Minor League releases

This is a tough time of year as minor-league players start to get rotated out of the system. Brian McTaggart tweeted that the Astros have released:

Jean Batista - international free agent signed in 2011. Hit .287/.307/.458 in 145 games over three seasons, and only played in 95 games over 2012/2013.

Ryan Connolly - undrafted free agent signed in June 2013. He was 1-2 with a 5.22 ERA/1.67 WHIP, with 20K:12BB in 29.1IP for Greeneville last season.

Zachary Dando - 2011 32nd Round pick. In 58 games (one start), Dando allowed a 3.56 ERA/1.25 WHIP, but only threw 101IP in three seasons between the GCL Astros, Greeneville, and Tri-City.

Alex Gillingham - Acquired from Colorado in the Wilton Lopez trade. Gillingham was the Rockies' 11th Round pick in 2011, but only threw eight innings for Lancaster in 2013.

Kyle Hallock - 2011 10th Round pick out of Kent State. Hallock made 59 appearances, everywhere from Tri-City in 2011 to Oklahoma City in 2013 with a career 5.63 ERA/1.55 WHIP. He got knocked around in Lancaster and Corpus (over 6.00 ERA in both places) before allowing 17H/8ER with 6K:8BB in 19.1IP for OKC.

Parker Hipp - undrafted free agent signed in 2013. Hit .159/.280/.190 in 24 games (75 PAs) for Greeneville in 2013.

Angel Ibanez - 2012 28th Round draft pick out of UT Pan-Am. In 93 games for Greeneville in 2012/13, Ibanez hit .256/.307/.309 with 63K:25BB in 376 PAs.

Euris Quezada - Signed as an international free agent prior to 2009. In parts of five seasons with the Astros organization (never rising above Low-A), Quezada had a 5.52 ERA/1.56 WHIP, with 138K:72BB in 190.2IP.

Blair Walters - Acquired in the Brett Myers trade with Chicago in July 2012. Walters struggled at High-A Lancaster, posting a 7.37 ERA/1.79 WHIP in parts of two seasons. He did pitch one game for OKC, allowed 4H/2ER, 4K:3BB in 4.1IP.


Blair Walters:

Would like to say Thank you to the Astros Organization for giving me to pursue my dream of playing baseball. It was a good run.
— Blair Walters (@bwalters34) March 18, 2014

PreStros Farm Report: August 6

PreStros: August 6

Oklahoma City (63-53) 

The RedHawks lost for the eighth time in nine games, getting beat 4-3 by Salt Lake (LAA) in 10 innings.

Ross Seaton threw 5.1 innings, allowing 1 R on 3 H and 2 BB with 5 K. Mark Hamburger pitched 1.1 innings and gave up 2 R on 3 H and 1 BB with 2 K. Jose Valdez threw 1.1 scoreless innings with 2 K. Hector Ambriz went 1.2 innings, allowing 1 R on 1 H and 1 BB with 2 K.

CF/2B-Jimmy Paredes was 2x5 with 1 2B, 1 R, and 1 RBI. 3B-Matt Dominguez was 2x4.

Man of the Match: Ross Seaton

*Notes: The team’s recent slump has put them 2.5 games behind Albuquerque for the division lead. On July 19 they had a two game lead.

Corpus Christi (66-48) 

Corpus couldn’t get out of the hole they dug by allowing a five run 1^st inning as the Hooks lost to Midland (OAK) 8-4.

Matt Heidenreich couldn’t get an out as he gave up 5 R on 6 H. Jake Buchanan threw 4 innings, allowing 2 R (1 earned) on 5 H and 2 BB with 1 K. Adalberto Flores pitched 2.2 innings, giving up 1 R on 2 H with 6 K. Alex Sogard threw 1.1 innings with 1 H and 1 K.

RF-Drew Locke was 3x5 with 1 2B and 1 RBI. LF-Marc Krauss was 1x3 with 2 BB, 1 SB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. 3B-Bobby Borchering was 1x3 with 2 BB.

Man of the Match: Marc Krauss

*Notes: Marc Krauss was named Texas League player of the week after hitting .423 with 10 runs, five home runs, and 15 RBI.

Lancaster (58-55) 

Off

*Notes: The JetHawks have the fewest errors in the California League.

Lexington (64-50) 

Lexington pitchers were able to work around giving up seven walks to lead the Legends to a 3-1 victory over Hagerstown (WAS).

Mike Foltynewicz threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing 2 H and 4 BB with 7 K. Murilo Gouvea pitched 2 scoreless innings and gave up 1 H and 2 BB with 2 K. Dayan Diaz took the final inning, giving up 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 2 K.

2B-Delino DeShields was 1x3 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. DH-Brandon Meredith was 1x3 with 1 BB and 1 R.

Man of the Match: Mike Foltynewicz

*Notes: Matt Duffy set two records for being hit by pitches. His three times getting hit Sunday were a Sally League record for most in one game, and his season total of 33 is a Sally League record for most in a season.

Tri-City (35-13) 

Tri-City won their fifth in a row, beating Mahoning Valley (CLE) 5-1.

