Cosart is apparently a Marlin, Pt II.

Yesterday, I indicated somewhat prematurely that the 2014 edition was not an exciting trade deadline.  Then things went kind of crazy, and lots of deals went down in the last few hours.  The BoSox traded in their veteran goodness for an interesting mix of players, the Rays got surprisingly little for David Price, and a flurry of other moves involved both contenders and non-contenders, including a stunning Astros-Marlins trade.

As the Constable has already indicated, the most buzzer-beating trade deadline deal involved the Astros sending three players to the Marlins, who sent three players and a draft pick back in return.  As this trade was going down, I was on my way out of the door, so I only managed to scramble a quick post up before the details even got finalised.

The comments in that post were interesting.  AC readers (and commentators) are generally fairly sharp, I think, compared to what else is out there in the comments section.  (I believe AC readers are 37% more handsome, and smell 56% better than the average internet reader, too).  There was an interesting mix of comments, with some shock and horror to start with, then more objective looks and acknowledgements of the potential players coming back.  In general, most the comments were positive.

Now that I have had a few hours to digest the trade myself, here is my thoughts on the players going to Miami:

Austin Wates (and no disrespect in saying this) is probably a non-piece here.  When you are the AAA CF, and when the three CF-capable ML pieces all head to the DL at once due to an unfortunate series of circumstances, and you aren't called up, I think that says something about the organisation's plan for you.  Also, at 26, his time is now, and I think that if the Astros wanted to drop him in at the ML level and see what happens for a couple of months, they had all the opportunities they needed.  I hope he has a nice career, but the FO clearly weren't in his corner, so this trade may be the best thing that ever happens to him.  'Nuff said.

Jarred Cosart is a very interesting pitcher.  I would describe him as having couple of plus pitches - both fastballs - with enough of an off speed arsenal to get by.  His lack of strikeouts are concerning, but perhaps speak to the lack of velocity difference between his two best pitches.  The only other thing that I would find concerning is the fact that he always - and the radio guys mention this a lot - seems to be fiddling with his mechanics.  He seems to struggle with control (perhaps as a result of inconsistent mechanics, or inconsistent thoughts about mechanics), but 90% of the time his stuff is good enough that he can throw one of his ridiculous 95mph cutters down the heart of the plate and get away with it.  When he doesn't get away with it, he can be hit hard, as he was a couple of times earlier in the year.

So Cosart is plenty good - a legit ML piece somewhere in the rotation - which is phenomenal for a 38 round pick.  But I want to get away from that for a minute, and think about who else the Astros have in the system.  At AAA, the Astros have Nick Tropeano, Mike Foltynewicz and Asher Wojciechowski who have not yet seen ML action, and all need a look in the next 12-18 months or so.  That is without talking about Tommy Shirley, David Martinez and Rudy Owens, who probably don't have the stuff, but may warrant a look.  Alex White is on his way back from TJS.  And Jake Buchanan and Brad Peacock are with or have been with the ML team recently, and have pitched with some success at times in the bigs.  Peacock, in particular, could put it all back together as quickly as he lost it - and he has been quite good for stretches at times this season.

At AA, things start to get more interesting.  Mark Appel, Luis Cruz, Kyle Smith and Kyle Weiland seem to be the cream of the crop there.  Some of the guys at this level may be ready for a look at this time next year, but they will probably be as ready as they ever will be in 2.5 years.  At Lancaster, Josh Hader, Vincent Velasquez and a handful of others have impressive ceilings.  Hader may be ready in 12-18 months as well.  The Astros have a lot of pitchers they need to cycle through the rotation prior to 2016, which is when I would expect that they want to really have a rip at contenting.

So it isn't that Cosart isn't good, or useful, or uncoachable, or too familiar with Twitter.  It is more that he is replaceable.  One of the guys mentioned in the two paragraphs above will be at least as good as Cosart, and the chances are that 3-4 or them will be.  That said, I was very impressed with Cosart's season, and thought that he made significant gains over last year, despite the worsening in ERA (but not in FIP/SIERA and other advanced measures).  I sincerely wish him the best of luck, and I will always be interested in how his career progresses.

Kiké Hernandez's loss could sting a bit.  There is a lot of value in a super-utility guy with occasional power, who doesn't strike out a lot, who can take a walk, and who runs the bases fairly well.  Which is what we saw in Houston and OKC this year.  Plus, he seemed like a popular, high-energy guy, and there seemed to be a sense of magic in much of what he did (but not when trying to throw runners out at home).  I liked his timing at the plate - he often seemed to make hard contact even on foul balls - and without checking the numbers (small sample size alert if we were to check the numbers, too) didn't seem to swing and miss a lot.  He seemed able to hit breaking stuff, and appeared difficult to overpower.  In short, I like him a lot.

However, it has to be said that Hernandez is relatively unheralded - which means nothing in itself - but he has also has only one half-season of great baseball under his belt.  This could well be the best that he ever plays the game, or he could stay at this level and have a solid career.  He could also be waiver-bait in 2 years or so if he is playing above his talent-level at the moment.  Marlins Stadium is unlikely to be kind to him - it is unkind to anyone not named Stanton after all - and so his pull-power may not play there as well as the Juice Box, or that other stadium in Arlington (for example).

(Addit: I missed a couple of points that I wanted to make about Hernandez in this article.  Firstly, he is blocked in Houston, unless you play him at third, and I think that the Astros are committed to giving Dominguez another 12 months before doing that.  Secondly, there is a very real possibility that Hernandez is the best player changing teams in this trade.  There is also a possibility that he is the worst of the 4 main players changing hands too.  His volatility is fairly extreme at this point in his career, and he will get an opportunity to play every day at the keystone in Miami).

