...The Astros select 6'0" 195lb RHP Kevin Miller, a 21-year old senior out of Cal.
Cal Baseball says at the beginning of the season that Miller is:
One of the Bears' top hurlers with the ability to either start or be a top right-handed reliever.
In 2011, Miller was 6-4 with 20 games (9 starts) with a 2.62 ERA. In 79IP, he allowed 70H/23ER, 84K:13BB, and a .240 BAA.
He was a California Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week, named as such on April 4, 2011.
Here's the Daily Californian's video of Miller's slowed-down wind-up:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
With their 17th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'3" 215lb RHP Tyson Perez, a 21-year old out of Fresno City College.
Perez was a 2011 1st-Team All-Conference winner at FCC, going 5-3 in 13 appearances (10 starts), allowing 65H/27ER, 63K:24BB in 69.2IP, with a .253 BAA, and didn't allow a homer all season.
Perez was a 2011 1st-Team All-Conference winner at FCC, going 5-3 in 13 appearances (10 starts), allowing 65H/27ER, 63K:24BB in 69.2IP, with a .253 BAA, and didn't allow a homer all season.
With their 16th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'3" 205lb LHP Scott Zuloaga, a 21-year old out of Scottsdale Community College.
In 28GP, Zuloaga threw 39.2IP, allowing 30H/8ER, 43K:10BB with a 1.82 ERA and six saves.
In 28GP, Zuloaga threw 39.2IP, allowing 30H/8ER, 43K:10BB with a 1.82 ERA and six saves.
With their 15th Round pick...
...The Astros select Zach Johnson, a 5'11" 200lb junior 1B out of Oklahoma State.
In May, Johnson was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, hitting safely in 46 of his 54 games, and starting the season with a 16-game hitting streak.
Johnson hit .358 with a .642 SLG in 2011, with 13HR/62RBI and five games where he had 4RBI. Oklahoma State coach Frank Anderson:
“He doesn’t have many highs or lows. He goes about practice like a professional player. He’s a pretty quiet kid and comes to play everyday.”
Incredibly, Johnson's favorite athlete is Jay Buhner, and he's a huge Phillies fan (stick with the Astros, kid, and you just may achieve your wish).
Here's an interview from May 2010, with Ohlone College.
In May, Johnson was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, hitting safely in 46 of his 54 games, and starting the season with a 16-game hitting streak.
Johnson hit .358 with a .642 SLG in 2011, with 13HR/62RBI and five games where he had 4RBI. Oklahoma State coach Frank Anderson:
“He doesn’t have many highs or lows. He goes about practice like a professional player. He’s a pretty quiet kid and comes to play everyday.”
Incredibly, Johnson's favorite athlete is Jay Buhner, and he's a huge Phillies fan (stick with the Astros, kid, and you just may achieve your wish).
Here's an interview from May 2010, with Ohlone College.
With their 14th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'5" 190lb RHP Gandy Stubblefield, out of Lufkin (TX) HS.
Stubblefield HAS to be part of the Horace Stubblefield clan, who have the Horace Stubblefield Learning Center in Lufkin. That's too crazy of a coincidence not to be.
Stubblefield HAS to be part of the Horace Stubblefield clan, who have the Horace Stubblefield Learning Center in Lufkin. That's too crazy of a coincidence not to be.
With their 13th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'1" 180lb junior 2B out of Clemson, 22-year old John Hinson.
Hinson, out of Asheville, NC, was Clemson's team co-captain in 2011 and went into 2011 as the team's starting 3B. He was drafted in the 13th Round in 2010 by the Phillies, but clearly chose to go back to Clemson, and got drafted in the exact same round by the Astros.
In 2011, Hinson started 60 games for the Tigers, hitting .331/.338/.514, with 24 XBH/41RBI, and 34K:24BB, to go along with 21 errors.
CollegeBaseball360 listed Hinson as a College 3B to Watch in 2011, saying:
Hinson is a guy who had question marks coming into the 2010 season. He played a little as a freshman in 2008, batting .264 with one home run and 11 RBIs. He missed all of 2009 with a back injury, so just what he would bring to the table in ’10 was a great unknown. Hinson played in all but two of Clemson’s 69 games last year though, batting .351 with 17 HR and 75 RBIs. All of those numbers were the second-best on his team for the College World Series participants. He also led Clemson with 25 stolen bases, while sporting a 1.008 OPS.
According to Hinson's dad, 20 teams showed interest in his son. Hinson, Sr.:
“I think the bargaining power has a big thing to do with getting drafted in professional baseball. If you're a senior, they can say, ‘Well, we'll give you $1,000. You can play or go home.' You know, the bargaining power does have a big part in this.”
In 2010, he was a first-team All-ACC player by SEBaseball.com, and hit .351 with 17HR, 75RBI, and a team-leading 25 steals in 56 games.
Hinson, out of Asheville, NC, was Clemson's team co-captain in 2011 and went into 2011 as the team's starting 3B. He was drafted in the 13th Round in 2010 by the Phillies, but clearly chose to go back to Clemson, and got drafted in the exact same round by the Astros.
In 2011, Hinson started 60 games for the Tigers, hitting .331/.338/.514, with 24 XBH/41RBI, and 34K:24BB, to go along with 21 errors.
CollegeBaseball360 listed Hinson as a College 3B to Watch in 2011, saying:
Hinson is a guy who had question marks coming into the 2010 season. He played a little as a freshman in 2008, batting .264 with one home run and 11 RBIs. He missed all of 2009 with a back injury, so just what he would bring to the table in ’10 was a great unknown. Hinson played in all but two of Clemson’s 69 games last year though, batting .351 with 17 HR and 75 RBIs. All of those numbers were the second-best on his team for the College World Series participants. He also led Clemson with 25 stolen bases, while sporting a 1.008 OPS.
According to Hinson's dad, 20 teams showed interest in his son. Hinson, Sr.:
“I think the bargaining power has a big thing to do with getting drafted in professional baseball. If you're a senior, they can say, ‘Well, we'll give you $1,000. You can play or go home.' You know, the bargaining power does have a big part in this.”
In 2010, he was a first-team All-ACC player by SEBaseball.com, and hit .351 with 17HR, 75RBI, and a team-leading 25 steals in 56 games.
With their 12th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'3" 205lb catcher Miles Hamblin, a 22-year old senior out of Ole Miss.
Hamblin, originally from Rowlett, TX, hit .259/.381/.430 for Ole Miss in 2011, with 33K:25BB and 14XBHs, stealing seven bases in eight attempts, and a .992 Fld%.
At Howard College in Big Spring, Hamblin played C/1B and was a National JuCo All-American, and a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, hitting .429 with 17HR, helping Howard to a 63-1 record and a JuCo National Championship.
In February '09, the Baseball Draft Report said that Hamblin "is a promising bat who should be able to stick behind the plate long-term," and later said:
Hamblin has above-average power potential and a live bat, plus he has the added advantage of being close to a sure bet of sticking behind the plate as a professional. His outstanding performance this season for a dominant junior college team has scouts buzzing. Lefty power, a great catcher’s frame, strong throwing arm (mid-80s fastball in high school), and a mature approach at the plate.
Hamblin, originally from Rowlett, TX, hit .259/.381/.430 for Ole Miss in 2011, with 33K:25BB and 14XBHs, stealing seven bases in eight attempts, and a .992 Fld%.
At Howard College in Big Spring, Hamblin played C/1B and was a National JuCo All-American, and a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, hitting .429 with 17HR, helping Howard to a 63-1 record and a JuCo National Championship.
In February '09, the Baseball Draft Report said that Hamblin "is a promising bat who should be able to stick behind the plate long-term," and later said:
Hamblin has above-average power potential and a live bat, plus he has the added advantage of being close to a sure bet of sticking behind the plate as a professional. His outstanding performance this season for a dominant junior college team has scouts buzzing. Lefty power, a great catcher’s frame, strong throwing arm (mid-80s fastball in high school), and a mature approach at the plate.
With their 11th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'4" 185lb junior out of the University of Minnesota, 21-year old Justin Gominsky.
Gominsky hit .307/.367/.381 in 49 games (189 ABs) for the Golden Gophers, with 58 hits (11XBHs) and 18RBIs, with 35K:17BB.
GopherSports.com says:
Gifted athlete out of Mahtomedi High School who was named All-State in baseball and football • talented outfielder who has good speed and can swing the bat well • has three-plus tools in his arm, bat and speed • has a great deal of athleticism and toughness, and will compete for a spot in the outfield after missing most of the 2010 season with a knee injury.
Gominsky was apparently The Man as a football player, with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune saying Gominsky was:
a sure-handed game-breaker who can bring a crowd to its feet and opposing coaches to their knees.
That's some Roy Hobbs stuff right there.
He was an all-state baseball player in his junior and senior year at Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota, playing alongside teammate Mike Kvasnicka (yeah, the guy playing for Lexington).
In February, the Daily Gopher had a baseball team preview, naming Gominsky as the Best Outfielder, saying:
Gominsky might be the single most important player on the roster this year. He missed most of 2010 due to a knee injury but the former freshman All-American will be counted upon heavily to be healthy and productive at the top of the lineup. As a freshman he hit .338 and had 11 steals. Count on Gominsky to start at CF and hit lead-off.
Gominsky hit .307/.367/.381 in 49 games (189 ABs) for the Golden Gophers, with 58 hits (11XBHs) and 18RBIs, with 35K:17BB.
GopherSports.com says:
Gifted athlete out of Mahtomedi High School who was named All-State in baseball and football • talented outfielder who has good speed and can swing the bat well • has three-plus tools in his arm, bat and speed • has a great deal of athleticism and toughness, and will compete for a spot in the outfield after missing most of the 2010 season with a knee injury.
Gominsky was apparently The Man as a football player, with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune saying Gominsky was:
a sure-handed game-breaker who can bring a crowd to its feet and opposing coaches to their knees.
That's some Roy Hobbs stuff right there.
He was an all-state baseball player in his junior and senior year at Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota, playing alongside teammate Mike Kvasnicka (yeah, the guy playing for Lexington).
In February, the Daily Gopher had a baseball team preview, naming Gominsky as the Best Outfielder, saying:
Gominsky might be the single most important player on the roster this year. He missed most of 2010 due to a knee injury but the former freshman All-American will be counted upon heavily to be healthy and productive at the top of the lineup. As a freshman he hit .338 and had 11 steals. Count on Gominsky to start at CF and hit lead-off.
With their 10th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'2" 185lb LHP Kyle Hallock, a 22-year old senior out of Kent State.
Hallock was 10-4, with a 1.95 ERA/1.19 WHIP, with 101H/23ER, 88K:23BB in 106.1IP for KSU in 2011, earning a spot on the 3rd Team All-America list.
Last year, Hallock was drafted in the 49th Round by the Phillies, but obviously came back for his senior year.
Hallock was 10-4, with a 1.95 ERA/1.19 WHIP, with 101H/23ER, 88K:23BB in 106.1IP for KSU in 2011, earning a spot on the 3rd Team All-America list.
Last year, Hallock was drafted in the 49th Round by the Phillies, but obviously came back for his senior year.
With their 9th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'5" 215lb senior RHP, 22-year old Jonas Dufek, out of Creighton.
Dufek is from Omaha, and was a 2010 Second Team, All-MVC pitcher, and was Creighton's number one starter.
In 2011, Dufek led the Missouri Valley Conference in wins (12), ERA (2.08), and strikeouts (128), in 112.2IP (walking just 29) with a .198 BAA, and was a 3rd Team All-American.
Just last Friday, Dufek threw a complete game, 5H/1ER, 10K:1BB outing against Georgia in the NCAA Corvallis Regional.
Dufek:
“That game was exactly how a Creighton baseball game should be played -– fast-paced … and then finding a way to win. Early on, I was leaving quite a few of my pitches up and they put some balls in play, but my defense was behind me early.
“And then later on, I was able to settle down and strike a few more guys out. But the whole game, my defense made plays behind me that really worked for me.”
Dufek is from Omaha, and was a 2010 Second Team, All-MVC pitcher, and was Creighton's number one starter.
In 2011, Dufek led the Missouri Valley Conference in wins (12), ERA (2.08), and strikeouts (128), in 112.2IP (walking just 29) with a .198 BAA, and was a 3rd Team All-American.
Just last Friday, Dufek threw a complete game, 5H/1ER, 10K:1BB outing against Georgia in the NCAA Corvallis Regional.
Dufek:
“That game was exactly how a Creighton baseball game should be played -– fast-paced … and then finding a way to win. Early on, I was leaving quite a few of my pitches up and they put some balls in play, but my defense was behind me early.
“And then later on, I was able to settle down and strike a few more guys out. But the whole game, my defense made plays behind me that really worked for me.”
With their 8th Round pick...
...the Astros select 6'4" 200lb RHP Brandon Culbreth, an 18-year old RHP out of Forsyth County Day School in North Carolina.
In 2009, Perfect Game said:
Big tall body, projectable build. Pitches with a 3/4 arm slot, long arm action, arm speed, gets closed at balance point, across body delivery, opens early, some deception, 10/4 SL, sweeps some, gets around FB, FB cuts. Also hit, rotational swing, inside out swing, centers ball, developing defensive actions.
Here's a video of Culbreth, Winston-Salem Online's Player of the Week.
Culbreth has committed to play for NC State.
In 2009, Perfect Game said:
Big tall body, projectable build. Pitches with a 3/4 arm slot, long arm action, arm speed, gets closed at balance point, across body delivery, opens early, some deception, 10/4 SL, sweeps some, gets around FB, FB cuts. Also hit, rotational swing, inside out swing, centers ball, developing defensive actions.
Here's a video of Culbreth, Winston-Salem Online's Player of the Week.
Culbreth has committed to play for NC State.
With their 7th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'1" 190lb 18-year old LHB CF Javaris Reynolds out of King HS in Florida.
Reynolds skipped his HS graduation to workout at Minute Maid Park, after he hit .403 with 27SBs for King HS.
In 2010, he hit .304 with 4HR, and was a perfect 17x17 in SBs.
Reynolds was named to the St. Petersburg Times All-Hillsborough County first team All-Star team.
He has committed to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Want to see a video?
Reynolds skipped his HS graduation to workout at Minute Maid Park, after he hit .403 with 27SBs for King HS.
In 2010, he hit .304 with 4HR, and was a perfect 17x17 in SBs.
Reynolds was named to the St. Petersburg Times All-Hillsborough County first team All-Star team.
He has committed to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Want to see a video?
With their 6th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'2" 225lb, 21-year old Junior Left-Fielder from San Diego State, Brandon Meredith.
Meredith was a 2011 preseason 2nd-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America, and switched to LF after his freshman year, where he played 1B. Interestingly enough, Meredith was the first high school player to ever hit a home run at Petco Park.
Meredith, who played under head coach Tony Gwynn (which means that I trust him), hit .272 with 24 XBH/38RBI, with 46K:40BB in 191ABs, and led SDSU with 10HBPs in 2011.
In 2007, Perfect Game had this to say:
Meredith has present strength throughout his body with a barrel chest. Defensively he showed raw arm strength from outfield with good carry on his throws. Meredith also showed the ability to play third base in game action giving him position flexibility. At the plate he is a right handed hitter with plus bat speed. He takes an aggressive swing and the ball jumps off his bat. There is strength in his swing giving him raw power and the ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority. He is quick through the zone, and remains balanced through his swing. Meredith is a middle of the order hitter who should produce runs at the next level. He also runs well for size. Meredith is an excellent student as well.
College Baseball 360 named him a Collegiate Outfielder To Watch.
Meredith was a 2011 preseason 2nd-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America, and switched to LF after his freshman year, where he played 1B. Interestingly enough, Meredith was the first high school player to ever hit a home run at Petco Park.
Meredith, who played under head coach Tony Gwynn (which means that I trust him), hit .272 with 24 XBH/38RBI, with 46K:40BB in 191ABs, and led SDSU with 10HBPs in 2011.
In 2007, Perfect Game had this to say:
Meredith has present strength throughout his body with a barrel chest. Defensively he showed raw arm strength from outfield with good carry on his throws. Meredith also showed the ability to play third base in game action giving him position flexibility. At the plate he is a right handed hitter with plus bat speed. He takes an aggressive swing and the ball jumps off his bat. There is strength in his swing giving him raw power and the ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority. He is quick through the zone, and remains balanced through his swing. Meredith is a middle of the order hitter who should produce runs at the next level. He also runs well for size. Meredith is an excellent student as well.
College Baseball 360 named him a Collegiate Outfielder To Watch.
With their 5th Round pick
...The Astros select 6'4" 205lb RHP Nick Tropeano, a 20-year old Junior out of Stony Brook.
He was the 2010 America East's Co-Pitcher of the Year, and a 3rd Team All-American (so named by College Baseball Lineup).
In 2011, he went 12-1 for Stony Brook, with a 1.84 ERA/0.94 WHIP, allowing 63H/19ER, 119K:24BB in 93IP, and a .191 BAA.
This comes after a 2010, where he went 8-4 with a 2.44 ERA, striking out 106 in 99.2IP. His 6.86 hits/9inn were 17th in the nation.