Brady Rodgers went 6 innings, allowing 1 R on 5 H with 8 K. Jeremiah Meiners threw 3 scoreless innings with 1 H and 4 K.

SS-Joe Sclafani was 2x3 with 1 BB, 2 SB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. RF-Preson Tucker was 1x3 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Brady Rodgers

*Notes: The ValleyCats are first in the New York-Penn League in runs scored, home runs, steals, batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.

Greeneville (25-21) 

The Astros dropped both ends of the doubleheader against Johnson City (STL), losing the first 8-2 and the second 5-1.

Game 1

Adrian Houser threw 4.1 innings, giving up 8 R on 8 H and 2 BB with 3 K. Mike Hauschild pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with 2 H, 1 BB, and 1 K. Andrew Walter went 1 scoreless inning with 3 H. CF-D’Andre Toney was 1x3 with 1 2B and 1 R. 3B-Angel Ibanez was 1x3 with 1 2B and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Angel Ibanez

Game 2

Lance McCullers threw 4 scoreless innings with 1 H, 4 BB, and 4 K. Joe Musgrove pitched 1.2 innings, giving up 1 R on 4 H and 1 BB. 3B-Angel Ibanez was 1x2 with 1 BB, 1 2B, and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Lance McCullers

*Notes:

GCL Astros (20-21) 

Postponed

*Notes:

DSL Astros (17-37) 

The Astros won for the first time since July 27 as they one-hit the Athletics, beating them 4-0.

Samil De Los Santos threw 5 shutout innings, allowing just 1 H and 2 BB with 8 K. Geronimo Franzua went .1 innings with 3 BB. Jesus Castillo pitched 2.2 innings with 1 BB and 1 K. Angel Heredia pitched 2 innings with 1 BB and 2 K.

CF-Jarico Reynoso was 3x5. SS-Luis Reynoso was 2x4. 2B-Jean Carlos Cortorreal was 1x4 with 1 3B, 1 R, and 3 RBI.

Man of the Match: Samil De Los Santos

*Notes: 

PreStros Farm Report: August 1

PreStros: August 1

Oklahoma City (62-49) 

The RedHawks lost their fourth straight as they fell to Tacoma (SEA) 7-4.

Jake Buchanan threw 4 innings and gave up 5 R on 7 H and 4 BB with 1 K. Fernando Abad threw 2 scoreless innings with 1 H and 4 K. Hector Ambriz went 1 scoreless inning with 2 K. Jose Valdez pitched 1 inning, allowing 2 R on 4 H with 1 K.

DH-Travis Buck was 2x4 with 1 2B and 2 R. RF-Brad Snyder was 3x4 with 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Brad Snyder

*Notes: Despite a team ERA in July of 6.45, the RedHawks finished the month 16-12.

Corpus Christi (64-45) 

The Hooks won their third straight one-run game, beating San Antonio (SD) 10-9.

Paul Clemens threw 5 innings and gave up 6 R on 7 H and 2 BB with 10 K. Adalberto Flores pitched 1.2 innings, allowing 2 R on 4 H with 2 K. Alex Sogard went 1.1 innings with 1 H. Jason Stoffel pitched 1 inning and gave up 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 1 K.

LF-Marc Krauss was 1x3 with 2 BB, 1 HR, 3 R, and 3 RBI. 1B-Jonathan Singleton was 2x4 with 1 BB and 2 R. 3B-Bobby Borchering was 1x4 with 1 HR and 3 RBI. SS-Ben Orloff went 3x4 with 1 2B and 1 R.

Man of the Match: Marc Krauss

*Notes: Jay Fernandez was sent to Corpus from OKC. Ryan McCurdy went from Corpus to Lexington. Corpus was 20-10 in July.

Lancaster (57-52) 

The JetHawks bombed Stockton (OAK), winning 15-2

David Martinez threw 6 innings, allowing 2 R (1 earned) on 7 H and 2 BB with 3 K. Pat Urckfitz pitched 3 scoreless innings with 3 H, 1 BB, and 1 K.

SS-Alex Todd was 2x6 with 1 2B, 1 R, and 1 RBI. 1B-Erik Castro was 2x4 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, and 5 RBI. RF-Domingo Santana went 2x3 with 2 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, and 1 RBI. C-Carlos Perez was 4x6 with 1 2B, 3 R, and 3 RBI. 2B-Enrique Hernandez went 2x5 with 3 RBI.

Man of the Match: Erik Castro

*Notes: The JetHawks are one game behind Lake Elsinore (SD) for the South Division Wild Card spot.

Lexington (60-49) 

Legends pitchers out dueled their counterparts to beat Asheville (COL) 3-2.

Luis Cruz lasted 6 innings and gave up 2 R on 6 H and 1 BB with 8 K. Murilo Gouvea threw 2 scoreless innings with 1 H and 1 K. Dayan Diaz pitched 1 inning with 2 K.

3B-Matt Duffy was 2x3 with 1 BB and 1 R. LF-Brandon Meredith was 2x4 with 1 R.

