACTIONS

First of all, Dustin has done a great job of keeping everyone up to date with all of the 2018-2019 Offseason Transactions, including all of the offseason trades, releases and other maneuvering. Of particular note is the January 2019 acquisition of three players traded from the Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek:

OF Ross Adolph (2018 12th round draft pick out of the University of Toledo) hit .276/.348/.509/.857 in his first professional season at the short season A level. Adolph has been ranked by MLB Pipeline as the #30 prospect in the Astros system and is assigned to full season A Quad Cities to start the season.

2B Luis Santana (19-year old Dominican signed in July 2016) hit .348/.446/.471/.917 in his first season domestically (third season overall) in 2018 for the rookie level Appalachian League. He is currently ranked #21 in the Astros system by MLB Pipeline and is expected to start his season in June with the short season Tri-City team.

C Scott Manea (2014 40th round draft pick out of St. John's HS, Shrewsbury, MA) hit .261/.368/.432/.800 in his first season at the full season A level in 2018 and will start the season with Advanced A Fayetteville.

TOP PROSPECTS

And speaking of MLB Pipeline, here is the pre-season Top 30 Prospect list for the Astros. In addition to the inclusion of Luis Santana and Ross Adolph to the list, there are several other players who weren't on the list at all to end the 2018 season. They are #8 RHP Bryan Abreu (who was added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft last fall), #12 RHP Peter Solomon, #13 OF Ronnie Dawson, #26 SS/2B Deury Carrasco and #28 RHP Enoli Paredes. Baseball America also included RHP Manny Ramirez (a 19-year old who ended 2018 with the short season A team) and a fully healthy RHP Brady Rodgers (May 2017 TJ surgery) in their 2019 Prospect Handbook. FanGraphs had a few more prospects on their list published last month, as they included 39 players rather than 30. Baseball Prospectus limited their list to 10 with no huge surprises emerging.

With several players poised to graduate from the list (such as current Astros players RHP Josh James and LHP Framber Valdez as well as others who are awaiting their return to Houston), there will likely be a great deal of movement on the list this season. Now that he has fully recovered from an ACL injury in late 2016 that sidelined his 2017 season, I look for 3B Nick Tanielu to be one of the first additions to the Top 30 list as he tries to build on a spectacular spring. I could also easily name 20 pitchers in the system who are on the cusp of really breaking through in a big way. There is a ton of depth in the system, but I think the pitching depth is really the greatest strength in the system right now.

OFFSEASON AND SPRING TRAINING PERFORMANCES

Here are a few players who performed particularly well in fall and winter leagues ...

Arizona Fall League
3B Abraham Toro: 19 G | .348/.463/.561/1.023 | 12 BB:12 K
OF Ronnie Dawson: 25 G | .291/.417/.468/.885 | 10 SB:3 CS
RHP Forrest Whitley: 8 G | 26 IP | 2.42 ERA | 0.96 WHIP | .189 BA | 7 BB:37 K

Dominican Winter League
RHP Rogelio Armenteros: 5 G | 23 IP | 1.17 ERA | 0.70 WHIP | .154 BA | 4 BB:22 K

Mexican Winter League
RHP Humberto Castellanos: 21 G | 22 IP | 2.86 ERA | 1.18 WHIP | .231 BA | 8 BB:15 K

Puerto Rican Winter League
RHP Colin McKee: 10 G | 10.1 IP | 0.00 ERA | 0.48 WHIP | .121 BA | 1 BB:13 K
(Converted 5 of 6 save opportunities)

Venezuelan Winter League
RHP Akeem Bostick: 8 G | 32 IP | 2.81 ERA | 1.06 WHIP | .205 BA | 10 BB:27 K

And a few Spring Training standouts ...

3B Nick Tanielu: 51 AB | .353/.411/.804/1.215
OF Myles Straw: 45 AB | .378/.417/.511/.928
3B Abraham Toro: 44 AB | .341/.396/.591/.987

RHP J.B. Bukauskas: 16 IP | 1.69 ERA | 1.13 WHIP | 9 BB:21 K
RHP Forrest Whitley: 15 IP | 3.00 ERA | 1.07 WHIP | 5 BB:17 K
RHP Corbin Martin: 16.1 IP | 3.86 ERA | 1.22 WHIP | 6 BB:16 K

ROSTERS

Dustin serves up a little history and context to go with the Opening Day rosters.

Meet the 2019 Round Rock Express

Meet the 2019 Corpus Christi Hooks

Meet the 2019 Fayetteville Woodpeckers

Meet the 2019 Quad Cities River Bandits

COACHING STAFF

Dustin also put together this great post on the minor league coaching staff for each of the Astros minor league teams in 2019. Notably absent from the 2019 staff are Rodney Linares, Josh Bonifay, Chris Holt and Morgan Ensberg. A long-time MiLB Manager in the Astros system, Linares is now the third base coach for the Rays. Bonifay, MiLB Field Coordinator for the Astros in 2018, is now the Director of Player Development for the Phillies. Chris Holt went from MiLB Pitching Coordinator for the Astros in 2018 to fill that same position for the Orioles in 2019. Ensberg managed the Buies Creek Astros to a league championship in 2018; he will now be helming the Rays AA affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits. Also missing from the 2019 staff is Cesar Cedeno who has been a hitting coach in the Astros system for several years.

2018 FINAL STANDINGS

As a reminder, this is how the various Astros minor league teams finished in 2018 (including postseason results). The AAA team has moved from Fresno to Round Rock in 2019 and the Advanced A team has moved from Buies Creek into their new home in Fayetteville in 2019. They remain in the same leagues; however, the AAA team will be in a new division of the Pacific Coast League now that they are in Round Rock.

