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)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday. July 2, 2016

Fresno 7, Salt Lake 1

W- Tommy Shirley (7-4)
L- Tyler Skaggs (0-2)

Fresno home runs: Max Stassi (4, solo in 3rd)

The Grizzlies have outscored the Bees 34-5 in the first three games of this series.

Max Stassi's solo home run opened the scoring in the 3rd inning. Colin Moran added an RBI single in the 4th. Fresno scored two runs in the 6th: Tyler White scored on an errant pickoff throw, and Moran came home on a wild pitch. Stassi ripped a 2-run double in the 8th and scored the Grizzlies' final run of the evening on a single from Tony Kemp.

Kemp finished 3-5 at the top of the order, while Alex Bregman, Moran (RBI, 2 R), and Stassi (2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) all finished with 2 hits in the game.

Tommy Shirley pitched 6.2 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits, walking 2, and striking out 4. Josh Fields extracted him from a bases-loaded situation without incurring any damage to end the 7th inning. Salt Lake spoiled the shutout bid by scoring a run against him in the 8th, In 1.1 innings, Fields allowed 2 hits and struck out 1. Jandel Gustave worked around 2 hits to finish off the victory, striking out 1 in the 9th.

Brad Peacock will start the series finale. He'll face Kyle McGowin at 1:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 6, Springfield 3

W- Evan Grills (3-1, 6-2 season)
L- Luke Weaver (4-1)
S- Aaron West (10)

CC home runs: Roberto Peña (5, 2-run in 8th)

The Hooks avoided the sweep thanks to a big inning and a homer that provided them with some insurance runs in the late innings.

That big inning was the 3rd, in which they parlayed a bases-loaded, 1 out situation into 4 runs. Chase McDonald put Corpus on the board with a sac fly. Danry Vásquez followed that with an RBI ground-rule double, and Nick Tanielu added a 2-run single. In a one-run game in the 8th inning, Roberto Peña provided the crucial insurance runs by whacking a 2-run homer. Danry (2B, RBI, R) and Tanielu (2 RBI) both finished 2-4 on the night.

Evan Grills went 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Aaron West walked 1 and struck out 2 over the final 2 innings to get the save.

Tonight, the Hooks will start a 3-game series with Tulsa. Kent Emanuel will take on Scott Barlow at 6:05.

Lake Elsinore 3, Lancaster 1

W- Chris Huffman (7-3)
L- Rogelio Armenteros (4-2, 4-4 season)
S- Phil Maton (4)

Lancaster home runs: None.

All of the scoring in this game was done in the 1st inning. After that, both teams put up 8 zeroes on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the Storm had the more productive half of the 1st inning.

The 3 runs that Rogelio Armenteros allowed in the 1st inning all scored on a home run hit by Fernando Perez. Armenteros pitched 5 innings and allowed 5 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Andrew Thome was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen; he allowed 3 hits and struck out 1 over 2 scoreless, and Jacob Dorris worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 2.

Ramon Laureano's RBI groundout in the top of the 1st was Lancaster's only scoring play. Johnny Sewald, who scored the lone JetHawks run, had 2 of their 3 hits and stole 2 bases (9, 25 season). Brooks Marlow's double in the 2nd inning was Lancaster's other hit.

In the series finale, Dean Deetz will face Walker Lockett. First pitch is at 6:00 Pacific.

Kane County 7, Quad Cities 1

W- Justin Donatella (7-4)
L- Franklin Perez (1-2)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos had no answer for an early 3-0 deficit, and they ended up getting buried by another 3-run inning from the Cougars.

Osvaldo Duarte finished 2-4, and his RBI single in the 6th was the River Bandits' only scoring play.

Franklin Perez went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (all in the 1st) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Juan Carlos Santos allowed 4 runs (3 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Ralph Garza Jr. allowed a hit in 1.2 innings.

Albert Abreu will start the series finale. First pitch is at 6:30.

Hudson Valley 5, Tri-City 1

W- Jose Alonzo (1-1)
L- Edgardo Sandoval (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats dropped this game in rather non-descript fashion; they fell behind early, but they did spoil the Renegades' shutout bid.

Stephen Wrenn's RBI single in the 8th brought in the ValleyCats' only run of the game.

Edgardo Sandoval went 3 innings and allowed a run on 4 hits while striking out 2. Ben Smith allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and walked 1 while only getting 2 outs in the 4th. Howie Brey allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 3.1 scoreless innings, and Dylan James allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1 in a scoreless 8th inning.

In the series finale, Hector Perez will start for the ValleyCats. First pitch is at 5:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 6, Kingsport 2

W- Framber Valdez (1-0, 1-1 season)
L- Adonis Uceta (0-2)

Greeneville home runs: Luis Payano (2, 2-run in 4th)

Framber Valdez dominated on the mound for the Appy Astros and Josh Bonifay became the winningest manager in team history.

Valdez allowed just 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 8 over 6 shutout innings. The K-Mets spoiled the shutout in the 8th inning with a 2-run single off of Bryan Abreu, which was the only hit that he allowed in his 2 innings. Abreu also issued 2 walks. Devin Raftery struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Luis Payano's 2-run blast in the 4th inning put Greeneville on the board first. In the 5th, Tyler Wolfe hit an RBI single, and Wander Franco drove in another run with a groundout. Frankeny Fernandez smacked an RBI triple in the 7th, and Gabriel Bracamonte scored the final run of the game on an error that allowed Tyler Wolfe to reach base in the 8th. Fernandez (3B, RBI, R) and Wolfe (RBI, R, SB [2]) both finished 2-5 on the night.

Carlos Hiraldo will start game 2 of this series. He'll face Max Wotell at 6:00 Eastern.

GCL Marlins 12, GCL Astros 4

W- Humberto Mejia (1-0)
L- Jorge Guzman (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros led 3-0 after the 4th, but the Marlins turned the tables by finishing the game on a 12-1 run.

Joan Mauricio hit an RBI single in the 2nd to open the scoring. The GCLstros got 2 in the 4th as Reiny Beltre ripped an RBI double and came around to score on another RBI single from Mauricio. Beltre added an RBI single to his ledger in the 6th inning.

The Kissimmee Stros had 5 hits, and Beltre and Mauricio provided all 5 of them. Beltre finished 3-4 and scored on Mauricio's singles. Mauricio also stole his first base of the season.

In his first rehab appearance, Alex Winkleman allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 5 over 3 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off for the bullpen. I think I'll leave it at that. Cristian Javier did allow 5 runs in 3.1 innings, but he also struck out 7. Silver linings.

The Kissimmee Stros have a doubleheader with the Cardinals today.

DSL Athletics 7, DSL Astros Blue 3

W- Jhenderson Hurtado (1-0)
L- Juan Corniel (0-3)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team opened up the scoring with a field goal, but they were trumped by the A's touchdown.

Carlos Canelon hit a single in the 2nd, and an error on the play allowed Angel De Leon to score and César Cortez to advance to 3rd. Cortez proceeded to steal home, while Canelon took 2nd base. Ronny Jimenez hit an RBI single in the 3rd inning. Canelon and Nicolás Miranda both finished 2-4.