So if you're keeping score at home, in his last 192.2IP, Tropeano has struck out 225 batters. That doesn't include leading the Cape Cod League with 55 strikeouts in 2010 (in 55IP).
Tropeano:
“My coaches have said that my demeanor on the mound is much different. I have much more confidence and that’s very key to have as a pitcher.”
He was the 2010 America East's Co-Pitcher of the Year, and a 3rd Team All-American (so named by College Baseball Lineup).
In 2011, he went 12-1 for Stony Brook, with a 1.84 ERA/0.94 WHIP, allowing 63H/19ER, 119K:24BB in 93IP, and a .191 BAA.
This comes after a 2010, where he went 8-4 with a 2.44 ERA, striking out 106 in 99.2IP. His 6.86 hits/9inn were 17th in the nation.
So if you're keeping score at home, in his last 192.2IP, Tropeano has struck out 225 batters. That doesn't include leading the Cape Cod League with 55 strikeouts in 2010 (in 55IP).
Tropeano:
“My coaches have said that my demeanor on the mound is much different. I have much more confidence and that’s very key to have as a pitcher.”
With their 4th Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'3" 175lb LHP Christopher Lee out of Santa Fe Comm. College in Florida.
He was the 43rd ranked JuCo prospect, by Perfect Game.
Lee was 3-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 12 games (6 starts) in 2011), throwing 41IP, allowing 41H/13ER, 42K:21BB and a .263 BAA.
He was the 43rd ranked JuCo prospect, by Perfect Game.
Lee was 3-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 12 games (6 starts) in 2011), throwing 41IP, allowing 41H/13ER, 42K:21BB and a .263 BAA.
With their 3rd Round pick
...The Astros select 6'7" 230lb junior RHP Jack Armstrong out of Vanderbilt.
His father, Jack Armstrong, Sr., pitched in the majors for seven seasons.
Head coach Tim Corbin on Armstrong:
Jack bolstered our pitching staff last year as a weekend starter and I expect that he will be in that role again this year. There are not many kids out there that possess the athleticism and pitching tools that Jack does. He continues to make strides every time we give him the baseball. He was the winner of our Omaha Challenge for the pitchers as well.
ProDraft Central:
For all of his success, or lack thereof, he still offers huge upside. He’s a big guy, which means he throws hard, in the mid 90s. He’s even been known to crank it up to 99-mph on occasion. He also features a pretty good curveball and he’s working on a changeup.
Aside from his high-heat, the best thing Armstrong has going for him is the fact that he is an amazing athlete. He was the star of his high-school basketball team, and warranted several scholarships before deciding on Vandy and baseball.
His control isn’t the best, but he projects to have at least average big-league control. If he doesn’t cut it as a starter, many experts believe that he would be well suited for a relieving role, possibly even as a closer, where his high-heat and bulldog mentality would be a perfect fit."
Baseball Beginnings has an interview with Armstrong.
PineTar Press (from 2010):
Jack Jr. throws very hard and sits in the mid 90′s with a solid change up and curve. He throws a fastball with a nice sink. His father (I don’t know if this is because his career ended prematurely) has not let his son throw a slider for fear of an injury.
He was a prized prospect coming out of high school and the Rangers took him in the draft and offered him a million to sign but he chose to go to Nashville. His first year he was buried behind a veteran staff and only pitched in 6 games (all relief) going 0-0 with a 12.91 e.r.a But in the summer he shined for his dad’s old Cape Cod team Wareham as he was league all star going 4-1 with a 2.57 e.r.a and 31 k’s in 35 IP. His dad was a tall pitcher but Jack jr. reminds me of Chris Young of the Padres.
Here's MLB's scouting video.
His father, Jack Armstrong, Sr., pitched in the majors for seven seasons.
Head coach Tim Corbin on Armstrong:
Jack bolstered our pitching staff last year as a weekend starter and I expect that he will be in that role again this year. There are not many kids out there that possess the athleticism and pitching tools that Jack does. He continues to make strides every time we give him the baseball. He was the winner of our Omaha Challenge for the pitchers as well.
ProDraft Central:
For all of his success, or lack thereof, he still offers huge upside. He’s a big guy, which means he throws hard, in the mid 90s. He’s even been known to crank it up to 99-mph on occasion. He also features a pretty good curveball and he’s working on a changeup.
Aside from his high-heat, the best thing Armstrong has going for him is the fact that he is an amazing athlete. He was the star of his high-school basketball team, and warranted several scholarships before deciding on Vandy and baseball.
His control isn’t the best, but he projects to have at least average big-league control. If he doesn’t cut it as a starter, many experts believe that he would be well suited for a relieving role, possibly even as a closer, where his high-heat and bulldog mentality would be a perfect fit."
Baseball Beginnings has an interview with Armstrong.
PineTar Press (from 2010):
Jack Jr. throws very hard and sits in the mid 90′s with a solid change up and curve. He throws a fastball with a nice sink. His father (I don’t know if this is because his career ended prematurely) has not let his son throw a slider for fear of an injury.
He was a prized prospect coming out of high school and the Rangers took him in the draft and offered him a million to sign but he chose to go to Nashville. His first year he was buried behind a veteran staff and only pitched in 6 games (all relief) going 0-0 with a 12.91 e.r.a But in the summer he shined for his dad’s old Cape Cod team Wareham as he was league all star going 4-1 with a 2.57 e.r.a and 31 k’s in 35 IP. His dad was a tall pitcher but Jack jr. reminds me of Chris Young of the Padres.
Here's MLB's scouting video.
With their 2nd Round pick...
...The Astros select 6'4" 205lb RHP Adrian Houser out of Locust Grove HS in Oklahoma.
Perfect Game says:
Houser has a long lean frame, pitches from a standard arm slot, clean mechanics, cutting action on fastball, throws downhill, good follow through, solid 11-5 curveball with good arm speed, very quick arm, good feel for off speed, three pitches in zone, very interesting arm to follow, hits from a square stance, good bat speed, occasional solid contact. He is also a excellent student.
MLB Bonus Baby says:
He was very impressive here in the Atlanta area for the 17u WWBA championships pitching for the Dallas Yankees, and I think that’s the main reason why he was named to the Under Armour game. His fastball is already in the 88-92 range, and it touched 94 here. He has some projection, but he looks more like a potential #3 starter than a TORP. His curve is solid-average and it could get better, and he definitely puts some zip on it compared to a lot of prep curveballs. I have one report of there being some potential mechanical issues, but I’d like to see more video to make my own opinions.
MaxPreps had him ranked 894th in the nation, 22nd in Oklahoma.
He has committed to play baseball for OU. We'll see if the Astros can throw him enough green to change that.
Here's some video.
Perfect Game says:
Houser has a long lean frame, pitches from a standard arm slot, clean mechanics, cutting action on fastball, throws downhill, good follow through, solid 11-5 curveball with good arm speed, very quick arm, good feel for off speed, three pitches in zone, very interesting arm to follow, hits from a square stance, good bat speed, occasional solid contact. He is also a excellent student.
MLB Bonus Baby says:
He was very impressive here in the Atlanta area for the 17u WWBA championships pitching for the Dallas Yankees, and I think that’s the main reason why he was named to the Under Armour game. His fastball is already in the 88-92 range, and it touched 94 here. He has some projection, but he looks more like a potential #3 starter than a TORP. His curve is solid-average and it could get better, and he definitely puts some zip on it compared to a lot of prep curveballs. I have one report of there being some potential mechanical issues, but I’d like to see more video to make my own opinions.
MaxPreps had him ranked 894th in the nation, 22nd in Oklahoma.
He has committed to play baseball for OU. We'll see if the Astros can throw him enough green to change that.
Here's some video.
Wallace, Mier, Bailey named as all-stars
The South Atlantic League has named Chris Wallace, Jiovanni Mier, and Adam Bailey to the All-Star Team. Congratulations are in order...
Law, on Springer
Here's Keith Law's (Insider-only) Scouting Report on George Springer, but you can get the full text from Lance Zierlein.
Your money quote:
If a hitting coach can clean him up, he has the potential to hit in the middle of a major-league lineup with plus defense in right field, but that’s a substantial and very open question.
Your money quote:
If a hitting coach can clean him up, he has the potential to hit in the middle of a major-league lineup with plus defense in right field, but that’s a substantial and very open question.
Brian Pellegrini Bobblehead Night
Friday, June 10 is Brian Pellegrini Bobblehead Night, as Lexington celebrates their all-time Home Run King.
Yeah, last night was a bad night to be a RedHawk
Ryan Aber has some notes on last night's shellacking by Memphis, including some reaction by Esposito, the only reliever to emerge unscathed, on his strikeout:
The strikeout came on a cutter Esposito picked up from rehabbing Astros reliever Brandon Lyon in the dugout during the game.
“I got ahead on him 0-2 and figured I'd take a shot at striking him out, then go back to pitching to contact,” Esposito said. “I'll have to give Brandon a call and thank him for that one.
Leave Lyon in OKC and make him Burt Hooton's personal assistant!
The strikeout came on a cutter Esposito picked up from rehabbing Astros reliever Brandon Lyon in the dugout during the game.
“I got ahead on him 0-2 and figured I'd take a shot at striking him out, then go back to pitching to contact,” Esposito said. “I'll have to give Brandon a call and thank him for that one.
Leave Lyon in OKC and make him Burt Hooton's personal assistant!
Eddie's Farm: June 6
Oklahoma City (24-34)
Good Lord. The reaction to this game is worth a separate post (which will happen), but OKC got railroaded by Memphis 14-2. Ryan Rowland-Smith allowed 6H/6ER, 5K:2BB in 5IP to get the loss. Francis Beltran gets the Ugly, by allowing 4H/7ER, 0K:3BB in 0.2IP. Wesley Wright allowed 4H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2.1IP, and the only reliever to not allow a run: catcher Brian Esposito, who threw a perfect 9th inning.
The RedHawks got seven hits: two from Tommy Manzella (who also had two errors), and two from Brandon Barnes. Jose Vallejo was 0x1 with 2BBs. Brian Bogusevic hit his 3rd homer of the year, and Brian Dopirak added the other RBI. Anderson Hernandez and Max Ramirez had doubles.
Man of the Match: Brian Esposito!
Corpus (20-36)
Arkansas scored in the top of the 1st, and the top of the 10th, and that was it. Arkansas wins in extras, 3-2. Xavier Cedeno continues a streak of dominance, allowing 5H/2ER, 10K:3BB, while Kyle Greenwalt gets the L with 3H/1ER allowed in 1.1IP.
Jimmy Paredes was 2x4 with a solo homer; Jose Altuve was 2x5 with a double (and is hitting .417 since his call-up) - and both stole a base. T.J. Steele got himself a triple, while Brandon Wikoff and Jimmy Van Ostrand provided your other hits.
Man of the Match: Xavier Cedeno
Lancaster (24-33)
Austin Wates' walk-off sac fly capped a comeback in which the JetHawks saw themselves down 7-1 in the 6th, and winning in the bottom of the 10th 8-7. Zach Grimmett got the start, allowing 5H/5ER, 1K:5BB in 4.1IP. Colton Pitkin gave up 3H/2ER, 1K:0BB, 2HR in 1.2IP; David Berner walked one and gave up a hit in 1.1IP, while Wander Alvino threw the final 2.2IP, getting the win on 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB.
Miguel Arrendell was 3x5 with a walk, Kody Hinze was 1x3 with an RBI and two walks. Every JetHawk got a hit except for 2B Hector Rodriguez. Austin Wates, in addition to the sac fly, was 1x4 with a walk.
Man of the Match: Austin Wates
Lexington (28-30)
Greenville scored five in the bottom of the 6th, and that was enough for a 6-5 win over Lexington. Carlos Quevedo allowed 7H/3R (2ER), 7K:0BB in 5.1IP; Gabe Garcia got the loss with 2H/3ER (and allowing one run charged to Quevedo), 0K:2BB in 0.1IP; Jason Chowning gave up a hit in 0.1IP, and Luis Cruz allowed 3H/0ER, 3K:0BB in 2IP.
Adam Bailey was 2x4 with a solo homer - his 13th of the season - and Tyler Burnett was 2x4. Emilio King was 1x4 with a double, walk, and 2RBI. Jordan Scott was 1x3 with an RBI.
Man of the Match: Adam Bailey
DSL Astros (2-3)
Have had four straight games suspended because of rain.
Good Lord. The reaction to this game is worth a separate post (which will happen), but OKC got railroaded by Memphis 14-2. Ryan Rowland-Smith allowed 6H/6ER, 5K:2BB in 5IP to get the loss. Francis Beltran gets the Ugly, by allowing 4H/7ER, 0K:3BB in 0.2IP. Wesley Wright allowed 4H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2.1IP, and the only reliever to not allow a run: catcher Brian Esposito, who threw a perfect 9th inning.
The RedHawks got seven hits: two from Tommy Manzella (who also had two errors), and two from Brandon Barnes. Jose Vallejo was 0x1 with 2BBs. Brian Bogusevic hit his 3rd homer of the year, and Brian Dopirak added the other RBI. Anderson Hernandez and Max Ramirez had doubles.
Man of the Match: Brian Esposito!
Corpus (20-36)
Arkansas scored in the top of the 1st, and the top of the 10th, and that was it. Arkansas wins in extras, 3-2. Xavier Cedeno continues a streak of dominance, allowing 5H/2ER, 10K:3BB, while Kyle Greenwalt gets the L with 3H/1ER allowed in 1.1IP.
Jimmy Paredes was 2x4 with a solo homer; Jose Altuve was 2x5 with a double (and is hitting .417 since his call-up) - and both stole a base. T.J. Steele got himself a triple, while Brandon Wikoff and Jimmy Van Ostrand provided your other hits.
Man of the Match: Xavier Cedeno
Lancaster (24-33)
Austin Wates' walk-off sac fly capped a comeback in which the JetHawks saw themselves down 7-1 in the 6th, and winning in the bottom of the 10th 8-7. Zach Grimmett got the start, allowing 5H/5ER, 1K:5BB in 4.1IP. Colton Pitkin gave up 3H/2ER, 1K:0BB, 2HR in 1.2IP; David Berner walked one and gave up a hit in 1.1IP, while Wander Alvino threw the final 2.2IP, getting the win on 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB.
Miguel Arrendell was 3x5 with a walk, Kody Hinze was 1x3 with an RBI and two walks. Every JetHawk got a hit except for 2B Hector Rodriguez. Austin Wates, in addition to the sac fly, was 1x4 with a walk.
Man of the Match: Austin Wates
Lexington (28-30)
Greenville scored five in the bottom of the 6th, and that was enough for a 6-5 win over Lexington. Carlos Quevedo allowed 7H/3R (2ER), 7K:0BB in 5.1IP; Gabe Garcia got the loss with 2H/3ER (and allowing one run charged to Quevedo), 0K:2BB in 0.1IP; Jason Chowning gave up a hit in 0.1IP, and Luis Cruz allowed 3H/0ER, 3K:0BB in 2IP.
Adam Bailey was 2x4 with a solo homer - his 13th of the season - and Tyler Burnett was 2x4. Emilio King was 1x4 with a double, walk, and 2RBI. Jordan Scott was 1x3 with an RBI.
Man of the Match: Adam Bailey
DSL Astros (2-3)
Have had four straight games suspended because of rain.
More on George Springer
From the Danbury (we think) News-Times:
Springer, drafted in the 48th-round by Minnesota out of Avon Old Farms in 2008, drew chatter in the offseason as a candidate to be the first overall pick. Scouts later backed off a bit with concerns over whether his big swing can make consistent contact against major league pitching.
Bobby Heck, via Stephen Goff:
"He wasn't No. 1 on our board, but when it was our turn to pick, he was our top guy. Being a college player in one of the better conferences, he has a chance to advance at an accelerated rate.
Springer, via Fox26's Mark Berman:
"I'm ready to go out and compete and ready to go out and advance my career as fast as I can. I'm ready to go."
Bullpen Banter's Al Skorupa:
I've seen a LOT of Springer. What a special athlete. You just don't see college players with these kind of tools.
Springer, drafted in the 48th-round by Minnesota out of Avon Old Farms in 2008, drew chatter in the offseason as a candidate to be the first overall pick. Scouts later backed off a bit with concerns over whether his big swing can make consistent contact against major league pitching.
Bobby Heck, via Stephen Goff:
"He wasn't No. 1 on our board, but when it was our turn to pick, he was our top guy. Being a college player in one of the better conferences, he has a chance to advance at an accelerated rate.
Springer, via Fox26's Mark Berman:
"I'm ready to go out and compete and ready to go out and advance my career as fast as I can. I'm ready to go."
Bullpen Banter's Al Skorupa:
I've seen a LOT of Springer. What a special athlete. You just don't see college players with these kind of tools.
A Note of Thanks
Big thanks to Street for filling in yesterday. He absolutely killed it, and even had some nice things to say about us - which is rare. Today we'll be updating sporadically, but I will tell you this. By the time we go to bed tonight, there will be a full list of Astros selections along with some background information - similar to the last two years' draft coverage, just not necessarily in real time.
The best of the rest
Day 1 of the 2011 Rule 4 draft has been completed. The Astros chose an athletic center fielder with power potential in UConn junior George Springer with the 11th overall pick. The Astros did not have a 1st round supplemental pick, and do not pick again until tomorrow in the 2nd round at 69th overall.
