Former Astros in Foreign/Independent Leagues: 2018 Update

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

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

David Rollins - June 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

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

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

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MEXICAN LEAGUE

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

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

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

Olmecas del Tabsco
2B Anderson Hernandez (2010 Astros)

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

Saraperos de Saltillo
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

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

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

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

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

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

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

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

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

Long Island Ducks
LHP Ashur Tolliver (2017 Astros system)

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

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

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

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

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAN-AM LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

FRONTIER LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

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

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

PACIFIC ASSOCIATION

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

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

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

PECOS LEAGUE

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

Trinidad Triggers
LHP Jose Orta (2016 Astros farm system)

Tweet of the Day

I love pitching

— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) August 2, 2015

Tweet of the Day

Going to miss my roomie @jhader17 the nae nae king @AdrianHouser12 and the guy with the best laugh ever @Brett_Phillips8 #Astros

— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) July 31, 2015

WTHB May 2015 Astros MiLB Players of the Month

With no further ado, I present you with WTHB's May Players of the Month ...

Derek Fisher

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

OF Derek Fisher (Quad Cities/Lancaster)
I could have gone many, many different directions with this award, but not only did Fisher have a fantastic month, he ended it by breaking a California League record in the penultimate game of the month by collecting 12 RBI in one game. Yes, in Fisher's first game with Lancaster following his promotion, he was 4-for-6 with three home runs (two of them grand slams), a double and 12 RBI and he followed up with another home run and three RBI in his second game on Sunday. In May, he hit .313/.389/.554 with 10 doubles, one triple, 5 home runs, 28 RBI and he stole 5 bases.

There were certainly many other worthy contenders and, arguably, any and all of the following players were deserving. Honorable mentions go to OF Domingo Santana (Fresno), Jon Singleton (Fresno), Tony Kemp (Corpus Christi), OF Danry Vasquez (Lancaster/Corpus Christi), OF Brett Phillips (Lancaster), 1B A.J. Reed (Lancaster), 3B Nick Tanielu (Quad Cities) and OF Sean McMullen (Quad Cities).

PITCHER OF THE MONTH

RHP Chris Devenski (Corpus Christi)
You may remember that Devenski was my Pitcher of the Month in May after allowing ZERO earned runs in four appearances last month. Well, Devenski couldn't quite pull that off forever and he has now allowed three whole runs in nine games (46IP). In May, Devenski was 4-0 with a 1.01 ERA and a 1.050 WHIP in 5 games (4 starts), and he has a 0.59 ERA and a 0.870 WHIP for the season. This past Friday, Devenski pitched the first five innings of a rain-shortened 5.1 inning no-hitter (with Josh Hader contributing the extra out), the first no-hitter in Hooks history.

Honorable mentions go to RHP Vince Velasquez (Corpus Christi), RHP Mike Hauschild (Corpus Christi), LHP Brian Holmes (Lancaster/Corpus Christi), RHP Daniel Mengden (Quad Cities/Lancaster) and RHP Akeem Bostick (Quad Cities).

Chris Devenski

RELIEF PITCHER OF THE MONTH

RHP Travis Ballew (Corpus Christi)

I am particularly happy to hand out this award. Ballew's 2014 season did not go as planned, but so far in 2015, he is showing definite signs of his former dominance. In May, Ballew made 12 appearances out of the bullpen (13.2 innings) and compiled a 0.00 ERA and a 0.805 WHIP, walking two batters while striking out 11. For the season, he now has a 1.13 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.

Honorable mention goes to RHP Tyson Perez (Fresno), RHP Richard Rodriguez (Fresno) and LHP Mitch Lambston (Fresno).

Travis Ballew

CATCHER OF THE MONTH

Jacob Nottingham (Quad Cities)
Nottingham took it to another level in May, hitting .355/.406/.591 in 23 games (17 of those behind the dish). He collected eight doubles, one triple, four home runs and 20 RBI. For the season, he has a 57% caught stealing rate.

Honorable mention goes to Tyler Heineman (Corpus Christi/Fresno).