Javier Navas allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5 in 4 innings. Juan Cuevas allowed a solo homer to Martin De Los Santos and struck out 2 in the 5th. Juan Corniel allowed 4 unearned runs on 4 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 3 in 2 innings, and Yonatan Quintin allowed 2 hits and fanned 1 in 2 scoreless.

DSL Astros 4, DSL Phillies2 4 through 6.5 innings

Play was suspended due to rain.

Humberto Castellanos went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Luis Castro allowed a run on a single, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the 6th.

The Orange team scored 2 in the 4th on a Ramiro Rodriguez RBI single and a force out that scored Enmanuel Valdez. In the 6th, Ramiro scored on an error and Ronaldo Urdaneta drew a bases-loaded walk.

Saturday's Stars

Photo from MiLB.com

Framber Valdez, LHP, Greeneville

W (1-0, 1-1 season), 6 IP, H, 2 BB, 8 K

Max Stassi, C, Fresno

2-4, 2B, solo HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 R

Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno

W (7-4), 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Reiny Beltre, 3B, GCL Astros

3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Photo by Bryan Green

Joan Mauricio, SS, GCL Astros

2-4, 2 RBI, SB (1)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, June 20, 2016

Fresno 2, Tacoma 1

W- Tommy Shirley (5-4)
L- Cody Martin (5-5)
S- James Hoyt (16)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (10, solo in 9th)

Both teams recorded 5 hits and scored a run in the 9th, but the difference in this game was a run in the 1st inning for Fresno.

A.J. Reed served as the one-man show on offense; he opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st inning and hit a solo home run in the top of the 9th. Andrew Aplin, who scored on the sac fly, finished 2-4 and was the only player on either side to record a multi-hit game.

Tommy Shirley pitched 6 shutout innings and allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. In his PCL debut, Brendan McCurry struck out 2 over 2 perfect innings. James Hoyt was greeted rudely by Stefen Romero, who hit a solo homer off of him to lead off the bottom of the 9th. However, that would be the only hit that Hoyt would surrender in the inning as he recorded his 16th save of the season. He struck out 1 in the 9th.

The Grizzlies are back home, where they will begin a 4-game series with Albuquerque tonight at 7:05 Pacific. In game 1, Brad Peacock will get the start. Jordan Lyles was Albuquerque's scheduled starter, but he was just recalled by the Rockies.

Corpus Christi 5, San Antonio 3 in 11 innings

W- Aaron West (5-0)
L- Kyle McGrath (0-2)

CC home runs: None.

Both teams were tied at 2 heading into extra innings, but the Hooks got the victory thanks to an 11th-inning outburst.

Conrad Gregor ripped an RBI ground-rule double in the 4th inning to put the Hooks on the board. Corpus and San Antonio both scored a run in the 6th; the Hooks' run came in the form of an RBI single from J.D. Davis.

Gregor led off the top of the 11th with another double. Roberto Peña joined him on the bases by smacking a double of his own, and Alejandro Garcia put the Hooks in the lead with a 2-run single. Garcia advanced to 3rd on a Teoscar Hernandez groundout and scored on a passed ball.

Davis (RBI, 2 BB), Gregor (2 2B, RBI, R), and Garcia (2 RBI, R) all finished with 2 hits in the game. There was a scary moment in the 8th as Alex Bregman was hit in the helmet by a pitch. Fortunately, he tweeted out that he's alright. He was taken out of the game as a precaution.

Kent Emanuel went 5 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Francis Martes tagged in for 4 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Aaron West pitched 2 innings, and the only run he allowed came on a solo home run from Gabriel Quintana in the 11th. West allowed one other hit and struck out 2.

Evan Grills will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Aaron Northcraft at 7:05.

Lancaster is on its All-Star break

The California-Carolina League All-Star Game will take place tonight in Lake Elsinore. Bobby Boyd and Garrett Stubbs will represent the JetHawks.

Quad Cities is on its All-Star break

The Midwest League All-Star Game is tonight in Cedar Rapids. Kevin McCanna and Kyle Tucker are the River Bandits' representatives.

Tri-City 10, Brooklyn 9 in 17 innings

W- Luis Ramirez (1-0)
L- Santo Marte (0-1)

TC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (2, 2-run in 17th)

It took a little over six hours, but the ValleyCats emerged victorious despite the Cyclones' bid to win the game in the bottom of the 17th.

Tri-City scored 2 in the 3rd inning as Stephen Wrenn hit an RBI single and Daz Cameron scored on a botched pickoff attempt. Carmen Benedetti ripped a 2-run double in the 6th inning to put the ValleyCats up 4-2, but Brooklyn scored 4 in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead. Tri-City responded by scoring a run in the 7th on a sac fly from Wrenn, and in the 8th on an RBI double from Jake Rogers that tied the game at 6. That was where the scoreline stood until the 17th inning.

Although Chuckie Robinson was thrown out at 3rd base trying to stretch a double into a triple, Kolbey Carpenter was able to take his place on the bases with a single. He moved to 3rd on a Marcos Almonte double, and Cameron put the ValleyCats in the lead with a 2-run single. One batter later, Wrenn smacked a 2-run home run, his 2nd of the season.

Everyone in the lineup recorded a hit; Wrenn (2-R HR, 4 RBI), Benedetti (2B, 2 RBI) and Almonte (2 2B, R) all finished with 3 hits in the game. Wrenn and Almonte also stole a base; Wrenn now has 4 steals, while Almonte has 2 stolen bases.

Brett Adcock pitched 1.2 innings and an inherited runner was charged to him. He also allowed a single, walked 1, and struck out 3. Ricardo Castro was the first man out of the bullpen, and in 4 innings, he allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Dylan James allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 1.1 innings. Carlos Sierra was the next pitcher to appear for Tri-City; he threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking 2 (1 intentionally), and striking out 5. Nick Hernandez followed with 2 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 3. Luis Ramirez pitched 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, issued 3 intentional walks, and struck out 3.

Sebastian Kessay will start the series finale. He'll take on Erik Manoah at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue 5, DSL Marlins 3

W- Yulian Frontado (1-0)
L- Edison Suriel (0-1)

The Blue team just wins.

Angel Tejeda finished 3-4 and put Team Blue on the board with an RBI single in the 4th inning. Tejeda struck again with a 2-run single in the 6th inning. In the 7th, Jose Benjamin hit an RBI single. Tejeda singled to lead off the 8th and two botched pickoff attempts allowed him to advance to 3rd base, and he scored the final run of the day on a sac fly from Orlando Marquez. Benjamin (RBI, 2 R) and Ronny Jimenez (2B, BB, SB) both finished with 2 hits in the game.

Edwin Fidel, Johsson Arias, and Yulian Frontado pitched 3 innings apiece. Fidel got the start and allowed 2 unearned runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Arias allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 1, and the only run that Frontado allowed came on a solo home run hit by Felix Arosemena. Frontado allowed three other hits, walked 2, and struck out 2.

The Blue team squared off against the Dodgers 2 today.

DSL Rays2 4, DSL Astros Orange 0

W- Joel Peguero (1-2)
L- Gerardo Bojorquez (0-2)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team could not push a run across. Ronaldo Urdaneta finished 2-3 with a double.

