Friday, October 31, 2014

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, October 30, 2014 (and one from today, too)

Happy Opening Day in Puerto Rico and Australia! The Fall and Winter League Rosters page has now been updated to include Astros players playing in Puerto Rico and Down Under.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Surprise 5, Salt River 4

W- Aaron Kurcz (1-0)
L- Kaleb Fleck (0-1)
S- Brandon Alger (2)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

The Saguaros surprised the Rafters (OK, I'll stop) with 2 in the top of the 9th to take the lead, and eventually, they got the win. Austin Nola was the only Rafter to get on base against Kurcz and Alger, and that was after Kurcz hit him.

Rio Ruiz went 0-2, but he made his mark on the proceedings with 2 sac flies in the 2nd and the 4th. Andrew Aplin went 0-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Salt River will be the late game again. They'll host Scottsdale; whose mascot is actually the Scorpions. Not the Saguaros, which I erroneously stated yesterday. First pitch is 6:35 Mountain.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide 8, Brisbane 3

W- Matthew Williams (1-0)
L- Steven Chambers (0-1)

Adelaide HRs by Astros players: None.

The Bite opened up the 2014 ABL campaign with a nice road win, scoring the game's final 8 runs. Chan-Jong Moon got the start at shortstop and hit 1st, finishing 1-5 with a double and a run scored.

Result for Friday, October 31, 2014

Adelaide 23, Brisbane 3

W- Josh Tols (1-0)
L- Justin Staatz (0-1)

Adelaide HRs by Astros players: None.
Brisbane HRs by Astros players: Connor MacDonald (1, solo in 6th)

Adelaide really took a Bite out of the Bandits (feel free to roll your eyes on that one too) on Halloween as they scored in 7 of their 9 innings, paced by Mitch Dening's 3 homers. Chan-Jong Moon finished 2-5 with a couple of walks and 3 runs scored.

Connor MacDonald provided a bit of a silver lining for Brisbane with a solo homer in the 6th. He came on as a defensive replacement in the top of the inning.

Tomorrow (or tonight, I guess), the Bite and Bandits play game 3 of this season-opening 4-game set at 7:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time. Queensland, which is where Brisbane is located, is on Standard Time year-round; they, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory are the only locations in Australia that do not observe Daylight Saving time.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caribes 6, Caracas 2

W- Jack Snodgrass (2-0)
L- Albert Suarez (1-1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The capital club was held to just 2 hits, and 4 errors wound up dooming them. Danry Vásquez went 0-1 with a couple of walks and scored a run, while Gregorio Petit was 0-2 with a walk.

Caracas will conclude their homestand tonight as Zulia comes to the capital. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIGA PARALELA

Caribes 13, Navegantes 4

W- Edwin Villarroel (2-0)
L- Richard Reina (0-2)

The Caribes offense gave Edwin Villarroel a boost as they busted out for 5 in the 5th. Villarroel went 5.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 8 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4.

Later this morning, Caribes will face Caracas. First pitch is at 11:00 AM Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Licey 7, Águilas 6

W- Warner Madrigal (1-0)
L- Tony Peña (0-1)

Licey HRs by Astros players: None.
Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Licey tied the game with a bases-clearing triple in the 7th and walked off with the win thanks to Elmer Reyes' single in the bottom of the 9th. Sosa entered the game as a pinch-runner in the 7th and remained in the game at LF. He singled with 1 out in the 9th and eventually came around to score the winning run.

For Águilas, Jonathan Villar went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts.

Tonight, Águilas will take on Gigantes in Round 2 of the Cibao derby, while Licey will travel to take on Escogido in the battle of Santo Domingo. Both games will begin at 7:30 Atlantic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Navojoa 6, Culiacán 1

W- Jose Oyervidez (1-0)
L- Rodrigo Lopez (0-1)

Culiacán was held to just 3 hits. Gonzalo Sañudo worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 7th.

The Tomato Growers will host Hermosillo for the weekend. First pitch is at 7:30 Mountain.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Caguas 7, Mayagüez 3

W- Derek Blacksher (1-0)
L- Eliecer Navarro (0-1)

Caguas HRs by Astros players: None.