Jacob Notthingham

April Players of the Month:
SS Carlos Correa
RHP Chris Devenski
RHP Ryan Thompson
C Tyler Heineman

Happy Birthday - 5/1

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

RHP Gabriel Pirela (21)
Pirela was born May 1, 1994 in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and was signed by the Astros in December 2013. Pirela spent his first professional season playing for the Astros Blue Team in the Dominican Summer League.

RHP Travis Ballew (24)
Ballew was born May 1, 1991 in Rockwall, Texas, and was drafted by the Astros in the 23rd round in 2012 out of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Ballew is currently playing for the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Travis Ballew - June 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Tweet of the Day

They said tornado watch.. I think they meant hurricane.. Sneaky though
— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) April 22, 2015

Tweet of the Day

The state of Mississippi is completely out of unleaded gas
— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) March 6, 2015

Tweet of the Day

I honestly didn't know it was Friday until it turned to Saturday
— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) January 3, 2015

Tweet of the Day

If you're not watching #WorldSeriesGame7 what are you doing with yourself?!
— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) October 30, 2014

Tweet of the Day

Quote of the day: Get the ice cream first, the sprinkles second #LittleLeagueQuotes
— Travis Ballew (@ImBallewDabaDi) August 8, 2014

Astros Minor League Recaps

Recaps for Saturday, May 31, 2014

Happy Dominican Summer League Opening Day!

Oklahoma City 8, Memphis 6

W- Jorge De Leon (1-0, 2-2 season)
L- Kurt Heyer (0-2, 2-4 season)
S- Jason Stoffel (6)

OKC home runs: Jon Singleton (14, 2-run in 6th)

The RedHawks were down 5-0, but they fought back with 3 in the 3rd and the 4th to take a 6-5 lead. The Redbirds tied it with 1 in the top of the 6th, but Jay Sing quickly untied it by taking Kurt Heyer deep. That blast turned out to be the difference. And so, after dropping the first 3 games of the Omaha series, the RedHawks have now won 3 in a row.

Jake Buchanan got knocked around in his 5 innings; he allowed 5 runs on 9 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Jorge De Leon went 2.2 innings and allowed a run (the tying run in the 6th) on 4 hits and struck out 3. Kevin Chapman came on with 2 outs and a runner on in the 8th and promptly issued 2 walks to load the bases. Nothing came of it as he struck out Scott Moore to end the inning. Jason Stoffel closed the door with a 1-2-3 9th.

The RedHawks' 3 in the 3rd came in the form of a Kiké Hernandez RBI double and a couple of RBI singles from Adron Chambers and Max Stassi. Their 3 in the 4th came off a couple of bases-loaded walks to Chambers and Jon Singleton and a Domingo Santana RBI single. And of course, Singleton's home run turned out to be the game-winning hit. Ronald Torreyes finished 3-4 with a run scored. He's struck out 7 times in 198 plate appearances. That's a 3.5% strikeout rate. Three and a half percent!!!!!!!!!

In game 3 of this series, Paul Clemens will take on Nick Greenwood. First pitch is at 6:05.

Corpus Christi 11, Northwest Arkansas 2

W- Travis Ballew (3-1)
L- Cody Fassold (1-2)

CC home runs: Preston Tucker 2 (13; 2-run in 1st, solo in 7th), Delino DeShields (5, 2-run in 6th), René Garcia (4, solo in 7th)

The Hooks rattled off 9 unanswered after the Naturals tied the game at 2 in the 5th.

Jordan Jankowski had a solid start; he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 in 5 innings of work. The bullpen finished it off with 4 scoreless: Travis Ballew and Andrew Robinson worked 2 apiece. Ballew allowed 2 hits and struck out 2, while Robinson issued a walk and fanned 1.

After Northwest Arkansas opened the scoring with a run in the 1st, Preston Tucker gave Corpus the lead with his first homer of the night, a 2-run blast off Sam Selman. Those 2 runs would be the Hooks' only runs of the game until the 6th, when Delino DeShields ripped the 2-run homer that gave them the lead. Corpus got 2 solo shots from Tucker (his 2nd of the game) and René Garcia (4) in the 7th inning, and they buried the Naturals with a 5-run 8th, getting RBI doubles from Nolan Fontana and Jonathan Meyer, a bases-loaded walk from Leo Heras, and a force out from Garcia that allowed Tucker to score. An error also allowed Jio Mier to come home with the final run of the evening. DeShields' blast was his only hit of the night, but he also scored twice and added 2 steals (21). Fontana finished 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 walks. Joining him in the 2-hit club was Meyer and Joe Sclafani. Tucker finished 4-5 with a double and 3 runs scored to go along with his 2 blasts.