Now that the first 60 picks are 'in the books' and Day 1 is complete, there still remain a number of top prospect available on Day 2. Top 100 players from Baseball America's Top 200 list who have not yet been drafted are listed below.
Pitchers:
16 Daniel Norris, lhp, Science Hill HS, Johnson City, Tenn.
23 John Stilson, rhp, Texas A&M (fell due to injury concerns)
31 Dillon Howard, rhp, Searcy (Ark.) HS
32 Matt Purke, lhp, Texas Christian (sophomore eligible draftee and injury concerns)
39 Jorge Lopez, rhp, Academia de Milagrosa, Cayey, P.R.
41 Josh Osich, lhp, Oregon State
43 Kyle Winkler, rhp, Texas Christian
46 Dillon Maples, rhp, Pinecrest HS, Southern Pines, N.C.
50 Tony Zych, rhp, Louisville
55 Anthony Meo, rhp, Coastal Carolina
62 Charlie Lowell, lhp, Wichita State
69 Adam Conley, lhp, Washington State
70 Andrew Gagnon, rhp, Long Beach State
74 Bryan Brickhouse, rhp, The Woodlands (Texas) HS
81 Lenny Linsky, rhp, Hawaii
91 Burch Smith, rhp, Oklahoma
93 Noe Ramirez, rhp, Cal State Fullerton
94 Kyle McMillen, rhp, Kent State
96 Matt Andriese, rhp, UC Riverside
97 Erik Johnson, rhp, California
98 Evan Marshall, rhp, Kansas State
99 Chris Marlowe, rhp, Oklahoma State
100 Logan Verrett, rhp, Baylor
Position Players:
15 Josh Bell, of, Dallas Jesuit HS
28 Austin Hedges, c, JSerra HS, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
30 Andrew Susac, c, Oregon State
42 Alex Dickerson, of, Indiana
52 Granden Goetzman, of, Palmetto (Fla.) HS
53 Williams Jerez, of, Grand Street HS, Brooklyn
54 Matt Dean, 3b, The Colony (Texas) HS
57 Ricky Oropesa, 1b/3b, Southern California
59 Aaron Westlake, 1b, Vanderbilt
63 B.A. Vollmuth, 3b/ss, Southern Miss
64 Cam Gallagher, c, Manheim Township HS, Lancaster, Pa.
66 Derek Fisher, of, Cedar Crest HS, Lebanon, Pa.
68 Brad Miller, ss, Clemson
71 Jace Peterson, ss, McNeese State
72 Tyler Marlette, c, Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla.
73 Roman Quinn, of, Port St. Joe (Fla.) HS
77 Jason Esposito, 3b, Vanderbilt
79 Nick Ahmed, ss, UConn
80 Charlie Tilson, of, New Trier HS, Winnetka, Ill.
82 Connor Barron, ss, Sumrall (Miss.) HS
83 Tyler Greene, ss, West Boca Raton (Fla.) HS
84 Johnny Eierman, of, Warsaw (Mo.) HS
85 Tyler Gibson, of, Stratford Academy, Macon, Ga.
87 Kyle Gaedele, of, Valparaiso
88 Nicky Delmonico, c/1b/3b, Farragut HS, Knoxville
95 Brandon Loy, ss, Texas
Monday, June 6, 2011
And with the 11th pick in the draft...
The Houston Astros choose George Springer, OF from the University of Connecticut.
Admittedly I'm playing it a bit lazy here (the Constable and crew will be ashamed of me), but The Crawfish Boxes has put together a nice compilation of scouting reports on Springer, and is a good place to start your research on him.
As for Springer's thoughts on being picked by the Astros, we won't know immediately as UConn is currently up 3-1 in its NCAA regional game against Clemson. -StreetJL
"Inside the Draft roof with... Bobby Heck"
Another excellent draft piece from Examiner.com's Stephen Goff. Though I've included a random 'Bobby Heck quote' below, the article is definitely worth the click, and worthy of a read in its entirety.
"We talk a lot about risk management. People think college players can get there or the college pitcher is a safer pick. Not necessarily. It's about taking the right player and at the end of the day, when you look at your top 10, you have a mix of high school, college and junior college players..".
Can't get enough draft info?
As always, Astros County should be your first destination for Astros draft information (after all, it was the Constable's great work on 2009 draftees that clued me in on the site in the first place). That said, there are a number of other places that you might choose to glean additional information from as well.
Currently, there are a number of good 'live chats' / draft blogs going on (or recently completed) in advance of the draft (in no particular order):
Perfect Game USA live chat;
Project Prospect / DiamondScape Scouting live chat;
Scout.com live chat [A note regarding my Scout.com related comments: for the last 2 years I have been one of two contributors to the Astros prospect section of the FOX Sports Fantasy Baseball / Scout.com top prospects annual. Though I've endeavored to remove any potential bias from my Scout.com related comments, the potential for bias should nevertheless be noted];
Keith Law (ESPN) chat; and
Baseball America draft blog.
For Astros' specific draft chat and information check out:
The Crawfish Boxes; and
The 2011 Draft thread at the Bus Ride Discussion Forum (SpikesNStars) [Again, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a moderator at the Bus Ride].
And finally (for the moment anyway), a site that I highly recommend: 'Cats Corner.
For those of you who are not familiar with 'Cats Corner, it is the official blog site of the Tri-City ValleyCats, and (in my opinion) provides the most in-depth Astros prospect information of any of the Astros affiliates. Kevin Whitaker is working with the club again this season, and will be part of the ValleyCat team hosting a live blog of days one and two of the draft. Be sure and drop in and give them a read.
Edited to add: somehow in the midst of all the information above, I inexplicably failed to mention that you can follow along with the draft through MLB.com's Draft Central.
Some more 'Final Mocks'
I should have been clear on my previous post: those were the final mock drafts (as I understand it anyway) from the selected writers, not the final mock drafts that Astros County will be posting. With that said, a couple more 'final mocks' for your perusal:
Kevin Goldstein (06/06) of Baseball Prospectus has the Astros taking RHP Taylor Jungmann of the University of Texas at #11. David Rawnsley (06/04) of Perfect Game USA has the Astros taking RHP Archie Bradley of Broken Arrow HS (Oklahoma) at this spot. Frankie Piliere of Scout.com (06/05) has LHP Jed Bradley of Georgia Tech projected at #11 (though he previously had Tweeted that the Astros were working on a pre-draft deal for Stanford LHP Chris Reed here - a rumor which has been generally shown to be incorrect). -StreetJL
Final mocks
Alas, I've actually got work and deadlines and stuff going on as well today... but... it is Day 1 of the MLB Rule 4 draft and face it, I'd be kidding myself if I really thought I'd be productive today...
With that said, here are a couple of final mock drafts for your perusal.
Baseball America and Keith Law (sub req'd) both have the Astros taking SS Francisco Lindor for Montverde Academy (FLA) at #11. Jonathan Mayo has the Astros taking LHP Jed Bradley from Georgia Tech at this spot.
Personally I'm a bit dubious on the Lindor pick at #11 if, but we'll see... -StreetJL
A Note, for this week
We know. We've been bad bloggers. But we kindly ask you to bear with us, at least for another day or so. The Constable is at Disney, while the County Clerk and I have meetings we just can't get out of - even if it is Draft Day. We'll be back real soon.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
From the Office of the County Clerj - G59: Astros @ Padres
What didn't help most: The two early runs? or the three late ones? Astros lose at San Diego, 6-3.
*The loss drops the Astros to 12-19 on the road (and that's even after the four game win streak), otherwise known as the Worst Road Record in the NL.
*Aneury Rodriguez allowed 5H/3ER, 2K:3BB in 6IP for his 2nd quality start in three games. He got the loss, though, dropping him to 0-3.
*Aneury also threw 100 pitches in an outing for the first time this season, beating his previous high of 96 against the Dodgers on May 25.
*Enerio Del Rosario allowed 2H/3R (2ER), 2K:1BB in 1.2IP. It was the first time he had allowed a run since April 27 - a span of 13 appearances. Del Rosario has allowed 12 runs (10 earned), which all have come in four outings.
*The Astros got eight hits, and were 1x9 w/RISP.
*Two hits came courtesy of Michael Bourn, who had two doubles, and the lone hit w/RISP. It's his first multi-XBH game since going 2x4 with two doubles against Florida on April 10.
*Clint Barmes hit his 3rd homer of the season, and is hitting .290 over the course of the last seven days.
*Hunter Pence was 1x4, extending his hitting streak to 16 games, in which he's hitting .406/.433/.625 - with a .460 BABIP - coming into last night.
*Chris Johnson was put in the #5 spot, and went 0x3. In eight games at #5, Johnson is 6x34.
*Man of the Match: Michael Bourn
*Goat of the Game: Going with J.R. Towles, who's managed to get a Catcher's Interference in two straight games.
*The loss drops the Astros to 12-19 on the road (and that's even after the four game win streak), otherwise known as the Worst Road Record in the NL.
*Aneury Rodriguez allowed 5H/3ER, 2K:3BB in 6IP for his 2nd quality start in three games. He got the loss, though, dropping him to 0-3.
*Aneury also threw 100 pitches in an outing for the first time this season, beating his previous high of 96 against the Dodgers on May 25.
*Enerio Del Rosario allowed 2H/3R (2ER), 2K:1BB in 1.2IP. It was the first time he had allowed a run since April 27 - a span of 13 appearances. Del Rosario has allowed 12 runs (10 earned), which all have come in four outings.
*The Astros got eight hits, and were 1x9 w/RISP.
*Two hits came courtesy of Michael Bourn, who had two doubles, and the lone hit w/RISP. It's his first multi-XBH game since going 2x4 with two doubles against Florida on April 10.
*Clint Barmes hit his 3rd homer of the season, and is hitting .290 over the course of the last seven days.
*Hunter Pence was 1x4, extending his hitting streak to 16 games, in which he's hitting .406/.433/.625 - with a .460 BABIP - coming into last night.
*Chris Johnson was put in the #5 spot, and went 0x3. In eight games at #5, Johnson is 6x34.
*Man of the Match: Michael Bourn
*Goat of the Game: Going with J.R. Towles, who's managed to get a Catcher's Interference in two straight games.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
That happened about 15 months before I imagined it would
Imagine my surprise, sitting in a Best Western in Macon, Georgia, and seeing that the Astros released Bill Hall. A couple of emotions to report:
1. I'm impressed Ed Wade pulled the trigger as "quickly" as he did. I mean, you could have made a case for this a month ago, but I didn't think it would actually happen until next season, if it happened at all. I don't know if Ed Wade isflexing nuts to show Jim Crane that he can cut waste as well as any CEO, but I like it.
2. But it's not as though Wade had a choice. Keppinger - in a limited amount of time - and Bourgeois had both done a much better job. I'm sure Wade wanted Hall to work out so Keppinger could be expendable, but in the end, we can chalk Hall up as another veteran free-agent signing that just didn't work out.
1. I'm impressed Ed Wade pulled the trigger as "quickly" as he did. I mean, you could have made a case for this a month ago, but I didn't think it would actually happen until next season, if it happened at all. I don't know if Ed Wade isflexing nuts to show Jim Crane that he can cut waste as well as any CEO, but I like it.
2. But it's not as though Wade had a choice. Keppinger - in a limited amount of time - and Bourgeois had both done a much better job. I'm sure Wade wanted Hall to work out so Keppinger could be expendable, but in the end, we can chalk Hall up as another veteran free-agent signing that just didn't work out.
Friday, June 3, 2011
11th pick: Sinkhole
There's a post up at SB Nation on the history of the 11th pick:
In the 55 years of the Rule 4 amateur draft, the 11th pick has produced less value than the 119th pick.
In the 55 years of the Rule 4 amateur draft, the 11th pick has produced less value than the 119th pick.
Eddie's Farm: June 2
Oklahoma City (24-30)
It's hard to come back from a 5-0 deficit in the first inning, and Round Rock couldn't do it, going on to lose 11-1 to OKC. Gustavo Chacin went 5IP, allowing just 3H/0ER, 2K:2BB, while Francis Beltran allowed 2H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 3IP of relief. Fernando Abad gave up a hit in 1IP.
J.B. Shuck was 3x4 with 4RBI, while Jason Bourgeois (3B, BB), Anderson Hernandez (RBI), Koby Clemens (HR, RBI, BB), Brian Dopirak (RBI), and Tommy Manzella (3B, RBI) had two hits each. Brandon Barnes was 1x3 with two walks and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck
Corpus (19-33)
Springfield was up 5-0 before Corpus got their lone run, and then scored four more for a 9-1 win over Corpus. Jonnathan Aristil allowed 9H/5ER, 8K:1BB in the loss, while Shane Wolf allowed 1H/1ER in 2IP. Arcenio Leon allowed 3H/3ER in 1IP, and Kyle Greenwalt threw the last inning, allowing one hit.
Jake Goebbert was 3x4 with an RBI, and J.D. Martinez was 2x4 to provide your multi-hit games. 28-year old catcher Emerson Frostad made his 2011 debut after seven seasons in the Rangers system, and went 0x3 with a walk.
Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert.
Lancaster (22-32)
Modesto had an answer for every late inning run the JetHawks put up, taking the game 6-4 from Lancaster. Bobby Doran only threw 1+_IP, allowing 2H/2ER, 1K:2BB before being lifted for Mike Ness, who threw 5IP, 7H/1ER, 3K:0BB in relief. Wander Alvino took the loss, giving up 1H/3R (2ER), 1K:4BB.
Austin Wates was 3x4 with a double and a stolen base; Erik Castro and Miguel Arrendell were both 2x4, and Kody Hinze hit his 14th homer of the year.
Man of the Match: Austin Wates
Lexington (26-28)
Lexington scored three late runs for a 3-1 win over West Virginia. Alex Sogard allowed 6H/1ER, 5K:1BB in 5IP, while Brian Streilein threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:2BB and got the win. Jorge De Leon struck out the side for his 6th save of the year.
Mike Kvasnicka was 2x4 with a two-run, go-ahead homer in the 8th. Adam Bailey also hit his 12th homer of the year and had an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at home from RF. Ben Orloff was 2x4.
Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka
DSL Astros (2-3)
The DSL Astros overcame a 7-1 deficit for a 9-7 win over the DSL Mets2 (which sounds like what my wireless is called). Edgar Ferreira allowed 2H/5ER, 3K:3BB, 2WP in 1.1IP. Yeudy Perdomo allowed two of Ferreira's runs, and one earned run of his own in 2.2IP. Ambiorix DeLeon threw 3IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:1BB and Manuel Sanchez walked one in 2IP. So in the final five innings, the DSL Astros' bullpen allowed 0H/0ER, 4K:2BB.
Tomas De La Cruz went 2x3 with an RBI; Jose Solano was 1x2 with 3BB, Darwin Rivera was 1x1 with a walk and 2RBI in a pinch-hit/DH role.
Man of the Match: Tomas De La Cruz
It's hard to come back from a 5-0 deficit in the first inning, and Round Rock couldn't do it, going on to lose 11-1 to OKC. Gustavo Chacin went 5IP, allowing just 3H/0ER, 2K:2BB, while Francis Beltran allowed 2H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 3IP of relief. Fernando Abad gave up a hit in 1IP.
J.B. Shuck was 3x4 with 4RBI, while Jason Bourgeois (3B, BB), Anderson Hernandez (RBI), Koby Clemens (HR, RBI, BB), Brian Dopirak (RBI), and Tommy Manzella (3B, RBI) had two hits each. Brandon Barnes was 1x3 with two walks and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck
Corpus (19-33)
Springfield was up 5-0 before Corpus got their lone run, and then scored four more for a 9-1 win over Corpus. Jonnathan Aristil allowed 9H/5ER, 8K:1BB in the loss, while Shane Wolf allowed 1H/1ER in 2IP. Arcenio Leon allowed 3H/3ER in 1IP, and Kyle Greenwalt threw the last inning, allowing one hit.
Jake Goebbert was 3x4 with an RBI, and J.D. Martinez was 2x4 to provide your multi-hit games. 28-year old catcher Emerson Frostad made his 2011 debut after seven seasons in the Rangers system, and went 0x3 with a walk.
Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert.
Lancaster (22-32)
Modesto had an answer for every late inning run the JetHawks put up, taking the game 6-4 from Lancaster. Bobby Doran only threw 1+_IP, allowing 2H/2ER, 1K:2BB before being lifted for Mike Ness, who threw 5IP, 7H/1ER, 3K:0BB in relief. Wander Alvino took the loss, giving up 1H/3R (2ER), 1K:4BB.
Austin Wates was 3x4 with a double and a stolen base; Erik Castro and Miguel Arrendell were both 2x4, and Kody Hinze hit his 14th homer of the year.
Man of the Match: Austin Wates
Lexington (26-28)
Lexington scored three late runs for a 3-1 win over West Virginia. Alex Sogard allowed 6H/1ER, 5K:1BB in 5IP, while Brian Streilein threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:2BB and got the win. Jorge De Leon struck out the side for his 6th save of the year.