Caguas scored the game's first 7 runs as they took care of business in the Puerto Rican season opener. Roberto Peña got the start at catcher for Caguas and finished 1-4 with a double.

Both of these teams will play each other again, only this time, the game will be in Caguas. First pitch is at 7:30 Atlantic.

Astros Arizona Fall League Game 21 Eyewitness Report

Hmmmm, it's not a full moon, but according to Wallee Wright's eyewitness account of Salt River's 5-4 loss last night, a little lunar lunacy would have helped explain some of the action.

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The Surprise Saguaros made it abundantly clear from the outset that they do not like The Salt River Rafters even a little bit … perhaps the Rafters 4-0 record going into tonight’s game had something to do with it, but the baiting and derisive cheering by the opposing bullpens made it clear to everyone that this was no ordinary game.

What involvement can a bullpen have in the conduct of the game, you ask … you see, the ‘pens at Salt River field have chicken wire fascia and are located inside the foul lines so the pitching staff not going tonight was all but seated on the field of play – and both ‘pens were raucous from the get-go. Perhaps that is why Andrew Aplin misplayed the first fly ball of the evening into a double that eventually led to one of two runs in the top of the first.

The Rockies Jayson Aquino started for the Rafters and essentially threw BP for five innings … the Rafter outfielders pretty much played the first three innings on the warning track – but Aquino has now thrown sixteen innings, giving up sixteen hits including three of eight tonight for extra bases, and yet has a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Key to Jayson successfully dodging these bullets is his not giving up walks … just like the coaches keep telling you.

The Padres’ Mallex Smith is a 5’9”, 170 pound bolt of lightning on the base paths, making even sharply struck grounders a potential base hit with his speed … but baseball is more than running fast - you need to do little things like check in with the third base coach as you round second base. On the ball Andrew misplayed to start the game Smith wheeled into second base as Aplin attempted to corner the ball, and just stopped … Delino DeShields Sr was making like a windmill at third but by the time Mallex finally looked in that direction as he stood on second, Aplin was throwing the ball in to the cutoff man. The next batter fouled of a bunt attempt with Smith running on the play, but poor Mallex had made it all the way to third before time was called … I told you he was fast. Whereupon DeShields forcefully explained the concept of looking to the third base coach for guidance when rounding second – so forcefully, in fact, that Rio Ruiz felt compelled to pat Mallex on the butt as he made his way back to second.

Rio Ruiz drove in two runs this evening with one-out sacrifice flies … and was robbed of a base hit by a sensational play by the seventeen-year-old shortstop Michael DeLeon, who then doubled Peter O’Brien off second. Rio had an odd evening in the field as well, whiffing on a ball down the line in the second or third inning, then making a sensational backhand stop on Cincinnati’s top prospect Jesse Winkler and turning it into an around-the-horn double play to end the fifth … the second such double play to bail Aquino out of an inning tonight.

Andrew Aplin was similarly robbed in the bottom of the inning by San Diego’s Jace Peterson … Peterson laid out, completely airborne, to snag a scorched ball headed to centerfield. This evening was likely very frustrating to Andrew on another score … he was the target of an inordinate amount of noise from the Saguaro bullpen this evening. I don’t know if it was Andrew, personally, that was the target or the fact he was in right field directly in front of the chicken wire … or maybe there were a couple of University of Arizona grads seizing the opportunity to stick it to a Sun Devil – like I said, it was clear early on that something was going on between these two team.

Salt River led into the ninth inning when Kaleb Fleck of the home town D-backs came on to close it out … he promptly gave up 800 feet of fly balls, one of which left the yard to tie the game. Then, with the bases loaded, the lightning bolt Smith sprinted home with what would be the winner on a ground ball to Rio Ruiz … Rio’s only play was the force at third and that was the game as the Rafters went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth - Fleck has now closed two and blown two in four chances.