So here is my take on the players that the Astros are trading away.  Unlike the Constable, I don't think that the Astros have decided to put "success" (whatever that is) on hold for a year.  Hernandez might be great, but is also volatile, and this could be a good time to sell high.  Cosart is eminently replaceable, but perhaps not immediately.  Whomever starts in the rotation in Cosart's place in 2015 will most likely perform at a similar level.  Wates' departure from OKC may allow Andrew Aplin to be promoted, and he clearly wasn't getting a look anyhow.  This trade has the potential to hurt, but I think any modern baseball trade involving prospects does.  And this trade isn't the Hunter-Pence-to-the-Phillies kind of haul for the Marlins, but both Cosart and Hernandez could develop quickly, and it seems to me that the Marlins are gearing up for a serious run this and next year.

Tomorrow, I will have a lash at looking what is coming the Astros' way.

Future put on hold for one more year

Here's what the Astros did today:

Less than 45 seconds before the deadline, the Astros sent:

Jarred Cosart

Enrique Hernandez

Austin Wates

to the Marlins for:

Jake Marisnick

Colin Moran

Frances Martes

2015 Competitive Balance draft pick

How do you feel about that? I'm genuinely curious, because I'm not sure. Let's recap exactly what the Astros gave up:

Jarred Cosart: 38th Round pick in the 2008 draft by the Phillies. Acquired in the Hunter Pence trade. MLB.com's #89 prospect heading into the 2013 season. 30 starts, 176.1IP, 10-8, 3.57 ERA/1.42 WHIP (4.13 FIP), 108K:86BB (1.26 K:BB ratio). It's not as though that K:BB ratio is surprising, either. Cosart hasn't posted a K:BB ratio over 2.00 since 2010 against any competition. In the same regard, Cosart always had a knack of pitching out of trouble: With the exception of 2011, when he struggled in his first pass at Double-A, he hasn't had a full season with an ERA over 4.00. I know that ERA doesn't tell the whole story, but - to me - it shows #Grit and #BucklingDown. I like Jarred Cosart.

Enrique Hernandez: Drafted 2009, 6th Round, by the Astros. In 24 games for the Astros this season, he hit .284/.348/.420 with 11K:8BB in 89 PAs. In six minor-league seasons (he began his career at Age 17), he hit .274/.327/.401 but really took off in 2014. Having never posted an OPS over .740 in a season, he hit .337/.380/.508 in 67 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season before getting called up. And, man, he was a sweetheart. Not to get all Kirk Gibson on you, but that dude is/was a #grinder. I loved watching him play.

Austin Wates: 2010 3rd Round draft pick by the Astros. Recipient of the first Astros County Man Crush. Wates is in his Age 25 season, and would have to be put on the 40-Man roster this season, which likely would not have happened. As we have seen with a few other 2010 draft picks, the Astros traded him in order to get *something* in return. In five seasons, Wates has a career .303/.381/.415 slash line with 98 stolen bases in 121 attempts. That's a bit misleading, because since the beginning of 2013, Wates has successfully stolen 46 of his last 51 bases. But injuries have been a concern. He has played in 100+ games in a season just once - in 2011. But I really like Austin Wates. 

And so there it is. The Astros traded two players on the Major League roster - one who has been on a 25-man roster prior to June 2014 - and Austin Wates, whom the Astros feel is a good player, but not as high on the depth chart. 

What did the Astros get in return?

Jake Marisnick: Drafted by the Blue Jays as their 2009 3rd Round pick, Marisnick was acquired by the Marlins in their BS firesale in mid-2013. Prior to 2014, Marisnick was Baseball America's #79 prospect, and MLB.com's #65 prospect. Marisnick turned 23 last March, and is 6'4" 225lbs. Marisnick has spent most of this season with Triple-A New Orleans - his first stint at Triple-A - and in 377 PAs, has hit .277/.326/.434 with 64K:17BB and 24 stolen bases in 30 attempts. But his impending debut in Houston will not be his first ML action. In 2013 he and Christian Yelich were called up from Double-A and, in 40 games for the Marlins, hit .183/.231/.248. In 14 games in 2014, Marisnick hit .167/.216/.167. Yes, small sample sizes. Marisnick will likely play CF until Dexter Fowler returns from the DL and will play a role in the Astros OF in the future. Unless he doesn't, and gets traded next year.

Colin Moran: Moran was the 6th overall pick in the 2013 draft, and was in the mix - at least on the surface - for the Astros pick in 2013. Coming into this season, Moran was BA's #61 prospect, MLB.com's #51 prospect, and BP's #74 prospect. He's a 3B by trade, so Matt Dominguez has approximately two years to figure his crap out. Moran has spent 2014 at High-A Jupiter in the Florida State League, where he has hit .294/.342/.393 with 53K:28BB in 392 PAs, meaning that he can make contact. This season he has 21 doubles and five homers, and 80 singles. His uncle is B.J. Surhoff, though.

Francis Martes: Martes, a 6'0" 170lb RHP, will be 19 at the end of November. His first taste of pro ball came last season, when in 50.1IP in the Dominican Summer League, he allowed 51H/17ER, 33K:14BB. In the GCL this season, he has thrown 29IP, allowing just 24H/16ER, 31K:18BB. Walks are up, but so are strikeouts. Lottery ticket.