Mike Kvasnicka was 2x4 with a two-run, go-ahead homer in the 8th. Adam Bailey also hit his 12th homer of the year and had an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at home from RF. Ben Orloff was 2x4.
Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka
DSL Astros (2-3)
The DSL Astros overcame a 7-1 deficit for a 9-7 win over the DSL Mets2 (which sounds like what my wireless is called). Edgar Ferreira allowed 2H/5ER, 3K:3BB, 2WP in 1.1IP. Yeudy Perdomo allowed two of Ferreira's runs, and one earned run of his own in 2.2IP. Ambiorix DeLeon threw 3IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:1BB and Manuel Sanchez walked one in 2IP. So in the final five innings, the DSL Astros' bullpen allowed 0H/0ER, 4K:2BB.
Tomas De La Cruz went 2x3 with an RBI; Jose Solano was 1x2 with 3BB, Darwin Rivera was 1x1 with a walk and 2RBI in a pinch-hit/DH role.
Man of the Match: Tomas De La Cruz
From the Office of the County Clerk - G57: Astros @ Padres
That, my friends, is a four-game win streak. And what's more? It's a four-game win streak on the road. Astros win 7-4.
*The four game road win streak is the longest since August of 2010 (not impressive, I know.) If they win Friday's game, it will tie that streak, set over August 22-26, 2010.
*The win moves the Astros to 3-2 over San Diego this season. They have a winning record against four teams now: Cubs (4-2), Dodgers (2-1), Padres (3-2), and Blue Jays (2-1).
*On this four-game streak, the Astros have outscored their opponents 29-15. It had taken eight of the previous games to get to 29 runs.
*Bud Norris allowed 6H/4ER, 6K:2BB in 6IP. In each of his two previous starts, he had allowed two earned runs (nine runs total).
*He threw 111 pitches - 70 for strikes. Norris, this season, has thrown 1251 pitches, and 788 of them for strikes, for a 62.98% of strikes:pitches.
*Norris also only got one groundball out on the night - his fewest of the season.
*Mark Melancon got his 5th save of the season, and his 2nd in two games. He hasn't allowed a hit in three appearances, but has walked a batter in two straight games. His 16 pitches were actually the most he had thrown since May 22 against Toronto (six games).
*The offense got 11 hits - marking the 4th straight game with double-digit hits. They had a five-game stretch from April 8-12 earlier this year (2-3).
*Carlos Lee was 2x4 with a walk - the third game in his last four that he has two hits, and the 4th game in his last six. Lee is hitting over .260 for the first time since April 5th, when an 0x4 against Cincinnati dropped him from .364 to .267, and an 0x3 dropped him from .267 to .222.
*Brett Wallace was also 2x4, with a double, and a walk. Wallace now has a nine-game hitting streak, with five hits in his last nine ABs.
*Chris Johnson hit his 6th homer of the season, bringing his .380 SLG to within 101 points of his 2010 SLG. On this four-game road trip, he's hitting .353/.389/.647, with a Johnson-esque .455 BABIP.
*The Astros were 2x14 last night w/RISP, and are now hitting - as a team - .278/.351/.386 with RISP.
*Man of the Match: Chris Johnson!
*Goat of the Game: Anyone who batted with a runner in scoring position. Carlos Lee and Johnson were the only players to get a hit w/RISP.
*The four game road win streak is the longest since August of 2010 (not impressive, I know.) If they win Friday's game, it will tie that streak, set over August 22-26, 2010.
*The win moves the Astros to 3-2 over San Diego this season. They have a winning record against four teams now: Cubs (4-2), Dodgers (2-1), Padres (3-2), and Blue Jays (2-1).
*On this four-game streak, the Astros have outscored their opponents 29-15. It had taken eight of the previous games to get to 29 runs.
*Bud Norris allowed 6H/4ER, 6K:2BB in 6IP. In each of his two previous starts, he had allowed two earned runs (nine runs total).
*He threw 111 pitches - 70 for strikes. Norris, this season, has thrown 1251 pitches, and 788 of them for strikes, for a 62.98% of strikes:pitches.
*Norris also only got one groundball out on the night - his fewest of the season.
*Mark Melancon got his 5th save of the season, and his 2nd in two games. He hasn't allowed a hit in three appearances, but has walked a batter in two straight games. His 16 pitches were actually the most he had thrown since May 22 against Toronto (six games).
*The offense got 11 hits - marking the 4th straight game with double-digit hits. They had a five-game stretch from April 8-12 earlier this year (2-3).
*Carlos Lee was 2x4 with a walk - the third game in his last four that he has two hits, and the 4th game in his last six. Lee is hitting over .260 for the first time since April 5th, when an 0x4 against Cincinnati dropped him from .364 to .267, and an 0x3 dropped him from .267 to .222.
*Brett Wallace was also 2x4, with a double, and a walk. Wallace now has a nine-game hitting streak, with five hits in his last nine ABs.
*Chris Johnson hit his 6th homer of the season, bringing his .380 SLG to within 101 points of his 2010 SLG. On this four-game road trip, he's hitting .353/.389/.647, with a Johnson-esque .455 BABIP.
*The Astros were 2x14 last night w/RISP, and are now hitting - as a team - .278/.351/.386 with RISP.
*Man of the Match: Chris Johnson!
*Goat of the Game: Anyone who batted with a runner in scoring position. Carlos Lee and Johnson were the only players to get a hit w/RISP.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Betting Man: June 2
The Betting Man is back! He surfaced in Monte Carlo, in a ditch, with vomit down his front and poo down his back.
He couldn't remember what the last bet was, so we'll pick up now:
Current Total: $977.59
To Date: $37.59
Tonight! Houston @ San Diego:
I'm not so sure Houston will win, but I think it'll be a one-run game, so let's throw $10 down on Houston +1.5 at +114, resulting in a $21.40 win.
I do think the total runs will be over 3, so let's put $20 down on the over, for a $37.39 win.
He couldn't remember what the last bet was, so we'll pick up now:
Current Total: $977.59
To Date: $37.59
Tonight! Houston @ San Diego:
I'm not so sure Houston will win, but I think it'll be a one-run game, so let's throw $10 down on Houston +1.5 at +114, resulting in a $21.40 win.
I do think the total runs will be over 3, so let's put $20 down on the over, for a $37.39 win.
What's next for Jose Altuve?
We're not going to get too ramped up about Jose Altuve - well, not anymore than we already have - but it's worth wondering about: What to do with Jose Altuve next?
First of all, don't expect Altuve's stop at Corpus to be brief before heading to Oklahoma City. It took 213 ABs of Altuve hitting .408 for the Astros to decide that maybe he was too good for the level of competition he was facing. 200 ABs at Corpus could take him to the middle of August, and that's given the possibility that he's completely lights out.
That said, it's a good opportunity for Altuve. Those currently on the roster with more than 10 games at 2B in Oklahoma City include Anderson Hernandez and Jose Vallejo.
Anderson Hernandez has done the best job, hitting .261/.315/.400, with 10 errors. Vallejo is hitting .228/.287/.278 in 33 games. Hernandez is hitting .308/.368/.519 against lefties, but .242/.293/.352 against righties. Minor League Baseball's website is kind of a prick, only letting me see Altuve's current splits - meaning, his 4ABs at Corpus last night, and not his Lancaster splits. But I'm guessing they're better than Anderson Hernandez' splits.
So there's an opening at OKC for a good second baseman, and by mid-August we could be seeing Altuve playing there.
First of all, don't expect Altuve's stop at Corpus to be brief before heading to Oklahoma City. It took 213 ABs of Altuve hitting .408 for the Astros to decide that maybe he was too good for the level of competition he was facing. 200 ABs at Corpus could take him to the middle of August, and that's given the possibility that he's completely lights out.
That said, it's a good opportunity for Altuve. Those currently on the roster with more than 10 games at 2B in Oklahoma City include Anderson Hernandez and Jose Vallejo.
Anderson Hernandez has done the best job, hitting .261/.315/.400, with 10 errors. Vallejo is hitting .228/.287/.278 in 33 games. Hernandez is hitting .308/.368/.519 against lefties, but .242/.293/.352 against righties. Minor League Baseball's website is kind of a prick, only letting me see Altuve's current splits - meaning, his 4ABs at Corpus last night, and not his Lancaster splits. But I'm guessing they're better than Anderson Hernandez' splits.
So there's an opening at OKC for a good second baseman, and by mid-August we could be seeing Altuve playing there.
Eddie's Farm Employees of the Month: May 2011
Here are your Employees of the Month for May 2011!
Oklahoma City
Robinson Cancel! The pudgy catcher hit .370/.430/.514 in 21 games, striking out just nine times in 72 ABs, before earning a call-up with Jordan Lyles.
Jordan Lyles! The Astros undisputed top prospect threw 32IP, allowing 28H/10ER, 22K:10BB, and holding opponents to a .239 BAA.
Corpus
Jake Goebbert! Hit .299/.400/.506 in 23 May games, picking up the slack from J.D. Martinez' injury. At Whataburger Field this season, he's hitting .375/.487/.656.
The Throwing Employee of the Month was a toss-up between Keuchel and Cedeno, but we give it to Xavier Cedeno. In 33.2IP in May, Cedeno allowed 26H/11ER, 30K:14BB, with 2.53 GB:FB ratio.
Lancaster
Jose Altuve. Of course.
Colton Pitkin! In 10 appearances (14IP), Pitkin allowed 10H/4ER, 8K:3BB, for a .204 BAA in May.
Lexington
Adam Bailey! Hit .306/.366/.532 in 28 games, with 15K:9BB and 14 XBH (8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homers) in May.
Mike Foltynewicz! Not only did he earn his first professional win, but went 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA, with 25H/11ER, 20K:12BB in 27IP.
Oklahoma City
Robinson Cancel! The pudgy catcher hit .370/.430/.514 in 21 games, striking out just nine times in 72 ABs, before earning a call-up with Jordan Lyles.
Jordan Lyles! The Astros undisputed top prospect threw 32IP, allowing 28H/10ER, 22K:10BB, and holding opponents to a .239 BAA.
Corpus
Jake Goebbert! Hit .299/.400/.506 in 23 May games, picking up the slack from J.D. Martinez' injury. At Whataburger Field this season, he's hitting .375/.487/.656.
The Throwing Employee of the Month was a toss-up between Keuchel and Cedeno, but we give it to Xavier Cedeno. In 33.2IP in May, Cedeno allowed 26H/11ER, 30K:14BB, with 2.53 GB:FB ratio.
Lancaster
Jose Altuve. Of course.
Colton Pitkin! In 10 appearances (14IP), Pitkin allowed 10H/4ER, 8K:3BB, for a .204 BAA in May.
Lexington
Adam Bailey! Hit .306/.366/.532 in 28 games, with 15K:9BB and 14 XBH (8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homers) in May.
Mike Foltynewicz! Not only did he earn his first professional win, but went 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA, with 25H/11ER, 20K:12BB in 27IP.
Random Round-up!
And now we offer up your random article round-up!
The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber, on Brandon Barnes:
He credits Mike Barnett, who was the Astros’ minor league hitting coordinator but is now Houston’s hitting coach, with his turnaround.
“He kind of worked with me more, not physically, but mentally,” Barnes said. “It’s really paid off.”
Greg Rajan's Corpus Notebook:
Second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Jonathan Villar joined the Hooks and were in the starting lineup. Both are expected to play regularly.
“They’re here to play,” Hooks manager Tom Lawless said. “That’s what baseball’s about. You do your job, get noticed and move up the ladder.”
The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber, on Brandon Barnes:
He credits Mike Barnett, who was the Astros’ minor league hitting coordinator but is now Houston’s hitting coach, with his turnaround.
“He kind of worked with me more, not physically, but mentally,” Barnes said. “It’s really paid off.”
Greg Rajan's Corpus Notebook:
Second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Jonathan Villar joined the Hooks and were in the starting lineup. Both are expected to play regularly.
“They’re here to play,” Hooks manager Tom Lawless said. “That’s what baseball’s about. You do your job, get noticed and move up the ladder.”
Eddie's Farm: June 1
Oklahoma City (23-30)
OKC scored the final five runs of the game, but it wasn't enough as the RedHawks fell short to Round Rock 7-6. Ryan Rowland-Smith allowed 7H/5ER, 5K:5BB, 2HR in 4.2IP to drop to 2-5 on the season. Wesley Wright gave up 3H/2ER, 3K:0BB, WP, HBP in 2.1IP, while Danny Meszaros allowed 1H/0ER, 2K:1BB in the final 2IP.
Tommy Manzella was 2x5 with a double, HR, and 2RBI, and Koby Clemens was 2x4 with his 6th homer of the season. Anderson Hernandez, Brian Bogusevic, and Max Ramirez provided your other RBIs as the RedHawks were 0x7 w/RISP.
Man of the Match: Tommy Manzella
Corpus (19-32)
WALK-OFF! Corpus takes a 3-0 lead, then a 4-2 lead, then a 5-4 lead, then seals it in the bottom of the 9th for a 6-5 win over Springfield. Xavier Cedeno threw 6IP, 6H/2R (1ER), 5K:2BB in the start. Blake King allowed 1H/2ER, 1K:2BB, HR; Patrick Urckfitz walked one in 1.1IP, and Sam Gervacio gets the Brandon Lyon (BS/W), 1H/1R (0ER), 1K:0BB.
Jose Altuve made his Corpus debut, going 3x4 with a two-run homer and 3RBI total. Jimmy Paredes was 2x5 with 2SB - giving him 20SBs on the season. Jonathan Villar was 2x5 with a double and the walk-off homer, while J.D. Martinez (BB), and T.J. Steele had two hits each. Federico Hernandez was 1x3 with 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jose Altuve
Lancaster (22-31)
The JetHawks scored in four straight innings, putting away Modesto on the road, 8-3. Jake Buchanan threw 7IP, 8H/3R (2ER), 7K:0BB, while Yordany Ramirez and Andrew Robinson threw perfect innings in relief.
Kody Hinze was 3x3 with a double, RBI, and two walks; Jonathan Meyer (2B, RBI), Miguel Arrendell (RBI), and Hector Rodriguez - making his Lancaster debut at SS - all had two hits each. Ben Heath was 1x5 with 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jake Buchanan.
Lexington (25-28)
The Legends never led in this game, dropping 5-1 to West Virginia. Carlos Quevedo allowed 10H/4R (1ER), 2K:1BB in 5IP, while Gabe Garcia threw 4IP of relief, allowing 2H/1ER, 4K:0BB.
The Legends only had three hits on the night - two of them from Tyler Burnett, who also stole a base and drew a walk, with Jordan Scott making his debut and going 1x3.
Man of the Match: Tyler Burnett
DSL Astros (1-3)
The DSL Astros got some shaky bullpen work to drop to 1-3 with a 6-0 loss at the DSL Indians. Geronimo Franzua was all about it, throwing 6IP, 3H/0ER, 2K:2BB. But then Johan Arias allowed 1H/3ER, 0K:1BB in 0IP, with Alexander Martinez allowing 5H/3ER in 1.2IP. Juan Delis got the final out of the game.
The offense only got three hits on the night - from Juan Santana, Darwin Rivera (2B), and Mario Gonzalez.
Man of the Match: Geronimo Franzua
OKC scored the final five runs of the game, but it wasn't enough as the RedHawks fell short to Round Rock 7-6. Ryan Rowland-Smith allowed 7H/5ER, 5K:5BB, 2HR in 4.2IP to drop to 2-5 on the season. Wesley Wright gave up 3H/2ER, 3K:0BB, WP, HBP in 2.1IP, while Danny Meszaros allowed 1H/0ER, 2K:1BB in the final 2IP.
Tommy Manzella was 2x5 with a double, HR, and 2RBI, and Koby Clemens was 2x4 with his 6th homer of the season. Anderson Hernandez, Brian Bogusevic, and Max Ramirez provided your other RBIs as the RedHawks were 0x7 w/RISP.
Man of the Match: Tommy Manzella
Corpus (19-32)
WALK-OFF! Corpus takes a 3-0 lead, then a 4-2 lead, then a 5-4 lead, then seals it in the bottom of the 9th for a 6-5 win over Springfield. Xavier Cedeno threw 6IP, 6H/2R (1ER), 5K:2BB in the start. Blake King allowed 1H/2ER, 1K:2BB, HR; Patrick Urckfitz walked one in 1.1IP, and Sam Gervacio gets the Brandon Lyon (BS/W), 1H/1R (0ER), 1K:0BB.
Jose Altuve made his Corpus debut, going 3x4 with a two-run homer and 3RBI total. Jimmy Paredes was 2x5 with 2SB - giving him 20SBs on the season. Jonathan Villar was 2x5 with a double and the walk-off homer, while J.D. Martinez (BB), and T.J. Steele had two hits each. Federico Hernandez was 1x3 with 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jose Altuve
Lancaster (22-31)
The JetHawks scored in four straight innings, putting away Modesto on the road, 8-3. Jake Buchanan threw 7IP, 8H/3R (2ER), 7K:0BB, while Yordany Ramirez and Andrew Robinson threw perfect innings in relief.