Gerardo Bojorquez pitched 4 innings and allowed 3 runs coming off a solo and a 2-run homer. He allowed two other hits and struck out 5. Jacques Sambo allowed a run on a single and walked 2 in the 5th inning. Carlos Espinoza worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 6th, and Francisco Villegas allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2 innings of work.

The Orange team took on the Phillies 2 this morning.

Four Stars (in three)

3.

Photo from MiLB.com

Alejandro Garcia, OF, Corpus Christi

2-5, go-ahead 2-RBI single in 11th, R

2.

Photo from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stephen Wrenn, OF, Tri-City

3-9, 2-R HR (2), 4 RBI, SB (4)

1. Carlos Sierra, RHP, Tri-City: 6 IP, H, 2 BB (1 IBB), 5 K; professional debut

Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno

W (5-4), 6 IP, 4 H, BB, 5 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Could Corpus Christi sweep their roadtrip?

Fresno 3, Salt Lake 0

W- Tommy Shirley (2-0)
L- Zach Nuding (1-1)
S- James Hoyt (3)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Tacos blanked the Bees for the 1st time this season (they also shut out Salt Lake once as the Grizzlies), and once again, Tommy Shirley was on the mound for the combined shutout.

Shirley allowed 6 hits, walked 1, and fanned 3 in 6.2 innings of work. He left with some traffic on the bases for Kevin Chapman, who kept the shutout intact by getting the final out of the 7th via strikeout. Jandel Gustave threw a 1-2-3 8th, striking out 1, and James Hoyt worked around a walk to finish off the shutout.

Fresno got their first run in the 4th on a double steal involving Tyler Heineman, who stole home, while Jon Kemmer took 2nd. Colin Moran went 2-4 with an RBI single in the 5th, and he wound up scoring the Tacos' final run of the evening when Nolan Fontana drew a bases-loaded walk in the 8th.

Danny Worth extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the 5th.

In game 2 of this series, Michael Feliz will face Tyler Skaggs. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Springfield 6, Corpus Christi 3

W- Trey Nielsen (1-2)
L- Keegan Yuhl (0-1)
S- Ronnie Shaban (3)

CC home runs: None.

Unfortunately, the answer was no. The Hooks were foiled in their bid to sweep the Cardinals after the wheels fell out from under them in the 5th, when Springfield scored 6 in the frame.

A 5-1 roadtrip is a great result, though, and the Hooks got their revenge by taking 2 of 3 in Springfield after the Cardinals did so in Corpus last week.

It was going extremely well for Keegan Yuhl, but it all unraveled on him in the 5th. Ultimately, Yuhl allowed 5 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6 in 4.2 innings. Joe Musgrove pitched the final 3.1 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits (2-run homer; 1 run was charged to Yuhl) and striking out 4.

Corpus Christi's 3 runs all came in the 7th as Jack Mayfield was plunked with the bases loaded. Conrad Gregor and J.D. Davis followed with a sac fly and an RBI single, respectively. Davis finished 3-4, while Teoscar Hernandez went 2-4 with a run scored and 2 stolen bases (3).

If you were wondering where Alex Bregman was, he got the day off, so Springfield's pitchers were spared from his wrath.

The Hooks have today off. Tomorrow, the Texas League incarnation of the Astros-Rangers rivalry kicks off as they welcome the Frisco Roughriders to Whataburger Field.

Rancho Cucamonga 10, Lancaster 6

W- Grant Holmes (2-0)
L- Elieser Hernandez (0-2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks scored the game's final 6 runs, but a 10-0 deficit proved to be too much for them to overcome.

Nick Tanielu put Lancaster on the board in the 5th with a 2-run single, and one batter later, Drew Ferguson followed that up with an RBI single. Ramon Laureano whacked a 2-run double in the 6th, and he added another RBI double to his ledger in the 8th. Bobby Boyd went 2-5 with 2 runs scored and stole yet another base; he's now up to 7.

Elieser Hernandez went 1.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 6 hits (2 solos and a 3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 1. Eric Peterson was the first man out; he allowed 4 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 5 hits and fanned 2 in 2.2 innings. Ryan Thompson allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 over 3.2 innings. He didn't allow a run that was charged to him, but he did allow the runner he inherited from Peterson to score. Riley Ferrell worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 2.

The JetHawks will look to avoid the sweep as Evan Grills takes the mound. He'll face Tommy Bergjans at 6:35 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 2

W- Adam Whitt (1-0)
L- David Burkhalter (0-1)
S- Ralph Garza Jr. (1)

QC home runs: Aaron Mizell (1, 2-run in 4th)

0-11 with runners in scoring position? No problem for the Banditos. Yes, that's not ideal, but technically, 2 runners who were in scoring position did score; they just didn't score on hits.

Aaron Mizell's 2-run shot in the 4th put Quad Cities on the board and in the lead. Tony Nuñez drew a walk in the 6th, and Kyle Tucker tripled and later scored on an error that allowed Connor Goedert to reach in the 7th; Goedert, who was making his season debut, was credited with an RBI on the play. Dex McCall went 3-4 and scored twice, while Mizell finished 2-3.

Jose Luis Hernandez went 4.2 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Adam Whitt was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen; he allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings. Ralph Garza locked it down with 3 scoreless, allowing a hit and fanning 1.

Albert Abreu will start the series finale. He'll take on Jon Perrin at 6:35.

Three Stars

3.

Ramon Laureano, OF, Quad Cities

2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R, 2 BB

2.

Photo from MiLB.com

Aaron Mizell, 2B/OF, Quad Cities

2-3, 2-R HR (1)

1.

Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno

W (2-0), 6.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K

Honorable Mentions

Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Corpus Christi: 2-4, R, 2 SB (3)
- Teoscar is now on an 8-game hitting streak after going hitless in the first series of the season.

Ryan Thompson, RHP, Lancaster: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
- Coming out of the bullpen to stop the bleeding is definitely a star-worthy performance, so I feel a bit guilty leaving him off.

Ralph Garza Jr., RHP, Quad Cities: Save (1), 3 IP, H, K
- As the season goes on, I think the bullpen is going to emerge as a real area of strength for the Banditos. Garza might be the best of the bunch, in my opinion.

Colin Moran, 3B, Fresno: 2-4, RBI, R
- He's come out of the chute firing on all cylinders. I hope Moran continues to force the issue with his bat.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 13, 2016

The rain just seems to find the Fresno Grizzlies. Luckily, they were able to get this game in.

Fresno 6, Salt Lake 0

W- Tommy Shirley (1-0)
L- Yunesky Maya (1-1)

Fresno home runs: Danny Worth (2, grand slam in 4th)

A 2-hour rain delay pushed back the first pitch of this one, but the Grizzlies weren't fazed; they got a big inning on offense, and 5 pitchers combined to throw a shutout.

Tommy Shirley started it off with 5 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Edwar Cabrera, Jordan Jankowski, Jandel Gustave, and James Hoyt all threw scoreless innings to finish it off. Cabrera struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 6th, Jankowski worked around 2 hits in the 7th, Gustave had a 1-2-3 8th, getting 2 groundouts and a flyout, and Hoyt allowed a hit, but he finished it off without any complications.

Jon Kemmer drove in the first run of the night with an RBI single in the 2nd. The Grizz put up 5 in the 4th as Tony Kemp drew a bases-loaded walk, and one batter later, Danny Worth cleared them with a grand slam. Worth finished 2-5, while Nolan Fontana scored 2 runs.

