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: July 13

PreStros: July 13

Oklahoma City (53-39) 

The RedHawks lost a wild one 10-8 to New Orleans (MIA).

Brian Bass lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up 6 R on 8 H and 2 BB with 4 K. Sergio Perez went 3 scoreless innings, allowing 5 H and 1 BB with 2 K. Juan Abreu threw 1.1 scoreless with 1 BB and 1 K. Mickey Storey pitched .2 innings and gave up 3 R on 1 H and 2 BB with 1 K. Adalberto Flores took the last 1.1 innings and allowed 1 R on 1 H.

CF-Brandon Barnes was 3x4 with 3 SB, 1 2B, 1 R, and 1 RBI. LF-Fernando Martinez was 2x4 with 1 BB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. C-Carlos Corporan was 3x4 with 1 HR, 3 R, and 2 RBI. 3B-Matt Dominguez went 2x5 with 1 R and 2 RBI. RF-JB Shuck was 1x1 with 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 R, and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Carlos Corporan

*Notes: Carlos Corporan is 12x21 (.571) over his last five games, raising his average from .233 to .280. He currently leads all PCL catchers in CS% at 43.6 %.

Corpus Christi (51-39) 

The Hooks wore out Frisco (TEX), winning 12-2.

Jake Buchanan threw 6 innings and allowed 2 R on 9 H and 3 BB with 1 K. Kevin Chapman went 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 H with 2 K. Alex Sogard pitched a perfect ninth with 1 K.

LF-Austin Wates was 4x5 with 2 2B, 2 R, and 2 RBI. 2B-Jose Martinez was 2x4 with 1 BB, 2 HR, and 4 RBI. 1B-Jonathan Singleton went 2x5 with 1 2B, 1 HR, and 2 R. SS-Jonathan Villar was 1x4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI. DH-Kody Hinze was 1x3 with 1 BB and 1 HR. C-Jair Fernandez went 2x4 with 1 2B and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Jose Martinez

*Notes: Jose Cisnero, Jonathan Villar, and Andrew Simunic were named the CC players of the month by the Astros.

Lancaster (47-44) 

The JetHawks split a doubleheader with Visalia (ARI), losing the first game 7-2 and winning the second 13-3.

Game 1

Nick Tropeano threw 5 innings, giving up 5 R on 7 H and 2 BB with 4 K. Rene Garcia went 2x3 with 1 2B and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Rene Garcia

Game 2

Zach Grimmett threw 3 innings and gave up 2 R on 5 H and 1 BB with 4 K. Carlos Quevedo went 3 scoreless innings with 3 H and 3 K. George Springer was 3x3 with 2 R and 1 RBI. RF-Domingo Santana was 2x3 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 2 R, and 3 RBI. LF-Chris Epps went 2x3 with 1 SB, 2 R and 1 HR, a grand slam. SS-Ben Orloff went 3x3 with 1 BB, 1 2B, 3 R, and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Chris Epps

*Notes: Jose Trinidad, Ben Heath, and Ben Orloff were named Lancaster players of the month by the Astros.

Lexington (47-44) 

The Legends completed their sweep of Kannapolis (CHW) with their second straight dramatic comeback victory, as they won 4-3. Lexington won all four games this series by a total of five runs.

Jonas Dufek threw 6.2 innings and gave up 3 R on 6 H and 1 BB with 7 K. Tommy Shirley pitched 1.1 innings with 2 H and 1 K. Dayan Diaz finished up the final inning with 1 H and 3 K.

LF-Jordan Scott was 2x4 with 1 SB, 1 R, and 2 RBI. CF-Justin Gominsky went 2x4. SS-Chan Moon was 2x4.

Man of the Match: Jordan Scott

*Notes: Mike Foltynewicz, Delino DeShields, and Zach Johnson were named Lexington players of the month by the Astros. Delino DeShields is hitting .413 in July. Jordan Scott has hit .316 against Kannapolis this season.

Tri-City (18-7) 

The ValleyCats continued their domination of the NYPL, beating Williamsport (PHI) 7-2.

