Rule 5 Update

The Astros lost RHP Jose Duran to Baltimore and OF Nick Moresi to Washington in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Duran pitched in 27 games for Lancaster last season, posting an 8.06 ERA/1.85 WHIP. In four seasons in the organization, Duran was 14-8 with a 4.23 ERA/1.35 WHIP.

Moresi, the Astros 3rd Round pick in 2006, hit .223/.268/.406 in 101 games for Lancaster and Corpus in 2009. In four seasons with the organization, Moresi hit .219/.286/.355.

Hey, got some stats for you

So we're all familiar with the prospects who are playing Winter Ball, yes? Well, I've got some early returns on stats for you:

Arizona Fall League
Jason Castro: 2x12, .167/.333/.167, 1R, 3K:2BB
Jon Gaston: 1x10, .100/.308/.100, 2R, 7K:3BB, 1SB
Jose Vallejo: 0x4, .000/.000/.000, 3K:0BB

Evan Englebrook: 3IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:0BB, 0.00 ERA/1.00 WHIP
Chia-Jen Lo: 4IP, 1H/0ER, 6K:0BB, 0.00 ERA/0.25 WHIP
Wilton Lopez: 3IP, 4H/0ER, 1K:0BB, 0.00 ERA/1.33 WHIP
Danny Meszaros: 2.1IP, 4H/4ER, 3K:0BB, 15.43 ERA/1.71 WHIP

Dominican Winter League
Yordany Ramirez: 2x7, .286/.286/.429, 1R

Fernando Abad: 4IP, 0H/0ER, 5K:1BB, 0.00 ERA/0.25 WHIP
Erick Abreu: 3IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:0BB, 0.00 ERA/0.67 WHIP
Jose Duran: 1.2IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:0BB, 0.00 ERA/0.00 WHIP

Venezuelan Winter League
Wladimir Sutil: 11x29, .379/.406/.483, 0K:1BB, 1SB

Eddie's Farm: August 25

Eddie's Farm followed up an 0-6 day with a 2-4 one. Baby steps...

Round Rock
At least we know one team in this organization can win a 1-0 game, as Round Rock did against Memphis last night. J.R. Towles hit a sac fly in the third, scoring Jose Vallejo (who was 2x3, and is 5x15 with 3 doubles since the Pudge trade) for the lone run. Bogusevic had two more hits, and Brian Esposito provided the 5th and final hit of the contest. Josh Muecke threw 7IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:0BB while Casey Daigle struck out the side and Chad Paronto got his 22nd save of the year.

Corpus
The Hooks were taken down by Midland 11-6 last night. Drew Locke was 3x4, Jason Castro was 2x4 with 2RBI, and Jhon Florentino had the other multi-hit game. Felix Molina hit a 2-run shot in the 7th. Four Hooks errors led to five unearned runs, Kenny Baugh threw 5IP, 6H/4ER (6 total), 4K:6BB; T.J. Burton threw 2IP, 5H/2ER (5 total), 1K:3BB; Charlie Weatherby III (screw it, I'm never putting the "III" again) and Evan Englebrook threw 2IP, 1H/0ER in relief.

Lancaster
Wild one in High Desert last night, Lancaster took leads of 1-0 and 6-5, only to see it vanish time and again. The JetHawks tied the game at 11-11 with 2 runs in the top of the 9th before High Desert got it back in the bottom of the 9th with Jose Duran on the mound. High Desert's Joseph Dunigan got on with a 1-out double, and then advanced to third on a balk, who then scored on a sac fly. Ouch. It's the California League, so there's bound to be hitting. Ebert Rosario was 4x6, Jon Gaston was 3x6 with 3RBI, Koby Clemens was 2x5 with 4RBI (3-run jack), Ronald Ramirez was 2x5 with 2RBI, and Craig Corrado was 2x5. Chris Salamida went 4.2IP, 9H/10ER, 5K:1BB.

Lexington
The Legends got two runs in the bottom of the 8th for a 3-2 win over Hickory - no word if Gene Hackman was managing. Federico Hernandez and Michael Diaz were 2x4 with an RBI each. Brad Dydalewicz threw 6IP, 3H/1ER, 6K:3BB, but it was Henry Villar who got the win with 2IP, 1H/1ER. Matt Nevarez got his first save with Eddie's Farm after a scoreless ninth.

Tri-City
Tri-City managed just three hits in a 2-1 loss to Hudson Valley. Brian Kemp, who has been hitting all over the lineup was 2x4 in the 2-spot. The ValleyCats only had three starters last night hitting over .235 (Martinez - .303; Altuve - .289; Kemp - .278). Colton Pitkin took a hard-luck loss, going 5IP, 4H/1ER, 7K:2BB, lowering his ERA to 3.98 and his record to 3-8.

Greeneville
Elizabethton was all over Greeneville in a 10-4 win. Carlos Mojica was 3x3, Grant Hogue was 2x4, as were Nathan Metroka and Kyle Miller. Our Boy Aaron Bray was 1x4 for a five-game hitting streak. Luis Cruz threw 4.1IP, 8H/5ER, 3K:5BB, while Jeiler Castillo and Scott Migl threw 4.2IP, 10H/3ER, 5K:3BB.

Transactions!

Houston
June 17: Wesley Wright recalled from Round Rock

Round Rock
June 16: Chad Paronto placed on 7-Day DL

Lancaster
June 15: Activated RHP Jose Duran from the 7-Day DL
June 15: LHP David Duncan placed on temporarily inactive list.

Duncan this season has had some struggles: 0-9 with an 8.51 ERA in 48.2IP. 82H/46ER, 33K:17BB and a 2.03 WHIP. Let's hope he gets some time to figure it out.

Minor League Transactions

A few transactions for you on this busy day:

Lancaster
Placed RHP Jose Duran on 7-day DL
Jack Tilghman promoted from Lexington

Lexington
Sent Russell Dixon to Extended Spring Training