Michael Feliz takes the mound in the series finale. First pitch is at 6:35 Mountain.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will kick off a 3-game series in Tulsa tonight at 7:05. Joe Musgrove will face Chris Anderson.

Stockton 4, Lancaster 3

W- Koby Gauna (1-0)
L- Angel Heredia (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks' bid to sweep the series was foiled as they walked off with a loss in the finale.

Scott Weathersby shined in his season debut, scattering 4 hits and fanning 5 over 6 shutout innings. Unfortunately, he had to settle for a no-decision. Ryan Thompson was the first man out of the JetHawks bullpen, and he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 2 while getting 2 outs in the 6th. Kevin Comer walked 2 and struck out 2 over 1.1 scoreless. Angel Heredia allowed the game-winning hit, which was a 2-run double with 2 outs in the 9th; the runs were unearned, and he walked 2 in the inning.

Nick Tanielu opened the scoring in the 2nd when he came home on an error that allowed Jose Fernandez to reach. In the 3rd inning, Bobby Boyd singled, stole his way to 3rd, and scored on a Jason Martin triple. Boyd, who finished 2-5 with the 2 steals, hit into a fielder's choice in the 5th that drove in Alejandro Garcia. Drew Ferguson was 2-4 with a double and a stolen base (3).

Tonight, Lancaster opens up the home portion of its schedule as they begin a 4-game series with High Desert. Elieser Hernandez will start the opener, and he will face Ariel Jurado at 6:35 Pacific.

Quad Cities 5, Peoria 3

W- Ralph Garza Jr. (1-1)
L- Tyler Bray (0-1)
S- Andrew Thome (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos took their first series of the year thanks to a 3-run 8th that put them in the lead.

Aaron Mizell scored Quad Cities' first run on a wild pitch in the 3rd, which tied the game at 1. The Chiefs got 1 in the 6th to take the lead, but Pat Porter came home on another wild pitch in the 7th to bring the Bandits back even. The tie would be short-lived however, as Peoria got 1 in the bottom half to re-take the lead. It didn't matter to the Banditos, though, because Porter came through with a 2-run triple in the 8th, and he wound up scoring himself thanks to an error.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 2 hits and struck out 6. Ralph Garza Jr. allowed a run of his own on 2 hits and walked 1 in 1.2 innings, and Andrew Thome got a 5-out save, striking out 1.

After that brief roadtrip, the River Bandits will return home to open a 4-game set against Kane County. In game 1, Albert Abreu will take on Alex Young. First pitch is at 7.

Four Stars

3.

Photo by Bryan Green

Pat Porter, OF, Quad Cities

Go-ahead 2-RBI 3B in 8th, 2 R

2.

Photo by Bryan Green

Scott Weathersby, RHP, Lancaster

6 IP, 4 H, 5 K

Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno

W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K

1.

Embed from Getty Images

Danny Worth, IF, Fresno
2-5, Grand Slam (2)

Honorable Mentions

Andrew Thome, RHP, Quad Cities: Save (1), 1.2 IP, K
- Thome has become one of the go-to relievers out of the Quad Cities bullpen in the early going, and he's been more than up to the task.

Fresno bullpen: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 K
- Solid work in completing the shutout.

Bobby Boyd, OF, Lancaster: 2-5, 2B, RBI, R, 2 SB (3)
- The speedster from West Virginia wreaked havoc at the top of the JetHawks lineup.

Grizzlies LHP Tommy Shirley vs. Ben Zobrist

Visiting Fresno this past weekend, I had the opportunity to see LHP Tommy Shirley pitch in person for the first time in quite a while. It occurred to me that I should video him to capture his unconventional delivery. Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs was somewhat fascinated with Shirley last season and featured him several times as one of his Fringe Five, and cited these remarks from my interview with Corpus Christi Pitching Coach Doug Brocail regarding Shirley. Part of Shirley's fascination is his funky delivery and the success he's had with that delivery.

So, I readied my video recorder just as the rehabbing Ben Zobrist came up to bat with two outs in the first inning. It took only three pitches for Shirley to dispatch Zobrist and send him on his way.




I pulled out the recorder again in the third inning. Again two outs. Again Zobrist. Again a strikeout.




One final time. Sixth inning. Again two outs. Again Zobrist. Again a strikeout, Shirley's 7th and final K in six innings of work.



The following day I spoke with Ace Adams, Pitching Coach for the Fresno Grizzlies. I asked Adams about that delivery. "It's funky, isn't it?" When asked how Shirley makes that delivery work, Adams told me, "Well, he times it up right. It doesn't look pretty but he times it up perfect."

Adams continued, "He's a great competitor and he's starting to throw his changeup more, starting to get his curveball over a little better than he did. But the big thing is his fastball has this cutting action that jams a lot of hitters. He's got a lot of deception in that delivery so hitters see all that quickness and they don't feel comfortable up there."

Shirley has been used as both a reliever and a starter in his minor league career, but Adams would like to see him continue in a starting role. Adams concluded by saying, "He's just got electric stuff and he's such a great worker. I just love everything he does. He's just really a pleasant guy to have around. I really enjoy him a lot."

I think everybody enjoys Tommy Shirley, with the possible exception of Ben Zobrist.

Astros Minor League Weekend Recaps

Results for Saturday, April 25, 2015 and Sunday, April 26, 2015

Welcome to the WTHB Weekend Recap! Let's play 2 in Frisco on Saturday and 2 in Davenport on Sunday!

Corpus Christi with the...

*I'm sorry for all the 2-in-one-day recaps, but I have been absolutely swamped as of late with the end-of-semester crunch. These recaps won't be what you'll normally get from me, so I apologize for that as well.

Saturday: Fresno 7, Reno 0

Jonathan Villar: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, SB (1)
L.J. Hoes: 2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R
Preston Tucker: 2-4, RBI, R
Andrew Aplin: 1-3, RBI, 2 R, BB, SB (4)

Brady Rodgers: W (1-2), 6 IP, 7 H, BB, 5 K
Richard Rodriguez: 2 IP, H, BB, K
Tyson Perez: IP, K

Sunday: Fresno 9, Reno 2

Preston Tucker: 3-R HR (7, leads organization)
Domingo Santana: 3-4, 2B, 2 HR (5; 3-run and solo)
L.J. Hoes: 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 R, BB

Tommy Shirley: W (3-0), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K

The series continues at 6:35 Pacific. Starter for both sides have yet to be announced.

Saturday Game 1: Corpus Christi 10, Frisco 5

Colin Moran: 3-4, 2B, 5 RBI
Tyler Heineman: 2-4, 2 R
Tyler White: 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Teoscar Hernandez: 0-2, 2 BB, 3 R

Josh Hader: 4 IP, 5 H (solo HR), 4 ER, BB, 5 K
Jonas Dufek: IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB (season debut)
Travis Ballew: W (1-1), 2 IP, 2 BB, K

Saturday Game 2: Corpus Christi 16, Frisco 1

Moran: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
Carlos Correa: 3-5, 2-R HR (3), 3 R
Jio Mier: 3-4, 3-R HR (1), 6 RBI, 2 R
Brandon Meredith: 2-5, RBI, 3 R

Chris Devenski: W (2-0), 6.1 IP, 3 BB, 8 K

Sunday: Corpus Christi 5, Frisco 2

Correa: 3-5, 2B, 3-R HR (4), 2 R
Roberto Peña: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R

Mike Hauschild: W (2-1), 5 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K
Lance McCullers: Save (1), 4 IP, 4 H, unearned run (1st run allowed this season), 9 K

The Hooks swept the Rangers' AA team in dominating fashion, outscoring them 39-10 over the 4-game set. They will be in Midland tonight as they begin the second leg of this roadtrip. Aaron West will take on Nate Long at 6:30.