Vincent Velasquez went 6 innings, allowing 2 R (1 earned) on 3 H and 1 BB with 8 K. Brad Propst went 2 perfect innings with 3 K. Juan Minaya pitched a scoreless ninth with 1 H.

SS-Austin Elkins was 3x5 with 2 SB, 1 2B, and 1 R. 3B-Ryan Dineen was 2x4 with 1 BB and 2 R. DH-Tyler Heineman was 3x5 with 1 RBI. RF-Emilio King was 2x5 with 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Vincent Velasquez

*Notes: The ValleyCats have scored the second-most runs in the league, while allowing the fewest. They lead the Stedler Division by four games over Vermont.

Greeneville (14-9) 

The G-Stros beat Elizabethton (MIN) 3-2 in 10 innings.

Francis Ramirez threw 4 scoreless innings, allowing 1 H and 3 BB with 6 K. Zach Hardoin pitched .2 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H and 1 BB with 1 K. Jordan Jankowski went 1.2 innings and gave up 1 R on 2 H with 3 K. Scott Zuloaga threw .2 innings with 1 H. Euris Quezada pitched the final 3 innings with 1 BB and 5 K.

CF-D’Andre Toney was 1x2 with 2 BB and 1 R. 3B-Angel Ibanez was 1x4 with 1 BB. C-Ernesto Genoves went 1x3 with 1 BB and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Euris Quezada

*Notes: Greeneville has moved into a tie for first with Elizabethton.

GCL Astros (10-13) 

The Astros lost a pitcher’s duel to the Nationals 1-0, with the only run coming with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Lance McCullers threw 3 scoreless innings with 1 H and 2 K. Agapito Barrious pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 1 R on 4 H and 3 HBP with 4 K.

3B-Darwin Rivera was 1x4 with 1 2B. 1B-Yonathan Mejia was 1x3 with 1 BB. DH-Wallace Gonzalez was 1x3 with 1 2B.

Man of the Match: Lance McCullers

*Notes: Lance McCullers made his professional debut in this game.

DSL Astros (11-24) 

The Astros took a 2-1 lead after the first inning, but lost to the Dodgers 8-2.

Elieser Hernandez went 2 innings and gave up 4 R on 6 H and 2 BB with 2 K. Johan Arias threw 5 innings, allowing 4 R (2 earned) on 8 H with 3 K. Younquelys Martinez pitched 2 scoreless innings with 1 H and 1 K.

SS-Yoel Silfa was 1x3 with 1 BB, 1 SB, and 1 R. 3B-Randy Cesar went 1x3 with 1 BB and 1 2B.

Man of the Match: Yoel Silfa

*Notes: Samil De Los Santos, Randy Cesar, and Yoel Silfa were named the DSL players of the month for June by the Astros. The team is hitting just .206 on the season.

Euris Quezada popped for drugs

Tri-City pitcher Euris Quezada had the five fingers say "slaaaap" today, and he gets a 25-game suspension for violating Minor League Baseball's Drug Program.

Obviously there are going to be a lot of questions about what it takes to get a 25-game suspension (not the more traditional 50-game suspension). In a couple of instances this season minor leaguers have been given the 25-game suspension. In both instances linked, the players suspended did not test positive, but were discovered to have been in possession of an unauthorized syringe.

ESPN:
While most suspensions for first offenses are for 50 games, MLB can impose lesser discipline if the reason for the penalty was other than a positive test. Under the minor league program, which is stricter than the major league's joint drug agreement with the union, players may only be in possession of syringes if they have team permission.

The 22-year old RHP was 1-3 with a 6.95 ERA/2.05 WHIP (45H/26ER, 24K:24BB in 33.2IP) for Tri-City. Since there are 24 games left in Tri-City's season, Quezada will be done for the year.

Greeneville Astros: Euris Quezada

Euris Quezada
How did he get here?: Undrafted free agent, signed December 2008
Stats: 6'6", 210 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2011: 21 - but will be 22 on April 6
Birthplace/Hometown: Sabana Larga de Comenador, Dominican Republic
Men of the Match: 1



2010 Overview

IP	ERA/WHIP	K:BB	BAA	K/9	BB/9
63.1	5.83/1.47	38:12	.313	5.4	1.7

2009

IP	ERA/WHIP	K:BB	HR/9	K/9	BB/9
41.2	6.91/1.51	27:14	0.9	5.8	3.0

What happened?

