Here are some roster moves from the last couple of days in the Astros minors. The big news on the injury front was Colin Moran being placed on the DL in Corpus Christi due to a non-displaced fracture of his jaw.
Fresno
5/1 - OF L.J. Hoes optioned from Houston.
5/1 - LHP Kevin Chapman recalled to Houston.
4/30 - LHP Brett Oberholtzer began rehab assignment.
4/30 - IF Joe Sclafani promoted from Corpus Christi.
4/28 - SS Jonathan Villar recalled to Houston.
Corpus Christi
5/1 - IF Chan-Jong Moon promoted from Lancaster.
5/1 - 3B Colin Moran placed on the 7-Day DL.
4/29 - LHP Kent Emanuel placed on the 7-Day DL.
Lancaster
5/1 - LHP Albert Minnis promoted from Quad Cities.
5/1 - LHP Randall Fant released.
Quad Cities
5/1 - LHP Reymin Guduan assigned to team from extended spring training.
5/1 - OF Jason Martin assigned to team from extended spring training.
4/30 - OF Jorge Martinez assigned to extended spring training.
4/30 - OF D.J. Fisher activated from 7-Day DL.
A LOOK AT THE ASTROS MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEM
Friday, May 1, 2015
Astros Minor League Recaps
Results for Wednesday, April 29, 2015, and Thursday, April 30, 2015
*Alright... Hopefully this will be the last 2-in-1 recap for a while.
Thursday: Tacoma 13, Fresno 3
W- Jordan Pries (2-1)
L- Brett Oberholtzer (0-1)
Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (9, 2-run in 3rd)
A couple of really big innings doomed Fresno to a blowout loss as they began a new series in the Pacific Northwest.
Brett Oberholtzer was greeted rudely in his 2015 debut as he allowed 7 runs on 7 hits (3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2 over just 2.2 innings. Well, it was his first rehab start, so he most likely had some things to work out and had to get back up to game speed. Jordan Jankowski was the first man out; he threw 1.1 scoreless and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Alex White pitched the final 4 innings, allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits (3-run homer) and struck out 1.
The one bright spot on offense was Preston Tucker, who.... did what he normally does; tear the cover off the ball, and send a few of them out of the ballpark. He finished 2-5 with 2 runs scored, and his 2-run homer in the 3rd (9) added to his Minor League-leading total. In the 6th, Tucker scored on a sac fly from Matt Dominguez.
In the first game of May, Luis Cruz will take on Forrest Snow at 7:05 Pacific.
Wednesday: Midland 11, Corpus Christi 10
W- Tucker Healy (1-0)
L- Mitch Lambson (1-1)
S- Bobby Wahl (3)
CC home runs: Leo Heras (1, solo inside-the-park in 5th)
Plenty of offense in this one; Midland just brought a few more guns to the fight.
Everyone in the Corpus lineup had a hit, paced by Tony Kemp, who finished 3-5 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Leo Heras hit an inside-the-park homer and grounded into a force out that scored a run in the 9th. Joe Sclafani and Colin Moran both went 2-5.
Mark Appel got knocked around in his 4 innings as he allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and walked 2. Travis Ballew allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1 in 2 innings. Mitch Lambson got 1 out in the 7th via strikeout, but was torched for 4 runs on 4 hits in the inning; he also issued a walk. Jandel Gustave walked 1 over 1.2 scoreless.
Thursday: Corpus Christi 8, Midland 1
W- Josh Hader (1-1)
L- Zach Neal (2-1)
S- Chris Devenski (1)
CC home runs: Telvin Nash (4, grand slam in 3rd), Brandon Meredith (3, solo in 8th)
The Hooks avoided the sweep thanks to a couple of fine pitching performances from Josh Hader and Chris Devenski and Telvin Nash smashing a grand slam. Astros fans were expecting something pretty huge, as Carlos Correa was initally not in the lineup for this game.
Hader allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 5 over 5 innings. Devenski wrapped it up, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 in 4 innings. He's on a 19.1 inning scoreless streak to start the season, which was in some jeopardy in the bottom of the 9th, but Leo Heras nailed Matt Olson at the plate for the game's final out; Olson was attempting to score on a Josh Whitaker double.
Corpus got things started with 3 runs in the 1st inning. Tony Kemp led off the game with a double and scored the first run of the evening on a single from Tyler White. Brandon Meredith followed with an RBI single; unfortunately, Colin Moran left the game due to an injured shoulder, and Correa was summoned to replace him. Telvin Nash grounded into a double play that scored Moran's pinch-runner... Jonas Dufek. Yes, the very same Jonas Dufek who normally plies his trade as a pitcher.