AAA FRESNO (Pacific Coast League) - Won the PCL Pacific Northern Division

1st 82-57 .590 -.-GB W1

POSTSEASON
Won the Pacific Conference Championship 3-2 over El Paso
Lost the Pacific Coast League Championship series to Memphis 3-1

AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League) - Won both 1st and 2nd halves in South Division

1st 82-56 .594 -.-GB W2 (overall)
1st 39-30 .565 -.-GB W2 (second half)
1st 43-26 .623 -.-GB W5 (first half division winner)

POSTSEASON
Lost the South Division Championship Series to San Antonio 3-2
San Antonio went on to lose to Tulsa in the Texas League Championship Series 3-0

Adv A BUIES CREEK (Carolina League) - Won the 2nd half in the Southern Division

2nd 80-57 .584 3.5GB W2 (overall)
1st 43-25 .632 -.-GB W2 (second half)
2nd 37-32 .536 3.5GB L1 (first half)

POSTSEASON 🏆
Won the Southern Division Championship 3-0 over Winston-Salem
Won the one-game* League Championship Series 1-0 over Potomac 1-0

*Originally to be a five game series until Hurricane Florence crashed the party.

Low A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League) - Won the 1st half in the Western Division

1st 81-59 .579 -.-GB W5 (overall)
2nd 41-29 .586 4.0GB W5 (second half)
1st 40-30 .571 -.-GB W6 (first half division winner)

POSTSEASON
Lost the Western Division Quarterfinal 2-0 to Peoria
(Peoria went on to win the Western Division Championship series 2-0 over Cedar Rapids, but lost to Bowling Green 3-1 in the best-of-five League Championship Series.)

SSA TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League) - Won the Stedler Division
1st 42-33 .560 -.-GB L2

POSTSEASON 🏆
Won the Semi-Final Championship Series 2-0 over Mahoning Valley
Won the New York-Penn League Championship Series 2-0 over Hudson Valley

Rk GCL ASTROS (Gulf Coast League)
2nd 27-28 .491 12.5 L2

Rk DSL ASTROS (Dominican Summer League Northwest)
6th 30-41 .423 21.0GB L3

OPENING DAY SCHEDULE

Round Rock at New Orleans 7:00 CT
Amarillo at Corpus Christi 6:15 CT
Fayetteville at Potomac 6:05 CT
Quad Cities at Burlington 6:00 CT

OTHER POSTS

In case you missed these, I did a series on 20 years of the MLB draft on all 30 systems. A summary plus links to all the individual team posts can be found here. I also looked at the early results of the 2018 draft and the summary of that info can be found here.

And, finally, I combed through the rosters to find former Astros farmhands who are still playing in affiliated baseball. That post is here. I will do my annual post looking at former Astros playing in independent ball later this month.

And with that said, I think the only thing left to say is good luck to all the players out there and ...

PLAY BALL!!!

Astros Farm Report: 11/21

Checking in on the Astros playing in fall and winter leagues, but first things first ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

these Astros babies who are celebrating this week!!

Francis Martes - April 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

11-19: LHP Framber Valdez (24)
11-21: RHP Manny Ramirez (18)
11-22: 1B Roman Garcia (22)
11-22: LHP Parker Mushinski (22)
11-24: RHP Francis Martes (22)
11-25: RHP Erasmo Pinales (23)
11-26: OF Renaigel Martes (20)

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Cionel Perez - August 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

LHP Cionel Perez (Corpus) and RHP Dean Deetz (Fresno) were added to the 40-man roster on Monday, the deadline for protecting players from the Rule 5 draft. Perez, a 21-year old Cuban, has only played in the affiliated system for one season, but was subject to the draft because he re-signed with the Astros after his original contract with the team had been voided due to concerns with his elbow. Perez made three stops in the Astros system in 2017, playing at Low A Quad Cities, High A Buies Creek and AA Corpus Christi and compiling a 6-4 record with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.292 WHIP, walking 27 and striking out 83 over 93.2 innings.

Deetz, who will be 24 at the end of this month, was originally drafted by the Astros in the 11th round in 2014. He started the season with AA Corpus Christi, putting up a 4-2 record with a 1.82 ERA and a 0.908 WHIP in eight appearances (six starts) before being promoted to AAA Fresno in early June. Although his numbers at Fresno were less than stellar, he showed continuous improvement during his time there and was particularly effective once he was moved to the bullpen late in the season (2.79 ERA and 1.552 WHIP and .171 opposing BA in 7 bullpen appearances). Similarly, Deetz ended his Arizona Fall League season with five scoreless bullpen outings (including one outing in the Championship game), allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out 15 batters over seven innings.

OF Ramon Laureano (Corpus), who would have been subject to the Rule 5 draft, was traded to the A's for RHP Brandon Bailey in advance of the deadline. Laureano, a premier defensive player, struggled at the plate in 2017. Although his stock has fallen, his career is far from over, and it is my sincere hope and belief that he will flourish with the A's. Bailey only has two professional seasons under his belt, having been drafted by the A's in the sixth round in 2016 out of Gonzaga. He appeared in 24 games (17 starts) between Low A and High A in 2017 and ended the season with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.088 WHIP. He walked 31 and struck out 120 in 91 innings of work.

Finally, RHP Carlos Pimentel (GCL) was placed on the restricted list last week. Pimentel, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, was suspended 56 games due to a positive test for Stanozolol.

Here is a complete list of the Astros offseason moves to date and here is the updated Rule 5 post showing which players will be subject to next month's draft.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL) - SEASON OVER

The Mesa Solar Sox ended their fall campaign with a 16-13-1 record to lead the East, but ultimately fell 8-2 to the West in the Arizona Fall League Championship game over the weekend.