Man of the Match: Luis Cruz

*Notes: Matt Duffy has been hit by pitch 29 times this season. The entire West Virginia team has been hit 30 times.

Tri-City (30-13) 

Despite out hitting their opponent, the ValleyCats lost 1-0 to Batavia (STL).

Vincent Velasquez turned in 6 strong, scoreless innings, allowing just 2 H and 3 BB with 8 K. Jamaine Cotton threw 2 scoreless innings with 1 H and 2 K. Blake Ford pitched 1 inning and gave up 1 R on 2 H with 1 K.

C-Tyler Heineman was 2x4. RF-Preston Tucker was 2x4.

Man of the Match: Vincent Velasquez

*Notes: With only about a month left in the season, the ValleyCats have a 10 game lead in their division. They have the best pitching and second best offense in the league.

Greeneville (23-18) 

The G-Stros scored four in the seventh the beat Kingsport (NYM) 7-4.

Frederick Tiburcio threw 4 innings, allowing 3 R on 3 H and 3 BB with 1 K. Mike Hauschild went 2 innings and gave up 1 R on 1 H with 2 K. Euris Quezada threw 2 scoreless innings with 2 K. Jordan Jankowski pitched 1 inning with 2 K.

3B-Angel Ibanez was 3x5 with 2 R. 1B-Jean Batista was 2x4 with 1 SB, 1 2B, and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Angel Ibanez

*Notes: The G-Stros have a 1.5 game lead for the second playoff spot in the West Division.

GCL Astros (19-20) 

The Astros lost to the Cardinals 5-1 in a rain shortened game.

Raul Rivera threw 4 innings and gave up 2 R on 4 H and 1 BB with 4 K. Edison Frias pitched 2 innings, allowing 3 R (2 earned) on 4 H and 1 BB with 2 K.

CF-Brett Phillips was 2x3 with 1 3B and 1 R.

Man of the Match: Brett Phillips

*Notes: Through 17 innings, Raul Rivera is sporting a strong 8.0 K/BB ratio.

DSL Astros (16-35) 

The Astros lost their fourth straight, getting beat by the Rays 8-4.

Harold Arauz threw 3 scoreless innings with 1 H and 2 K. Erick Hurtado pitched 2 innings and gave up 3 R on 4 H. Jesus Castillo went 3 innings, allowing 2 R on 2 H and 2 BB with 3 K. Angel Heredia threw 1 inning, giving up 3 R on 3 H.

LF-Hector Roa was 2x4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Hector Roa

*Notes: Writing recaps for a team that loses this much isn’t fun. I guess this is how the County Clerk must feel. (Hiyo!)

Thursday morning draft updates

*Jonathan Mayo praised the Astros' draft class:
It might be easy to give credit to the team with the No. 1 overall pick, but it's not just Carlos Correa that gives the Astros a good Draft grade. Getting Correa, though, made it possible for Houston to feel confident it could draft and sign Lance McCullers, a first-round talent, in the comp round. The Astros didn't stop there, however. After taking some solid college talent, they took high-end high schoolers like 3B Rio Ruiz and OF Brett Phillips.

*3rd Round pick Brady Rodgers signed last night, and while terms were not disclosed, Rodgers knew all along he would sign:
"I knew what I wanted to do. With the Astros drafting me, it was pretty easy. The hometown team, the team I grew up loving. It's pretty simple. It was either sign or sign."

*22nd Round pick Kenny Long will sign:
“It’s something I’ve been working at for pretty much my whole life. It really hasn’t sunk in yet that I’ll be playing professional baseball, but it’s something I’m so honored to do.”

*25th Round pick Ryan Dineen doesn't know what position he'll play, but it'll be with the Astros:
"They said we'll have you come down and play wherever we need you, short, second or third. They're thrilled I'm versatile, and I'll play any one of those spots in the game for them."

*26th Round pick C.J. Hinojosa wasn't picked where he would have preferred, but it was still nice to get drafted. Will he sign?:
“I honestly don’t know. I have to sit down with my family and talk with my adviser and see what will happen.”

*27th Round pick Tanner Mathis isn't sure if he'll return to Ole Miss for his senior season, or sign with the Astros:
"As far as what happens from here, I have no idea. We'll just play it by ear. I'll be in contact with them, talk to the coaches. We'll find out what will happen pretty soon."

*28th Round pick Angel Ibanez is going to sign, after talking with his parents:
“They think it’s time. I’m going to go ahead and do that, start new.”

*29th Round pick Christian Garcia almost missed his name being called due to a jacked up internet connection, but looks like he'll sign.

28-849: 3B Angel Ibanez

With the 1st pick in the 28th Round (849th overall), the Astros select 6'2" 220lb L/R 3B Angel Ibanez, a Junior out of UT-Pan American.

Ibanez hit .332/.368/.438 in 51 games, with 14K:11BB, and a 13x16 stolen base success rate. For his career, the Mission native hit .337/.384/.467, striking out 42 times in 530 ABs.

Ibanez won All-Tournament honors after starting all three games at CF (yet he was drafted as a 3B), going 7x11 with three walks, a homer, 6RBI, and 5 runs scored.