Competitive Balance pick: This is where it gets interesting, because for the second year in a row, the Astros receive an extra pick in the next year's draft. Last year, the Bud Norris trade resulted in L.J. Hoes, Josh Hader, and - ultimately - Derek Fisher. Now, did the Astros get the pick because it provides extra value to the trade, or do the Astros think there's a chance they could be forced to uphold the Nix deal, which would cost them not only the 1-2 pick (for Aiken) but the other 1st Round pick (wherever that may fall due to their overall standing)?

Recap: At best, the Astros get a CF prospect, a 3B prospect, a lottery ticket pitcher and three of the 1st 40 picks in return for a potentially good starter with projection, a super-utility player, and the recipient of my Man Crush. At worst, the Astros get those prospects and a supplemental pick. I mean, obviously the worst-case is that Cosart figures out his command issues, Hernandez turns into David Eckstein, and Austin Wates is Vince Coleman while Marisnick is Jordan Schafer, Moran is no one in particular, Martes doesn't do anything, and the Astros actually do lose their 1st two picks in 2015. 

But who's counting? Tune in tomorrow for a different version of The Future. 

PreStros Morning Report: July 21

TL;DR

*Astros domestic affiliates go 4-3 on the day
*Mike Foltynewicz struggled in a loss to Round Rock.
*Corpus got lit up at San Antonio, despite newly-promoted Conrad Gregor's two hits.
*Rio Ruiz hit a late game-tying 3-run homer and Teoscar Hernandez provided the 12th inning walkoff for Lancaster
*Adrian Houser throws a strong start and Chase McDonald hits a three-run walk-off homer for Quad Cities.
*Tri-City cruised to a win over State College behind Joe Musgrove's strong start.
*Greeneville got shut down and shut out by Danville.
*GCL Astros beat the GCL Blue Jays as Cristhoper Santamaria strikes out nine in 5IP.

Oklahoma City (52-52, 3.0 GB)

Wild one in OKC last night as Round Rock kept trying to surge ahead, and OKC kept clawing back in. OKC, at various points, were down 4-1, 5-1, 8-5, 8-6, 9-6, and 9-7. They tied it up in the bottom of the 8th, but gave up two in the top of the 9th to fall 11-9. Mike Foltynewicz got rocked, giving up 9H/8ER, 3K:3BB in 4IP to send his ERA over 5.00. Richard Rodriguez allowed 1H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 3IP; Jorge De Leon gave up 5H/2R (1ER) in 1.2IP, and Kevin Chapman allowed a hit that scored the 11th run, but was charged to De Leon.

Austin Wates was 3x5 with a 2nd inning grand slam; Marc Krauss was 3x5 with a double anr 2RBI; Jonathan Villar (RBI) and Jio Mier (HR, BB, three runs scored) had two hits each. Domingo Santana was 0x2 with two strikeouts and three walks.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

Corpus (16-15, 3.5 GB; 50-51 overall)

Corpus was down 7-0 before they got on the board at San Antonio, ultimately falling 8-3. Jordan Jankowski gave up 8H/7R (6ER), 2K:2BB in 5IP; Travis Ballew allowed 2H/1ER, 1K:2BB in 3IP.

Andrew Aplin (RBI) and newly-promoted-to-Corpus Conrad Gregor had two hits each. Telvin Nash hit his 15th homer of the season and drew a walk. Tony Kemp was 1x4 with a walk.

Man of the Match: Let's give it to the newbie - Conrad Gregor.

Lancaster (15-16, 4.0 GB; 59-42 overall*)

*clinched playoff berth

This one was kerrazy! Down 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th to Modesto, Rio Ruiz hit a game-tying three run homer that sent it to extra innings. Despite Modesto getting the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th, Teoscar Hernandez hit a shot to center that scored Chan Moon for a 7-6 JetHawks win. Brian Holmes threw 6IP, 5H/4ER, 4K:2BB; Juan Minaya threw 2H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 2IP; Jamaine Cotton threw 3IP, allowing just 2H/0ER, and Daniel Minor got the win with 2H/1ER, 3K:0BB in the 12th.

Chan Moon (BB, SB, 2RBI), Teoscar Hernandez (2B, SB, RBI) and Danry Vasquez had two hits each; Rio Ruiz hit the aforementioned three-run homer. Jack Mayfield and Jobduan Morales added hits.

Man of the Match: Let's go with Teoscar Hernandez

Quad Cities (15-15, 4.0 GB; 50-49 overall)

Carrying a 2-1 lead into the top of the 9th vs Lake County, Quad Cities gave up the tying run to send it to extras. But it only went to the 10th thanks to Chase McDonald's three-run walk-off homer to give Quad Cities a 5-2 win. Adrian Houser threw 6IP, 3H/1R (0ER), 6K:3BB; Frederick Tiburcio walked one in a scoreless inning; Andrew Walter gave up the unearned run in 3IP to send it to the 10th, but struck out five in 3IP.

J.D. Davis was 2x4 with a walk; Marc Wik was 2x3 with a walk, double, two stolen bases, and an RBI. Chase McDonald hit the three-run walk-off, while James Ramsay, Brett Phillips, and Jose Fernandez (3B, 2BB) had your other hits. Ronnie Mitchell was 0x2 with two walks and a stolen base.

Man of the Match: Marc Wik

Tri-City (25-12, 6.0 up)

Tri-City held State College to five hits in a 4-1 win. Joe Musgrove got the start for the ValleyCats, throwing 6IP, 2H/0ER, 6K:1BB; Bryan Radziewski struck out five in two shutout innings, and Jordan Mills allowed 2H/1ER in the 9th.

Derek Fisher (BB, SB, RBI) and Jamie Ritchie (2B, RBI) had two hits each; Mott Hyde was 1x2 with a double and two walks, while Bobby Boyd was 1x4 with a walk, RBI, and a stolen base.