~ Wallee Wright ~

Happy Birthday - 10/31

Happy Birthday to ~

2B Tony Kemp (23)
Drafted by Houston in the fifth round in 2013 out of Vanderbilt, Kemp split his 2014 season between Lancaster (72 games) and Corpus Christi (59 games), hitting a combined .301/.396/.413 with 30 doubles, eight triples, eight home runs, 58 RBI, 41 stolen bases (13 caught stealing) and 73 walks to 67 strikeouts.

SS Ozziel Sanchez (17)
Sanchez was signed out of Panama during the 2014 international signing period and has not played in his first professional game at this time.

Three former Astros mark the day as well ~

C John "Pork Chop" Hoffman (died December 27, 2001 at 58)
Signed as an amateur free agent by the Colt .45's in 1963, Hoffman played in only eight games for the Colt .45's and the Astros in 1964 and 1965, hitting .143/.182/.143. And that was the sum total of his major league career.

C Ed Taubensee (46)
Originally drafted by the Reds in the sixth round in 1986, Taubensee came to Houston in a December 1991 trade with Cleveland. In 203 games for the Astros from 1992 to 1994, he hit .234/.296/.351. According to Baseball-Reference, he was:
Nicknamed "The Model" because of the way he strutted his stuff on the runway when the Astros revealed their new uniforms in 1994.
LHP Tim Byrdak (41)
A fifth round pick by Kansas City in 1994, he signed with Houston as a free agent in April 2008. In 199 games for the Astros from 2008 to 2010, he was 5-5 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.345 WHIP. According to Baseball-Reference, while pitching for the Mets in 2012:
[H]e was leading the National League in games pitched with 56 when he announced on August 9th that he would need to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn capsule in his shoulder.
Byrdak made it back to pitch for the Mets in September 2013 for eight games before retiring at the end of the 2013 season.

Tweet of the Day

Thursday, October 30, 2014

An Update on the 2009 Astros Draft Class

Over the last few weeks, we've been looking back at some of the Astros draft classes to see where things stand. Today we'll look at 2009, the second class from the Ed Wade/Bobby Heck era. Let's look at the numbers:

51 players drafted
36 players signed (only one out of the top 26 picks did not sign)
5 players still in the Astros system
21 players still active in organized baseball in 2014*

26 position players drafted/19 signed/3 still in the system
10 from high school/6 signed/3 still in the system
4 from junior college/2 signed/0 still in the system
12 from college/11 signed/0 still in the system

25 pitchers drafted/17 signed/2 still in the system
9 from high school/3 signed/1 still in the system
1 from junior college/1 signed/0 still in the system
15 from college/13 signed/1 still in the system

*Of the 21 players who were still active in baseball in 2014, nine are players who did not sign with Houston, but later signed with other teams, five were released (Wikoff, Hyatt, Castro, Williams and Martinez), two were traded (Hernandez and Goebbert), and five are left in the system from the original draft (Mier, Nash, Meyer, Keuchel and Rivera).

Here is a little on each of them. Active Astros players are in bold. The position shown is the position at which the player was drafted, and I have also indicated in parentheses whether they were drafted out of high school (HS), junior college (JC) or college (C).

1. SS Jiovanni Mier (HS)

Mier split his 2014 season between AA Corpus Christi (.216/.281/.302 in 79 games) and AAA Oklahoma City (.250/.348/.310 in 42 games).

2. RHP Tanner Bushue (HS) - Retired in 2013

Bushue retired at the end of the 2013 season after pitching in the Astros system for five seasons. He had a career ERA of 4.99 and a WHIP of 1.391.

3. OF Telvin Nash (HS)

Nash spent his 2014 season with the Hooks, hitting .227/.330/.484 with four doubles, 22 home runs and 49 RBI in 84 games. He was used primarily at first base and as a designated hitter.

3s. 3B Jonathan Meyer (HS)

Meyer started the season at Oklahoma City and finished it at Corpus Christi, hitting a combined .215/.274/.280 with 13 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 51 RBI.