Kody Hinze was 3x3 with a double, RBI, and two walks; Jonathan Meyer (2B, RBI), Miguel Arrendell (RBI), and Hector Rodriguez - making his Lancaster debut at SS - all had two hits each. Ben Heath was 1x5 with 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jake Buchanan.
Lexington (25-28)
The Legends never led in this game, dropping 5-1 to West Virginia. Carlos Quevedo allowed 10H/4R (1ER), 2K:1BB in 5IP, while Gabe Garcia threw 4IP of relief, allowing 2H/1ER, 4K:0BB.
The Legends only had three hits on the night - two of them from Tyler Burnett, who also stole a base and drew a walk, with Jordan Scott making his debut and going 1x3.
Man of the Match: Tyler Burnett
DSL Astros (1-3)
The DSL Astros got some shaky bullpen work to drop to 1-3 with a 6-0 loss at the DSL Indians. Geronimo Franzua was all about it, throwing 6IP, 3H/0ER, 2K:2BB. But then Johan Arias allowed 1H/3ER, 0K:1BB in 0IP, with Alexander Martinez allowing 5H/3ER in 1.2IP. Juan Delis got the final out of the game.
The offense only got three hits on the night - from Juan Santana, Darwin Rivera (2B), and Mario Gonzalez.
Man of the Match: Geronimo Franzua
Monday, May 30, 2011
Since when has logic interfered with the Yankees' or Astros' reasoning?
With a captip to SBN Houston, there's a link to the NY Post's George King, who says that the Astros are willing to listen on Brett Myers. But the Yankees don't have the pieces the Astros might be looking for.
It makes perfect sense for the Astros to try and trade Myers, but unfortunately, the time when Myers would have received peak return may have been about 10 months ago. Myers is struggling, and is receiving $7m this season (as opposed to $3.1m in 2010), and is guaranteed at least $14m over the next two seasons (possibly $21m). This is all well and good for a guy who threw 154 quality starts in 2010 (LITERALLY), but not so much for the guy who leads baseball in homers allowed.
Still, depending on how Jordan Lyles does over the next six weeks, there just may be an expendable pitcher on the staff. Maybe it's Myers, maybe it's Wandy. But Wandy would be the more attractive option for pillaging teams.
It makes perfect sense for the Astros to try and trade Myers, but unfortunately, the time when Myers would have received peak return may have been about 10 months ago. Myers is struggling, and is receiving $7m this season (as opposed to $3.1m in 2010), and is guaranteed at least $14m over the next two seasons (possibly $21m). This is all well and good for a guy who threw 154 quality starts in 2010 (LITERALLY), but not so much for the guy who leads baseball in homers allowed.
Still, depending on how Jordan Lyles does over the next six weeks, there just may be an expendable pitcher on the staff. Maybe it's Myers, maybe it's Wandy. But Wandy would be the more attractive option for pillaging teams.
INBOX!
We don't get a lot of questions to the old inbox, but we did get this, from Citizen Ramy:
How come you don't do more draft projections?
Well, Ramy, it's mainly because it's kind of a crapshoot. And we don't know much about it. And, because the Crawfish Boxes are pretty much slaying it over on their site. We're terrible at projections, other than making some inferences and deductive reasoning based on past performances, but that's pretty much why.
How come you don't do more draft projections?
Well, Ramy, it's mainly because it's kind of a crapshoot. And we don't know much about it. And, because the Crawfish Boxes are pretty much slaying it over on their site. We're terrible at projections, other than making some inferences and deductive reasoning based on past performances, but that's pretty much why.
Eddie's Farm: May 29
Oklahoma City (21-29)
Nelson Figueroa took the loss as Nashville jumped out to a 3-0 early lead, and held on for a 4-2 win over OKC. Figueroa threw 5IP, 5H/3ER, 3K:1BB, HBP, HR in the loss while Danny Meszaros and Ross Wolf each threw scoreless/hitless innings. Fernando Abad was in the middle of those two, allowing 2H/1ER in 1IP.
Jose Vallejo was 3x4, Brian Esposito was 2x4 for your multi-hit games. Anderson Hernandez (2B, BB, RBI), Tommy Manzella (BB), Koby Clemens (BB, RBI), and Nelson Figueroa had your other hits. Brian Dopirak and Drew Locke each had pinch-hit walks as OKC went 1x8 w/RISP and left ten men on base.
Man of the Match: Jose Vallejo
Corpus (18-31)
Dallas Keuchel improved to 3-4 as he threw a complete game shutout against Arkansas in a 4-0 win on the road. Keuchel ended up with 9IP, 7H/0ER, 4K:2BB, throwing 112 pitches in the CG/SHO.
David Flores was 3x3 with a double, and Wladimir Sutil went 2x4 with a SB, double and 2RBI, with Brandon Wikoff and Jake Goebbert adding your other RBIs.
Man of the Match: Dallas Keuchel.
Lancaster (20-30)
Lancaster took a 2-0 lead, and then saw it turn to a 5-2 deficit, but a late rally fell just short as the JetHawks dropped it to High Desert, 5-4. Robby Donovan threw 6IP, 8H/5ER, 6K:1BB, and Chris Hicks came in for the final 2IP, allowing 2H/0ER.
Kody Hinze was 3x4, while Johnathan Villar was 2x5 with a two-run homer and 3RBI. Jose Carlos Thompson was 2x4 with a double, and Grant Hogue was 2x3 with a double Austin Wates was 1x2 with 2BB. Jose Altuve was 0x4 with a walk, but is still hitting .402.
Man of the Match: Jonathan Villar
Lexington (25-25)
Lexington had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the 9th at Greensboro, gave up the tying run, but got three runs in the top of the 10th for a 4-1 win. Mike Foltynewicz is putting it together, throwing 6IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:2BB. Gabe Garcia threw 2IP, 1H/0ER, and Brian Streilein got the Brandon Lyon of the day (BS/W), with Jorge De Leon getting his 5th save of the season.
Dan Adamson was 2x4 with two solo homers, and Mike Kvasnicka was 2x4 with a double. Jiovanni Mier was 1x4 with a walk and 2RBI (in the 10th).
Man of the Match: Dan Adamson!
DSL Astros
The Dominican Summer League Astros dropped to 0-2 on the young season with a 3-1 loss at the DSL Rays. Reymin Guduan threw 1IP, 0H/1ER, 1K:4BB, 2WP; Yoiner Angulo allowed two runs - both unearned - on 2K:1BB in 1.2IP. Yeudy Perdomo gave up 4H/0ER, 5K:0BB in 3.1IP, while Ambiorix De Leon and Alexander Martinez threw scoreless innings.
Your DSL Astros only got three hits on the day - by Juan Santana, Mesac Laguna, and a pinch-hit from Darwin Rivera. Michael Media was 0x2 with 2BB and your lone RBI.
Man of the Match: Yeudy Perdomo
Nelson Figueroa took the loss as Nashville jumped out to a 3-0 early lead, and held on for a 4-2 win over OKC. Figueroa threw 5IP, 5H/3ER, 3K:1BB, HBP, HR in the loss while Danny Meszaros and Ross Wolf each threw scoreless/hitless innings. Fernando Abad was in the middle of those two, allowing 2H/1ER in 1IP.
Jose Vallejo was 3x4, Brian Esposito was 2x4 for your multi-hit games. Anderson Hernandez (2B, BB, RBI), Tommy Manzella (BB), Koby Clemens (BB, RBI), and Nelson Figueroa had your other hits. Brian Dopirak and Drew Locke each had pinch-hit walks as OKC went 1x8 w/RISP and left ten men on base.
Man of the Match: Jose Vallejo
Corpus (18-31)
Dallas Keuchel improved to 3-4 as he threw a complete game shutout against Arkansas in a 4-0 win on the road. Keuchel ended up with 9IP, 7H/0ER, 4K:2BB, throwing 112 pitches in the CG/SHO.
David Flores was 3x3 with a double, and Wladimir Sutil went 2x4 with a SB, double and 2RBI, with Brandon Wikoff and Jake Goebbert adding your other RBIs.
Man of the Match: Dallas Keuchel.
Lancaster (20-30)
Lancaster took a 2-0 lead, and then saw it turn to a 5-2 deficit, but a late rally fell just short as the JetHawks dropped it to High Desert, 5-4. Robby Donovan threw 6IP, 8H/5ER, 6K:1BB, and Chris Hicks came in for the final 2IP, allowing 2H/0ER.
Kody Hinze was 3x4, while Johnathan Villar was 2x5 with a two-run homer and 3RBI. Jose Carlos Thompson was 2x4 with a double, and Grant Hogue was 2x3 with a double Austin Wates was 1x2 with 2BB. Jose Altuve was 0x4 with a walk, but is still hitting .402.
Man of the Match: Jonathan Villar
Lexington (25-25)
Lexington had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the 9th at Greensboro, gave up the tying run, but got three runs in the top of the 10th for a 4-1 win. Mike Foltynewicz is putting it together, throwing 6IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:2BB. Gabe Garcia threw 2IP, 1H/0ER, and Brian Streilein got the Brandon Lyon of the day (BS/W), with Jorge De Leon getting his 5th save of the season.
Dan Adamson was 2x4 with two solo homers, and Mike Kvasnicka was 2x4 with a double. Jiovanni Mier was 1x4 with a walk and 2RBI (in the 10th).
Man of the Match: Dan Adamson!
DSL Astros
The Dominican Summer League Astros dropped to 0-2 on the young season with a 3-1 loss at the DSL Rays. Reymin Guduan threw 1IP, 0H/1ER, 1K:4BB, 2WP; Yoiner Angulo allowed two runs - both unearned - on 2K:1BB in 1.2IP. Yeudy Perdomo gave up 4H/0ER, 5K:0BB in 3.1IP, while Ambiorix De Leon and Alexander Martinez threw scoreless innings.
Your DSL Astros only got three hits on the day - by Juan Santana, Mesac Laguna, and a pinch-hit from Darwin Rivera. Michael Media was 0x2 with 2BB and your lone RBI.
Man of the Match: Yeudy Perdomo
Saturday, May 28, 2011
And so it begins...
Some good news and some bad news for you this morning.
The bad: Wandy was placed on the DL today with fluid on the elbow.
The good: Jordan Lyles was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City and will start next Tuesday in Chicago.
And so the Jordan Lyles era in Houston begins! -StreetJL
Weekend update
Hey, so once again we find ourselves in a bind. The Constable is in Houston with his dad, I'm on Wife Alert (Bed, Bath and Beyond, Bath & Body Works, etc.), and the Juvenile Court Clerk is camping.
Updates are going to be sporadic. Sorry 'bout it.
Updates are going to be sporadic. Sorry 'bout it.
From the Office of the County Clerk - G51: Astros v. Diamondbacks
Now that was painful - on just about every level. Astros blow a huge lead, and lose Quintero, to the Diamondbacks, 7-6.
*The Astros blew a 6-0 lead - their largest of the season.
*They had a 6-4 lead going into the 7th, meaning that, when leading after six innings, the Astros are just 13-7.
*Brett Myers threw 5.2IP, 5H/4ER, 4K:3BB, 2HR. The two homers he gave up to Juan Miranda put him at the top of the league in homers allowed, at 14. Those 14 homers are the most allowed in all of baseball, one ahead (or behind, depending on how you look at it) of Texas' Colby Lewis.
*Just for comparison, Myers has allowed 14HR in 68.2IP. In 2010 Myers gave up 20HR in 223.2IP. His 1.8 HR/9 rate is a full homer higher than 2010, but 0.5 HR/9 lower than his 2009 season, when the Phillies promptly let him go.
*Still Sergio Escalona allowed a run for the first time since May 10 - six appearances between ERs.
*But actually, the run was allowed by Wilton Lopez, who then went and got the BS/L by allowing three hits, a walk, and committing a throwing error on the play that got Quintero hurt. It was the first time Lopez allowed three hits in an outing since April 13 - after which he went on the DL.
*The offense got the job done, but again, the pitching threw it away. In 11 games where the Astros score 6+ runs, they're just 7-4.
*Michael Bourn was 3x5 with 3RBI. Since May 18, Bourn is hitting .333/.415/.472. He has 16 RBIs on the year - and six of those have come in the last four games.
*Hunter Pence was 1x3, but with 2BBs. It's the 19th time in his career (631 games) that he has drawn 2+ walks in a game. Pence has a 7.1% walk rate in 2011, up slightly from his 6.2% walk rate in 2010, and better than his career 6.8% walk rate.
*The Astros blew a 6-0 lead - their largest of the season.
*They had a 6-4 lead going into the 7th, meaning that, when leading after six innings, the Astros are just 13-7.
*Brett Myers threw 5.2IP, 5H/4ER, 4K:3BB, 2HR. The two homers he gave up to Juan Miranda put him at the top of the league in homers allowed, at 14. Those 14 homers are the most allowed in all of baseball, one ahead (or behind, depending on how you look at it) of Texas' Colby Lewis.
*Just for comparison, Myers has allowed 14HR in 68.2IP. In 2010 Myers gave up 20HR in 223.2IP. His 1.8 HR/9 rate is a full homer higher than 2010, but 0.5 HR/9 lower than his 2009 season, when the Phillies promptly let him go.
*Still Sergio Escalona allowed a run for the first time since May 10 - six appearances between ERs.
*But actually, the run was allowed by Wilton Lopez, who then went and got the BS/L by allowing three hits, a walk, and committing a throwing error on the play that got Quintero hurt. It was the first time Lopez allowed three hits in an outing since April 13 - after which he went on the DL.
*The offense got the job done, but again, the pitching threw it away. In 11 games where the Astros score 6+ runs, they're just 7-4.
*Michael Bourn was 3x5 with 3RBI. Since May 18, Bourn is hitting .333/.415/.472. He has 16 RBIs on the year - and six of those have come in the last four games.
*Hunter Pence was 1x3, but with 2BBs. It's the 19th time in his career (631 games) that he has drawn 2+ walks in a game. Pence has a 7.1% walk rate in 2011, up slightly from his 6.2% walk rate in 2010, and better than his career 6.8% walk rate.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tease Alert!
Maury Brown, of the Biz of Baseball, has a little bit of a bomb to drop:
Sampling on Crane: over past 15 yrs, Crane-held companies have been involved in 130 lawsuits at the Federal Court level. Most as defendant.
Of course, it's from a tweet, so call off the grammar/punctuation police. It'll be interesting to see what Brown puts on the Biz of Baseball site. Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked position.
Sampling on Crane: over past 15 yrs, Crane-held companies have been involved in 130 lawsuits at the Federal Court level. Most as defendant.
Of course, it's from a tweet, so call off the grammar/punctuation police. It'll be interesting to see what Brown puts on the Biz of Baseball site. Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked position.
Pence: Good not great
Jayson Stark's new new Rumblings and Grumblings column is up, and he addresses the Hunter Pence situation:
The Astros continue to tell people that when they project which pieces they would need to build a winner down the road, they can't envision Hunter Pence not being a central part of that. But one scout who has seen Pence a lot says he's not the kind of player you construct a team around.
"He's a good player, but I see him as more of a complementary piece," the scout said. "He's the kind of guy you win with if you have two other major run-producers around him. I don't want to give the impression I don't like the guy. I like him a lot. But he's not an impact guy to the point that should prohibit them from trading him for a quality starting pitcher and another piece."
The Astros continue to tell people that when they project which pieces they would need to build a winner down the road, they can't envision Hunter Pence not being a central part of that. But one scout who has seen Pence a lot says he's not the kind of player you construct a team around.
"He's a good player, but I see him as more of a complementary piece," the scout said. "He's the kind of guy you win with if you have two other major run-producers around him. I don't want to give the impression I don't like the guy. I like him a lot. But he's not an impact guy to the point that should prohibit them from trading him for a quality starting pitcher and another piece."
Maybe that game wasn't so lifelike, after all
In this here interview with Brian Kingrey, the guy who won the million dollars, he talks about the most tense moment:
"The biggest guy I had to worry about was in the 7th inning, Bill Hall. Getting past him was the major thing because he would always just swing away and knock one out. Other than that was the left-handers I had to worry about."
Ha! Artificial intelligence my...
"The biggest guy I had to worry about was in the 7th inning, Bill Hall. Getting past him was the major thing because he would always just swing away and knock one out. Other than that was the left-handers I had to worry about."
Ha! Artificial intelligence my...
OKC rotation update
In an interesting note, Darren Headrick says that OKC has shifted Gustavo Chacin from the bullpen to the rotation, and Doug Arguello will move to the bullpen.
Felipe Paulino is now a Royal
So we're behind the curve with this news, but it's still worth noting that former Astro Felipe Paulino was traded by Colorado to Kansas City.
Royals manager Ned Yost:
"Our scouts say he's really got good stuff. We'll just have to see when he gets here. Our people like him a lot and say he's got a chance to be a starter down the road. We'll use him in the 'pen long right now; it just gives us more options."
Paulino was traded back in November for Clint Barmes - and as of now, this trade has worked out well enough, I suppose. We wrote:
If Felipe Paulino turns into Ubaldo Jimenez, we can all chalk this up to kerrazy Ed Wade shenanigans, but name a player - other than 2008 Lidge - who Wade got rid of that went on to be a star.