Man of the Match: Joe Musgrove

Greeneville (14-16, 4.5 GB)

Danville scored a run in the 1st, and that was all they needed, holding Greeneville to four hits in a 4-0 defeat. Joshua James allowed 7H/3R (2ER), 3K:0BB in 5IP; Jose Montero allowed 2H/1ER, 6K:1BB in 4IP.

Jason Martin had two of the Gastros' four hits and a stolen base, with Jacob Nottingham and Ydarqui Marte providing the other two. Cesar Carrasco drew a walk.

Man of the Match: Jason Martin

GCL Astros (14-13, 2.5 GB)

The GCL Astros trailed 3-2 going into the 6th, but popped off for the next six runs in an 8-3 win over the GCL Blue Jays. Christhopher Santamaria allowed 4H/3ER, but with 9K:0BB in 5IP; John Gatlin threw a scoreless 6th, and Joselo Pinales threw 3IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:2BB.

Ruben Castro (2RBI) and Brian Pena (RBI) had two hits each; Brauly Mejia had a hit, stolen base and two walks, Alexander Melendez (2B, RBI), and Jean Estrella had a hit and a walk each. Luis Payano was 1x4 with a triple and two RBI.

Man of the Match: Christhopher Santamaria

Austin Wates credits Vince Coleman

2010 3rd Round pick Austin Wates ended his 2012 season by hitting .304/.375/.429 for Corpus Christi. When he opened 2013, he spent 23 games back at Corpus hitting .310/.423/.448 and got promoted to OKC. After starting 3x12 in his first four games, Wates hit safely in nine of his next ten games before fracturing his forearm on an HBP at Iowa. When he tried to come back after five weeks, it went into full-on break. Now that he's back and healthy after a confidence-building stint in Winter Ball, Wates is crediting Vince Coleman for adding a dimension to his game.

Working with Vince Coleman for the past two Spring Trainings, Wates has worked on his running game:
I've been trying to pick things up from him so I have that in my game. It's something I've been working on, something where I can bring a lot value-wise, because I'm not a power hitter. The key is to get on base and try to make something happen.

Through four games for OKC Wates is 7x15 with 1K:2BB and three steals.

PreStros Morning Report: April 7

TL;DR:

*Astros affiliates go 3-0 on the day.
*Mike Foltynewicz got shelled while Austin Wates was a triple short of the cycle and stole three bases.
*Colton Cain, too, got shelled, and Delino DeShields hit his first homer of the season.
*Vincent Velasquez threw four perfect innings and Rio Ruiz hit a walkoff two-run double with two outs.

Oklahoma City (3-2)

Rough one for Mike Foltynewicz as he allows four runs in the 1st inning, but the RedHawks scored the next six runs of the game in a 6-4 win at New Orleans. Foltynewicz threw 2.1IP and gave up 4H/4ER, 2K:2BB, HBP, with back-to-back two-out homers in the 1st, throwing 34 of his 63 pitches for strikes. Darin Downs gave up a hit in 1.2IP while Rudy Owens struck out three and allowed just two hits in 4IP. Jason Stoffel got his 2nd save of the season with two strikeouts in the 9th.

Austin Wates was 3x4 with a walk, solo homer, three runs scored, and three stolen bases. Jon Singleton was 2x4 with two doubles, a walk, and 2RBI; Max Stassi got a two-run double. Erik Castro (BB) and George Springer (2B, RBI) added hits. Gregorio Petit was 1x5 with four strikeouts. New Orleans Zephyr and Former Astro Brian Bogusevic was 2x4 and is hitting .357 on the season.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

Corpus (4-1)

The Hooks took a 3-0 lead in the 2nd at Springfield, were down 4-3 by the end of the 4th, and then surged ahead with a two-run 5th on their way to an 8-5 win. Colton Cain allowed 10H/4ER, 3K:1BB in 3.2IP; Andrew Robinson got the win by striking out three of the four batters he faced, and Brady Rodgers piggy-backed in with 6H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 4IP.

Matt Duffy, Enrique Hernandez and Jio Mier all had two hits with a double and an RBI (Mier is hitting .364/.385/.545). Delino DeShields was 1x4 with a walk and his first homer of the season.

Man of the Match: Brady Rodgers

Lancaster (3-2)

San Jose took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd and held the JetHawks to two hits going into the bottom of the 9th at The Hangar. After Jordan Scott struck out and Tony Kemp flied out to record the first two outs, Teoscar Hernandez and Carlos Correa drew walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Rio Ruiz, who doubled in Hernandez and scored Correa from 1st for the walk-off 2-1 win. Kyle Westwood allowed 3H/1R (0ER), 7K:1BB in 5IP and Vincent Velasquez threw four perfect innings with five strikeouts for the win.

Teoscar Hernandez had two of the JetHawks' three hits, while Ruiz recorded his first two RsBI of the season. Correa was 0x2 with two walks. In 20 plate appearances this season, Correa has eight hits, zero strikeouts, and three walks.

Man of the Match: Vincent Velasquez

Quad Cities (2-2)

Off.