Two walks and a single to lead off the 3rd inning set the stage for Telvin, who hammered one over the high walls of Midland for a grand slam, putting the Hooks up by a touchdown. Meredith, who finished 3-5 with 2 runs scored, led off the 8th with a solo homer for the final run of the night. Tony Kemp also finished 3-5.
The Hooks kick off May with a 4-game series against Frisco. In game 1, Mike Hauschild takes the mound. He'll take on Jose Leclerc at 7:05.
Wednesday: Lancaster 6, Rancho Cucamonga 4
W- Blaine Sims (1-3)
L- Jeff Brigham (0-1)
S- Chris Cotton (3)
Lancaster home runs: Brett Phillips (3, 2-run in 3rd)
A pair of 3-run innings was enough for the JetHawks.
After Brett Phillips lashed a 2-run homer in the 3rd, A.J. Reed smacked an RBI triple. The JetHawks' 3 runs in the 4th on a Danry Vásquez single; he subsequently scored on a wild pitch, and an error allowed Phillips to score. Phillips and James Ramsay both finished 2-4.
Blaine Sims allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and walked 5 over 6 innings. Chris Cotton got the 3-inning save, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3.
Thursday: Rancho Cucamonga 3, Lancaster 2
W- Jose De Leon (1-1)
L- Adrian Houser (0-1)
S- Michael Johnson (1)
Lancaster home runs: Brett Phillips (4, solo in 1st)
The JetHawks were 90 feet away from tying and had the winning run on 2nd, but... no cigar.
Brett Phillips went 3-5, and his homer in the 1st was the first run of the night. That was his 2nd homer in as many nights. The other JetHawks run came in the bottom of the 9th, as Jack Mayfield ripped a double. He and Jose Fernandez finished with 2 hits apiece.
Adrian Houser pitched 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (both were inherited runners charged to him), a hit (single), walked 4, and struck out 3. Tyler Brunnemann allowed 4 hits and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless; the 2 runners he inherited from Houser scored on a squeeze play and a single. Brunnemann also had to navigate out of a bases-loaded, 1 out situation in the 7th. Frederick Tiburcio pitched the final 2 innings, allowing an unearned run on 2 hits and striking out 1.
The JetHawks begin May with a roadtrip; first stop, Modesto. Brian Holmes gets the start in the series opener, and he'll face Antonio Senzatela at 7:05 Pacific.
Wednesday: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 0
W- Austin Chrismon (2-1)
L- Mat Batts (2-1)
QC home runs: None.
Dan Mengden (5 innings) and Austin Chrismon (4 innings) combined on a 7-hitter; both walked 2 and struck out 3. Mengden allowed 3 hits, while Chrismon gave up 4. All 7 of those hits were singles.
Deuces for the River Bandits in the 6th and the 7th snapped a 16-inning scoreless streak. Kristian Trompiz scored the game's first run in the 6th on a sac bunt attempt by Bobby Boyd that turned into a Cedar Rapids error. Boyd, who advanced to 2nd on the error, moved over to 3rd on an Alfredo Gonzalez sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single from Mott Hyde. The Bandits' 2 runs in the 7th came on a Jorge Martinez RBI groundout and a Ryan Bottger RBI double. Jake Nottingham went 2-3 with a run scored.
Thursday: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 2
W- Josh James (1-0)
L- John Curtiss (1-2)
QC home runs: Jake Nottingham (4, solo in 2nd), D.J. Fisher (5, 2-run in 3rd)
The Banditos took the series as they just handcuffed the Cedar Rapids offense, holding them to just 3 runs over the 3-game set.
Jake Nottingham finished 2-4, and his solo homer was the first run of the game. D.J. Fisher, just activated from the DL, marked his return with a 2-run homer. Nick Tanielu hit an RBI groundout in the 5th inning. Jamie Ritchie finished 3-4 with a run scored and a stolen base (3).
Brock Dykxhoorn allowed 2 unearned runs (both in the 5th) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Jose Montero walked 1 after coming on to relieve Dykxhoorn, but he was able to get the final 2 outs of the 5th. Josh James finished off the game as he shackled the Kernels, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 5 over 4 innings.
The River Bandits will also be on the road to begin the month of May; they are in Wisconsin for the first leg of their roadtrip. In game 1, Chris Lee will face Victor Diaz. First pitch is at 6:35.
Since this is the end of the month, Three Stars will not be given out; please refer to Jayne's Players of the Month post for superlatives.
*Alright... Hopefully this will be the last 2-in-1 recap for a while.