Quezada spent 2009 in the GCL, where things didn't go so well - he didn't strike out a lot of guys, walked a few, hit some, and gave up a lot of hits. Somewhat surprisingly, the Astros sent him up to Greeneville, where he actually fared quite a bit better. His WHIP was down (slightly), HBPs were down, walks were down. Quezada didn't strike out many batters, but that could come with time.

What went right?

Limiting walks. This is a pretty big one, because it's a decent indicator of control. Quezada knocked his walks down from 3.0 per nine innings to 1.7 in 2010. Only five of those walks were to RHBs.

Away games. Quezada allowed a .298 BAA on the road, actually got more GBs than FBs (1.29, compared to 0.59 GB:FB ratio at home), and had an ERA over a run below his home splits.

Scoring position. Hits per nine innings w/RISP: 1.03. With runners on: 1.23. With the bases empty: 1.32.

What went wrong?

There is a site called Minor League Splits that could have given us a look into whether the high BAA was due to luck, or just throwing so few balls (as in "not strikes") that he was just getting tagged. That site is down. So we can't tell, but to throw 63.1IP and allow hitters to knock a .313 clip isn't great.

Homers. Quezada gave up eight homers - albeit six with the bases empty. He also hit seven batters and threw five wild pitches (these are all better than in 2009).

Appy Astros says: At 22 next season, I suspect he might be given a shot at Tri Cities but he might not be a starter any longer.

Quezada did show some improvement over his GCL season, and he's a big guy. He has also only played professional baseball for two seasons, so I think he may be on a longer leash, and a repeat of Greeneville may be in the cards for him.

Eddie's Farm: August 30

Round Rock

Good Lord. The Express drop their ninth out of their last ten games in a big way. How big a way? 23-5 big at Omaha. Amazingly, the Express actually led this game 2-0, and then Omaha scored the next 14 runs, including an 11-run 3rd inning. Omaha's Mike Moustakas hit three homers (two in the 3rd inning) and had 11 RBI. To put that into perspective, the Express had scored eleven runs in their previous seven games. Andy Van Hekken allowed 9H/10ER, 1K:2BB in 2+ innings. Gary Majewski threw 2IP, and allowed 9H/8ER. Corcoran and Daigle both allowed runs, and catcher Brian Esposito actually closed out the game with 1H/0ER in 1IP. Jack Shuck was 4x5, Matt Kata was 3x4, Drew Locke and Collin DeLome each had two hits, and Edwin Maysonet hit a three-run homer.

Man of the Match: Jack Shuck.

Corpus

Corpus got all their runs in the 7th inning for a 4-2 win over San Antonio. Bubbie Buzachero threw 5IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:0BB in a solid start, and Matt Nevarez picked up the win with a scoreless sixth. Jailen Peguero allowed 3H/2ER, 0K:2BB, and Evan Englebrook threw a perfect inning. Jon Gaston was 2x4 with an RBI, and Jose Vallejo, David Cook, and Freddy Parejo added RBIs. J.D. Martinez was 1x4 and Jeff Keppinger was 1x4 in a rehab start.

Man of the Match: Bubbie Buzachero!

Lancaster

Lancaster jumped on Rancho Cucamonga for an 8-2 win. Robby Donovan threw 6IP, 8H/1ER, 5K:1BB for his first win in Lancaster. David Berner gave up an unearned run in 2IP, and Kyle Godfrey continues his excellent August (20.2IP, 10H/3ER, 22K:9BB) with a scoreless 9th. Mark Ori was 3x3 with two doubles, a walk, and an RBI, while Lee Cruz and John Curtis had two hits each. Jonathan Villar and Bryce Lane added two RBI each. Jose Altive was 1x4 with a walk and an RBI.