Kyle Tucker was the only Astros position player remaining active. In his final week of work, he went 4-for-16 with a double (including two hits in the Championship game). Framber Valdez's final start of the fall season last Wednesday saw him allow three hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) in four innings while striking out five batters. Dean Deetz provided three scoreless innings of relief for the week, allowing two walks and striking out six. And Riley Ferrell allowed one hit in his one relief appearance; unfortunately, that one hit was a solo home run.

RHP Dean Deetz - 8G 4.91 ERA/1.182 WHIP 11.0IP 4BB:23SO
RHP Riley Ferrell - 9G 4.66 ERA/1.552 WHIP 9.2IP 9BB:7SO
RHP Brendan McCurry - 5G 4.05 ERA/1.350 WHIP 6.2IP 3BB:5SO (last played 10/30)
LHP Framber Valdez - 6G/6ST 3.20 ERA/1.627 WHIP 19.2IP 8BB:14SO
1B Yordan Alvarez - 4G .313/.353/.438 3B 1BB:6SO (last played 10/14)
3B/2B Nick Tanielu - 2G .000/.000/.000 (last played 10/16)
OF Kyle Tucker - 22G .214/.305/.310 6-2B 3B 9RBI 9BB:22SO 2SB:0CS

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Alfredo Angarita, a 20-year old Venezuelan signed by the Astros in November 2015, has cooled off somewhat since his excellent start to his LVBP season, but still has a .303 average. In his last six games, he is 4-for-20 with two walks, two runs scored and a hit by pitch. He is the only active Astros player currently playing in this league.

Aguilas de Zulia (17-15 4th place)
SS Kristian Trompiz - 10G .227/.320/.227 3BB:4SO (last played 10/28)
RHP Elieser Hernandez - 5G/5ST 2.11 ERA/0.844 WHIP 21.1IP 6BB:22SO (last played 11/6)

Bravos de Margarita  (13-21 8th place)
2B Alfredo Angarita - 25G .303/.392/.337 2B 3B 7RBI 13BB:26SO 4SB:3CS

Leones del Caracas (23-12 1st place)
RHP Diosward Gonzalez - 2G 6.75 ERA/2.251 WHIP 1.1IP 2BB:0SO (last played 10/19)
RHP Yoanys Quiala - 4G/2ST 7.45 ERA/1.448 WHIP 9.2IP 5BB:8SO (last played 10/31)
C Gabriel Bracamonte - 3G .125/.125/.125 0BB:2O (last played 10/28)

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LMP)

Akeem Bostick hasn't appeared since leaving the game on 11/8 with what was characterized as an injured foot. Jacob Dorris has appeared twice over the last week; he would probably like a do-over for one of those outings (3H 3BB 4R 1.0IP).

Caneros de la Mochis (14-21 7th place)
RHP Akeem Bostick - 6G/6ST 2.78 ERA/1.103 WHIP 22.2IP 7BB:25SO (last played 11/8)

Naranjeros de Hermosillo (20-15 1st place)
RHP Jacob Dorris - 4G 10.38 ERA/2.539 WHIP 4.1IP 6BB:2SO

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE (ABL)

Rodrigo Ayarza - July 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Utility switch-hitter Rodrigo Ayarza made his mark early with the Bite, hitting a home run in his first official game with the team. He followed up with two doubles over the next three games.

Adelaide Bite (0-4 6th place)
Rodrigo Ayarza - 4G .294/.294/.588 2-2B 1HR 2RBI 0BB:5SO

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

No active Astros are currently playing in this league.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LBPRC)

I haven't seen that the LBPRC winter season has been officially canceled yet, but with the devastation to that island from Hurricane Maria, I find it likely.

2017-2018 Astros Offseason Transactions

Keeping up with all the Astros offseason transactions ...

As of 4/1, the Astros 40-man roster is still at 38.

And here are your Astros MiLB full season opening day rosters (subject to change).

According to the twitterverse, the Astros signed 1B Luis Encarnación on 3/27 after his release by the Phillies.

Two additional releases on Tuesday, 3/28:

C/IF Ray Henderson - Drafted in the 22nd round in 2016 out of Grayson County College (TX)
1B/OF Jose Benjamin - Signed out of the Dominican Republic in June 2014

The following minor league releases were announced on Sunday, 3/25:

• IF Rodrigo Ayarza - Signed as a MiLB free agent by the Astros in May 2014; originally signed by the Rangers out of Panama in June 2012
• LHP Matt Bower - Drafted in the 23rd round in 2015 out of Washington State University
• IF Wander Franco - Signed by the Astros out of the Dominican Republic in July 2013
• C Anthony Hermelyn - Drafted in the 4th round in 2015 out of the University of Oklahoma
• 1B Dexture McCall - Drafted in the 31st round in 2014 out of Hillsborough Community College (FL)
• LHP Salvador Montaño - Signed by the Astros out of the Dominican Republic in November 2013
• LHP Nathan Thompson - Drafted in the 27th round in 2016 out of Oklahoma Baptist University
• 3B Brody Westmoreland - Drafted in the 30th round in 2016 out of the College of Southern Nevada

3/5/18: According to Jake Kaplan, LHP Anthony Gose has been placed on outright waivers; he was subsequently sent back to the Rangers
2/28/18: RHP Jherson Pereira signed out of Venezuela; he was 21 in January

In addition, I somehow missed a few international signings from the end of last season. It's a mixed bag as far as the information I could find, but here you go!