Thursday: Tacoma 13, Fresno 3
W- Jordan Pries (2-1)
L- Brett Oberholtzer (0-1)
Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (9, 2-run in 3rd)
A couple of really big innings doomed Fresno to a blowout loss as they began a new series in the Pacific Northwest.
Brett Oberholtzer was greeted rudely in his 2015 debut as he allowed 7 runs on 7 hits (3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2 over just 2.2 innings. Well, it was his first rehab start, so he most likely had some things to work out and had to get back up to game speed. Jordan Jankowski was the first man out; he threw 1.1 scoreless and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Alex White pitched the final 4 innings, allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits (3-run homer) and struck out 1.
The one bright spot on offense was Preston Tucker, who.... did what he normally does; tear the cover off the ball, and send a few of them out of the ballpark. He finished 2-5 with 2 runs scored, and his 2-run homer in the 3rd (9) added to his Minor League-leading total. In the 6th, Tucker scored on a sac fly from Matt Dominguez.
In the first game of May, Luis Cruz will take on Forrest Snow at 7:05 Pacific.
Wednesday: Midland 11, Corpus Christi 10
W- Tucker Healy (1-0)
L- Mitch Lambson (1-1)
S- Bobby Wahl (3)
CC home runs: Leo Heras (1, solo inside-the-park in 5th)
Plenty of offense in this one; Midland just brought a few more guns to the fight.
Everyone in the Corpus lineup had a hit, paced by Tony Kemp, who finished 3-5 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Leo Heras hit an inside-the-park homer and grounded into a force out that scored a run in the 9th. Joe Sclafani and Colin Moran both went 2-5.
Mark Appel got knocked around in his 4 innings as he allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and walked 2. Travis Ballew allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1 in 2 innings. Mitch Lambson got 1 out in the 7th via strikeout, but was torched for 4 runs on 4 hits in the inning; he also issued a walk. Jandel Gustave walked 1 over 1.2 scoreless.
Thursday: Corpus Christi 8, Midland 1
W- Josh Hader (1-1)
L- Zach Neal (2-1)
S- Chris Devenski (1)
CC home runs: Telvin Nash (4, grand slam in 3rd), Brandon Meredith (3, solo in 8th)
The Hooks avoided the sweep thanks to a couple of fine pitching performances from Josh Hader and Chris Devenski and Telvin Nash smashing a grand slam. Astros fans were expecting something pretty huge, as Carlos Correa was initally not in the lineup for this game.
Hader allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 5 over 5 innings. Devenski wrapped it up, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 in 4 innings. He's on a 19.1 inning scoreless streak to start the season, which was in some jeopardy in the bottom of the 9th, but Leo Heras nailed Matt Olson at the plate for the game's final out; Olson was attempting to score on a Josh Whitaker double.
Corpus got things started with 3 runs in the 1st inning. Tony Kemp led off the game with a double and scored the first run of the evening on a single from Tyler White. Brandon Meredith followed with an RBI single; unfortunately, Colin Moran left the game due to an injured shoulder, and Correa was summoned to replace him. Telvin Nash grounded into a double play that scored Moran's pinch-runner... Jonas Dufek. Yes, the very same Jonas Dufek who normally plies his trade as a pitcher.
Two walks and a single to lead off the 3rd inning set the stage for Telvin, who hammered one over the high walls of Midland for a grand slam, putting the Hooks up by a touchdown. Meredith, who finished 3-5 with 2 runs scored, led off the 8th with a solo homer for the final run of the night. Tony Kemp also finished 3-5.
The Hooks kick off May with a 4-game series against Frisco. In game 1, Mike Hauschild takes the mound. He'll take on Jose Leclerc at 7:05.
Wednesday: Lancaster 6, Rancho Cucamonga 4
W- Blaine Sims (1-3)
L- Jeff Brigham (0-1)
S- Chris Cotton (3)
Lancaster home runs: Brett Phillips (3, 2-run in 3rd)
A pair of 3-run innings was enough for the JetHawks.
After Brett Phillips lashed a 2-run homer in the 3rd, A.J. Reed smacked an RBI triple. The JetHawks' 3 runs in the 4th on a Danry Vásquez single; he subsequently scored on a wild pitch, and an error allowed Phillips to score. Phillips and James Ramsay both finished 2-4.
Blaine Sims allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and walked 5 over 6 innings. Chris Cotton got the 3-inning save, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3.