The Hooks will look for the sweep as Kyle Smith takes on Andy Ferguson. First pitch is at 6:10.

Rancho Cucamonga 16, Lancaster 13

W- Freddie Cabrera (2-1)
L- Mark Appel (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: Roberto Peña (4, 2-run in 4th), Ruben Sosa (1, 3-run in 7th)

The Lancaster Effect was in full force as a 20 MPH wind out to right field led to 6 home runs between the two clubs. However, 4 of them were hit to left field.

To say that Mark Appel was greeted rudely in his return to the California League could be an understatement. But then again, it was his first start back and he entered this game with just 13 innings pitched. He only lasted 1.1 innings and allowed 10 runs on 10 hits (3 homers, all of which were multi-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 2. Yes, it is an appalling line, but the vast majority of his pitches were fastballs, and the slider here and there. I'm not going to speculate on anything here. He'll be fine. We're probably not going to remember this when he just threw a perfect game against the A's on July 12, 2017.

Zach Morton was the first man out of the bullpen; he went 3.1 innings and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 2. Brian Holmes pitched the final 4.1 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 7.

Yeah, it got out of hand early, but the JetHawks still fought.  After they fell behind 16-2, they scored 11 unanswered. No quit, and definitely no lack of effort on this club. Being down 10-0 and 16-2 can really be demoralizing and can really foster a feeling of total and absolute defeat. Well, the JetHawks didn't get that memo, and I'm sure they don't want that memo either. They could've shut up shop and moved on to the next game. But they fought to the end. They found ways to get themselves back in the game. They seriously threatened to tie the game, and maybe even had a chance to win with that 7-run 9th. That's why you're taught to keep playing until they it's over.

In the 4th, Roberto Peña finally put the JetHawks on the board with a 2-run homer (4), his 2nd straight game with a home run. Jordan Scott went 2-5 with 3 RBI; his 1st run batted in came on an RBI single in the 6th. Ruben Sosa added a 3-run homer (1) later on. That was the first ball that he sent out of the park as a professional; his other homer, which came last July 24 when he was with OKC, was of the inside-the-park variety.

They scored a touchdown in the bottom of the 9th. The JetHawks got 4 RBI singles from Rio Ruiz, Danry Vásquez, Conrad Gregor, and Tony Kemp. Scott added a 2-run double, and Carlos Correa grounded into a force out that allowed Kemp to score. Everyone in the lineup had a hit, while Carlos Perdomo was the only member of the starting 9+1 to not score. Rio and Danry had 3 hits apiece. Kemp, Sosa, Correa, Gregor, and Scott had 2 each.

Gonzalo Sañudo will take on Jharel Cotton in the series finale. First pitch is at 2:00 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 3

W- Evan Grills (2-1)
L- Zach Quintana (0-4)
S- Frederick Tiburcio (2)

QC home runs: None.

That's 5 straight wins for the Banditos as they used a 3-run 4th to take a 4-2 lead and got some solid pitching the rest of the way.

Evan Grills had a bare minimum quality start, allowing 8 hits (solo homer) and striking out 7. Frederick Tiburcio finished with a 3-inning save and allowed 2 hits while striking out 1.

The offense did a great job waiting out the shakiness of the Timber Rattlers' pitching staff and wound up drawing 10 walks. Tanner Mathis put QC on the board in the 3rd with an RBI groundout. In the 4th, Chan-Jong Moon ripped a 2-run triple, and Mathis brought him home with a single. Yup, those two were responsible for all the runs batted in for this game .James Ramsay went 3-4 with a double and scored the first Bandits run of the game on Mathis' groundout. Mathis and Jack Mayfield had 2 hits apiece.