9/22/17: LHP Julio Robaina, originally from Cuba, signed for $220,000; he will be 17 later this month and is reported to throw in the low 90's with a developing curve
8/30/17: SS Hector Leon signed out of Venezuela; he turned 17 in February
8/24/17: RHP Franny Cobos, a converted pitcher out of Cuba, signed for $125,000; he turned 17 in February
8/23/17: RHP Jeremy Molero signed out of Venezuela; he was 18 in November
8/21/17: IF Rolando Espinosa, originally from Cuba, signed for $175,000; he turned 17 in January
8/18/17: LHP Daniel Bello signed out of the Dominican Republic; he was 21 in January
8/14/17: C Jonarkys Lopez signed out of Venezuela; he will be 17 on 8/13
8/9/17: SS Jose Mendoza signed out of Venezuela; he will be 17 on June 19th (click on link for a short, artsy video of Mendoza)
7/20/17: SS Sebastian Grullon signed out of the Dominican Republic for $150,000; he will not be 17 until July 19th

For those of you keeping track, that now makes 14 Cuban players in the Astros system. They are becoming a bigger and bigger part of the Astros future.

2-26: C Lorenzo Quintana assigned to Buies Creek
2-21: RHP Forrest Whitley (Corpus) suspended 50 games for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program
1-31: 3B Richard Slenker (GCL) released
1-23: 1B Jon Singleton suspended 100 games for a third positive test for a drug of abuse
1-23: RHP Dean Deetz suspended 80 games for a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug
1-22: LHP Buddy Boshers claimed off waivers from Minnesota
1-13: RHP Gerrit Cole acquired from Pittsburgh for RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Michael Feliz, 3B Colin Moran and OF Jason Martin
Info on some of the player releases
12-29: OF Renaigel Martis (DSL Orange) released
12-29: RHP Renny Ugarte (DSL Blue) released
12-29: OF Luis Coronel (DSL Blue) released
12-27: C Trent Woodward (Corpus) announced his retirement
12-22: C Freddy Chirino (DSL Blue) released
12-22: RHP Jonger Ochoa (DSL Blue) released
12-22: 2B Samir Caraballo (DSL Blue/Orange) released
12-22: 1B Michael Garcia (DSL Orange)  released
12-22: RHP Jesus Bernaez (DSL Orange) released
12-21: RHP Devin Raftery (Buies Creek/GCL) released
12-20: LHP Carlos Perdomo (DSL Orange) released
12-20: OF Euclides Chavez (DSL Orange) released
12-20: RHP Nathanael Ventura (DSL Blue) released
12-20: OF Fildex Perfecto (DSL Orange) released
12-20: 1B Anthony Rodriguez (DSL Blue) released
12-20: RHP Kilvio Peralta (DSL Blue) released
12-20: RHP Jean Reyes (DSL Blue) released
12-20: RHP Christopher Javier (DSL Blue) released
12-20: RHP Angel Matos (DSL Blue) released
12-20: RHP Mauricio Santana (DSL Orange) released
12-20: RHP Yulian Frontado (DSL Orange) released
12-20: RHP Miguel Matos (DSL Orange) released
12-20: RHP Gustavo Almonte (DSL Orange) released
12-20: RHP Diosward Gonzalez (GCL) released
12-20: RHP Carlos Pimentel (GCL) released; Pimentel was placed on the restricted list 11-17
12-20: RHP Saul Martinez (GCL) released
12-20: OF Vicente Sanchez (GCL) released
12-20: LHP Austin Kerns (GCL) released
12-20: C Ihan Bernal (GCL) released
12-20: RHP Johsson Arias (Greeneville) released
12-20: OF Frankeny Fernandez (Greeneville) released
12-20: SS Joan Mauricio (Greeneville) released
12-20: RHP Jheyson Caraballo (Greeneville) released
12-20: OF/DH Reid Russell (Greeneville) released
12-20: LHP Yhoan Acosta (Greeneville) released
12-20: RHP Reggie Johnson (Quad Cities/Tri-City) released
12-20: LHP Ben Smith (Tri-City) released
12-20: C Bernardo Heras (Tri-City/GCL) released
12-20: LHP Luis Ramirez (Tri-City) released
12-20: RHP Diogenes Almengo (Tri-City) released
12-20: RHP Ricardo Castro (Tri-City) released
12-20: LHP Devon Carr (Buies Creek/Quad Cities) released
12-20: RHP Enrique Chavez (DNP in 2017) released
12-20: RHP Lucas Williams (Quad Cities) released
12-20: OF Preston Tucker traded to Braves for player to be named later or cash considerations; Tucker was designated for assignment 12-15 as the corresponding move following Hector Rondon's signing.
12-18: RHP Ryan Deemes (Buies Creek/DL) released
12-15: RHP Hector Rondon signed by the Astros
12-15: OF Preston Tucker designated for assignment TRADED TO BRAVES 12-20
12-14: LHP Chris Nunn drafted by the Astros from the Cubs in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft
12-14: RHP Elieser Hernandez selected from the Astros by the Marlins in the Rule 5 draft
12-14: LHP Anthony Gose selected by the Astros in the Rule 5 draft
12-13: RHP Joe Smith to be signed to a two-year contract and added to the 40-man roster.
12-11: C Tim Federowicz signed by the Astros and assigned to Fresno
12-11: RHP Matt Ramsey signed by the Astros and assigned to Fresno
12-1: RHP Mike Fiers non-tendered; signed with the Tigers
11-27: C Juan Centeno (Houston) claimed off waivers by Rangers; Centeno was placed on waivers 11-22
11-20: LHP Cionel Perez (Corpus) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11-20: RHP Dean Deetz (Fresno) added to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
11-20: OF Ramon Laureano (Corpus) traded to the A's for RHP Brandon Bailey
11-17: RHP Carlos Pimentel (GCL) placed on restricted list
*Pimentel, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, was suspended 56 games due to a positive test for Stanozolol. RELEASED 12/20
11-6: C Lorenzo Quintana signed by the Astros (28-year old Cuban)
11-6: 2B Colin Walsh (Fresno) elected free agency - signed with the Angels
11-6: C Eduardo de Oleo (Fresno) elected free agency - re-signed with the Astros 11/17
11-6: RHP Kevin Comer (Fresno) elected free agency - signed with the Tigers
11-6: SS Reid Brignac (Fresno) elected free agency - signed with the Nationals
11-6: OF Rico Noel (Fresno) elected free agency
11-6: RHP David Martinez (Fresno) elected free agency
11-6: RHP Jumbo Diaz (Fresno) elected free agency - signed with the Marlins
11-6: RHP Jandel Gustave (Houston) activated from the 60-day DL
11-6: RHP Brady Rodgers (Houston) activated from the 60-day DL
11-6: RHP David Paulino (Houston) activated from the 60-day DL
11-2: RHP Tyler Clippard (Houston) elected free agency - signed with the Blue Jays
11-2: LHP Francisco Liriano (Houston) elected free agency - signed with the Tigers
11-2: DH Carlos Beltran (Houston) elected free agency - retired
11-2: RHP Luke Gregerson (Houston) elected free agency - signed with the Cards
11-2: OF Cameron Maybin (Houston) elected free agency - signed with the Marlins