Saturday: Lancaster 5, Modesto 4

A.J. Reed: 2-3, 3B, solo HR (3)
Chan-Jong Moon: 2-R HR (1)
Ronnie Mitchell: solo HR (3)
Jobduan Morales: 2-4, RBI
Jack Mayfield: 2-4

Edison Frias: 5 IP, 5 H (2-run HR), 4 R (2 earned), 6 K
Brian Holmes: W (1-1), 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Sunday: Modesto 10, Lancaster 3

James Ramsay: 1-2, 2B, 3 BB, R
Jack Mayfield: 2-4, 2 RBI
Brian Holberton: 1-2, 2B, RBI

Zach Morton: L (0-1), 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 earned), BB, K
Michael Feliz: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 earned), 2 BB, K

After an off day, the JetHawks will welcome Rancho Cucamonga to The Hangar for 3 beginning on Tuesday.

Saturday: Burlington 7, Quad Cities 2

Jamie Ritchie: 2-4, RBI
Kristian Trompiz: 2-3, solo HR (2)

Josh James: 3 IP, 2 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 5 K
Albert Minnis: 2 IP, H, 2 K

Sunday Game 1: Burlington 4, Quad Cities 2

Nick Tanielu: 2-3, RBI
Jake Nottingham: RBI groundout in 4th

Chris Lee: L (0-2), 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Eric Peterson: 2.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Albert Minnis: 0.2 IP, K

Sunday Game 2: Quad Cities 7, Burlington 6 in 12 innings

Bobby Boyd: 3-6, 2B, 2 R, SB (4)
Bryan Muniz: 2-6, 2B, 2 RBI
Alfredo Gonzalez: 2-5, 3B, RBI
Jorge Martinez: 2-4, RBI, SB (1)
Thomas Lindauer: Walk-off sacrifice fly in 12th inning

Kevin Comer: 5.2 IP, 11 H (9 singles, 1 double, 1 solo homer), 6 ER, 2 K
Keegan Yuhl: 2.1 IP, H, 4 BB, 2 K
Ryan Thompson: 3 IP, 2 H, BB
Jose Montero: W (1-0), 2 BB, K

The Bandits avoided the sweep in the doubleheader and the series by walking off with the win in game 2 of the twinbill.

Now that this series is wrapped up, the River Bandits will welcome Cedar Rapids to town beginning on Tuesday. Bryan Radziewski will take the mound in game 1, which is an 11:00 A.M. matinee.

Saturday's Three Stars: Position Players

3. Carlos Correa, SS, Corpus Christi: 3-9, 2-R HR (3), 3 R
2. Jio Mier, IF, Corpus Christi: 3-7, HR (1), 6 RBI, 2 R
1. Colin Moran, 3B, Corpus Christi: 5-8, 2 2B, 8 RBI, 2 R

Saturday's Three Stars: Pitchers

3. Brian Holmes, LHP, Lancaster: W (1-1), 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K
2. Brady Rodgers, RHP, Fresno: W (1-2), 6 IP, 7 H, BB, 5 K
1. Chris Devenski, RHP, Corpus Christi: W (2-0), 6.1 IP, 3 BB, 8 K in game 1 of doubleheader

Sunday's Three Stars: Position Players

3. Bobby Boyd, OF, Quad Cities: 3-6, 2B, 2 R, SB (4)
2. Domingo Santana, OF, Fresno: 3-4, 2B, 2 HR (5), 4 RBI
1. Carlos Correa, SS, Corpus Christi: 3-5, 2B, 3-R HR (4), 2 R

Sunday's Three Stars: Pitchers

3. Mike Hauschild, RHP, Corpus Christi: W (2-1), 5 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K
2. Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno: W (3-0), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K
1. Lance McCullers, RHP, Corpus Christi: Save (1), 4 IP, 4 H, uinearned run, 9 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, April 20, 2015 and Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Fresno 8, Las Vegas 4

W- Tommy Shirley (2-0)
L- Matt Bowman (0-3)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton (3, solo in 4th), Preston Tucker (5, 2-run in 4th)

The heart of the Grizzlies order struck terror into the extraterrestrials (OK, the humans playing for the team with the extraterrestrial mascot) as Jon Singleton, Matt Duffy, and Preston Tucker all went 3-5 with 2 runs scored.

Tucker put Fresno on the board first in the 1st with a 2-run single, and he made his way around the bases on a wild pitch and a Matt Dominguez infield single and scored on a single from Alex Presley. Singleton smacked a solo shot with 2 outs in the 4th. One batter later, Duffy doubled, and then it was Tucker's turn to go deep. L.J. Hoes drove in the final Grizzlies runs with a 2-run double in the 8th. Presley and Hoes had 2 hits apiece; everyone had a hit except for Joe Sclafani.

Tommy Shirley went 5.2 innings, and the only 2 hits he surrendered came off the bat of Dilson Herrera, who took him deep in the 5th. He walked 2 and struck out 4. Darin Downs faced one batter and retired him to end the 6th inning. Josh Fields allowed a hit and walked 2 over 2 scoreless, and James Hoyt was able to close it out, although he had to weather a storm to do so. He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in the 9th.

Tulsa 2, Corpus Christi 1

W- Chris Anderson (3-0)
L- Travis Ballew (0-1)
S- Chris Reed (1)

CC home runs: Carlos Correa (2, solo in 6th)

Mr. Correa broke the monotony of a scoreless tie with his 2nd blast of the season, but that was the only run that the Hooks could put up on the scoreboard. Carlos had 2 of the 3 Corpus hits; the other was a single hit by Tyler White, who was making his 2015 debut. Tony Kemp also did this in the 6th inning:


Aaron West was solid, although a high pitch count forced an early exit. He allowed just 3 hits and struck out 5 over 4.2 scoreless innings. Travis Ballew was the first man out, and he threw a scoreless 6th, However, the Drillers took the lead off of him as Paul Honecker hit a 2-run homer with 2 outs in the top of the 7th. He allowed one other hit and struck out 2. Jandel Gustave struck out 1 over 2 perfect frames.

Rancho Cucamonga 13, Lancaster 8

W- Victor Araujo (1-1)
L- Edison Frias (2-1)

Lancaster home runs: Chase McDonald (3, 2-run in 2nd)

The JetHawks found themselves behind the 8-ball early as Edison Frias got rocked for 6 runs in the 1st inning. Despite the rough start, the JetHawks picked themselves up off the canvas and fired back and very nearly erased a 7-run deficit. Sadly, they were buried by a 6-run 6th inning from Rancho.