4. RHP B.J. Hyatt (JC) - Released in 2013

Hyatt played in only eight games (19.1 innings) in 2009 (8.84 ERA and 2.172 WHIP) before spending the next three seasons on the DL. He was released in June 2013 and went on to play independent ball in 2013 and 2014 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.673 WHIP.

5. SS Brandon Wikoff (C) - Released in 2014

Wikoff played in the system from 2009 through 2013 and was released in March of 2014. In his final two seasons, he missed a lot of time due to injuries, including injuries suffered in a car accident during Spring Training in 2013. After his release, he played independent ball in 2014. He has a lifetime batting line of .270/.346/.300.

6. SS Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez (HS) - Traded in 2014

Hernandez segued into a second baseman and later a utility player prior to making his MLB debut for the Astros on July 1, 2014. He was traded later that month, along with Jarred Cosart and Austin Wates, for Jake Marisnick, Francis Martes, Colin Moran and a 2015 compensatory pick. He has a minor league career batting line of .273/.328/.402 in 512 games and a major league career line of .248/.321/.421 in 42 games.

7. LHP Dallas Keuchel (C)

Keuchel is in his third season in the majors, having made his debut on June 17, 2012. He came into his own in 2014, going 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA, a 1.175 WHIP, five complete games and is a finalist for a Gold Glove.

8. RHP Brandt Walker (C) - Released in 2012

Walker pitched in the system in 2009 and 2010 and then spent 2011 on the DL before being released in March 2012. He has a lifetime ERA of 7.14 and a WHIP of 1.882.

9. SS Ben Orloff (C) - Retired in 2013

Orloff put up a .283/.363/.329 batting line in 355 games over five seasons before voluntarily retiring in June 2013 to become an assistant coach for his alma mater, U.C. Irvine.

10. 3B Erik Castro (C) - Released in 2014

Castro played in the Houston system from 2009 until his release in June 2014 (missing the 2010 season to injury) and then played independent ball until he was picked up by the Braves organization in mid-August. In a total of 459 games over five seasons played, he has a line of .271/.362/.456, playing the bulk of his games at first base.

11. C Bubby Williams (JC) - Released in 2012

Williams played three seasons in the Astros system before his release in March 2012 and three additional seasons (so far) in independent ball with a .223/.248/.351 career line.

12. RHP Geoff Thomas (HS) - Did not sign

Thomas went on to play for the University of Southern Mississippi. It does not appear that he ever played professionally.

13. OF Jake Goebbert (C) - Traded in 2013

Goebbert played in the Astros system until his April 2013 trade to Oakland for Travis Blackley and was subsequently traded to San Diego in May 2014, for whom he made his major league debut on June 20, 2014. In 51 MLB games, he has hit .218/.313/.317. In six minor league seasons, he hit .281/.367/.452.

14. LHP David Berner (C) - Released in 2011

Berner pitched in 90 games over three seasons for the Houston organization with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.644 WHIP.

15. OF Ryan Humphrey (JC) - Released in 2011

Humphrey played two seasons in the system, hitting .215/.278/.276, and was released in March 2011.

16. 1B Ronald Sanchez (HS) - Released in 2011

Sanchez was released in November 2011 after playing three seasons, hitting .174/.268/.203.

17. RHP Justin Harper (C) - Released in 2010

Harper was released after the 2010 season, and was picked up by the Angels (very) briefly in 2011. After one season in independent ball in 2012, he ended with a career 5.08 ERA and 1.656 WHIP.

18. RHP J.B. (James) MacDonald (C) - Released in 2011

MacDonald played one year in 2009, sat out on the restricted list in 2010 and was released in February 2011. He had a 2.53 ERA, a 1.344 WHIP and 8 saves in 23 games.

19. OF Brian Kemp (C) - Released in 2011

Kemp played in the system in 2009 and 2010 with a .244/.347/.285 batting line prior to his January 2011 release.

20. OF J.D. Martinez (C) - Released in 2014

Martinez made his major league debut for Houston on July 30, 2011, just a little over two years after he was drafted. After playing for Houston in three seasons (.251/.300/.387), he was released in March of 2014 and signed by the Tigers two days later. In 123 regular season games for Detroit in 2014, Martinez hit .315/.358/.553. Sigh.