In the middle game of this series, Kevin Comer will take on Victor Diaz at 1:05.

DSL Astros Blue 7, DSL Indians 2

W- Salvador Montaño (1-0)
L- Ramon Tineo (0-1)

Blue home runs: Wander Franco (1, 3-run in 8th)

The Blue team got their 7 runs in the final 2 innings to come out on top in their season opener. Wander Franco, who signed for $575,000 in the previous July 2 signing period, put them on the board and in front with a 3-run homer (1) in the 8th. They tacked on 4 more in the 9th on a pair of RBI singles from Edgar Lorenzo and Franco. An error allowed Connor MacDonald to reach, as Franco and Nestor Tejada scored. Yes, it may be the lowest level of minor league baseball, but Franco emphatically announced his arrival on the pro scene, finishing a triple shy of the cycle, scoring 2 runs, and driving in 4. Marcos Almonte went 2-4 with a double and 2 runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Joan Mauricio, who recieved the largest bonus in the last July 2 period ($600,000), was 2-3 with a pair of triples and scored a run. Nestor Tejada was 1-4 with 2 runs scored.

Albert Abreu started out with 5 shutout innings, allowing just 1 hit, walking 2, and striking out 5. Salvador Montaño went 2 innings and gave up an unearned run on a hit and struck out 1. Jose Rosario got 2 outs (1 via strikeout) in the 8th, but also gave up a run on 2 hits. Josue Uribe struck out the only batter he faced, and Gabriel Pirela worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 9th.

How did the Orange team fare in their inaugural game?

DSL Angels 12, DSL Astros Orange 3

W- Junior Pimentel (1-0)
L- Edwin Villarroel (0-1)

Orange home runs: Cristopher Luciano (1, solo in 5th)

As for the other Academy squad, they were the victims of a 9-0 run, which came after they had tied the game at 3 with 2 runs in the 5th inning.

Cristopher Luciano had a pretty good birthday: First game, first home run. He hit an RBI single in the 2nd to get the Orange team on the board. He went deep with 1 out in the 5th. Later in the inning, Osvaldo Duarte added an RBI single. Luciano went 2-3 with a run scored, as did Frankeny Fernandez.

Starlyng Sanchez went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Edwin Villarroel pitched 2 innings and gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits and walked 2. Joel Belboder allowed 3 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the 7th. Gabriel Valdez pitched the final 2 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and striking out 1.

The Dominican Summer League has every Sunday off. On Monday, the Blue team will host the Indians, and the Orange team will travel to the Angels' complex.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Jon Singleton, 1B, Oklahoma City

2-4, 2-R HR (14), 3 RBI

2.

Preston Tucker, RF/1B, Corpus Christi

4-5, 2B, 2 HR (13), 3 R

1.

Photo courtesy of Bryan Green

I would like to say thanks to Mr. Green for allowing me to use his excellent pictures. They've been extremely helpful when I want to put names to faces, especially guys in the GCL or the Academy. 

Wander Franco, 3B, DSL Astros Blue

3-5, 2B, 3-R HR (1), 4 RBI; professional debut

Three Stars: Pitchers


3. I'm glad Jayne got these 3 guys all in 1 picture. #efficiency

Jordan Jankowski (far left), RHP, Corpus Christi

5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K

Travis Ballew (far right), RHP, Corpus Christi

W (3-1), 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K

Andrew Robinson (2nd from left), RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, BB, K

2.

Brian Holmes, LHP, Lancaster

4.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 7 K

1.

pic.twitter.com/G42QPqz4pS
— Albert abreu (@Albert26Abreu) November 27, 2013

Albert Abreu, RHP, DSL Astros Blue
5 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K; professional debut

Happy Birthday 5/1

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Travis Ballew (23)
Drafted by Houston in the 23rd round in 2012 out of Texas State University, Ballew is in his third season in the organization. After leading the Astros system with 21 saves for Lancaster last season, he is currently working out of the Corpus Christi bullpen this season with a 0.93 ERA, a 1.345 WHIP and two saves to date.