Frias only got 2 outs; he allowed 5 hits (2 2-run homers) and walked 1. Tyler Brunnemann got the JetHawks out of the inning, but not before allowing a run of his own. He threw 1.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 1. Brian Holmes tagged in for 3 innings; he allowed 6 runs (3 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Ambiorix De Leon technically had a scoreless outing, but he did allow the 2 runners he inherited from Holmes to score. De Leon allowed 3 hits, walked 2, and fanned 2 over 3 innings.

Chase McDonald continued his outstanding start to the season as he went 3-5 with a 2-run homer (3) in the 2nd, an RBI single in the 3rd, and scored 2 runs. Brett Phillips remained on fire as he finished 2-3, ripping a 2-run triple in the 3rd. The other JetHawks run in the 3rd inning came on a Jose Fernandez single. A.J. Reed drew a walk in the 7th. He would advance to 2nd on a McDonald single, took 3rd on a wild pitch, and scored on a passed ball. Brian Holberton scored on a wild pitch in the 8th. J.D. Davis was 2-5 with a run scored.

Kane County 8, Quad Cities 6

W- Nick Baker (1-0)
L- Chris Lee (0-1)
S- Luis Ramirez (1)

QC home runs: D.J. Fisher (4, solo in 5th)

The Bandits were thwarted in their bid for a sweep as the Cougars doubled them up from the 5th to the 8th innings, outscoring them 6-3.

Quad Cities got on the board first with 3 in the 1st inning, as Nick Tanielu and Mott Hyde hit RBI singles, and Jake Nottingham added an RBI groundout. D.J. Fisher is putting his power on display as he led off the 5th with his 4th homer of the year. The other run in the 5th inning came on a Ryan Bottger groundout. Bobby Boyd grounded into a force out that scored Alfredo Gonzalez in the 8th.

Kevin Comer went 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6. Chris Lee tagged in for 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and striking out 4. Albert Minnis worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

Monday's Three Stars: Position Players

Fresno sweep!

Jon Singleton, 1B

3-5, solo HR (3), 2 R

Matt Duffy, 3B

3-5, 2 2B, 2 R

Preston Tucker, OF

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

Monday's Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Tommy Shirley, LHP, Fresno

W (2-0), 5.2 IP, 2 H (solo HR), ER, 2 BB, 4 K

2. 

Aaron West, RHP, Corpus Christi

4.2 IP, 3 H, 5 K

1. 

Jandel Gustave, RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, K

Monday's Honorable Mentions

- Tony Kemp may have gone 0-4, but he probably pulled off the defensive play of the year in the Astros minors.
- Chase McDonald has probably been the best hitter in the Lancaster lineup in the early going.
- After a slow start, Brett Phillips has caught fire and has remained on fire for the JetHawks.

Games of April 21, 2015

Salt Lake 6, Fresno 5 in 11 innings

W- Frank Herrmann (1-0)
L- James Hoyt (0-1)

Fresno home runs: Domingo Santana (3, solo in 7th)

The Grizzlies scored 1 in the 9th to tie the game at 3 and took the lead with 2 in the top of the 11th.... only to walk off with the loss after the Bees stung them for 3 in the bottom of the inning.

Alex Presley went 3-5 and put Fresno on the board first with a 3rd-inning RBI single. Domingo's 3rd homer led off the 7th inning, and Joe Sclafani came through in the clutch with an RBI single in the top of the 9th. Domingo scored the go-ahead run on a Ronald Torreyes fielder's choice in the 11th, and Presley struck again with an RBI single. Domingo finished 4-5, while Jon Singleton went 2-6 with a double and triple.

Jake Buchanan had a bare minimum quality start, allowing 9 hits and striking out 3, Jordan Jankowski was the first man out; he allowed a hit, walked 2, and fanned 3. In his AAA debut, Tyson Perez tossed 2 perfect innings. James Hoyt couldn't close it out as Salt Lake got 3 off of him in the bottom of the 11th. 2 of those runs were earned; he allowed 4 hits and struck out 1.

Dan Straily will take on Nick Tropeano at 5:35 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 6, Tulsa 0

W- Kent Emanuel (1-0)
L- Julio Urias (1-1)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks staved off a sweep as they blanked the Drillers, which was an encouraging end to a pretty tough series that saw Tulsa rally in order to get the wins in the first 2 games. They got the win by knocking around the 18-year-old phenom, Julio Urias.

Tony Kemp went 2-5 and opened up the scoring with an RBI infield single in the 3rd. Jio Mier busted the game open in the 4th by clearing the bases with a triple, and one batter later, he came home on a Roberto Peña single. Telvin Nash coaxed a bases-loaded walk in the 5th. Conrad Gregor finished 2-4 and scored on Jio's triple.

Kent Emanuel started things off with 5 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2. Mitch Lambson allowed just 1 hit and fanned 3 over 3 scoreless, and Dan Minor finished things off, working around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th.

After a day off, the Hooks travel to Frisco as they close out the month on the road.

Lancaster 7, Rancho Cucamonga 6 in 11 innings

W- Gonzalo Sañudo (1-0)
L- Randy Fontanez (1-2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

Lancaster nipped the Quakes in extras, thanks to Chase McDonald's RBI single in the top of the 11th.

A.J. Reed got things started with an RBI single in the 1st. The JetHawks got a pair of sac flies from J.D. Davis and Reed in the 3rd. Jobduan Morales added an RBI single in the 6th, and later in the inning, Chan-Jong Moon hit into a fielder's choice that scored James Ramsay. Moon hit an RBI single in the 8th. He was back at it again in the 11th as he led off with a double. He'd score on McDonald's single. Moon, Brett Phillips, and Ronnie Mitchell all finished with 3 hits, while McDonald and Davis had 2 each.

Michael Feliz got the start; he went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned), a single, walked 3, and struck out 6. Zach Morton tagged in for 4 innings, allowing 2 unearned runs on 7 hits and striking out 3. Frederick Tiburcio allowed a game-tying 2-run home run to Brandon Trinkwon in the bottom of the 9th. He allowed 2 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 1, and Gonzalo Sañudo allowed a hit and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless to get the win.

In the rubber game, Troy Scribner will take on Scott Barlow at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Peoria 3

W- Eric Peterson (1-0)
L- Zach Loraine (0-2)
S- Jose Montero (3)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos took the series opener as they scored a couple in the 8th to take the lead.

Alfredo Gonzalez went 2-4 with a stolen base (1) and put Quad Cities on the board first with a 2nd-inning RBI single. Jamie Ritchie drew a bases-loaded walk in the 4th to tie the game at 2, and he struck again in the 8th with an RBI triple that tied the game again. He scored the go-ahead run one batter later, when D.J. Fisher singled. Fisher, who also stole a base (3), and Kristian Trompiz also had 2 hits apiece.

Bryan Radziewski went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 1, and striking out 6. Eric Peterson was the first man out of the bullpen; he allowed an unearned run on 3 hits and struck out 3 over 2 innings, and Jose Montero got a 2-inning save, striking out 3.

In game 2 of this series, Joe Musgrove faces Austin Gomber at 11:00 A.M.

Tuesday's Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Jio Mier, IF, Corpus Christi

Bases-clearing 3B in 4th

2. 

Chan-Jong Moon, SS, Lancaster

3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 SB (5)

1.