Thursday: Rancho Cucamonga 3, Lancaster 2
W- Jose De Leon (1-1)
L- Adrian Houser (0-1)
S- Michael Johnson (1)
Lancaster home runs: Brett Phillips (4, solo in 1st)
The JetHawks were 90 feet away from tying and had the winning run on 2nd, but... no cigar.
Brett Phillips went 3-5, and his homer in the 1st was the first run of the night. That was his 2nd homer in as many nights. The other JetHawks run came in the bottom of the 9th, as Jack Mayfield ripped a double. He and Jose Fernandez finished with 2 hits apiece.
Adrian Houser pitched 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (both were inherited runners charged to him), a hit (single), walked 4, and struck out 3. Tyler Brunnemann allowed 4 hits and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless; the 2 runners he inherited from Houser scored on a squeeze play and a single. Brunnemann also had to navigate out of a bases-loaded, 1 out situation in the 7th. Frederick Tiburcio pitched the final 2 innings, allowing an unearned run on 2 hits and striking out 1.
The JetHawks begin May with a roadtrip; first stop, Modesto. Brian Holmes gets the start in the series opener, and he'll face Antonio Senzatela at 7:05 Pacific.
Wednesday: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 0
W- Austin Chrismon (2-1)
L- Mat Batts (2-1)
QC home runs: None.
Dan Mengden (5 innings) and Austin Chrismon (4 innings) combined on a 7-hitter; both walked 2 and struck out 3. Mengden allowed 3 hits, while Chrismon gave up 4. All 7 of those hits were singles.
Deuces for the River Bandits in the 6th and the 7th snapped a 16-inning scoreless streak. Kristian Trompiz scored the game's first run in the 6th on a sac bunt attempt by Bobby Boyd that turned into a Cedar Rapids error. Boyd, who advanced to 2nd on the error, moved over to 3rd on an Alfredo Gonzalez sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single from Mott Hyde. The Bandits' 2 runs in the 7th came on a Jorge Martinez RBI groundout and a Ryan Bottger RBI double. Jake Nottingham went 2-3 with a run scored.
Thursday: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 2
W- Josh James (1-0)
L- John Curtiss (1-2)
QC home runs: Jake Nottingham (4, solo in 2nd), D.J. Fisher (5, 2-run in 3rd)
The Banditos took the series as they just handcuffed the Cedar Rapids offense, holding them to just 3 runs over the 3-game set.
Jake Nottingham finished 2-4, and his solo homer was the first run of the game. D.J. Fisher, just activated from the DL, marked his return with a 2-run homer. Nick Tanielu hit an RBI groundout in the 5th inning. Jamie Ritchie finished 3-4 with a run scored and a stolen base (3).
Brock Dykxhoorn allowed 2 unearned runs (both in the 5th) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Jose Montero walked 1 after coming on to relieve Dykxhoorn, but he was able to get the final 2 outs of the 5th. Josh James finished off the game as he shackled the Kernels, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 5 over 4 innings.
The River Bandits will also be on the road to begin the month of May; they are in Wisconsin for the first leg of their roadtrip. In game 1, Chris Lee will face Victor Diaz. First pitch is at 6:35.
Since this is the end of the month, Three Stars will not be given out; please refer to Jayne's Players of the Month post for superlatives.
WTHB's April 2015 Players of the Month
With no further ado, I present you with WTHB's April Players of the Month ...
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
SS Carlos Correa (Corpus Christi)
Based on all the good press that he has garnered, it will likely come as no surprise to you that Carlos Correa has had a simply astounding month of April. Through Thursday the 30th he has done the following:
Honorable mentions go to OF Preston Tucker (Fresno) and OF Brett Phillips (Lancaster).
PITCHER OF THE MONTH
RHP Chris Devenski (Corpus Christi)
Devenski has yet to allow a run, earned or unearned, this season in his first 4 appearances (2 starts). And, frankly, he hasn't allowed a whole lot of hits either. As a matter of fact, he pitched 6.1 no-hit innings in a 7-inning game last Saturday. Here is what Devenski has done in his first 19.1 innings of work:
2-0 with 1 save
0.00 ERA and a 0.627 WHIP
Batters are hitting .121/.171/.167 against him
Lefties are hitting .059/.111/.059 against him
Walked 4 batters while striking out 16
Thrown 67.4% of his pitches for strikes
Honorable mentions go to RHP Joe Musgrove (Quad Cities), LHP Bryan Radziewski (Quad Cities) and RHP Joshua James (Quad Cities).
RHP Ryan Thompson (Quad Cities)
Thompson has also not allowed a run so far this season. He has come in from the bullpen on 7 occasions and has a 0.00 ERA and a 0.828 WHIP. He has allowed only 1 walk to 9 strikeouts in his 9.2 innings of work.
