Tranzactionz!

On this dark, bleak day, we have some other tranzactionz to report, courtesy of Baseball America. In addition to the signings of Erick Abreu (re-signed), Joe Thurston, Scott Moore, Brad Snyder, and Nick Stavinoha, the Astros have released:

-Joan Belliard
-Danilo Del Rio
-Pedro Gomez
-Mark Jones
-Garrett Bullock
-Travis Smink
-Ronald Sanchez
-Miguel Arrendell
-Jacke Healey

Smink was the 31st Round pick in the 2009 draft, Jacke Healey was the 27th Round pick in the 2010 draft, and Mark Jones was the 22nd Round pick in the 2009 draft. Miguel Arrendell started 2011 at Lancaster and, while he enjoyed a little offensive resurgence (.281/.357/.404), the Astros saw all they needed to see after six seasons of a combined .241/.365/.322 line.

More on that game-ending out at home

The Troy Record has further information on Batavia's game-ending play at the plate:

Jacke Healey, who was the one thrown out:
“I didn't see it. I picked up Panks (coaching third base) as I was coming to third and he said, ‘go hard, run hard.’ I never slowed down. When I was coming in (to the plate), the catcher was maybe two steps to the left of the plate and it looked like that's where the throw was going to take him, so if I made a good slide to the inside of the plate, I probably would have been safe. But as soon as I started to brake down and slide, he cut me off to the plate. The throw must have taken him right where I was going. I didn't even see the throw.”

Pankovits:
“That was quite a grenede he threw in there,” ValleyCats manager Jim Pankovits said of Bergman's throw. “In hindsight, though, that was probably the only way he could throw (Healey) out, keep it out of the grass. It was obviously pretty much right on line. They had to execute right there to keep us from tying it (and they did).”

Eddie's Farm: July 20

Round Rock

Express put up two four-run innings and defeat New Orleans 11-9. Polin Trinidad got the start, and went 4IP, 7H/5ER, 0K:3BB, 2HR. T.J. Burton took the loss, allowing 2H/2ER in 1IP. Brad Thompson and Jonah Bayliss threw scoreless innings, while Danny Meszaros struggled in his second outing - allowing 1H/2ER, 1K:3BB in 1IP. Roy Corcoran got his 6th save of the game. Brian Esposito was 3x3 with 2BB, 2RBI; Wladimir Sutil was 2x3 with 2BB, and Brian Bogusevic was 1x3 with an RBI and 2BB. Tommy Everidge hit a 2-run homer and German Duran hit a pinch-hit 3-run HR in the 5th.

Man of the Match: This is going to Brian Esposito, got on base in all five of his PAs.

Corpus

The Hooks enjoyed a 6-run outburst in the 7th for a 9-5 win over Midland. Jeremy Johnson allowed 9H/3ER, 4K:2BB in 4.2IP, with Fernando Abad picking up the win with 2.1IP of 3H/0ER relief (Note: Abad will be the subject of a future "Free (Insert Name Here)!"). Matt Nevarez allowed 2H/2ER, 1K:1BB in 1IP, and Jeilen Peguero threw a perfect 9th. Jon Gaston was 3x4 with a triple and a solo homer, Jimmy Van Ostrand was 2x5 with two doubles and 4RBI, while Freddy Parejo and Michael Affronti had two hits each. Koby Clemens was 1x2 with 3BB, and J.D. Martinez hit a 2-run homer - his first in Double A - with a walk.

Man of the Match: Jimmy Van Ostrand.

Lancaster

Lancaster got down 5-0 at the end of three, and that took care of it for a 5-2 loss. Pat Urckfitz allowed 6H/5ER, 5K:1BB for the loss, Ashton Mowdy allowed 2H/0ER, 5K:2BB in 4IP, and David Duncan threw a perfect 8th. Andy Simunic was 2x4, while Jay Austin, Lee Cruz, Federico Hernandez, David Flores (RBI), and Brandon Wikoff (RBI) added hits. Of the JetHawks' seven hits, four of them were doubles. David Flores also committed three fielding errors at 3B.

Man of the Match: Ashton Mowdy

Lexington

Lexington cruised to a fairly easy 3-1 win over Rome. Tanner Bushue dominated, throwing 7IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:1BB. Wander Alvino allowed the lone run on a solo shot, and Kirk Clark recorded his 21st save. The Legends still only got five hits - one each from Altuve, Goebbert, Our Boy Aaron Bray, Arrendell, and Hogue. Altuve and Hogue provided the RBI while Jiovanni Mier and Miguel Arrendell drew two walks each.

Man of the Match: Tanner Bushue

Tri-City

Hey, if you're going to give up a walk-off homer in the 11th, it may as well be a grand slam. As Joan Belliard did. ValleyCats lose at Aberdeen 9-5. Bobby Doran allowed 5IP, 7H/4ER, 4K:0BB. Jason Chowning and Adam Champion threw a scoreless inning each, while Brandt Walker allowed 2H/1ER, 1K:2BB in 2IP, and Joan Belliard allowed the 4ER in 1.2IP. Jacke Healey followed up his first homer of his career with his second and two walks. Enrique Hernandez had two hits. Ben Orloff (2RBI) and Wilton Infante (RBI), with Healey, provided the RBI.

Man of the Match: Jacke Healey.

Greeneville

Greeneville gave up a 2-1 lead to Bristol to fall 5-2. Mike Foltynewicz threw 5.1IP, 6H/3ER, 5K:2BB for the loss, while Garrett Bullock allowed 1H/2R (0ER), 1K:3BB. Brian Streilein allowed just one walk in 2.1IP. Telvin Nash was 2x4, and Marcus Nidiffer was responsible for the two runs with a homer in the first. Rafael Valenzuela committed two errors at third.

Man of the Match: Marcus Nidiffer.

Maybe if they know each other better, they'll win some games, say the Astros

Over the weekend, the Astros held a mini-camp in Kissimmee, with conflicting reports on how effective it was.

Infielder Jacke Healey:
"It was great. We got to go down there and interact with the all the guys and get to meet some of the teammates before we got up here."

Manager Jim Pankovits:
"I kind of liked it. It gave all the kids an opportunity to be in a relaxed atmosphere, get some work done. It was a great way to break the ice. (The Astros) did it to get the kids off to a better start and allow us to evaluate their talent a little bit more to make decisions on where they would be placed (in Houston's system)."

Astros sign three more

It's been a busy week for Bobby Heck (which is also the title of my forthcoming children's book), who signed three more picks:

7th Round pick Roberto Pena
23rd Round pick Adam Bailey
27th Round pick Jacke Healey

Maybe the Astros should let guys know they're about to be drafted

27th Round pick Jacke Healey saw his name on the screen before the phone rang:

"It was on the computer screen before anyone called me. I just saw my name had popped up there. I said to my mom, 'I just got picked up.' She jumped up and gave me a hug. Then, we called my dad. It was a great family moment."

With the 27th Round pick (813th overall)

The Astros select Jacke Healey, 6'2" 180lb shortstop out of Youngstown State.

Healey hit .293/.376/.521, with 53K:15BB for Youngstown State in 2010.

WYTV:
Healey led the Penguins in homeruns (12), runs batted in (59), triples (2), runs scored (63) and base hits (83) in 2010. The former NJCAA All-America second-team selection as a member of the Potomac State Catamounts hit .356 this past season. Healey finished the year with a seven-game hit streak.

Coach Rick Pasquale:
"Jacke will do very well in professional baseball because he is a pro-style player. The Astros organization will be getting a polished infielder that loves playing the game."