Domingo Santana, OF, Fresno

4-5, 2B, solo HR (3), 2 R

Tuesday's Five Stars: Pitchers

Can I really rank these performances objectively?

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Corpus Christi

W (1-0), 5 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 K

Mitch Lambson, LHP, Corpus Christi

3 IP, H, 3 K

Dan Minor, RHP, Corpus Christi

IP, H

Tyson Perez, RHP, Fresno

AAA debut: 2 IP

Jose Montero, RHP, Quad Cities

Save (3), 2 IP, 3 K

Tuesday's Honorable Mentions

- D.J. Fisher has opened up the Midwest League slate on a tear and is putting himself
- After a 2-20 start, Kristian Trompiz looks like he's getting himself going at the plate.
- Brett Phillips status: still en fuego.
- Bryan Radziewski and his big curveball have gotten out to a fine start in Quad Cities.

Tweet of the Day

#CCHooks alums @kidkeuchy, @PrestonTucker25 & @ShirBird24 are ready for tonight's #STWBB! #IMHOOKED pic.twitter.com/SNu4D1GrI6
— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) January 28, 2015

Happy Birthday - 11/11

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Tommy Shirley (26)
Originally from Pennsylvania, Shirley was drafted in the ninth round in 2010 out of Xavier University. Shirley had a breakout season in 2014, starting the year in AA Corpus Christi and ending it in AAA Oklahoma City. In 30 games (16 starts), he had a 2.53 ERA and a 1.099 WHIP. He walked 32 and struck out 100 in 117.1 innings of work.

OF Andy Pineda (18)
An international signing out of the Dominican Republic, Pineda played his first professional season with the Dominican Summer League team, hitting .279/.384/.312 in 65 games.

Bullpen Catcher Javier Bracamonte (45)
Bracamonte has been a bullpen catcher for the Astros since 2001 and is genuinely one of the nicest, friendliest people you would ever want to know.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

CF Scott Loucks (58)
A fifth round pick by Houston in 1977, Loucks played in 69 games scattered over 1980 to 1983 hitting .260/.308/.288. In July 1984, he was traded to the Montreal Expos for Brad Mills (yes, that Brad Mills).

C/1B J. R. House (35)
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the fifth round in 1999, House came to Houston as a free agent in 2006 and again in 2008. In four games in 2006 and three games in 2008 for the Astros, he never got a hit. However, in 12 seasons of minor league and independent ball, he hit .300/.361/.470. After believing his baseball career to be over due to injuries, he enrolled in West Virginia University and played football for a season in 2005 before coming back to baseball in 2006. In 2012, he became a hitting coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system and managed their Short Season A team in 2014.

Tweet of the Day

Eating healthy on Saturday night is rugged :(
— Tommy Shirley (@ShirBird24) October 19, 2014

Tweets of the Day

What a wild card game! All kinds of momentum shifts. Gotta love baseball #KCvsOAK
— Marc Krauss (@MarcKrauss25) October 1, 2014

If this game is any indication of how the playoffs are gonna be.....I can't wait!!
— Brady Rodgers (@Rodg_25) October 1, 2014

This is the craziest game I've ever seen
— Albert Minnis (@minnis33) October 1, 2014

#OMG what a game #ALWildcard
— Rudy Owens (@Rudy_Owens) October 1, 2014

Dear sleep... I need you , you need me... But this game is standing between us ... How can we solve this? #walkoffplease
— Josh Zeid (@Josh_Zeid14) October 1, 2014

Have to be up at 6am and head to the complex... BUT this @Royals @Athletics game is keeping me from getting my rest! #WildCard
— Antonio Nuñez (@nunezlife03) October 1, 2014

My eyes are burning but I can't close them.. #playoffbaseball
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@LMcCullers_41) October 1, 2014

One of the most exciting games I've seen all year!
— Joe Musgrove (@musgrove23Stros) October 1, 2014

Get out of bed to see what all the hype was about, turn tv.. on walkoff hit! All of you guys can thank me tomorrow.. Goodnight
— Brett Phillips (@Brett_Phillips8) October 1, 2014

Unbelievable start to the playoffs
— Tommy Shirley (@ShirBird24) October 1, 2014

Wow that was a great game. That's called never giving up. It's sad to think a team had to lose that one #royals #loveit #playoffbaseball
— Tyler White (@twhite409) October 1, 2014

Now that it's over I don't want To go to bed. If that game doesn't motivate you to want to play October baseball, check your pulse #ImAllin
— Josh Zeid (@Josh_Zeid14) October 1, 2014

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Oklahoma City 6, New Orleans 1

W- Paul Clemens (2-0)
L- Bryan Evans (4-3)

OKC home runs: None.

OKC Matinee Magic is real, guys. Asher Wojciechowski made his return to baseball after spending the first 7 weeks of the season on the shelf. He had been in Kissimmee, working his way back from a lat strain he suffered in February.

Wojo went 4 innings in his season debut and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Despite issuing 8 walks on the afternoon, the RedHawks still managed to hold New Orleans to 1 run.

Bobby Doran tagged in for the 5th, and he worked around a single and 2 walks to throw a scoreless frame. The bases were not loaded on Doran; Jordany Valdespin, who walked to begin the inning, was caught stealing 2nd. Paul Clemens got 2 quick outs in the 6th, but all of a sudden, a double from Jake Marisnick, a "plunking" of Matt Angle (even Angle thought he wasn't hit by that pitch), and a Valdespin walk loaded the bases. Clemens was able to escape unscathed when he struck out Josh Rodriguez to end the inning. The 7th turned out to be less harrowing for Clemens; he did walk Kyle Jensen, but got an inning-ending double play. Clemens allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 in those 2 innings. Chia-Jen Lo also had to extricate himself from a bases-loaded situation in the 8th. He worked around a single, 2 walks, and a wild pitch to put up a zero on the scoreboard, and struck out Juan Diaz for the first out of the inning. Kevin Chapman walked Mark Canha to open the 9th, but nothing happened. He retired the next 3, even with Canha moving to 2nd on defensive indifference.

OKC kicked off the scoring with a pair in the 3rd. Adron Chambers laid down a bunt single and on the ensuing error, Andy Simunic scored the first run of the day. Domingo Santana added an RBI groundout later in the inning. Simunic added an RBI single in the 4th. In the 5th, Ronald Torreyes reached on an error that allowed Jon Singleton to score; Torreyes was credited with an RBI on the play. Santana scored on a wild pitch, and Jonathan Meyer brought home the final run of the day with a sac fly. Kiké Hernandez went 1-3 with 2 runs scored; he's now on an 8-game hitting streak. Meyer was the only RedHawk with a multi-hit day, going 2-3 with a double. Santana and Erik Castro drew 2 walks apiece.

The series finale features Nick Tropeano on the mound for OKC. He'll be taking on Andrew Heaney, the 9th overall pick in 2012 who will be making his AAA debut. First pitch is at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 7, Arkansas 2

W- Tommy Shirley (5-2)
L- Kramer Sneed (4-4)

CC home runs: Preston Tucker (10, solo in 9th), René Garcia (3, 2-run in 2nd)

The Hooks kicked off the series with a dominating victory; Tommy Shirley rendered the Travelers offense useless, and the Hooks offense backed him up with a big 5th inning.