At the end of the minor league season, the players who ended the season on the DL are activated (most of the moves were posted retroactively). A few of these players were on the 60-day DL and have been rehabbing for quite some time.

• 10-11: OF Jonathan Lacroix activated from the 60-day DL; Lacroix was drafted in the 12th round in 2017 and has not played in his first professional game yet
• 9-27: 2B/3B Nick Tanielu activated from the 60-day DL; Tanielu ended the season with two rehab assignment games with the GCL and is now playing in the Arizona Fall League after missing most of the 2017 season following ACL surgery last fall
• 9-27: RHP Angel Heredia activated from the 60-day DL; Heredia made seven rehab appearances toward the end of the 2017 season and is now on the Dominican Winter League's Toros del Este roster
• 9-27: RHP Ryan Deemes activated from the 7-day DL; Deemes last pitched for Buies Creek on 5/7
• 9-27: RHP Jose Hernandez activated from the 60-day DL; Hernandez missed the entire 2017 season and ended the 2016 season playing in High-A Lancaster
• 9-27: IF/OF Marcos Almonte activated from the 7-day DL; Almonte missed the final six Quad Cities postseason games on the DL
• 9-27: IF Osvaldo Duarte activated from the 7-day DL; Duarte last played for Quad Cities on 8/10
• 9-27: RHP Gabriel Valdez activated from the 7-day DL; Valdez spent large chunks of July and August on the DL and last pitched for Quad Cities on 8/14
• 9-27: RHP Edgardo Sandoval activated from the 7-day DL; Sandoval last appeared for Quad Cities on 5-3
• 9-27: RHP Enrique Chavez activated from the 7-day DL; Chavez missed the entire 2017 season and last appeared for Quad Cities in September 2016 RELEASED 12-20
• 9-27: RHP Enoli Paredes activated from the 7-day DL; Paredes last pitched for Quad Cities 5/31
• 9-27: RHP Jose Bravo activated from the 7-day DL; Bravo missed the entire 2017 season and ended his 2016 season in the DSL
• 9-10: LHP Yeremi Ceballos activated from the 7-day DL; Ceballos last pitched for the DSL team on 6/19

In addition, it was reported that OF Juan Ramirez would be the PTBNL in the Justin Verlander trade. Ramirez was 18 on 4/9 and spent his second pro season with the GCL, compiling a .301/.385/.362 batting line in 46 games. He walked 20 times to only 14 strikeouts and stole 11 bases. Ramirez signed with the Tigers in 2015 for a $185,000 bonus.

2016-2017 Astros Off-Season Transactions

I'm starting up the ongoing Astros off-season transaction list to keep track of the comings and goings at both the major and minor league levels. I'll keep the post updated throughout the winter with a link on the sidebar of the blog.

40-MAN ROSTER MOVES (Currently stands at 38 as of 9:00 AM April 9)

3-21: C Max Stassi cleared waivers and outrighted to AAA Fresno
3-18: C Max Stassi placed on waivers
3-13: LHP Kevin Chapman claimed off waivers by Braves
3-12: LHP Kevin Chapman reportedly placed on waivers
12-5: LHP Ashur Tolliver claimed off waivers from Angels
12-5: OF Carlos Beltrán signed as a free agent
11-23: OF Josh Reddick signed as a free agent
11-23: IF Nolan Fontana claimed off waivers by Angels
11-22: 1B Jon Singleton cleared waivers and outrighted to AAA Fresno
11-17: C Brian McCann acquired in trade from Yankees
11-16: RHP Charlie Morton signed as a free agent
11-5: LHP Reymin Guduan added to the 40-man roster
11-4: RHP Pat Neshek traded to Phillies for a PTBNL
11-3: C Jason Castro elected free agency
11-3: RHP Doug Fister elected free agency
11-3: OF Colby Rasmus elected free agency
11-3: 3B Luis Valbuena elected free agency
11-3: OF Norichika Aoki claimed off waivers from the Mariners