21. 2B Barry Butera (C) - Released/retired after the 2010 season

Baseball America doesn't have the date of his release or retirement, but Butera did not play again after the 2010 season. In 127 games over two seasons, he hit .246/.312/.322.

22. RHP Mark Jones (HS) - Released in 2011

Jones was released after three seasons in the system in which he had a 4.79 ERA and a 1.777 WHIP.

23. RHP Robby Donovan (C) - Released in 2012

Donvan was released in March 2012 after playing in three season with the organization. He played an additional season in independent ball in 2012 and finished his career with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.470 WHIP.

24. LHP Mike Modica (C) - Released in 2011

Modica pitched in the system for two seasons and had a 4.18 ERA and a 1.546 WHIP.

25. 1B Nick Stanley (C) - Released in 2010

Stanley played for two seasons with a .214/.294/.312 batting line.

26. 1B Matt Pare (HS) - Did not sign

Pare signed with the Giants as a non-drafted free agent in June 2013 as a catcher. In two seasons, he has hit .218/.333/.308, although he has only played in a total of 29 games.

27. 3B Aaron Bray (C) - Released in 2010

Bray played in the organization for two seasons, predominantly at first base, hitting .256/.344/.317.

28. RHP Eric Anderson (HS) - Did not sign

Anderson played at the University of Missouri from 2010 through 2014 (missing the better part of a year after undergoing TJ surgery) and then pitched in independent ball in 2014. In 23 appearances, he had a 2.65 ERA and a 1.118 WHIP, walking 9 and striking out 40 in 34 innings.

29. OF Garen Wright (HS) - Released in 2012

Wright played in the organization for three seasons and then was released after sitting out the 2012 season. In 99 games, he hit .222/.304/.277.

30. RHP Brandon Petite (HS) - Did not sign

It appears that Petite played one season for Texas Tech in 2010, but never played professionally.

31. LHP Travis Smink (C) - Released in 2011

Smink pitched in the Astros system for three seasons with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.371 WHIP.

32. RHP Greg Peavey (C) - Did not sign

Peavey was drafted out of Oregon State in the 6th round in 2010 by the Mets and has played in that system from 2011 through 2014 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.326 WHIP.

33. RHP Brenden Stines (C) - Released in 2011

Stines was released in March 2011 after pitching in the system for two seasons with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.611 WHIP.

34. RHP Scott Migl (C) - Released in 2010

Migl only pitched for the organization for one season in 2009 and then one season in independent ball in 2010. He had a career 5.85 ERA and 1.902 WHIP.

35. OF Grant Hogue (C) - Retired in 2013

Hogue played in the system for four seasons, but struggled with injuries that final season. In a total of 322 games, he hit .289/.361/.357.

36. SS Tyler Saladino (JC) - Did not sign

Saladino was drafted by the White Sox in 2010 out of Oral Roberts University and has played in that organization from 2010 through 2014, hitting .262/.353/.398 (.310/.367/.483 in 82 games for their AAA club in 2014).

37. RHP Raul Rivera (HS)

Rivera missed 2011 on the DL, but otherwise has played in the Astros system from 2009 through 2014. He spent the majority of his 2014 season pitching for Tri-City with a late promotion to Quad Cities. In 22 games in 2014, he had a 2.97 ERA and a 1.266 WHIP. He will be 24 in February.

Raul Rivera - July 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen

38. OF Sean Barksdale (C) - Released in 2010

Barksdale was released in March 2010 after playing only one season in the system, hitting .175/.234/.301.

39. RHP Rory Young (HS) - Did not sign

It appears that Young played for five different colleges (an injury after four games in 2012 earned him a medical redshirt). It doesn't appear that he has played professionally.

40. RHP Dan Sarisky (C) - Released in 2010

Sarisky pitched in the organization for two seasons with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.648 WHIP.