Pre Stros Morning Report 5/14

AAA

Oklahoma City (23-15)

The Redhawks scored a run in the bottom of the 9th in a walk off win to defeat the Salt Lake Bees 3-2. The first Redhawk run came in the bottom of the 3rd. Austin Wates (R, H, RBI, K) reached with one out on a fielding error by Bees 2nd baseman Andrew Romine. Jason Jaramillo (H, 3B, RBI, BB) followed with a triple that scored Wates. In the bottom of the 7th Oklahoma City put up another run. Mark Krauss (H, R, 2B, BB, K, CS) doubled to right to lead off the inning. Che-Hsuan Lin (2H, 3B, CS) singled with one out in the inning and advanced Krauss to 3rd. Lin was caught stealing for the 2nd out in the inning. Austin Wates scored his 2nd run of the game on a wild pitch from Rob Delaney. Brett Wallace (H, R, K) led of the bottom of the 9th with a single to right and would advance to 2nd on a 2 out Carlos Perez (H, K) single. Che-Hsuan Lin was hit bit a pitch to load the bases for Austin Wates. Wates singled to right and scored Wallace, the game winning run. Walk off Redhawks.

Asher Wojciechowski started the game for the Redhawks. (5.2IP, 3H, ER, 4BB, 3K) WoJo has a 1.15 ERA at AAA. Asher threw 91 pitches, 51 for strikes.
Jason Stoffel threw 0.2 innings. (0.2IP H, ER, BB, 2K)
Kevin Chapman tossed a scoreless inning. (1IP, H, BB, 2K)
Jose Valdez got his 3rd win of the season after 1.2 innings pitched. (1.2IP, BB, K)

Man of the match: Austin Wates. Scored 2 runs and drove in another.

AA

Corpus Christi (22-16)

The Hooks dropped Tuesdays game against the San Antonio Missions 11-5. Corpus scored runs in the bottom of the 4th and 5th. In the 4th, Domingo Santana (H, R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2K) walked with one out. Jonathan Meyer (H, R, RBI, 2K) singled advancing Santana to 3rd. Santana scored on a single from Max Stassi (H, RBI, K). Erik Castro (2H, 2B, RBI) grounded out but drove in Jonathan Meyer for the 2nd run of the inning. In the 5th Michael Burgess (2H, R, K) singled to lead off the inning. Jiovanni Mier (H, R, 2K) followed with a single of his own that advanced Burgess to 2nd. Burgess scored on a single off the bat from George Springer (3H, R, RBI, 2K). Domingo Santana followed with a double that scored Mier. Jonathan Meyer grounded out and Springer scored. Rene Garcia (H, K) and Enrique Hernandez (H, K) each had a hit.

Bobby Doran (5-1) got tagged with his 1st loss of the season. He threw 59 pitches, 39 for strikes. (2.1IP, 7H, 6R, 4ER, BB, 3K, HR)
Pat Urckfitz tossed an inning and two thirds. (1.2IP, 3H, 2ER)
Nick Tropeano gave up 3 runs in 3 innings. (4H, 3ER, 3BB, 2K, HR)
Jorge De Leon K'd one batter in a scoreless inning. (1.0IP, K)
Kenny Long pitched the final inning. (1.0IP, BB, K)

Man of the match: George Springer

A

Lancaster

Off

Low A

Quad Cities (21-18)

The River Bandits were up 7-4 after 6 1/2 innings but gave up 4 in the bottom of the 7th and 1 in the bottom of the 8th to fall 9-7 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (18-17). Quad Cities started the scoring in the top of the 1st. Carlos Correa (2H, 3R,) singled with one out in the inning. Jesse Wierzbicki (2H, R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, K) singled and advanced Correa to 2nd. Correa would score on a throwing error by Wisconsin short stop Orlando Arcia. The Timber Rattlers put up 4 in the bottom of the 1st but Quad Cities put up 5 of their on the the top half of the 2nd. Brian Blasik (3H, R, 2B, SB) led of the 2nd with a single and scored on a one out double off the bat of Roberto Pena (H, R, 2B, K). Teoscar Hernandez (R, BB, 2K) walked with 2 outs in the inning and reached 2nd on a fielders choice off the bat of Carlos Correa that loaded the bases. Jesse Wierzbicki (2H, R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, K) walked and got an RBI the easy way, scoring Roberto Pena. With the bases still juiced Terrell Joyce (H, 2B, 2RBI, 2K) doubled to center scoring Hernandez and Correa and advancing Wierzbicki to 3rd. Wierzbicki scored on a single of the bat of Rio Ruiz (H, RBI, K) for the 5th run of the inning. The River Bandits put up one more in the 4th on a double from Jesse Wierzbicki that scored Carlos Correa who singled earlier in the inning.

Jamaine Colton went 5 innings, throwing 54 pitches, 36 for strikes. (5IP, 5H, 4R, 2ER, BB, HR)
Vincent Velasquez (3-2) got a blown save and his 2nd loss of the season, giving up 4 earned runs raising his ERA to 4.75. (1.2IP, 5H, 4ER, 2BB, HR)
Richard Rodriguez pitched the final 1.1 innings. (1.1IP, H, ER, BB, K)

Man of the match: Carlos Correa

Austin Wates apparently headed to Oklahoma City

After Corpus' game last night, Austin Wates' mom tweeted that he was heading to Oklahoma City.

My Man Crush on Austin Wates has been no secret. He missed some time at the end of April with a hamstring injury, but in 23 games for Corpus, Wates is hitting .310/.423/.448 - second on the team in OPS behind George Springer's ridiculous 1.018 OPS - with 18K:14BB.

Away from Whataburger Field, Wates is hitting .342/.432/.553. The fact that it's Wates, who will be 25 in September, going up shows me that the Astros are being patient with Springer so he gets more ABs, and maybe to get those strikeouts under control.

A slew of Tranzactionz!