NEW TO THE SYSTEM

OF Norichika Aoki - Waiver Claim from Mariners
C Jose Mario Barajas - 18-year-old from Mexico signed on January 10
OF Carlos Beltrán - Free Agent signing
IF Reid Brignac - Minor league free agent signing (invited to Spring Training)
C Juan Centeno - Minor league free agent signing (invited to Spring Training)
C Freddy Chirino - 17-year-old from Venezuela signed on December 5
RHP Luis de Paula - 20-year old from the Dominican Republic signed November 4th
RHP Dayan Diaz - Minor league free agent signing (invited to Spring Training)
RHP Fredis Guerrero - 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic signed on December 7
LHP Denilson Lugo - 19-year-old signed February 13
RHP David Martinez - former Astro signed to MiLB free agent contract
C Brian McCann - Acquired from Yankees for RHP Jorge Guzman and RHP Albert Abreu
RHP Charlie Morton - Free Agent signing
RHP Jared Mortensen - Rule 5 draft pick from Rays (Minor league phase)
C Eduardo de Oleo - Rule 5 draft pick from D-Backs (Minor league phase)
RHP Wender Oberto - 17-year-old from Venezuela signed on November 17
LHP Cionel Perez - Cuban pitcher signed to a minor league contract
LHP Antonio Pujols - 18-year-old from the Dominican Republic signed on September 26
RHP Carlos Quintero - 17-year-old from Venezuela signed on December 20
OF Josh Reddick - Free Agent signing
RHP Fabricio Reina - 17-year-old signed March 22
LHP C.J. Riefenhauser - Minor league free agent signing (invited to Spring Training) - released
RHP Jose Rivera - 19-year old from the Dominican Republic signed on October 19th
RHP Bryan Solano - 19-year-old from Costa Rica signed March 30
LHP Ashur Tolliver - Waiver claim from Angels
RHP Renny Ugarte - 19-year-old from Venezuela signed on September 2
3B Oliver Van Der Wijst - 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic signed on March 8
LHP Nathanael Ventura - 21-year-old signed February 13

NO LONGER IN THE SYSTEM (Includes Free Agents who may be re-signed)

RHP Albert Abreu - Traded to Yankees for Brian McCann
C Marlon Avea - Released
IF Keach Ballard - Released
RHP Agapito Barrios - Released
3B Kolbey Carpenter - Released
C Jason Castro - MLB Free Agent - Signed with the Twins
LHP Kevin Chapman - Claimed off waivers by Braves
LHP Chris Cotton - Released
OF Angel De Leon - Released
LHP Eury de la Rosa - MiLB Free Agent
RHP Doug Fister - MLB Free Agent
IF Nolan Fontana - Claimed off waivers by Angels
1B Connor Goedert - Released
RHP Manuel Gonzalez - Released
1B Conrad Gregor - Released
LHP Evan Grills - MiLB Free Agent - Signed with the Rockies
IF Eduardo Guzman - Released
RHP Jorge Guzman - Traded to Yankees for Brian McCann
RHP Mike Hauschild - Selected by Rangers in major league phase of Rule 5 draft
C Tyler Heineman - Traded to Brewers for PTBNL or cash
OF Leo Heras - Released
OF Edgar Lorenzo - Released
1B Cristopher Luciano - Released
C Jorge Martinez - Released
C Kevin Martir - Released
RHP Kevin McCanna - Released
1B Chase McDonald - Released
OF Brauly Mejia - Released
2B Aaron Mizell - Released
2B Chan Moon - MiLB Free Agent
RHP Chris Murphy - Released
RHP Makay Nelson - Released (had been placed on restricted list a week earlier)
RHP Pat Neshek - Traded to Phillies for cash
LHP Austin Nicely - Released
OF Chaz Pal - Released
C Roberto Pena - MiLB Free Agent - Signed with the White Sox
LHP Zac Person - Released
LHP Bryan Radziewski - Released
OF James Ramsay - Released
OF Colby Rasmus - MLB Free Agent - Signed with the Rays
LHP C.J. Riefenhauser - granted unconditional release during Spring Training
OF/1B Hector Roa - Released
RHP Juan Santos - Released
RHP David Schmidt - Released
RHP Angelo Serrano - Released
OF Nestor Tejada - Released
RHP Josue Uribe - Released
3B Luis Valbuena - MLB Free Agent - Reportedly signing with the Angels
RHP Cesar Valdez - MiLB Free Agent - Signed with the Athletics
3B Bobby Wernes - Released
RHP Adam Whitt - Released
IF/OF Marc Wik - Reportedly retired during the offseason
IF Danny Worth - MiLB Free Agent - Signed with the SK Wyverns (South Korea)

OTHER MOVES

4-4: SS Jonathan Arauz suspended 50 games for testing positive for methamphetamine
12-22: RHP Brendan McCurry suspended 50 games for testing positive for methamphetamine
1-13: RHP Makay Nelson suspended 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine - released

Astros 2015-2016 Off-Season Transaction Master List

Here are the Astros 2015-2016 off-season transactions through 4:00 p.m. on April 3rd. March 27th. The Astros 40-man roster currently stands at 40. This will be the final update of the off-season.

ADDED TO THE 40-MAN ROSTER
OF Andrew Aplin - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
RHP Doug Fister - FA signing
IF Nolan Fontana - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
RHP Ken Giles - Trade with the Phillies
C Alfredo Gonzalez - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
RHP Jandel Gustave - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
C Erik Kratz - Trade with the Padres
RHP Juan Minaya - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
RHP Joe Musgrove - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
RHP David Paulino - Added to the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 Draft
OF Colby Rasmus - FA signing
RHP Danny Reynolds - Claimed off waivers from the Dodgers and added to the 40-man
LHP Tony Sipp - FA signing
1B/3B Tyler White - Added to the 40-man roster out of ST