41. C Carlos Escobar (HS) - Did not sign

Escobar was drafted by the Cubs in the 15th round in 2012 out of the University of Nevada-Reno and played in their system for three years, hitting .229/.316/.358, prior to his release in March 2014.

42. OF Ivory Thomas (HS) - Did not sign

Drafted by the Twins in the 34th round in 2013, Thomas played in two seasons for that organization, hitting .198/.414/.275. He was released in June 2014.

43. RHP Anthony Tzamtzis (HS) - Did not sign

Tzamtzis was drafted out of North Carolina State in the 32nd round in 2013 by the Rays. In his first two seasons, he has a 5.23 ERA and a 1.645 WHIP.

44. RHP Mike Schurz (C) - Released in 2010

Schurz pitched for two seasons in the Astros system and one additional season in 2011 in independent ball and ended his career with a 5.37 ERA and a 1.612 WHIP.

45. 2B Adrian Morales (JC) - Did not sign

Morales was drafted by the Royals in the 49th round in 2011 out of the University of South Carolina. Playing predominantly at third base over three seasons and hitting .223/.335/.308, he was released in June 2013.

46. SS Justin Gonzalez (HS) - Did not sign

Gonzalez was drafted by the Dodgers in the 27th round in 2012 and did not sign and was drafted once more in the 9th round in 2014 out of Florida State University by the D'Backs. In his first 40 professional games, he hit .198/.314/.382.

47. RHP Matt Branham (C) - Did not sign

Branham was drafted by the Padres in the 27th round in 2010 out of the University of South Carolina Upstate. In five seasons with that organization, he has a 4.02 ERA and a 1.331 WHIP.

48. LHP Paco Rodriguez (HS) - Did not sign

Rodriguez was drafted by the Dodgers in the second round in 2012 out of the University of Florida and made his major league debut later that year on September 9th (at the ripe old age of 21). He has currently pitched in 106 games for the Dodgers over three seasons with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.960 WHIP. He moved back and forth from AAA to the majors several times in the 2014 season.

49. 1B Matt Smith (C) - Did not sign

Smith was signed by the Marlins as a non-drafted free agent in November 2011 and was released in August 2013 after hitting .271/.344/.471.

50. LHP Spencer Hylander (C) - Released in 2010

Hylander only pitched in the organization for one season with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.154 WHIP and pitched an additional season in independent ball in 2010, ending his career with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.417 WHIP.

Previous draft reviews:

2007 Draft
2008 Draft
2012 Draft

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, October 28, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 14, Glendale 2

Here is Wallee Wright's Eyewitness Report of this game. Sorry, the laziness took over.

LIGA PARALELA

Caracas 4, Phillies 2

W- Andres Mendoza (1-1)
L- Alejandro Arteaga (0-2)
S- Josman Pacheco (1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

Nestor Tejada went 1-4 with 2 strikeouts out of the leadoff spot for the Little Lions.

LIDOM

Estrellas 9, Gigantes 7

W- Radhames Liz (2-0)
L- Brooks Raley (0-1)
S- Marcos Mateo (4)

Jandel Gustave made his LIDOM debut for Gigantes in this game. He was the first man out of the bullpen and allowed a run on 3 hits and struck out 1 over 2 innings.

Toros 6, Escogido 2

W- Dylan Axelrod (1-0)
L- Merrill Kelly (0-2)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.

Toros busted out for 6 in the 4th, which was their only scoring inning. That 4th turned out to be enough.

Teoscar Hernandez went 2-4 and chipped in with a 2-run double in that 4th inning.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Obregón 8, Jalisco 4

W- Irwin Delgado (1-1)
L- Ben Kozlowski (0-1)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

It was all Obregón until Jalisco suddenly sprang to life by slashing their 8-0 deficit in half with 4 in the bottom of the 9th. However, that cushion was comfortable enough.

Quiet night for Leo Heras (0-5, 3 K) and Japhet Amador (0-3, BB, K) for Jalisco.

Results for Wednesday, October 29, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 4, Surprise 4 after 11 innings

Yep... another tie.