Man of the Match: Mark Ori

Lexington

Despite getting 10 hits, the Legends scored 14 runs - nine in the first inning - for a 14-1 win over Hagerstown. Jose Cisnero threw 6IP, 4H/1ER, 4K:1BB, 2WP, and Brendan Stines got his first save for the Legends with 3IP, 0H/0ER, 4K:0BB. So how do you score 14 runs on ten hits? How about by drawing eight walks and four HBPs. Jimmy Paredes (BB, RBI), Jiovanni Mier (2B, RBI, BB), Jake Goebbert (2B, BB, 5RBI), and Renzo Tello (2B) had two hits each. Kody Hinze hit a three-run homer, and Grant Hogue was 1x2 with 3RBI and three runs scored.

Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert

Tri-City

The ValleyCats didn't want their last home game of 2010 to end so much that they went ahead and played 14 innings. Luckily for everyone involved, the ValleyCats won 5-4 over Hudson Valley. Jake Buchanan allowed 5H/1ER, 8K:0BB in 5IP. Travis Blankenship gave up 3H/3ER, 1K:1BB. Brandt Walker allowed a walk in 1.1IP. Jorge De Leon gave up four hits, but no runs (ERA: 0.36) in 3IP, and Jason Chowning allowed two hits and a walk in 3IP for the win. Adam Bailey was 3x7 with an RBI, while Ben Orloff (also 2BB), Marcus Nidiffer, and Mike Kvasnicka added two hits each. Jacke Healey hit a three-run homer in the second.

Man of the Match: Adam Bailey - three hits and the game-winning RBI, scoring Chris Wallace.

Greeneville

The Gastros got four runs in the top of the 9th, but it just wasn't enough, as Pulaski won 8-6. Euris Quezada allowed 6H/2ER, 9K:0BB in 5IP, but it was Ryan Cole (2IP, 1H/2ER) and Phil Rorabaugh (1IP, 3H/4ER, 3HR) who allowed the damage. Jonathan Merritt was 3x5 with two doubles, a homer, and 3RBI. Rafael Valenzuela was 2x5 with 2RBI, and Ricardo Garcia was 2x3. Telvin Nash hit his 12th homer of the year.

Man of the Match: Euris Quezada

GCL Astros - Euris Quezada

After a short break for the Red River Rivalry, we're back to taking a look back at the GCL Astros starting pitchers...

Euris Quezada
How did he get here?: Signed contract prior to 2009 season
Stats: 6'6", 210 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2010: 20

On the season: 1-7, 6.91 ERA/1.51 WHIP, 27K:14BB, .231 against, 4HR

Splits:
vs. LHB (14.1IP): 6.91 ERA/1.61 WHIP, 7K:7BB, .258 BAA, 1HR
vs. RHB (27.1IP): 6.91 ERA/1.46 WHIP, 20K:7BB, .280 BAA, 3HR

Home (17IP): 2.12 ERA/0.71 WHIP, 12K:5BB, .119 BAA, 0HR
Away (24.2IP): 10.22 ERA/2.07 WHIP, 15K:9BB, .347 BAA, 4HR

Bases Empty (19.1IP): 1.55 WHIP, 8K:9BB, .236 BAA, 1HR
Runners on (22.1IP): 1.48 WHIP, 19K:5BB, .308 BAA, 3HR
w/RISP (19.2IP): 1.07 WHIP, 4K:6BB, .247 BAA, 2HR

June (1 start, 4IP): 2.25 ERA/1.00 WHIP, 3K:2BB
July (5 starts, 20IP): 7.65 ERA/1.35 WHIP, 11K:6BB
August (6 starts, 17.2IP): 7.13 ERA/1.81 WHIP, 13K:6BB

K/9 Rate: 5.8
BB/9 Rate: 3.0
Groundout/Flyout Rate: 2.72
K:BB Ratio: 1.93

The Home/Away splits are off the charts - with Quezada giving up seven hits in 17IP at home, and 42 hits in 24.2IP on the road, but it's the jump in July and August that are alarming. We're looking at very small sample sizes, so if it's unfair to make any judgments after one short season for hitters, it's certainly unfair to judge a pitcher after 12 starts. However, from July to August, Quezada's BAA jumped from .256 to .306, and that WHIP jumped almost half a baserunner an inning.