NEW TO THE ASTROS SYSTEM
RHP Octavio Acosta - Drafted in the AAA phase of the Rule 5 draft (MiLB) - Loaned to the Mexican League
2B Alfredo Angarita - International FA signing (MiLB)
SS Jonathan Arauz - Trade with the Phillies (MiLB)
P Jesus Bernaez - 18-year old Venezuelan (MiLB)
SS Samir Caraballo - 17-year old Colombian (MiLB)
LHP Edwar Cabrera - MiLB contract with ST invite
P Juan Corniel - International FA signing (MiLB)
LHP Neal Cotts - Signed to a minor league deal - released 3/25
RHP Doug Fister - FA signing
RHP Ken Giles - Trade with the Phillies (MLB)
SS Eduardo Guzman - 21-year old Venezuelan (MiLB)
P Juan Infante - 19-year old Venezuelan (MiLB)
RHP Brendan McCurry - Trade acquisition (MiLB)
P Kilvio Peralta - 19-year old Dominican (MiLB)
LHP Carlos Perdomo - International FA signing (MiLB)
OF Eury Perez - FA signing (MiLB)
OF Ramiro Ramirez - International FA signing (MiLB)
RHP Danny Reynolds - Waiver claim (Dodgers)
LHP Wandy Rodriguez - Signed to MiLB contract with invite to ST - didn't make club out of ST
RHP Carlos Sierra - International FA signing (MiLB)
RHP Cy Sneed - Trade acquisition (MiLB)
RHP Cesar Valdez - FA signing (MiLB)
2B Danny Worth - MiLB contract with ST invite

MAJOR LEAGUE FREE AGENTS
1B Chris Carter - Non-tendered - Signed with the Brewers
LHP Scott Kazmir  - Signed with the Dodgers
LHP Oliver Perez - Signed with the Nationals
RHP Chad Qualls - Signed with the Rockies
OF Colby Rasmus - Qualifying offer made; re-signed with Astros
LHP Tony Sipp - Re-signed with Astros
LHP Joe Thatcher - Signed an MiLB deal with Cleveland

MINOR LEAGUE FREE AGENTS
RHP Ruben "R.J." Alaniz - Signed a minor league deal with the Tigers
RHP Samuel Deduno - Signed with the Orioles
SS Jio Mier - Signed with the Blue Jays
OF Alex Presley - Signed with the Brewers

OUTRIGHTED TO FRESNO
RHP Samuel Deduno - Elected free agency

DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT
OF L.J. Hoes - Traded to Baltimore

NO LONGER IN THE ASTROS SYSTEM
(All free agents unless re-signed plus the following players)
RHP Mark Appel - Traded with 4 others to the Phillies for RHP Ken Giles and SS Jonathan Arauz
RHP Harold Arauz - Traded with 4 others to the Phillies for RHP Ken Giles and SS Jonathan Arauz
RHP Travis Ballew - Released 3/31
OF Ryan Bottger - Released 3/28
RHP Tyler Brunnemann - Released 3/28
RHP Jake Buchanan - Released 3/31
RHP Austin Chrismon - Released 3/28
C Hank Conger - Traded to Tampa Bay for cash
LHP Neal Cotts - Released 3/25
1B Jared Cruz - Released
LHP Luis Cruz - Released (Signed to MiLB deal with Chicago Cubs)
LHP Zach Davis - Released 1-16
RHP Samil de los Santos - Released 3/21
RHP Thomas Eshelman - Traded with 4 others to the Phillies for RHP Ken Giles and SS Jonathan Arauz
OF Robbie Grossman - Released (Signed to MiLB deal with Cleveland)
RHP Zac Grotz - Released 4/2
OF L.J. Hoes - Traded to Baltimore for cash
C Brian Holberton - Released 3/28
SS Jed Lowrie - Traded to Oakland for RHP Brendan McCurry (MiLB)
RHP Lachlan Madden - Released 1-16
RHP Michel Martinez - Released 4/2
OF Sean McMullen - Released 3/28
LHP Jordan Mills - Released 3/28
RHP Jose Montero - Released 3/28
LHP Steve Naemark - Released 3-28
LHP Brett Oberholtzer - Traded with 4 others to the Phillies for RHP Ken Giles and SS Jonathan Arauz
RHP Adonis Peña - Released
RHP Jorge Perez - Released 1-16
RHP Joselo Pinales - Released 1-16
RHP Jose Rosario - Deceased
LHP Starlyng Sanchez - Released 1-16
IF Joe Sclafani - Released 3/31
RHP Troy Scribner - Traded to Angels for cash considerations
LHP Alejandro Solarte - Released 1-16
RHP Dan Straily - Traded to San Diego for C Erik Kratz 3/28
RHP Vince Velasquez - Traded with 4 others to the Phillies for RHP Ken Giles and SS Jonathan Arauz
SS Jonathan Villar - Traded to the Brewers for RHP Cy Sneed (MiLB)
LHP Edwin Villarroel - Released
RHP Kyle Westwood - Released 3/28

Astros Off-Season Transaction List for 2014-2015

This will be my final update on the transactions (4/5/15).

Here is the Astros 40-man roster which currently stands at 40.