Andrew Aplin went 0-3, but he drew 3 walks, scored a run, and drove in the tying run with a groundout in the top of the 9th inning. Joe Sclafani finished 1-5.

The Rafters will take on the Scottsdale Saguaros in the AFL late game. First pitch is at 6:35 Mountain.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 8, La Guaira 2

W- Victor Sanchez (1-0)
L- Edgmer Escalona (1-1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The capital club jumped out to a 6-0 lead, and when La Guaira finally got on the board with a pair in the 7th, they got those 2 runs back after stretch time.

Danry Vásquez went 0-5, while Gregorio Petit finished 1-4. Carlos Perez opened up the scoring with a sac fly in the 2nd, and he drove in the final 2 runs of the game with a double in the bottom of the 7th.

The Lions' homestand continues when they welcome Caribes to the capital. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIGA PARALELA

Caracas 5, Boston 3

W- Jhonathan Jimenez (3-0)
L- Carlos Cortes (0-1)

The Little Lions broke a 3-3 tie with 2 in the top of the 9th. Nestor Tejada entered the game as a pinch-hitter and went 0-1 with a walk and a strikeout.

Caracas is just about ready to start a game against the Tigers' Liga Paralela squad.

LIDOM

Águilas 4, Toros 1

W- Liam Hendriks (1-0)
L- Claudio Vargas (0-1)
S- Matt Ramsey (2)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.
Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Teoscar Hernandez had a double in 4 at-bats for Toros, while Jonathan Villar was 0-1 with a walk before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 6th.

Águilas will host Licey in the lone game on the slate tonight. First pitch is at 7:30 Atlantic.

Gigantes 4, Licey 2

W- Scott Alexander (2-0)
L- Ramon Ortiz (0-1)

Licey HRs by Astros players: None.

Domingo Santana finished 0-2 with 2 walks and scored a run.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 11, Obregón 4

W- Graham Godfrey (2-0)
L- Rolando Valdez (1-2)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: Japhet Amador 2 (3; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 5th)

Japhet Amador's 2 2-run blasts helped spur los Charros to a win. After Obregón scored 3 in the 5th to cut the Jalisco lead to 5-4, Jalisco finished the game by scoring 6 unanswered.

Leo Heras doubled in his 5 at-bats, and Amador's 2 hits both left the yard.

After getting today off, Jalisco will travel to Los Mochis on Halloween night.

Happy Birthday - 10/30

No future Astros with birthdays today, but these former Astros celebrate the day ~

2B/SS Anderson Hernandez (32)
Hernandez was first signed by the Tigers in 2001 as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic and was picked up from Cleveland by the Astros as a waiver claim in 2010.  In 132 games for Houston in 2010, he hit .188/.304/.229. Hernandez played for the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Central League in 2014.

RHP Mark Portugal (52)
Portugal came to Houston in a December 1988 trade with the Twins. In 135 games (123 starts) for the Astros from 1989 to 1993, he went 52-30 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.268 WHIP. Portugal was first in the National League in win percentage in 1993, going 18-4.

Tweet of the Day

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Arizona Fall League Game 19 Eyewitness Report

Dustin is taking a day off as he basks in the glow of the Rockets season-opening win against the Lakers, but rest assured he will bring you all the fall and winter league action on his return tomorrow. In the meantime, Wallee Wright has you covered with his Eyewitness Report of a game featuring several of your Astros, including an excellent start by RHP Vince Velasquez.

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The game today was never in doubt but it was, nonetheless, oddly interesting … while the final suggests a wipeout, the game was within reach for the Desert Dogs until the bottom fell out in the sixth - Astros prospects, and there were two or three in the game through out, played a leading role from beginning to end.

Vincent Velasquez blew through the Desert Dog lineup 1-2-3 for the first three innings … he did a pretty damn good Nolan Ryan imitation in the process – ‘here it is, hit it if you can’, and they couldn’t. Bear in mind that these Desert Dogs were the team that blew up Vincent’s ERA with five runs on two homers in three innings on the fifteen of this month … if you don’t remember, no problem, because it was clear that Velasquez did – he was overpowering.