Shirley, whose 1.51 ERA and 47 strikeouts both rank 2nd in the Texas League, threw 6 shutout innings and allowed a hit and struck out 5. He didn't issue a walk, but he did hit a batter. Alex Sogard was the first man out; he threw 2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 2. Andrew Robinson brought it home as he worked around 2 hits to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 2.

The Hooks only scored in 3 innings, but they put up a crooked number in 2 of them. René Garcia finished 2-5 and opened the scoring with his 2-run shot (3) in the 2nd inning. They put up 4 in the 5th, which proved to be the decisive inning. Nolan Fontana ripped a 2-run double, and Preston Tucker and M.P. Cokinos chipped in with RBI singles. Tucker provided the cherry with a solo shot (10) in the 9th, his 4th blast in his last 5 games.

In game 2 of this series, Kyle Smith will face Drew Rucinski at 7:10.

Bakersfield 5, Lancaster 4 in 10 innings

W- Carlos Gonzalez (2-0)
L- Juan Minaya (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: Carlos Correa (3, solo in 1st)

The JetHawks walked off with the loss after Seth Mejias-Brean took Juan Minaya deep with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th. Lancaster had a 3-1 lead after the 3rd inning, but they were outscored 4-1 the rest of the way.

Correa's blast in the 1st was his first homer since April 16. In the 3rd, Tony Kemp drew a walk, then stole 2nd (19). He'd come home on a Teoscar Hernandez triple, and Correa brought Hernandez home with a single. Jordan Scott broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI double in the 7th. Correa and Hernandez both finished 2-5 with a run scored.

Kyle Westwood pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Gonzalo Sañudo allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 over 4 innings. Juan Minaya struck out Kyle Waldrop to begin the 10th, but Mejias-Brean took him deep to win it for Bako.

In the series finale, Kent Emanuel will face Mike Dennhardt. First pitch is at 7:30 Pacific. And, that'll be the last time that the JetHawks will start at 9:30 here in Houston. The next trip to Bakersfield has 3 9:15 games with a 2:00 game sandwiched in between.

Quad Cities 4, Burlington 4 in the 7th inning

This game was suspended when Modern Woodmen Park lost power before the 7th inning. It will be completed at a later date. The next meeting between these two teams will be a 3-game series beginning on Sunday in Burlington.

What's happened so far?

The Bandits have rallied from a 4-0 deficit by scoring 4 unanswered. Ronnie Mitchell went deep (2) to begin the bottom of the 3rd, which put QC on the board, down 4-1. After Brian Holberton hit a 2-out double in the 4th, he came home on a Brett Phillips double. Phillips brought Holberton home again on a sac fly in the 6th, and later in the inning, Thomas Lindauer tied the game with an RBI single. Holberton and Lindauer are currently 2-3.

Kevin Comer made his first start of the season; he went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits while striking out 3. Albert Minnis pitched a 1-2-3 6th, getting 3 groundouts.

The River Bandits will begin a 3-game set with Cedar Rapids beginning tonight at 7:00. Hopefully, power in the park will be restored well before gametime. Chris Lee will face Aaron Slegers in the opener.

There will not be a Three Stars segment until this slate of games is completed.

Doug Brocail Talks About Hooks LHP Tommy Shirley

On my recent trip to Corpus Christi, I talked briefly with Keith Bodie about several players and then I posed the question, "Who has been the biggest surprise for you this season?" His answer came back about a nanosecond later, "Tommy Shirley."

Tommy Shirley - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

I was extremely impressed with what Shirley accomplished in Lancaster in 2013 and I did this phone interview with him over the off-season. When I saw Tommy at Spring Training, I told him that he was going to be on my under-the-radar prospect post that I was planning to write. Unfortunately, I still haven't written the post and it may be too late to include Shirley on that list because he isn't exactly flying under the radar anymore.

In his first eight games (six starts) for the Hooks, Shirley is 3-2 with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.929 WHIP and is among the league leaders in those categories. Hitters are only managing a .185 batting average against him. He has definitely opened some eyes.

One person who had a lot to say about Tommy was Hooks Interim Pitching Coach Doug Brocail. When I was in Corpus Christi late last month, I intended to talk to Brocail about several pitchers, but we spent most of our time talking about Shirley. It was a very interesting discussion and I think the whole thing is worth sharing, so that's precisely what I'm going to do. Here are Doug Brocail's largely unedited thoughts about the lefty.

Doug Brocail - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

"Tommy's a little different. When you look at Tommy as a pitching [coach], the first thing you say is, 'Wow, that's ugly.' And then you start watching Tommy and all the moving parts. Tommy has really good mechanics.

"The kid's got a Bugs Bunny fastball if that makes sense. Everybody's seen the cartoon where Bugs Bunny throws the pitch in [and] right before it gets to the bat, it does the old dipsy doodle. It's one of those things where when you watch this kid pitch, he's so exciting because you don't know what you're going to see.

"We see a ton of bad swings. We see counts that favor the hitter against Tommy that are really not favorable counts because of how his ball moves. He can move it both ways with a natural fastball and that's very hard to do when you have a guy that throws across his body. Sometimes he cuts it a little short. Sometimes he gets over extension. The ball cuts. The ball runs. The ball dips. The ball dives. He has all that going for him.

"Usually I don't share this, but I made a mound visit out in Springfield and I think he was a little astonished that I was out there. He was doing really well and he'd fallen down 2-0 on the very last hitter of the game. I just walked out and said, 'Hold on. I know. I'm just out here to tell you that it's been a pleasure watching you pitch today. Now give me three strikes right down the middle.' He did. He got the strikeout. We ended up winning the game. We shook hands.

"This kid, at one point, I was convinced he was the worst fielding, worst athletic pitcher I'd ever seen. And over the last week and a half, we've been doing drills every day. Tommy doesn't hold runners. He has what I thought was one of the worst pick-off moves. I did not want him to pick off. [But after working on it only a little bit, Tommy surprised Brocail.] 'You have that?!' And he [says], 'Well, I've never done it before,' but he looks like a 20-year vet on the mound doing it.

"I'd made the comment there was no way Tommy Shirley was going to pick a guy off. Well, he picked a guy off in Springfield [and we've worked on it a little more]. He looks like Righetti out there, a little quick step off, throw over and it's a Mach-1 chest high every time to the first baseman. I said, 'Where's that been?' He says, 'Well, you guys said don't pick off.' I said, 'How long have you been doing that?' He says, 'Oh, I just started.'

"I came in the other day just to look at [Tommy's] numbers, to see where this kid has been, what he's done in the past, and I missed on Tommy. I don't like admitting that I'm wrong. Sometimes you've just got to give guys a chance and make sure that you're not holding them back on something as simple as a pick-off move.

"Tommy's got a very special arm. He gets the ball up to 94, 95. Tommy's got a very good change  up. He started working on his curveball. [It was] kind of slurvish at times, inconsistent, not a very good selling point, [but he] slowed his body down and all it took was one session and Tommy's throwing first pitch strikes with it, he's putting guys away with it."

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The last thing Brocail said to me about Shirley was this, "His learning curve is really, really high and he's an exciting kid to watch." Shirley is definitely on Brocail's radar screen now, and I think he will continue to open a few eyes.