Alright, so here are your roster moves today amid a flurry of activity:

To Houston
Jordan Lyles
Dallas Keuchel

To Oklahoma City
P Jason Stoffel (from Corpus)
C Carlos Perez (from Corpus)

To Corpus

C Max Stassi (from Extended Spring Training - oblique)
1B Zach Johnson (from Lancaster)
OF Austin Wates (from DL)

To Extended Spring Training

P Lance Day (from OKC)

Released

IF Rafael Valenzuela*

*This makes us sad. Valenzuela was an undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2010.

The Meat Wagon comes for Austin Wates

According to Corpus, Austin Wates has been placed on the DL with a hamstring injury. In 16 games (60 ABs) for the Hooks, Wates is hitting .317/.438/.467 with 11K:11BB, 9SB - .333/.435/.538 in his last ten games.

Astros County Top 25 Prospects: 15-11

These five and the previous five are virtually interchangeable. As a matter of fact, if I were to re-rank this group, my number 15 would be number 20 today. If you missed it, check out the first two posts 25-21 and 20-16 first, then come back to check out this one. 

15.  Kevin Chapman

As a lefty reliever, Chapman finally showed some ability to get out right handed hitters in 2012, though his walk rate remains too high. Admittedly, it's risky to rank a minor league reliever this high, but with a floor as a lefty specialist I think Chapman has a good shot of reaching the majors some day. He was originally a 4th round pick by the Royals and came to the Astros in the Humberto Quintero deal. He should spend most of the season in AAA and has the chance to earn a cup of coffee this season.

14.  Andrew Aplin

Aplin is a centerfielder with a little pop and a lot of speed. As is the case with many of the prospects added to the system recently, he also shows some patience at the plate. Aplin was taken in the 5th round of the 2012 draft by the Astros. He should spend the season in A ball.

13.  Preston Tucker

Tucker is a corner outfielder with some power, a decent walk rate, and a low strikeout rate. I could see him and Aplin playing side by side for a few years to come. Tucker should also be in A ball in 2013. He was the Astros 7th round pick in 2012.

12. Austin Wates

Wates is best known for his Sportscenter Top Plays catch over the wall, but the attention he received afterwards is warranted. As a left fielder who can play a little center, Wates' best tools are his defense and his strong batting average. He's also very engaging with fans on Twitter. Wates was the 3rd round pick by Houston in 2010 and earned a shot at AAA pitching this year.

11.  Nolan Fontana

Fontana got a lot of attention for walking 65 times in just 49 games in 2012. That said, he also struck out a lot and only hit .225, though that's a direct result of him taking so many pitches and working to two-strike counts. A more balanced approach will help this shortstop going forward. Picked in the 2nd round by the Astros in 2012, Fontana should spend the year in A ball.

Keith Bodie named Texas League Manager of the Year

That pretty much covers it. Corpus manager Keith Bodie was just named Texas League Manager of the Year.

In other Corpus honors, Jose Martinez, Jason Stoffel, Austin Wates, and Jon Singleton were named to the Texas League Postseason All-Star Team.

Wates to DL

Austin Wates has been placed on the 7-Day DL with a quadriceps issue, and Drew Muren has been called up to Corpus from Lexington.

Good analysis from Our Buddy Greg Rajan on why they wouldn't call up George Springer or Domingo Santana:
Lancaster is in a first-half pennant race right now, and they wouldn't pull Springer with a week left just to fill in at Double-A.

PreStros Farm Report: May 30

PreStros: May 30

Oklahoma City (30-23) 

Brian Bass pitched well in his OKC debut as the RedHawks beat Nashville (MIL) 7-2.

Bass threw 6 shutout innings, allowing 5 H, 2 HBP, and 1 BB with 2 K. Enerio Del Rosario gave up 1 R on 2 H in .1 innings. Adalberto Flores threw 1.2 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H. Jose Valdez pitched the ninth, allowing 1 H.

LF-Scott Moore was 1x3 with 1 BB and 2 RBI. 3B-Brett Wallace went 1x3 with 1 BB and 1 HR. 2B-Jimmy Paredes as 2x3 with 1 R. CF-Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with 2 SB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. 2B-Angel Sanchez went 1x1 with 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 R, and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Brian Bass

*Notes: Dallas Keuchel was placed on the temporary inactive list to help alleviate a roster crunch. Jordan Lyles returned to OKC from Houston.

Corpus Christi (24-27) 

The Hooks made the most of their five hits to beat Arkansas (LAA) 3-2.

Ross Seaton lasted 6.2 innings and gave up 2 R on 9 H with 1 K. Josh Zeid threw 1.1 innings with 1 K. Jason Stoffel earned his sixth save with 1 scoreless inning allowing 1 H.

CF-Austin Wates was 1x2 with 1 BB, 2 SB, and 1 R. 1B-Jon Singleton was 1x4 with 1 HR. RF-Andrew Simunic was 0x2 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 R, and 1 outfield assist on a play at the plate.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

*Notes: Jon Singleton was named Texas League player of the week for the week of May 21-27. He hit .500 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in for the week. Seaton has held his opponents to two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven starts. Jarred Cosart was scratched for this game due to “not conforming to organizational policy.” He is expected to make his next start Sunday.

Lancaster (26-27) 

The JetHawks managed to pull out of their 3 G flat spin (three games…see what I did there?) with a 4-3 win over Visalia (ARI).

Ruben Alaniz gave an impressive 8 innings, allowing 2 R on 7 H and 1 BB with 4 K. Andrew Robinson gave up 1 H and 1 BB and was charged with 1 R without getting an out in the ninth. Kirk Clark shut the door with 1 inning, 0 R, and 2 BB.