Royals manager Ned Yost:
"Our scouts say he's really got good stuff. We'll just have to see when he gets here. Our people like him a lot and say he's got a chance to be a starter down the road. We'll use him in the 'pen long right now; it just gives us more options."
Paulino was traded back in November for Clint Barmes - and as of now, this trade has worked out well enough, I suppose. We wrote:
If Felipe Paulino turns into Ubaldo Jimenez, we can all chalk this up to kerrazy Ed Wade shenanigans, but name a player - other than 2008 Lidge - who Wade got rid of that went on to be a star.
Lancaster's GM resigns
MiLB.com says that Larry Thornhill has resigned his position as Vice President and General Manager of the franchise for personal reasons. Assistant GM Derek Sharp will take over on an interim basis, while the JetHawks brought back 2004-2008 GM Brad Seymour as "Senior Consultant."
According to the press release:
Seymour currently also serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Lake County (Ohio) Captains, a Cleveland Indians affiliate under the direction of the Peter A. Carfagna ownership group which also controls the Lancaster franchise. Seymour, along with team President Peter E. Carfagna, will have direct oversight of the day-to-day activities of the JetHawks.
According to the press release:
Seymour currently also serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Lake County (Ohio) Captains, a Cleveland Indians affiliate under the direction of the Peter A. Carfagna ownership group which also controls the Lancaster franchise. Seymour, along with team President Peter E. Carfagna, will have direct oversight of the day-to-day activities of the JetHawks.
This (sniff) is the last (sniff) time Drayton will get to pay slot
Zach Levine has a story on the upcoming draft, and how Drayton will still be at the helm for it, though Jim Crane and George Postolos are very much in the loop.
Wade, (and Levine):
“Both Jim and George know the importance of this (draft),” said Wade, adding that they are committed to a strong presence in Latin America as well.
“Everyone wants to get to the point where the core of the team is coming through scouting and player development.”
Wade, (and Levine):
“Both Jim and George know the importance of this (draft),” said Wade, adding that they are committed to a strong presence in Latin America as well.
“Everyone wants to get to the point where the core of the team is coming through scouting and player development.”
Tranzactionz: Greenwalt sent down, Astros claim Blake King
A couple of tranzactionz to report for you:
Activated:
Tanner Bushue
Sent Down:
Juri Perez, from Lexington to Tri-City
Kyle Greenwalt, from Corpus to Tri-City
Claimed on waivers:
Blake King (May 26), assigned to Corpus
-
Tough news for Greenwalt, who was dropped two levels and sent to Extended Spring Training. Greenwalt broke out in 2008 with Greeneville, throwing 77.2IP, allowing 80H/26ER, with 58K:16BB to get everyone all excited about his future, as well as teammate Jordan Lyles. He pitched reasonably well in Lexington in 2009, going 8-13, but with a 4.20 ERA/1.31 WHIP. But things started to fall apart in 2010, when he had a 1.71 WHIP in 136.2IP, with 90K:42BB in 136.2IP, and in nine starts for Corpus in 2011, he allowed 58H/40ER, with just 28K:12BB in 38.2IP for a 9.31 ERA/1.81 WHIP, and eight homers allowed.
Who is this Blake King? He's a 24 year old RHP from Tulsa (same high school as Dallas Keuchel), drafted in the 44th Round of the 2005 draft by the Cardinals. In six seasons with the Cardinals, he's 25-24 with a 4.14 ERA/1.48 WHIP, with 511K:324BB in 428.2IP, averaging 10.7 K/9.
In 2010, he lit up Double-A Springfield, throwing 68IP - all in relief - and allowing 40H/22ER, with 84K:48BB (yes, more walks than hits allowed). But things just haven't got his way in 2011, where between AA/AAA, he has allowed 16H/18ER, 19K:24BB in 14.1IP for a robust 2.79 WHIP, after which he was placed on waivers.
Activated:
Tanner Bushue
Sent Down:
Juri Perez, from Lexington to Tri-City
Kyle Greenwalt, from Corpus to Tri-City
Claimed on waivers:
Blake King (May 26), assigned to Corpus
-
Tough news for Greenwalt, who was dropped two levels and sent to Extended Spring Training. Greenwalt broke out in 2008 with Greeneville, throwing 77.2IP, allowing 80H/26ER, with 58K:16BB to get everyone all excited about his future, as well as teammate Jordan Lyles. He pitched reasonably well in Lexington in 2009, going 8-13, but with a 4.20 ERA/1.31 WHIP. But things started to fall apart in 2010, when he had a 1.71 WHIP in 136.2IP, with 90K:42BB in 136.2IP, and in nine starts for Corpus in 2011, he allowed 58H/40ER, with just 28K:12BB in 38.2IP for a 9.31 ERA/1.81 WHIP, and eight homers allowed.
Who is this Blake King? He's a 24 year old RHP from Tulsa (same high school as Dallas Keuchel), drafted in the 44th Round of the 2005 draft by the Cardinals. In six seasons with the Cardinals, he's 25-24 with a 4.14 ERA/1.48 WHIP, with 511K:324BB in 428.2IP, averaging 10.7 K/9.
In 2010, he lit up Double-A Springfield, throwing 68IP - all in relief - and allowing 40H/22ER, with 84K:48BB (yes, more walks than hits allowed). But things just haven't got his way in 2011, where between AA/AAA, he has allowed 16H/18ER, 19K:24BB in 14.1IP for a robust 2.79 WHIP, after which he was placed on waivers.
Eddie's Farm: May 26
Oklahoma City (21-26)
Back and forth game between OKC and Fresno as the score went: 1-0 OKC, 1-1, 2-1 OKC, 4-2 Fresno, 5-4 OKC - and that was all by the middle of the 4th. Fresno then scored the next four runs for an 8-5 win over OKC. Sergio Perez threw 5IP, 7H/6ER, 5K:1BB, allowing 3HR. Andy Van Hekken allowed 3H/0ER in 1.1IP, and Ross Wolf allowed 2H/2ER, 2K:2BB with 2HR in 1.2IP.
Brandon Barnes is killing the ball, going 3x5 with two doubles and a triple with an RBI. In his last three games, Barnes is 6x12 with two doubles, a triple, and two homers. Tommy Manzella (2RBI, SB) and Jose Vallejo (RBI) each had two hits, and Robinson Cancel extended his hitting streak to 17 games was a 1x4, BB, RBI night.
Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes
Corpus (17-29)
Brutal loss for Corpus at Springfield last night as Xavier Cedeno took a no-hitter into the 8th inning. The Hooks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 9th, but Springfield got two back in the bottom half for the 2-1 win. Cedeno threw 7.2IP, 1H/0ER, 8K:5BB, WP, and didn't allow a ball in the air until Alan Ahmady lined out to 2B. Danny Meszaros was on the mound when Federico Hernandez caught a runner stealing at 3rd to end the inning. Patrick Urckfitz gave up a leadoff double, then a single, a groundout RBI, an intentional walk, and a walk-off single for the loss.
The Hooks only got five hits - Jimmy Paredes (2B), Jon Gaston (2B), Jimmy Van Ostrand (2B, BB), Cedeno, and a pinch-hit RBI from Everyone's Hero J.D. Martinez. T.J. Steele was 0x4 with 4Ks in the cleanup spot.
Man of the Match: Xavier Cedeno
Lancaster (19-28)
How do you respond to a 25-9 beatdown? By putting up five in the bottom of the first. Lancaster scored in every inning except the 6th for a 13-4 win over Rancho Cucamonga. Zach Grimmett threw 4.2IP, allowing 7H/2ER, 8K:2BB while Mike Ness got the win, allowing 3H/2R (0ER), 2K:0BB in 4IP of relief. Wander Alvino was on the mound for the last out of the game.
This will take a while. Grant Hogue was 4x5 with 2RBI, while Johnathan Villar (2B, HR, RBI), Jose Altuve (now hitting .403), Jonathan Meyer (2B, HR, RBI), and Ben Heath (2B) all had three hits each. Jay Austin (BB), Kody Hinze (BB, 2RBI), and Jose Carlos Thompson (HR, RBI) had two hits each. Austin Wates was the only player with just one hit, and it was a double.
Man of the Match: Grant Hogue.
Lexington (24-23)
Lexington had a 7-0 lead going into the 6th, but watched that evaporate by the end of the 7th before getting three back in the bottom of the 8th for a 10-8 win over Rome. Tanner Bushue threw 3IP in his return from the DL, allowing 1H/0ER, 4K:2BB. Luis Cruz gave up 5H/3ER in 3IP. Garrett Bullock allowed 2H/3ER, 0K:1BB, with David Martinez letting both runners he inherited score, and Brian Streilein gave up a solo homer.
Jiovanni Mier (2B, BB, 3RBI), Adam Bailey (2B, BB, 2RBI), and Emilio King (2B) had three hits each, while Chris Wallace was 2x5 with an RBI. Delino DeShields was 1x4 with a walk, and was picked off of third base. The Legends were 8x13 w/RISP as they win their 5th straight to get over .500.
Man of the Match: Jiovanni Mier
Back and forth game between OKC and Fresno as the score went: 1-0 OKC, 1-1, 2-1 OKC, 4-2 Fresno, 5-4 OKC - and that was all by the middle of the 4th. Fresno then scored the next four runs for an 8-5 win over OKC. Sergio Perez threw 5IP, 7H/6ER, 5K:1BB, allowing 3HR. Andy Van Hekken allowed 3H/0ER in 1.1IP, and Ross Wolf allowed 2H/2ER, 2K:2BB with 2HR in 1.2IP.
Brandon Barnes is killing the ball, going 3x5 with two doubles and a triple with an RBI. In his last three games, Barnes is 6x12 with two doubles, a triple, and two homers. Tommy Manzella (2RBI, SB) and Jose Vallejo (RBI) each had two hits, and Robinson Cancel extended his hitting streak to 17 games was a 1x4, BB, RBI night.
Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes
Corpus (17-29)
Brutal loss for Corpus at Springfield last night as Xavier Cedeno took a no-hitter into the 8th inning. The Hooks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 9th, but Springfield got two back in the bottom half for the 2-1 win. Cedeno threw 7.2IP, 1H/0ER, 8K:5BB, WP, and didn't allow a ball in the air until Alan Ahmady lined out to 2B. Danny Meszaros was on the mound when Federico Hernandez caught a runner stealing at 3rd to end the inning. Patrick Urckfitz gave up a leadoff double, then a single, a groundout RBI, an intentional walk, and a walk-off single for the loss.
The Hooks only got five hits - Jimmy Paredes (2B), Jon Gaston (2B), Jimmy Van Ostrand (2B, BB), Cedeno, and a pinch-hit RBI from Everyone's Hero J.D. Martinez. T.J. Steele was 0x4 with 4Ks in the cleanup spot.
Man of the Match: Xavier Cedeno
Lancaster (19-28)
How do you respond to a 25-9 beatdown? By putting up five in the bottom of the first. Lancaster scored in every inning except the 6th for a 13-4 win over Rancho Cucamonga. Zach Grimmett threw 4.2IP, allowing 7H/2ER, 8K:2BB while Mike Ness got the win, allowing 3H/2R (0ER), 2K:0BB in 4IP of relief. Wander Alvino was on the mound for the last out of the game.
This will take a while. Grant Hogue was 4x5 with 2RBI, while Johnathan Villar (2B, HR, RBI), Jose Altuve (now hitting .403), Jonathan Meyer (2B, HR, RBI), and Ben Heath (2B) all had three hits each. Jay Austin (BB), Kody Hinze (BB, 2RBI), and Jose Carlos Thompson (HR, RBI) had two hits each. Austin Wates was the only player with just one hit, and it was a double.
Man of the Match: Grant Hogue.
Lexington (24-23)
Lexington had a 7-0 lead going into the 6th, but watched that evaporate by the end of the 7th before getting three back in the bottom of the 8th for a 10-8 win over Rome. Tanner Bushue threw 3IP in his return from the DL, allowing 1H/0ER, 4K:2BB. Luis Cruz gave up 5H/3ER in 3IP. Garrett Bullock allowed 2H/3ER, 0K:1BB, with David Martinez letting both runners he inherited score, and Brian Streilein gave up a solo homer.
Jiovanni Mier (2B, BB, 3RBI), Adam Bailey (2B, BB, 2RBI), and Emilio King (2B) had three hits each, while Chris Wallace was 2x5 with an RBI. Delino DeShields was 1x4 with a walk, and was picked off of third base. The Legends were 8x13 w/RISP as they win their 5th straight to get over .500.
Man of the Match: Jiovanni Mier
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Virtual Ineptitude of the Astros helped a guy win $1m
Did you hear about MLB 2K11's contest where the first person to throw a perfect game won $1 million?
Yeah, it happened because Brian Kingrey - a music teacher from Hammond, Louisiana - used Roy Halladay to throw a perfect game against the Astros.
Why Houston?
"Halladay has this really mean slider that's incredible versus right-handed batters. I picked the Astros because they're really aggressive when they attack the ball, so they swing at a lot of pitches they probably shouldn't swing at, and the Astros have only two left-handed batters."
Jeebus. Artificial Intelligence is getting too scary.
According to an interview with GamePro, Kingrey's wife let him practice five hours a day for two weeks. 70 hours / $1,000,000 = $14,285/hour.
Yeah, it happened because Brian Kingrey - a music teacher from Hammond, Louisiana - used Roy Halladay to throw a perfect game against the Astros.
Why Houston?
"Halladay has this really mean slider that's incredible versus right-handed batters. I picked the Astros because they're really aggressive when they attack the ball, so they swing at a lot of pitches they probably shouldn't swing at, and the Astros have only two left-handed batters."
Jeebus. Artificial Intelligence is getting too scary.
According to an interview with GamePro, Kingrey's wife let him practice five hours a day for two weeks. 70 hours / $1,000,000 = $14,285/hour.
Here's a nice article on J.D. Martinez
MiLB has a nice article on (hopefully-) 2013 LF J.D. Martinez, where he addresses anyone critical of his fielding ability:
"Well when you get drafted in the later rounds like I did, it's always because the scouts see something they don't quite like. I'm not a five-tool guy, few are, but in no way am I going to drop balls out there. The Astros know I can play defense, and I've been working with Milt Thompson, our roving outfield instructor on my routes to fly balls. I'm confident that I can get to balls now, and the Astros have noticed I've improved out there."
Honestly, who wouldn't rather see J.D. Martinez than Carlos Lee in LF?
"Well when you get drafted in the later rounds like I did, it's always because the scouts see something they don't quite like. I'm not a five-tool guy, few are, but in no way am I going to drop balls out there. The Astros know I can play defense, and I've been working with Milt Thompson, our roving outfield instructor on my routes to fly balls. I'm confident that I can get to balls now, and the Astros have noticed I've improved out there."
Honestly, who wouldn't rather see J.D. Martinez than Carlos Lee in LF?
More Tranzactionz!
May 25
Sent Down:
David Berner, from Corpus to Lancaster.
Luis Cruz, from Lancaster to Lexington.
Jordan Comadena, from Lancaster to Tri-City.
Brought Up:
Bryce Lane, from Lexington to Lancaster
Activated:
Chris Hicks, by Lancaster, from 7-Day DL.
Sent Down:
David Berner, from Corpus to Lancaster.
Luis Cruz, from Lancaster to Lexington.
Jordan Comadena, from Lancaster to Tri-City.
Brought Up:
Bryce Lane, from Lexington to Lancaster
Activated:
Chris Hicks, by Lancaster, from 7-Day DL.
Eddie's Farm: May 25
Oklahoma City (21-25)
Jordan Lyles did what he does and Brandon Barnes came up huge as OKC beat Fresno 5-1. Lyles allowed 4H/0ER, 1K:1BB in 6IP to improve to 3-3. Francis Beltran threw 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 1HR in his OKC debut. Fernando Abad threw 1.1 perfect IP, and Ross Wolf got the last two outs of the night.
Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with 2HR/3RBI, Robinson Cancel was 2x4 with a solo homer to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. Drew Locke and Tommy Manzella were each 2x4 as the RedHawks beat up on former Astros minor-leaguer Shane Loux for 9H/4ER in 7IP.
Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes!
Corpus (17-28)
Oof. Springfield jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the 1st inning, and Corpus made a run at it, closing the lead to 6-4 before the Cardinals rattled off two straight 3-run innings for a 12-6 win over Corpus. Kyle Greenwalt allowed 7H/6ER, 1K:1BB, throwing 30 pitches and recording just one out. Shane Wolf allowed 8H/6ER, 1K:1BB, 3HR in 4IP of "relief," while Arcenio Leon, Matt Nevarez, and Sam Gervacio made scoreless outings.
Jimmy Paredes and Jimmy Van Ostrand each had two hits, with a double and an RBI, while Jake Goebbert hit his 3rd homer for Corpus. Federico Hernandez was 1x4 with a double and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jeez. How about splitting it between Paredes and Van Ostrand?