NEW TO THE SYSTEM
RHP Rogelio Armenteros (Cuban defector signed by Astros according to Baseball America)
RHP Angel Baez (Obtained from the Royals for cash considerations)
RHP Akeem Bostick (Obtained from the Rangers in a trade for C Carlos Corporan)
RHP Luis Castro (19-year old [turns 20 on May 11] Dominican signed on February 10)
C Hank Conger (Obtained in trade for RHP Nick Tropeano and C Carlos Perez)
1B Jared Cruz (PTBNL in the July 2014 Andrew Robinson trade with the Braves)
RHP Harlen Florencio (19-year old Dominican signed in early December)
C Luis Flores (Claimed by the Astros in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft)
C Evan Gattis (Obtained from the Braves in a trade for RHP Mike Foltynewicz, 3B Rio Ruiz and RHP Andrew Thurman)
RHP Luke Gregerson (signed as a free agent)
RHP Will Harris (claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks)
OF Jose Hernandez (18-year old [turns 19 on March 12] Dominican signed on February 10)
RHP Roberto Hernandez (signed as a free agent; also know as Fausto Carmona)
RHP James Hoyt (obtained along with Evan Gattis in trade with the Braves)
RHP Dylan James (NDFA out of West Texas A&M)
1B Dan Johnson (signed as a free agent) - traded to the Reds for a PTBNL
SS Jed Lowrie (signed as a free agent)
2B Nicolas Miranda (18-year old [turns 19 on June 12] Panamanian signed on February 10)
RHP Pat Neshek (signed as a free agent)
RHP Christian Powell (signed as a minor league free agent
OF Colby Rasmus (signed as a free agent)
3B Anthony Rodriguez (18-year old [turns 19 on July 23] Dominican signed on February 10)
LHP Maikel Sepulveda (18-year old Dominican signed on February 11)
RHP Robert Stock (signed as a minor league free agent)
RHP Dan Straily (obtained from the Cubs in trade for OF Dexter Fowler)
LHP Joe Thatcher (signed as a free agent)
RHP Luidin Toribio (19-year old Dominican signed on February 10)
3B Luis Valbuena (obtained from the Cubs in trade for OF Dexter Fowler)
C Randy Vasquez (19-year old Dominican [as of 3-13] signed on February 11)

ADDED TO THE 40-MAN ROSTER
C Hank Conger
RHP Michael Feliz (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)
C Evan Gattis (will be used in OF and as DH)
RHP Luke Gregerson
RHP Will Harris
RHP Roberto Hernandez
SS Jed Lowrie
RHP Pat Neshek
C Carlos Perez (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft) - Traded to the Angels
OF Colby Rasmus
RHP Dan Straily
LHP Joe Thatcher
IF Ronald Torreyes (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)
3B Luis Valbuena
RHP Vince Velasquez (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)

OUTRIGHTED TO FRESNO
RHP Jose Cisnero - Left via free agency
LHP Darin Downs
LHP Rudy Owens - Left via free agency
IF Gregorio Petit - Traded to the Yankees
RHP Anthony Bass - Left via free agency

DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT
OF Alex Presley
RHP Alex White

PLACED ON THE RESTRICTED LIST
RHP Andrew Walter (50-game suspension for testing positive for drug of abuse)

NO LONGER IN THE SYSTEM
RHP Matt Albers - Left via free agency
1B Japhet Amador (According to Baseball America, the Astros sold their rights to Amador back to Mexico City of the Mexican League)
RHP Anthony Bass - Left via free agency
IF Bobby Borchering - Released
LHP Colton Cain - Released
RHP Patrick Christensen - Released
RHP Jose Cisnero - Left via free agency
RHP Paul Clemens - Left via free agency
C Brett Clements - Released
C Carlos Corporan - Traded to the Rangers
RHP Jesse Crain - Left via free agency
RHP Jorge de Leon - Claimed off waivers by Oakland
Delino DeSheilds - Drafted by the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft
IF Will Dupont - Released
IF Austin Elkins - Retired
IF Jean Estrella - Released
LHP Kevin Ferguson - Released
RHP Mike Foltynewicz - Traded to Atlanta
OF Dexter Fowler - Traded to the Cubs
C Rene Garcia - Left via free agency
LHP Kyle Gehrs - Released
RHP Jandel Gustave - Drafted by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft and flipped to Kansas City; claimed off waivers by the Padres; returned to the Astros
1B Jesus Guzman - Left via free agency
RHP Matt Heidenreich - Released
1B Dan Johnson - Traded to the Reds
OF Terrell Joyce - Released
1B/OF Marc Krauss - Claimed off waivers by the Angels
Ydarqui Marte - Released
RHP David Martinez - Left via free agency
OF Tanner Mathis - Released
C Ryan McCurdy - Retired
1B Yonathan Mejia - Released
RHP Chris Munnelly - Released
RHP Luis Ordosgoitti - Released
LHP J.D. Osborne - Released
OF Ariel Ovando - Drafted by the Cubs in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft; being converted to a pitcher
LHP Rudy Owens - Signed as Free Agent with Oakland
C Carlos Perez - Traded to the Angels
SS Gregorio Petit- Traded to the Yankees for a PTBNL or cash
RHP Francis Ramirez - Released
RHP Raul Rivera - Released
C Jake Rodriguez - Retired
LHP David Rollins - Drafted by Seattle in the Rule 5 Draft
3B Rio Ruiz - Traded to Atlanta
IF Juan Santana - Released
OF Jose Solano - Released
RHP Andrew Thurman - Traded to the Braves
RHP Nick Tropeano - Traded to the Angels
LHP Patrick Urckfitz - Left via free agency
RHP Aaron Vaughn - Released
RHP Jose Veras - Left via free agency
RHP Vince Wheeland - Released
RHP Kyle Weiland - Rumored to have retired; no club confirmation at this time
RHP Josh Zeid - Claimed off waivers by the Tigers

FREE AGENTS
RHP Matt Albers - Signed with the White Sox
RHP Anthony Bass - Signed with the Rangers
RHP Jose Cisnero - Signed with the Reds
RHP Paul Clemens - Signed with the Phillies
RHP Jesse Crain - Signed with the White Sox
C Rene Garcia - Signed with the Phillies
RHP Murilo Gouvea - Re-signed with the Astros
1B Jesus Guzman - Signed with the Hiroshima Carp
RHP David Martinez - Signed with the Rangers
LHP Rudy Owens - Signed with the A's
IF Carlos Perdomo
RHP Ross Seaton - Signed with the Tigers
LHP Patrick Urckfitz - Signed with the Marlins
RHP Jose Veras - Signed with the Braves

Have you purchased your copy of my new book "2015 Houston Farm System Handbook" yet? The Handbook contains information on 257 players in the Astros minor league system and should prove to be a valuable resource throughout the season.