Honorable mention goes to RHP Keegan Yuhl (Quad Cities), RHP Jandel Gustave (Corpus Christi), LHP Albert Minnis (Quad Cities), RHP Tyson Perez (Fresno) and Richard Rodriguez (Fresno).
CATCHER OF THE MONTH
Tyler Heineman (Corpus Christi)
Heineman has been the best all-around catcher for the month of April, putting up a .347/.396/.429 slashline in 12 games and catching 80% of all runners.
Honorable mention goes to Jacob Nottingham, Roberto Pena and Alfredo Gonzalez. Jamie Ritchie has also had a great start to his season, but has been used more at first base than at catcher.
Carlos Correa - May 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
SS Carlos Correa (Corpus Christi)
Based on all the good press that he has garnered, it will likely come as no surprise to you that Carlos Correa has had a simply astounding month of April. Through Thursday the 30th he has done the following:
- Hit .385/.455/.744 with 11 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and 22 RBI in 19 games
- Hit .421/.500/.684 at home
- Hit .373/.439/.763 on the road
- Hit .317/.397/.617 vs. RHP
- Hit .611/.650/1.167 vs. LHP
- Stolen 5 bases to 0 caught stealing
- Walked 9 times to 16 strikeouts (1K in last 6 games)
- Played errorless ball with a 5.17 range facter per game
Honorable mentions go to OF Preston Tucker (Fresno) and OF Brett Phillips (Lancaster).
PITCHER OF THE MONTH
RHP Chris Devenski (Corpus Christi)
Devenski has yet to allow a run, earned or unearned, this season in his first 4 appearances (2 starts). And, frankly, he hasn't allowed a whole lot of hits either. As a matter of fact, he pitched 6.1 no-hit innings in a 7-inning game last Saturday. Here is what Devenski has done in his first 19.1 innings of work:
2-0 with 1 save
0.00 ERA and a 0.627 WHIP
Batters are hitting .121/.171/.167 against him
Lefties are hitting .059/.111/.059 against him
Walked 4 batters while striking out 16
Thrown 67.4% of his pitches for strikes
Honorable mentions go to RHP Joe Musgrove (Quad Cities), LHP Bryan Radziewski (Quad Cities) and RHP Joshua James (Quad Cities).
Chris Devenski - August 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen
RELIEF PITCHER OF THE MONTH
RHP Ryan Thompson (Quad Cities)
Thompson has also not allowed a run so far this season. He has come in from the bullpen on 7 occasions and has a 0.00 ERA and a 0.828 WHIP. He has allowed only 1 walk to 9 strikeouts in his 9.2 innings of work.
Honorable mention goes to RHP Keegan Yuhl (Quad Cities), RHP Jandel Gustave (Corpus Christi), LHP Albert Minnis (Quad Cities), RHP Tyson Perez (Fresno) and Richard Rodriguez (Fresno).
CATCHER OF THE MONTH
Tyler Heineman (Corpus Christi)
Heineman has been the best all-around catcher for the month of April, putting up a .347/.396/.429 slashline in 12 games and catching 80% of all runners.
Honorable mention goes to Jacob Nottingham, Roberto Pena and Alfredo Gonzalez. Jamie Ritchie has also had a great start to his season, but has been used more at first base than at catcher.
Astros MiLB Links for your Reading and Viewing Pleasure
A few Astros minor league links you may have missed ...
Domingo Santana is having a very good week.
A good piece on Preston Tucker and his strong season start
Two overall number one draft picks talk about playing together on the same team
The journey of former Hook and current Astros minor league manager Josh Bonifay
Correa and Devenski earn Texas League Player and Pitcher of the Week honors
Carlos Correa off to a good start
More Hooks highlights ...
Derek Fisher back from the DL
An interview with Jacob Nottingham
Joe Musgrove puts his struggles behind him
Domingo Santana is having a very good week.
A good piece on Preston Tucker and his strong season start
Two overall number one draft picks talk about playing together on the same team
The journey of former Hook and current Astros minor league manager Josh Bonifay
Correa and Devenski earn Texas League Player and Pitcher of the Week honors
Carlos Correa off to a good start
More Hooks highlights ...
Derek Fisher back from the DL
An interview with Jacob Nottingham
Joe Musgrove puts his struggles behind him
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.
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
W/ Danielle & other patients at the City of Hope Antelope Valley. Always great to see them light up when they see us! pic.twitter.com/ebclMktcnT— Jack Mayfield (@jackmayfield8) April 30, 2015
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