Lancaster (18-28)
Good Lord. Rancho Cucamonga put up 25 runs for a 25-9 win over Lancaster. Before we get into The Ugly, Rancho Cucamonga got out to a 10-0 lead before the JetHawks answered with a 5-run 7th inning. Then the Quakes got 15 more runs, including eleven runs in the top of the 9th. They "only" had 19 hits, but nine of those were for extra bases (three doubles, two triples, and five homers). Of those 25 runs, 19 were actually earned, and JetHawks pitchers walked 13 Quakes batters. Let's do this:
Jose Cisnero: 4.1IP, 5H/4R (3ER), 2K:3BB
Our Boy Andrew Robinson: 1.2IP, 1H/1R (0ER), 2K:0BB
David Berner: 0.2IP, 2H/5R (1ER), 0K:2BB, HR
Yordany Ramirez: 0.2IP, 2H/4ER, 1K:5BB, HR
Chris Hicks: 1IP, 4H/3ER, 1K:1BB, HR
Kirk Clark: 0.2IP, 5H/8ER, 1K:2BB, 2HR, WP
Jonathan Villar hit a grand slam in the 7th, and Ben Heath added another homer in the 9th. Jose Altuve was 3x5 with a triple, while Austin Wates, Kody Hinze, and Grant Hogue had two hits each.
Man of the Match: How about Jose Altuve (though Andrew Robinson gets a special mention for being the only pitcher to not give up an earned run).
Lexington (23-23)
Lexington won a slug-fest over Rome, 15-10, aided by four Rome errors. Ruben Alaniz threw 4IP, 5H/8ER, 5K:1BB, 2HR. Juri Perez allowed 2H/2ER, 0K:1BB without recording an out. Alex Sogard got the win with 3H/0ER, 2K:0BB in 3IP, and Jason Chowning struck out five of the six batters he faced.
Mike Kvasnicka was 3x4 with a 2-run homer, two walks, and 4RBI. Delino DeShields (BB, 3B, 2RBI), Jiovanni Mier (2RBI, BB), Dan Adamson (RBI, 2BB), and Jhonny Medrano (2B, 2RBI, BBB) had two hits each. Chris Wallace, amazingly, went 0x6.
Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka!
Jordan Lyles did what he does and Brandon Barnes came up huge as OKC beat Fresno 5-1. Lyles allowed 4H/0ER, 1K:1BB in 6IP to improve to 3-3. Francis Beltran threw 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 1HR in his OKC debut. Fernando Abad threw 1.1 perfect IP, and Ross Wolf got the last two outs of the night.
Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with 2HR/3RBI, Robinson Cancel was 2x4 with a solo homer to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. Drew Locke and Tommy Manzella were each 2x4 as the RedHawks beat up on former Astros minor-leaguer Shane Loux for 9H/4ER in 7IP.
Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes!
Corpus (17-28)
Oof. Springfield jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the 1st inning, and Corpus made a run at it, closing the lead to 6-4 before the Cardinals rattled off two straight 3-run innings for a 12-6 win over Corpus. Kyle Greenwalt allowed 7H/6ER, 1K:1BB, throwing 30 pitches and recording just one out. Shane Wolf allowed 8H/6ER, 1K:1BB, 3HR in 4IP of "relief," while Arcenio Leon, Matt Nevarez, and Sam Gervacio made scoreless outings.
Jimmy Paredes and Jimmy Van Ostrand each had two hits, with a double and an RBI, while Jake Goebbert hit his 3rd homer for Corpus. Federico Hernandez was 1x4 with a double and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Jeez. How about splitting it between Paredes and Van Ostrand?
Lancaster (18-28)
Good Lord. Rancho Cucamonga put up 25 runs for a 25-9 win over Lancaster. Before we get into The Ugly, Rancho Cucamonga got out to a 10-0 lead before the JetHawks answered with a 5-run 7th inning. Then the Quakes got 15 more runs, including eleven runs in the top of the 9th. They "only" had 19 hits, but nine of those were for extra bases (three doubles, two triples, and five homers). Of those 25 runs, 19 were actually earned, and JetHawks pitchers walked 13 Quakes batters. Let's do this:
Jose Cisnero: 4.1IP, 5H/4R (3ER), 2K:3BB
Our Boy Andrew Robinson: 1.2IP, 1H/1R (0ER), 2K:0BB
David Berner: 0.2IP, 2H/5R (1ER), 0K:2BB, HR
Yordany Ramirez: 0.2IP, 2H/4ER, 1K:5BB, HR
Chris Hicks: 1IP, 4H/3ER, 1K:1BB, HR
Kirk Clark: 0.2IP, 5H/8ER, 1K:2BB, 2HR, WP
Jonathan Villar hit a grand slam in the 7th, and Ben Heath added another homer in the 9th. Jose Altuve was 3x5 with a triple, while Austin Wates, Kody Hinze, and Grant Hogue had two hits each.
Man of the Match: How about Jose Altuve (though Andrew Robinson gets a special mention for being the only pitcher to not give up an earned run).
Lexington (23-23)
Lexington won a slug-fest over Rome, 15-10, aided by four Rome errors. Ruben Alaniz threw 4IP, 5H/8ER, 5K:1BB, 2HR. Juri Perez allowed 2H/2ER, 0K:1BB without recording an out. Alex Sogard got the win with 3H/0ER, 2K:0BB in 3IP, and Jason Chowning struck out five of the six batters he faced.
Mike Kvasnicka was 3x4 with a 2-run homer, two walks, and 4RBI. Delino DeShields (BB, 3B, 2RBI), Jiovanni Mier (2RBI, BB), Dan Adamson (RBI, 2BB), and Jhonny Medrano (2B, 2RBI, BBB) had two hits each. Chris Wallace, amazingly, went 0x6.
Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
From the Office of the County Clerk - G50: Astros v. Dodgers
J.R. Towles gets three of the unlikeliest hits you'll see this season (unless your name is Hall, Bill) and the Astros win 2-1.
*With the win, the Astros now have a record over .500 against two teams: The Dodgers and Blue Jays.
*In ten rubber matches, the Astros are now 3-7 (two straight rubber match wins).
*When scoring 0-2 runs, the Astros are now 3-12.
*Here's an interesting one: When the game is tied at the beginning of the 9th, the Astros are now 5-0.
*Aneury Rodriguez threw another nice game - his second in a row - going 6IP, 4H/01ER, 5K:1BB, with the lone run coming on Matt Kemp's 12th homer of the season. It's the first time he's lasted 18 outs this season.
*The Aneurysm's 96 pitches (59 strikes) are both career highs. In his last 11.1IP (two starts), he's has allowed 12H/3ER, 8K:2BB. His ERA is under 5.00 - 4.98, to be exact - for the first time in his ML career.
*Wilton Lopez, Jeff Fulchino, and Mark Melancon combined for 3IP, 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB.
*With the three scoreless IPs, the bullpen has now gone 12.1IP without allowing a run.
*Mark Melancon got your win, giving him four on the year, which just so happens to be your team leader.
*The Big Bat of the Day comes courtesy of J.R. Towles (who was thrown out at the plate to end the 7th inning), who clocked three hits, including a double. His 35 PAs without a hit are well documented - with Towles getting his first hit since the first PA against Cincinnati all the way back on May 4. In those 10 games between hits, Towles' OPS dropped 449 points, from 1.076 to .627. With today's game, the OPS jumped 60 points.
*Carlos Lee had two hits on the day - giving him hits in 16 of his last 19 games.
*Hunter Pence was 1x4, extending his hitting streak to seven games, but breaking that 2-hit game streak at six.
*Michael Bourn hit a homer! It was the first leadoff homer of his career, and the first leadoff homer for Houston since Kaz Matsui's HR September 23, 2008. Not only that, but that was also the first homer Bourn has hit in his career on the first pitch of an AB. He's only 52 homers behind Craig Biggio for game-beginning HRs.
*Bill Hall K watch! Hall was 0x4 with 2Ks. Hall pulls within 3Ks of Ryan Howard for the NL lead, and is seven behind Adam Dunn for 7th in all of baseball. With those 2Ks, he has now broken the 35% barrier - striking out in 35.1% of his PAs.
*Brett Wallace got his 8th start against a lefty starter. In three PAs against Ted Lilly, Wallace grounded out to 2nd twice, and the pitcher once. He's 41x123 against righty starters, and 7x32 against lefty starters.
*Chris Johnson actually got intentionally walked for the first time this season. He had gone 27 PAs without a walk, since May 18. It was his first IBB since August 16, 2010 against the Mets.
*Not that there's going to be any comparison in this space, but it should be pointed out that Hunter Pence saw five pitches. In 4 PAs. The Dodgers had 7 ABs of 6+ pitches this game.
*Man of the Match: Come on. J.R. Towles!
*Goat of the Game: No Goats on walkoffs.
*With the win, the Astros now have a record over .500 against two teams: The Dodgers and Blue Jays.
*In ten rubber matches, the Astros are now 3-7 (two straight rubber match wins).
*When scoring 0-2 runs, the Astros are now 3-12.
*Here's an interesting one: When the game is tied at the beginning of the 9th, the Astros are now 5-0.
*Aneury Rodriguez threw another nice game - his second in a row - going 6IP, 4H/01ER, 5K:1BB, with the lone run coming on Matt Kemp's 12th homer of the season. It's the first time he's lasted 18 outs this season.
*The Aneurysm's 96 pitches (59 strikes) are both career highs. In his last 11.1IP (two starts), he's has allowed 12H/3ER, 8K:2BB. His ERA is under 5.00 - 4.98, to be exact - for the first time in his ML career.
*Wilton Lopez, Jeff Fulchino, and Mark Melancon combined for 3IP, 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB.
*With the three scoreless IPs, the bullpen has now gone 12.1IP without allowing a run.
*Mark Melancon got your win, giving him four on the year, which just so happens to be your team leader.
*The Big Bat of the Day comes courtesy of J.R. Towles (who was thrown out at the plate to end the 7th inning), who clocked three hits, including a double. His 35 PAs without a hit are well documented - with Towles getting his first hit since the first PA against Cincinnati all the way back on May 4. In those 10 games between hits, Towles' OPS dropped 449 points, from 1.076 to .627. With today's game, the OPS jumped 60 points.
*Carlos Lee had two hits on the day - giving him hits in 16 of his last 19 games.
*Hunter Pence was 1x4, extending his hitting streak to seven games, but breaking that 2-hit game streak at six.
*Michael Bourn hit a homer! It was the first leadoff homer of his career, and the first leadoff homer for Houston since Kaz Matsui's HR September 23, 2008. Not only that, but that was also the first homer Bourn has hit in his career on the first pitch of an AB. He's only 52 homers behind Craig Biggio for game-beginning HRs.
*Bill Hall K watch! Hall was 0x4 with 2Ks. Hall pulls within 3Ks of Ryan Howard for the NL lead, and is seven behind Adam Dunn for 7th in all of baseball. With those 2Ks, he has now broken the 35% barrier - striking out in 35.1% of his PAs.
*Brett Wallace got his 8th start against a lefty starter. In three PAs against Ted Lilly, Wallace grounded out to 2nd twice, and the pitcher once. He's 41x123 against righty starters, and 7x32 against lefty starters.
*Chris Johnson actually got intentionally walked for the first time this season. He had gone 27 PAs without a walk, since May 18. It was his first IBB since August 16, 2010 against the Mets.
*Not that there's going to be any comparison in this space, but it should be pointed out that Hunter Pence saw five pitches. In 4 PAs. The Dodgers had 7 ABs of 6+ pitches this game.
*Man of the Match: Come on. J.R. Towles!
*Goat of the Game: No Goats on walkoffs.
Keppinger activated, Bogusevic sent down
Everyone hoping that this would be the day Bill Hall was released can just calm down. With Keppinger's activation, Brian Bogusevic has been sent back to Oklahoma City. Minutes after scoring the game-winning run.
Pellegrini speaks!
On the heels of Brian Pellegrini's release today, he was kind enough to reply:
It's all good man I actually asked for my release, the knee isn't comin around.
Best of luck to him in the future.
It's all good man I actually asked for my release, the knee isn't comin around.
Best of luck to him in the future.
Astros release Pellegrini
Baseball America's Matt Eddy tweeted that the Astros released Brian Pellegrini.
Pellegrini was a 12th Round pick in the 07 draft - Eddy notes that he was the highest-drafted player in St. Bonaventure's history. When healthy, Pellegrini swung a big bat, breaking out for 34 homers in 2009 between Lexington and Lancaster. But that was the problem - health. He missed most of the last two seasons with various injuries, needing to have his knee cleaned out back in December.
In four seasons with the Astros' organization, Pellegrini hit .254/.358/.525 with 71 career homers.
Pellegrini was a 12th Round pick in the 07 draft - Eddy notes that he was the highest-drafted player in St. Bonaventure's history. When healthy, Pellegrini swung a big bat, breaking out for 34 homers in 2009 between Lexington and Lancaster. But that was the problem - health. He missed most of the last two seasons with various injuries, needing to have his knee cleaned out back in December.
In four seasons with the Astros' organization, Pellegrini hit .254/.358/.525 with 71 career homers.
Pre-Draft workout to be held next week
The Astros are holding their pre-draft workout on June 2, though Ed Wade admits there's not a whole lot in the way of decision making to be done:
"The lion's share of the work that's done with regard to evaluating talent, that's already been handled by the tons of looks our guys get over the course of the entire year. I think at this point, we've entered well over 600 players in our system and we've got over 1,700 reports on players."
"The lion's share of the work that's done with regard to evaluating talent, that's already been handled by the tons of looks our guys get over the course of the entire year. I think at this point, we've entered well over 600 players in our system and we've got over 1,700 reports on players."
Meat Wagon Updates!
Steve Campbell says that Brandon Lyon is progressing through his injuries:
Lyon:
I don’t feel too bad at all. My arm, compared to two weeks ago, feels good. I feel it’s time to build up strength again. I’ll come in every day and see how it feels. I feel really good.”
There isn't a timetable for when he'll start to get ready to get back into blowing games shape.
And it looks as though Keppinger could return on Friday.
Wade:
"I'm optimistic by the weekend he'll be back. We asked him to extend his stay at Oklahoma City to get back-to-back games under his belt. If everything moves in a straight line, we're looking at Friday or Saturday."
Lyon:
I don’t feel too bad at all. My arm, compared to two weeks ago, feels good. I feel it’s time to build up strength again. I’ll come in every day and see how it feels. I feel really good.”
There isn't a timetable for when he'll start to get ready to get back into blowing games shape.
And it looks as though Keppinger could return on Friday.
Wade:
"I'm optimistic by the weekend he'll be back. We asked him to extend his stay at Oklahoma City to get back-to-back games under his belt. If everything moves in a straight line, we're looking at Friday or Saturday."
Eddie's Farm: May 24
Oklahoma City (20-25)
OKC jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 1st inning, and bookended it with two runs in the top of the 9th for a 5-2 win at Fresno. Nelson Figueroa threw 6.2IP, 7H/2ER, 5K:3BB. Andy Van Hekken threw 1IP, 2H/0ER, and David Carpenter got his second save for OKC with 1.1IP, 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB.
Robinson Cancel was 2x4, and Koby Clemens was 2x4 with a double and 2RBI. Brandon Barnes was 1x3 with a walk and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Koby Clemens!
Corpus (17-27)
Off.
Lancaster (18-27)
Off.
Lexington (22-23)
Off.
OKC jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 1st inning, and bookended it with two runs in the top of the 9th for a 5-2 win at Fresno. Nelson Figueroa threw 6.2IP, 7H/2ER, 5K:3BB. Andy Van Hekken threw 1IP, 2H/0ER, and David Carpenter got his second save for OKC with 1.1IP, 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB.
Robinson Cancel was 2x4, and Koby Clemens was 2x4 with a double and 2RBI. Brandon Barnes was 1x3 with a walk and 2RBI.
Man of the Match: Koby Clemens!
Corpus (17-27)
Off.
Lancaster (18-27)
Off.
Lexington (22-23)
Off.
From the Office of the County Clerk - G49: Astros v. Dodgers
Hey, Bill Hall. Way to kill some momentum. Astros lose 5-4.
*With the loss, the Astros drop to 18-31, 11.5 games back of the Cardinals, setting a season high for GBs. They were 11.5 GB after 47 games in 2010.
*Bill Hall's booted a Matt Kemp grounder, allowing the bases to get all loaded up, which accounted for four unearned runs, thanks to Jerry Sands' 3rd inning grand slam.
*Happ has now given up two grand slams in his career - the first coming on October 2, 2010, against Aramis Ramirez. Interestingly enough, the only times in which Happ has given up a homer with a runner on 3rd were the two grand slams.
*Happ's final line: 5IP, 3H/5R (1ER), 4K:2BB, 2HR. He has given up homers in his last three starts, and has given up 2HR in three starts this season. This start snaps a four start streak in which Happ had gotten at least 18 outs.
*Both of the homers Happ allowed came after Happ fell behind to a 2-0 count. After throwing a first-pitch strike to five straight batters in the 2nd/3rd inning, Happ threw a first-pitch ball to five batters, four of whom scored on Sands' grand slam.
*A bullpen of Del Rosario, Escalona, and Lopez combined for 4IP, 3H/0ER, 7K:1BB, extending the bullpen's scoreless streak to 9.1IP. In the last four games, the bullpen has thrown 10.1IP, 8H/1ER, 12K:3BB.