CF Ravel Santana (22)
First signed as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic by the Yankees prior to the 2009 season, Santana was picked up by the Astros in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft this past winter. Santana missed the entire 2013 season, reportedly due to a broken arm, but was also severely injured in 2011 when his ankle had to be surgically repaired. He is currently in Extended Spring Training after having reported late due to visa issues. Over the four seasons that he has played, he hit .265/.365/.436 with 36 doubles, five triples, 27 home runs and 43 stolen bases in 214 games.

One former Astro celebrates the day as well ~

LHP Steve Randolph (40)
Drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round in 1995, Randolph pitched 1257.1 innings in minor league and foreign leagues from 1995 to 2010. He only managed 155 innings pitched in the major leagues, though.  He pitched for Arizona in 2003 and 2004 and pitched 13.1 innings over 14 games for Houston in 2007 with less than spectacular results.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Sweep!

Oklahoma City 8, Memphis 3

W- David Martinez (3-2)
L- Scott McGregor (0-3)

OKC home runs: Jon Singleton (8, solo in 3rd), Jonathan Meyer (1, solo in 3rd)

The RedHawks earned the split as they jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first third of the game, then added 3 more in the 7th to secure the victory.

David Martinez went 5 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits and walked 1. Bobby Doran tagged in for 3 innings and gave up 2 runs (both in the 8th) on 4 hits and walked 1, and Rhiner Cruz worked around a pair of 2-out hits to finish it off, striking out the side in the 9th. All 3 OKC strikeouts belonged to Cruz.

Robbie Grossman began the game with a walk and opened the scoring when he came home on a Domingo Santana single. Ronald Torreyes added an RBI single in the 2nd, and then Singleton and Meyer both hit solo blasts in the 3rd. Kiké Hernandez added to the lead in the 7th when he hit a 2-run double, and Singleton chipped in once again with a sac fly. Meyer, who finished 2-4, scored OKC's final run as he scored on a wild pitck from Nick Greenwood/Erik Castro walk in the 8th. Grossman reached safely in all 5 of his plate appearances, going 2-2 with 2 runs scored and 3 walks.

After getting today off, the RedHawks will welcome Nashville to Bricktown for a 4-game series beginning Thursday. Mike Foltynewicz and Rudy Owens are scheduled to be Thursday's pairing; they'll take on Ariel Peña at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 6, Midland 5 in 12 innings

W- Andrew Robinson (3-0)
L- Conner Crumbliss (0-1); he actually started in RF in this game.

CC home runs: Chris Epps (1, grand slam in 2nd)

The Hooks found themselves in a 5-0 hole as the RockHounds jumped on Aaron West in the first 2 innings. They responded by landing a haymaker in the 2nd in the form of Chris Epps' grand slam, and Andrew Aplin tied the game with an RBI single in the 4th. 15 zeros on the board later, Nolan Fontana finally put up a 1 in the bottom of the 12th with his 4th hit of the evening, a single to bring home Jio Mier. Aplin, Matt Duffy, and Mier all had 2 hits; Fontana finished 4-7.

West went 3.1 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. The bullpen proceeded to throw 8.2 scoreless to pick him up. Alex Sogard was first up, and he allowed 2 hits and walked 1 in 2.2. The next 3 relievers threw 2 innings apiece: Jordan Jankowski allowed a hit while striking out 3. Travis Ballew allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. And finally, Andrew Robinson allowed 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3.

Luis Cruz and Ross Seaton will take on Andrew Werner in game 3 at 7:10.

Lancaster 5, Inland Empire 1

W- Josh Hader (1-0)
L- Alex Keudell (0-3)

Lancaster home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (2, 2-run in 1st)

The JetHawks took off with 4 in the 1st... and they were never seriously threatened in this one as they won rather handily, leading 5-0 after 2 innings and holding the 66ers to 3 hits.

Tony Kemp led off with a single, and then Teoscar Hernandez opened things up with his 2-run homer. The blast extended Hernandez's hitting streak to 8 games. After Carlos Correa lined out, Rio Ruiz got on board with a single, then scored on a Brandon Meredith double. Meredith came around to score on Danry Vasquez's single. Jordan Scott led off the 2nd with a double, advanced to 3rd on a Kemp flyout, and scored on a wild pitch. Kemp, Correa, and Ruiz each had 2 hits; Correa now has 3 straight multi-hit outings.