SS-Alex Todd went 1x2 with 3 BB, 1 2B, 1 SB, and 1 R. CF-George Springer was 1x5 with 1 SB and 2 R. DH-Erik Castro was 2x4 with 1 BB, 1 HR, and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Ruben Alaniz

*Notes: The JetHawks are 20-0 with leading after eight innings. They are 22-3 when allowing four or fewer runs.

Lexington (28-24) 

The Legends dominated Augusta (SF) from start to finish, winning 6-1.

Luis Cruz threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 7 H and 1 BB with 5 K. Evan Grills pitched the final 2 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 2 K.

2B-Delino DeShields went 1x4 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. CF-Jordan Scott was 1x5 with 1 2B, 1 R, and 1 RBI. 1B-Jesse Wierzbicki was 2x4 with 1 3B, 1 SB, 1 R, and 2 RBI. SS-Chan Moon went 3x3 with 1 BB and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Luis Cruz

*Notes: Three of the top four league leaders in innings pitched are Legends (Cruz, Foltynewicz, Tropeano).

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 2nd.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch caught up with Austin Wates

Austin Wates' sort-of-hometown newspaper has a nice profile, checking in after his ridiculous tag-team catch with Brandon Barnes.



Wates:
"I knew it was a nice catch. I didn't know it was going to get national attention."

In the piece he talks about the brutal bus trips, and how he reads Paolo Coelho. Consider the Man Crush complete.

PreStros Farm Report: April 28

PreStros: April 28

Oklahoma City (15-8) 

The RedHawks played “Big Inning Baseball” en route to an 11-5 victory over Round Rock (TEX).

After missing his last start, Paul Clemens went 5 innings and gave up 2 R on 4 H and 2 BB with 3 K for the win. Sergio Perez threw 3 innings, allowing 3 R on 5 H with 1 K. Jose Valdez went the final 1 inning with 1 H and 1 K.

LF-JB Shuck led the charge by going 5x5 with 1 2B, 1 SB, 2 R, and 1 RBI. SS-Angel Sanchez was 1x3 with 1 BB, 2 R, and 1 RBI. DH-Fernando Martinez went 2x4 with 1 R and 3 RBI. 3B-Scott Moore was 2x3 with 1 BB, 2 2B, 1 R, and 3 RBI. CF-Justin Ruggiano was 2x4 with 1 BB and 1 R. RF-Brad Snyder went 2x5 with 1 2B. 2B-Jimmy Paredes was 2x5 with 1 HR, 2 R, and 3 RBI. C-Landon Powell went 1x2 with 2 BB, 1 2B, and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Jimmy Paredes

Corpus Christi (12-10) 

Corpus out hit and out pitched Frisco (TEX) as they won 10-1.

In his return from a one start stint in AAA, Ross Seaton went 6 innings and allowed 1 R on 6 H with 1 K. Kevin Chapman threw 2 scoreless innings with 2 BB and 4 K. Josh Zeid finished things out with an uneventful 9th.

LF-Austin Wates went 4x6 with 1 HR and 5 RBI. CF-Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with 1 BB and 2 R. 1B-Kody Hinze was 1x3 with 2 BB and 2 R. 2B-Jose Martinez went 2x3 with 2 BB and 1 R. C-Chris Wallace was 2x4 with 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

Lancaster (9-14) 

After keeping things close through most of the game, Lancaster allowed seven runs in the seventh inning and ultimately lost 11-4.

Zach Grimmet went 6 innings and was charged with 6 R on 9 H and 1 BB with 7 K. Pat Urckfitz lasted just .1 innings and gave up 5 R (4 ER) on 4 H and 1 K.

CF-George Springer was 2x5 with 1 2B and 1 R. 3B-Jonathan Meyer was 2x4 with 1 R and 1 RBI. LF-Adam Bailey went 1x4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI. C-Ryan McCurdy went 2x3.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Meyer

Lexington (11-12) 

The Legends bullpen held things down long enough for Lexington to win 5-4 in 11 innings.

Jonas Dufek threw 5 innings and gave up 4 R (2 ER) on 4 H with 5 K. Carlos Quevedo, Jason Chowning, and Dayan Diaz each contributed 2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just 1 H and 1 BB total.

3B-Matt Duffy went 1x5 with 1 HR and 2 RBI. CF-Drew Muren went 3x5 with 1 2B, 1 HR, and 2 RBI. 2B-John Hinson was 3x3 with a solo HR, 1 SB, 1 CS, and 2 errors.

Man of the Match: Quevedo/Chowning/Diaz

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season schedule not yet posted. Opening Day June 2nd.

PreStros Farm Report: April 25

Oklahoma City (13-7)

Off.

Corpus Christi (10-9)

Midland got four runs in the top of the 1st off Brett Oberholtzer, and cruised to a 9-3 win over Corpus. Brutal outing for Oberholtzer, who threw 5.1IP, 11H/7ER, 5K:0BB, including four 1st inning doubled. Jonnathan Aristil allowed 4H/2ER, 4K:0BB in 3.2IP.

T.J. Steele was the only player to get 3+ ABs and not get a hit. Kody Hinze was 2x4 with a homer, and Chris Wallace was 1x4 with a 2-run shot. Jake Goebbert and Jon Singleton (Jon "Homerton" as we'd like to call him) were each 1x3 with a walk. The big story was the running. Jonathan Villar stole two bases, and Austin Wates increased his stolen base total to five SBs on the season with three stolen bases.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates.