*The Astros did mount a comeback, getting three runs back in the bottom of the 3rd. Quintero flied out and Happ struck out to start the inning, and then the next four batters reached base: Bourn walked, Barmes singles, Pence doubled (Bourn scored), Lee singled (Barmes and Pence scored). Wallace struck out to end the inning. To focus on the most negative thing, Wallace's OPS with two outs is .622. That's 125 points lower than his OPS with one out (.747), and 489 points lower than his OPS with nobody out (1.111).
*The 6-9 hitters (including Happ and PHs Sanchez, Downs, and Bogusevic) went 0x13 with 6Ks, though Johnson got a sac fly scoring the Astros' 4th run.
*Hunter Pence extending his two-hit game streak to six games, and has raised his OPS 43 points in those six games (.778 to .821).
*In addition to Hall's critical error, he went 0x4 with 3Ks. It's his 7th 3K game of the year, giving him 52Ks in 150 PAs (34.7%) on the year. The 52Ks are exactly half of his 2010 total, which he got in 382 PAs (27.2%), and still a higher rate than his career-high 32.9% in 2009. Hall is 5K behind Ryan Howard for the NL lead in strikeouts, but is also 41ABs behind him.
*Man of the Match: Hunter Pence
*Goat of the Game: Bill Hall, of course.
*With the loss, the Astros drop to 18-31, 11.5 games back of the Cardinals, setting a season high for GBs. They were 11.5 GB after 47 games in 2010.
*Bill Hall's booted a Matt Kemp grounder, allowing the bases to get all loaded up, which accounted for four unearned runs, thanks to Jerry Sands' 3rd inning grand slam.
*Happ has now given up two grand slams in his career - the first coming on October 2, 2010, against Aramis Ramirez. Interestingly enough, the only times in which Happ has given up a homer with a runner on 3rd were the two grand slams.
*Happ's final line: 5IP, 3H/5R (1ER), 4K:2BB, 2HR. He has given up homers in his last three starts, and has given up 2HR in three starts this season. This start snaps a four start streak in which Happ had gotten at least 18 outs.
*Both of the homers Happ allowed came after Happ fell behind to a 2-0 count. After throwing a first-pitch strike to five straight batters in the 2nd/3rd inning, Happ threw a first-pitch ball to five batters, four of whom scored on Sands' grand slam.
*A bullpen of Del Rosario, Escalona, and Lopez combined for 4IP, 3H/0ER, 7K:1BB, extending the bullpen's scoreless streak to 9.1IP. In the last four games, the bullpen has thrown 10.1IP, 8H/1ER, 12K:3BB.
*The Astros did mount a comeback, getting three runs back in the bottom of the 3rd. Quintero flied out and Happ struck out to start the inning, and then the next four batters reached base: Bourn walked, Barmes singles, Pence doubled (Bourn scored), Lee singled (Barmes and Pence scored). Wallace struck out to end the inning. To focus on the most negative thing, Wallace's OPS with two outs is .622. That's 125 points lower than his OPS with one out (.747), and 489 points lower than his OPS with nobody out (1.111).
*The 6-9 hitters (including Happ and PHs Sanchez, Downs, and Bogusevic) went 0x13 with 6Ks, though Johnson got a sac fly scoring the Astros' 4th run.
*Hunter Pence extending his two-hit game streak to six games, and has raised his OPS 43 points in those six games (.778 to .821).
*In addition to Hall's critical error, he went 0x4 with 3Ks. It's his 7th 3K game of the year, giving him 52Ks in 150 PAs (34.7%) on the year. The 52Ks are exactly half of his 2010 total, which he got in 382 PAs (27.2%), and still a higher rate than his career-high 32.9% in 2009. Hall is 5K behind Ryan Howard for the NL lead in strikeouts, but is also 41ABs behind him.
*Man of the Match: Hunter Pence
*Goat of the Game: Bill Hall, of course.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Jayson Stark on the Astros
Jayson Stark's new column takes on the Astros and their situation come July:
If we had to pick one club in baseball that has the look of a sure-fire seller in July, we'd pick the Astros. But there are two things to remember: 1) As GM Ed Wade pointed out, the Astros actually have a better record this year (18-30) than they had in late May last year (17-34) -- and last year's team went 59-52 the rest of the way. 2) Until the Astros' sale to Jim Crane is approved (most likely sometime in July), Wade can't even have a conversation with the new owner about his philosophy on team-building.
But at a time in which his club is obviously rebuilding, Wade says he expects to take the same approach this July that he took last July: "Anything that builds the type of depth that will get us where we need to be, it would make sense to explore."
Stark notes that Other Clubs believe Wade would "gladly listen" on Myers, Wandy, Barmes, and Hall. Only two of those guys are having seasons worth giving up more than a jock strap's worth of hamster cage shavings for, and I'll let you figure out the two.
And on Hunter Pence, noting that the Braves, Phillies, and Orioles are interested him?
An executive of a fourth club says he believes there's a "1 million percent chance" Wade would need, essentially, a job-saving haul in return to even consider trading Pence.
"If you're Jim Crane walking in the door," the exec wondered, "how can you trade the one guy on your team who represents that part of Texas -- a blue-collar, hard-nosed player?"
Stark later notes that the Phillies are telling teams they can only really afford what amounts to half of Pence's $6.9m salary.
What say you?
If we had to pick one club in baseball that has the look of a sure-fire seller in July, we'd pick the Astros. But there are two things to remember: 1) As GM Ed Wade pointed out, the Astros actually have a better record this year (18-30) than they had in late May last year (17-34) -- and last year's team went 59-52 the rest of the way. 2) Until the Astros' sale to Jim Crane is approved (most likely sometime in July), Wade can't even have a conversation with the new owner about his philosophy on team-building.
But at a time in which his club is obviously rebuilding, Wade says he expects to take the same approach this July that he took last July: "Anything that builds the type of depth that will get us where we need to be, it would make sense to explore."
Stark notes that Other Clubs believe Wade would "gladly listen" on Myers, Wandy, Barmes, and Hall. Only two of those guys are having seasons worth giving up more than a jock strap's worth of hamster cage shavings for, and I'll let you figure out the two.
And on Hunter Pence, noting that the Braves, Phillies, and Orioles are interested him?
An executive of a fourth club says he believes there's a "1 million percent chance" Wade would need, essentially, a job-saving haul in return to even consider trading Pence.
"If you're Jim Crane walking in the door," the exec wondered, "how can you trade the one guy on your team who represents that part of Texas -- a blue-collar, hard-nosed player?"
Stark later notes that the Phillies are telling teams they can only really afford what amounts to half of Pence's $6.9m salary.
What say you?
Good breakdown of Norris
Steve Campbell has a good breakdown of how close Bud Norris is to being something special:
FanGraphs calculates Norris’ slider to be the most effective in the NL (12.9 runs better than the league average). What has gotten Norris in trouble this season is mistakes with his fastball and changeup. FanGraphs ranks Norris dead last in the NL in changeup effectiveness (minus-5.6 runs) and in the bottom five with the fastball (minus-6.7). Cleaning up those things is easier said than done, but Astros pitching coach Brad Arnsberg has to love his chances of that happening.
FanGraphs calculates Norris’ slider to be the most effective in the NL (12.9 runs better than the league average). What has gotten Norris in trouble this season is mistakes with his fastball and changeup. FanGraphs ranks Norris dead last in the NL in changeup effectiveness (minus-5.6 runs) and in the bottom five with the fastball (minus-6.7). Cleaning up those things is easier said than done, but Astros pitching coach Brad Arnsberg has to love his chances of that happening.
USA Today thinks that Chris Johnson would make a fine RedHawk
USA Today has a list of players they believe should join Reds' Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez in Triple-A. Chris Johnson is one of them:
His strong rookie season-aafeaturing a .308 batting average and .818 OPS-aafostered the notion he might be one of the foundations for the rebuilding of the Astros. But Johnson’s sophomore year has been a huge disappointment, as his averaged has dropped nearly 90 points to .220. He’s walking just once every 32 plate appearances, which doesn’t help his case for staying in the majors.
Here's the question: And replace him with who(m)? Matt Downs has played some 3B, and has a .320/.346/.680 line (in 26 PAs). If you're looking at Triple-A, stop doing that. Oswaldo Navarro has seen 27 games at 3B and has a .708 OPS.
His strong rookie season-aafeaturing a .308 batting average and .818 OPS-aafostered the notion he might be one of the foundations for the rebuilding of the Astros. But Johnson’s sophomore year has been a huge disappointment, as his averaged has dropped nearly 90 points to .220. He’s walking just once every 32 plate appearances, which doesn’t help his case for staying in the majors.
Here's the question: And replace him with who(m)? Matt Downs has played some 3B, and has a .320/.346/.680 line (in 26 PAs). If you're looking at Triple-A, stop doing that. Oswaldo Navarro has seen 27 games at 3B and has a .708 OPS.
Dave Matranga is now an agent
Hey! Here's a Where Are They Now on former Astro Dave Matranga:
Matranga's playing days ended after a dozen years of professional baseball but he seized on an opportunity to remain involved in the game, becoming a certified agent for PSI Sports Management. The move into advising and representing players was an easy and logical career segue for Matranga. As a former client, he already had an established relationship with PSI and had in fact discussed working with the firm while he was still playing. The job demands as a sports agent were also a perfect fit for his personality.
Matranga's playing days ended after a dozen years of professional baseball but he seized on an opportunity to remain involved in the game, becoming a certified agent for PSI Sports Management. The move into advising and representing players was an easy and logical career segue for Matranga. As a former client, he already had an established relationship with PSI and had in fact discussed working with the firm while he was still playing. The job demands as a sports agent were also a perfect fit for his personality.
Justice: Selig and Crane - BFFs
Richard Justice has a new post on the relationship between Jim Crane and Bud Selig:
Selig met Crane for just the second time Monday and is expected to support his $680 million purchase of the Astros. Selig already knew plenty about Crane before their meeting and never would have allowed the sale of the Astros to get this far if he weren’t comfortable with him.
I’ve known Selig for almost 30 years, and if he thought there was an ounce of racism or sexism in Crane’s bones, he never would allow him to own a major league baseball team.
Selig met Crane for just the second time Monday and is expected to support his $680 million purchase of the Astros. Selig already knew plenty about Crane before their meeting and never would have allowed the sale of the Astros to get this far if he weren’t comfortable with him.
I’ve known Selig for almost 30 years, and if he thought there was an ounce of racism or sexism in Crane’s bones, he never would allow him to own a major league baseball team.
Tranzactionz!
May 24:
Brian McTaggart notes that Sam Gervacio has been activated and assigned to Double-A. Henry Villar has been placed on OKC's DL with shoulder fatigue.
May 23:
Lancaster placed Robby Donovan on the 7-Day DL
May 20:
Corpus activated J.D. Martinez from the DL.
Brian McTaggart notes that Sam Gervacio has been activated and assigned to Double-A. Henry Villar has been placed on OKC's DL with shoulder fatigue.
May 23:
Lancaster placed Robby Donovan on the 7-Day DL
May 20:
Corpus activated J.D. Martinez from the DL.
From the Office of the County Clerk - G48: Astros v. Dodgers
To be honest, the Astros are 3-1 since I last did a County Clerk report. I'm tempted to not do them anymore and see what happens. Astros win on a walk-off, 4-3.
*As mentioned, the Astros are 3-1 after the L5 streak from May 15-19.
*For the four games against the Braves and Cardinals, the Astros did not score more than two runs. They've now scored 3+ runs in their last four games. Is it a lot of runs? No. But they're wins.
*The Astros have won back-to-back games for the first time since May 1/3, against the Brewers and Reds. It's only their 3rd win streak of the season.
*Bud Norris threw 7IP, 6H/3R (2ER), 5K:3BB. He now has a perfect 3.00 K:BB ratio (69K:23BB) on the year, and has gotten 18+_outs in eight of his ten starts. He's gotten 21+ outs in four of his last five starts.
*Jeff Fulchino threw 1.2IP, walking one batter. Since his Brian McMeltdown on May 17, he's thrown in two games (2.2IP), with 1H/0ER, 2K:1BB.
*So of course the Astros got three runs in the 9th inning with a Hunter Pence walk-off. Those three runs are the most the Astros have scored in the 9th inning this season, and it was the first time in 28 games this season that the Astros have won when trailing at the beginning of the 9th inning.
*Bill Hall had a big day, going 4x4 with two doubles. That's the first 4-hit game Hall has enjoyed since June 3, 2010, when he got four hits against the A's. It was also Hall's first multi-XBH game of the season. He raised his batting average 23 points, and his OPS 54 points (.611 to .665).
*Hunter Pence was 2x5 with the GWRBI, and has had five straight 2-hit games, and had two hits in six of his last seven games.
*Houston had three doubles, giving them their first 3+ XBH game since May 15.
*The Astros did strike out 10 times last night. It's their 9th 10+K game of the season. Since May 1, the Astros have struck out 171 times in 794 PAs, for a 21.5% K/PA rate. They did, however, draw four walks, for 3+ walks in four straight games.
*Big AB of the Night: Angel Sanchez' 11-pitch walk in the 9th, establishing him as the game's tying run. It was the first pinch-hit walk he had drawn of the season, in addition to the first 9th inning walk of his career
*Clayton Kershaw got a Game Score of 65. It's the 6th time in the last eight games that the opposing starter has had a game score higher than 65.
*Man of the Match: Hunter Pence!
*Goat of the Game: I'm just happy. No Goat.
*As mentioned, the Astros are 3-1 after the L5 streak from May 15-19.
*For the four games against the Braves and Cardinals, the Astros did not score more than two runs. They've now scored 3+ runs in their last four games. Is it a lot of runs? No. But they're wins.
*The Astros have won back-to-back games for the first time since May 1/3, against the Brewers and Reds. It's only their 3rd win streak of the season.
*Bud Norris threw 7IP, 6H/3R (2ER), 5K:3BB. He now has a perfect 3.00 K:BB ratio (69K:23BB) on the year, and has gotten 18+_outs in eight of his ten starts. He's gotten 21+ outs in four of his last five starts.
*Jeff Fulchino threw 1.2IP, walking one batter. Since his Brian McMeltdown on May 17, he's thrown in two games (2.2IP), with 1H/0ER, 2K:1BB.
*So of course the Astros got three runs in the 9th inning with a Hunter Pence walk-off. Those three runs are the most the Astros have scored in the 9th inning this season, and it was the first time in 28 games this season that the Astros have won when trailing at the beginning of the 9th inning.
*Bill Hall had a big day, going 4x4 with two doubles. That's the first 4-hit game Hall has enjoyed since June 3, 2010, when he got four hits against the A's. It was also Hall's first multi-XBH game of the season. He raised his batting average 23 points, and his OPS 54 points (.611 to .665).
*Hunter Pence was 2x5 with the GWRBI, and has had five straight 2-hit games, and had two hits in six of his last seven games.
*Houston had three doubles, giving them their first 3+ XBH game since May 15.
*The Astros did strike out 10 times last night. It's their 9th 10+K game of the season. Since May 1, the Astros have struck out 171 times in 794 PAs, for a 21.5% K/PA rate. They did, however, draw four walks, for 3+ walks in four straight games.
*Big AB of the Night: Angel Sanchez' 11-pitch walk in the 9th, establishing him as the game's tying run. It was the first pinch-hit walk he had drawn of the season, in addition to the first 9th inning walk of his career
*Clayton Kershaw got a Game Score of 65. It's the 6th time in the last eight games that the opposing starter has had a game score higher than 65.
*Man of the Match: Hunter Pence!
*Goat of the Game: I'm just happy. No Goat.
Morning Update
Okay. We know it's been a few days. But an unexpected weekend getaway (set up by The Constable's wife), a dental apocalypse, and just other plans have made the AC staff largely unavailable. Should be back up and running later this morning.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Brett Wallace likes it here
Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi had a chance to catch up with Brett Wallace, who was, of course, at one time a Blue Jay.
Wallace now believes he’s with a team that both wants him, and intends to keep him.
"I think it’s just finally having some stability, actually having a chance to finish out a season with a team and then come back to spring training with the same one, and break with that team. For me, that’s let me have fun and know the guys and just be calm because I don’t have to make new friends, make new teammates. I can just go back to same situation and be relaxed about it.
Wallace now believes he’s with a team that both wants him, and intends to keep him.
"I think it’s just finally having some stability, actually having a chance to finish out a season with a team and then come back to spring training with the same one, and break with that team. For me, that’s let me have fun and know the guys and just be calm because I don’t have to make new friends, make new teammates. I can just go back to same situation and be relaxed about it.
Now you don't even have to wait in lines to get food at Minute Maid
The Houston Business Journal has an interesting note on a new feature at Minute Maid Park - the first in MLB - where fans with iPhones can order their food from their seat and have a text message sent to them when it's ready.
The Braves like themselves some Hunter Pence
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien says that Hunter Pence has been on the Braves' radar for a while (Though they're likely out, unless Heyward's injury gets worse).
This is in addition to Rivers McCown's note via Nick Cafardo that the Yankees are likely interested in Brett Myers.
Could be a different looking fall for the Astros...
This is in addition to Rivers McCown's note via Nick Cafardo that the Yankees are likely interested in Brett Myers.
Could be a different looking fall for the Astros...
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