Coming off his worst outing of the season, Josh Hader bounced back impressively. He went 5 innings and allowed a run on just 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Chris Devenski allowed a hit and struck out 2 over 3 scoreless frames, and Jamaine Cotton struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Mark Appel, after a period of extended rest, will make his return to the JetHawks rotation. He and Mike Hauschild will face Tyler DeLoach at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 11, Clinton 2

W- Pat Christensen (1-1)
L- Eddie Campbell (1-1)

QC home runs: Thomas Lindauer 2 (2, 2-run in 3rd, 2-run in 4th)

Well, that was quick. In his 2nd game of the season, QC native Thomas Lindauer became the new clubhouse leader in home runs as he belted a couple of 2-run shots off of Clinton starter Eddie Campbell and added an RBI single in the 8th. In fact, the two new additions to the River Bandits roster wasted little time in making an impact on their club. Alex Gonzalez, who spent all of last year in the GCL, got the start at 3B and went 2-5 with a pair of run-scoring doubles in the 3rd (1 RBI) and the 9th (2). He also scored the only run that wasn't batted in when he came home on an error that allowed Jobduan Morales to reach in the 4th. Chase McDonald also had himself a pair of RBI doubles in the 3rd and the 9th.

Adrian Houser went 4 innings and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Pat Christensen worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 5th. Gonzalo Sañudo tagged in for 3 scoreless, allowing 2 hits and striking out 3. He's now on a 39-inning scoreless streak dating back to last season. Andrew Walter walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th to end it.

Chris Lee and Andrew Thurman will be the pairing for game 3, and they'll be taking on Carlos Misell. First pitch is at 6:30.

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Gonzalo Sañudo, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 2 H, 3 K

2. Corpus bullpen

These are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Combined: 8.2 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 7 K

Alex Sogard, LHP, Jordan Jankowski, RHP, Travis Ballew, RHP, and Andrew Robinson, RHP

Sogard: 2.2 IP, 2 H, BB

Jankowski: 2 IP, H, 3 K

Ballew: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, K

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

1.

@jhader17 was lights out in winning game #1 against the Snappers! pic.twitter.com/G1Hc4G54do
— RGuill (@QCBanditPhotog) September 8, 2013

Josh Hader, LHP, Lancaster
W (1-0), 5 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 7 K

@ddddeevvvoooo En Fuego! pic.twitter.com/wV2IRNfXoH
— RGuill (@QCBanditPhotog) September 5, 2013

Chris Devenski, Lancaster
3 IP, H, 2 K

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Robbie Grossman, CF, Oklahoma City

2-2, 2 R, 3 BB

2.

MiLB.com

Alex Gonzalez, 3B, Quad Cities

2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI

Nolan Fontana, 2B/SS, Corpus Christi

4-7, GW RBI single in 12th

1.

Thomas Lindauer, SS, Quad Cities

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

Tweet of the Day

All these girls wanted to take a picture with the #1 @cchooks pitcher @Tballew18 pic.twitter.com/D8P5NeCQl5
— Aaron West (@Snacks_31) April 10, 2014

Tweet of the Day

I wish Mother Nature would stop being hot then cold. Messing up my long toss
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) February 3, 2014

Tweet of the Day

My high score on Flappy Bird is more than the Broncos score.. That's embarrassing
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) February 3, 2014

Tweets of the Day

@Booogggie tell them to watch you throw... Then be like don't do anything I just did
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) December 9, 2013

@Tballew18 that's pretty much the plan lol
— Kenny Long (@Booogggie) December 9, 2013

Tweet of the Day

Well the new Jaguar starts at 91,000.. Guess I won't be getting it
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) November 20, 2013

Tweet of the Day

@JonasDufek I got you when you were looking right at me pic.twitter.com/RgVR3Utizv
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) November 3, 2013

Tweet of the Day

Attempt at an Astros pumpkin with @allananicole730 pic.twitter.com/RAjHuxt0fr
— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) October 21, 2013