Lancaster (8-12)

Lancaster got out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the 7th, when Rancho Cucamonga got two runs to bring it to a one-run game, and then Lancaster poured on five in the bottom half of the inning for an 8-2 win. Wes Musick improved to 2-1, with 7H/2ER, 5K:2BB while a bullpen of Jose Trinidad (0.2IP), Pat Urckfitz (1IP), and Andrew Robinson (1IP) held the Quakes hitless and walkless over the final 2.2IP.

Jonathan Meyer was 2x4 with a double and 2RBI; Domingo Santana was 2x3 with a double and a walk (improving his Avg to .189). Jiovanni Mier was 1x3 with 2BB and an RBI. George Springer got a single, RBI, and stolen base. And Telvin Nash hit his 9th homer of the season - even more encouraging is that five of his nine homers have come on the road.

Man of the Match: Wes Musick.

Lexington (8-12)

Charleston scored the first nine runs of the game, and while Lexington got four runs in the bottom of the 8th, it wasn't enough as the Legends fell 9-4. Kyle Hallock lasted 4IP, with 9H/6R (4ER), 1K:2BB; Evan Grills allowed 4H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 3IP, and Tanner Bushue made his second straight relief appearance and allowed deuces: 2IP, 2H/2ER, 2K:0BB, 2HR to lower his ERA to 16.55 on the season.

Delino DeShields was 2x4 with a double and a walk (now with a .370 OBP - and remember, he's not yet 20), Alex Todd was 1x4 with 3RBI. The first five batters (DeShields-Gominsky-Scott-Johnson-Duffy) each drew a walk, but the Legends had 12Ks; three of them came from Mike Kvasnicka, who was 0x4, and is now hitting .091 with 10K in his last 23ABs.

Man of the Match: Uhhh, DeShields?

Austin Wates is not in the lineup for Corpus tonight.

Our buddy Greg Rajan is tweeting an interesting little note:

Hmmm, Austin Wates not in the @cchooks lineup tonight at NWA. Wonder what's up with that.

Not sure why you'd sit a guy who is hitting .500/.552/.731, so that leads to...

INTRIGUE!

Intrigue Update: Greg Rajan responded to our tweet:
The @cchooks manager says there are no everyday OFs on the team, that all of them will play. Don't agree with that approach.

Yeah. That's a bad idea.

PreStros Farm Report: April 5th

Farm Report: April 5

Oklahoma City (0-1) 

The RedHawks lost their season opener against the Memphis Redbirds in dramatic fashion 4-3. Heading into the bottom of the ninth OKC was down 4-1 but rallied back to trail 4-3 with the bases loaded and no outs. After 1B-Mike Hessman struck out swinging 3B-Brett Wallace grounded into a game ending double play.

Starter Paul Clemens pitched well in the loss, going 6 IP allowing 6H/2ER with 4K:2BB. Mickey Storey went 2 IP in relief giving up 2H/0R with 2K.

LF-Fernando Martinez was 3x4 with 1 2B and 1 BB. 1B-Mike Hessman went 2x4 with 1R/1RBI on a solo HR with 1BB/2K. SS-Angel Sanchez was 1x4 with 1BB and 2RBI on 1 2B.

Man of the Match: Paul Clemens

Corpus Christi (1-0) 

The Hooks beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 9-0 to open the season in impressive fashion on the strength of a seven run sixth inning.

Jared Cosart threw 4.1 IP giving up 4H/0R with 5K:3BB. Erick Abreu looked strong in 2.2 IP in relief allowing just 1H with 5K:1BB. Chris Hicks finished things up with 2 scoreless innings with 1K and 1 HBP

SS-Jonathan Villar was 2x5 with 1 2B, 1RBI, and 2 SB. LF-Austin Wates was 3x5 with 1 2B, 1 3B, 1R/3RBI. All three of Wates’ RBI came on a bases loaded triple in the Hooks big inning. CF-Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with 1R/2RBI. RF-T.J. Steele went 2x4 with 1 3B and 2R/1RBI. 2B-Jose Martinez went 0x2 with 2BB and 2R and had an outstanding diving defensive play to save a run early in the game.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

Lancaster (0-1) 

The JetHawks lost to the High Desert Mavericks 9-7 in their season opener.

David Martinez had a rough opening start, going 4 IP allowing 8H/6ER including 2 HR with 1K:1BB. Brian Streilein was the only Lancaster pitcher to escape the night unscathed as he turned in 2 IP giving up 1H with 2K/1BB.

LF-Telvin Nash was 2x4 with 1BB and a solo HR. 3B-Jonathan Meyer went 2x4 with 1 2B and 2R. CF-George Springer went 2x4 with 1R/5RBI and his first professional HR, a Grand Slam to tie the game at 7-7 in the sixth inning.

Man of the Match: George Springer

Lexington (0-0) 

Postponed due to rain

Tri-City (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

Greeneville (0-0) 

Season begins June 19.

GCL Astros (0-0) 

Season begins June 18.

DSL Astros (0-0) 

Season schedule not yet posted.

Minor League MVPs

We've got something a little special that we're working on - which will be announced in the next two weeks, or so - that goes into this, but it's certainly worth noting that the Astros announced their minor-league MVPs today. And they are:

OKC: Anderson Hernandez
Corpus: Jimmy Paredes
Lancaster: Austin Wates
Lexington: Emilio King
Tri-City: Matt Duffy
Greeneville: Jordan Scott
GCL: Yonathan Mejia
DSL: Teoscar Hernandez

Austin Wates is a swell fella

Check out this tweet from Austin Wates:

Join me in supporting the children of the 22 SEALS killed on Aug 6 in Afgh. I'm in for $10K for them.U can donate at nswfoundation.org