Then came the fourth … the leadoff batter walked on a questionable 3-1 ball call that also had Vincent shaking his throwing hand as if he’d torn a nail or popped a blister. The Chisox’ Tim Anderson, the next hitter, bounced Velasquez’s next pitch into the Desert Dog bullpen for a ground rule double that left runners on second and third with none out … a ground out plates one and a sac fly plates Anderson and Vincent’s eight-inning scoreless streak was history. But that was it for the Dogs in the fourth and fifth and Vincent lowered his ERA to an increasingly more respectable 4.85 … but Velasquez’s 0.92 WHIP and twelve strikeouts in thirteen innings of work tells the real story of his Fall League efforts.

The seventh inning brought Mitch Lambson to the mound … and Mitch did his job just as he has every time out – strangely. Lambson struck out the leadoff batter on three pitches, then got the next hitter to ground out … Mitch has faced thirty-three batters in his eight innings of work, striking out ten and walking six, but this was just the third batter retired by Lambson on a ground ball – very un-Astro like. He then walked the next batter, though there were two called balls that could have gone either way, before getting the final batter of the inning on strikeouts with just three pitches … another strange outing for Mitch, who now sits at 2.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, and would be even better if one of those fly balls hadn’t left the yard a few games back.

And then the Rafters turned the game over to our Astros Fall Star, Tyson Perez … and Tyson did what he has done for ten innings now – he made the rest of the game almost uneventful. The only blip in his two innings work was a beater to Rio Ruiz that was thrown away in a futile effort to keep Tim Anderson from picking up his third hit of the game … Anderson got a hit, and Ruiz an error as he advanced to second, but Perez got Corey Seager on a 2-2 fly ball to left to end the inning. In the ninth, Tyson needed only ten pitches to end the game … Perez has faced only thirty-seven batters in ten innings work, maintained his 0.00 ERA and now sports a 0.70 WHIP.

On the offensive side of the ledger, the Astros were just as active … Andrew Aplin started in centerfield and led off, where upon he promptly walked and scored the first run. He went on to get two hits and to drive in two runs in five plate at bats, and is now slashing (.350/.395/.500). Rio Ruiz was in his normal six spot, playing third again as usual, and picked up a hit, two walks and scored two runs … a pretty typical day for the young man slashing (.245/.383/.286).

The Rafters are 13-4-2 after this afternoon, and now lead the Mesa Solar Sox by four games in the AFL East … the Glendale Desert Dogs remained in first place in the AFL East at 8-9-1. Any combination of ten Rafter wins and Solar Sox losses will clinch the Rafters a spot in the AFL Championship game November 15 … a game that will be televised.

~ Wallee Wright ~

Happy Birthday - 10/29

Happy Birthday to ~

3B Tyler White (24)
Drafted by Houston in the 33rd round in 2013 out of Western Carolina University in North Carolina, White split his 2014 season between Quad Cities (71 games) and Lancaster (43 games), hitting a combined .290/.410/.501 with 33 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 64 RBI.

RHP Adonis Pena (21)
An international free agent from the Dominican Republic, Pena spent his first season with the Dominican Summer League team. In 15 games (10 starts), he was 2-4 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.911 WHIP.

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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Monday, October 27, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 3, Mesa 3 after 11 innings

Yes, games in the AFL can end in a tie.

Rio Ruiz went 1-5 with a run scored, and Andrew Aplin appeared as a pinch-runner in the 10th.

Today, the Rafters will take on Glendale at 12:35 Mountain.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 11, Zulia 7

W- Victor Larez (2-0)
L- Marcos Tabata (2-1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: Carlos Perez (3, 2-run in 9th)

The capital club trailed 7-3 after the 4th, but they finished the game on an 8-0 run. Both teams combined to send 8 out of the park in this one.

Danry Vásquez finished 2-6 with a double, and it was a huge night for Carlos Perez, as he finished 4-5 with an RBI single in the 5th and provided some insurance with a 2-run homer in the 9th. Perez has played 8 games with Caracas and has homered 3 times, which puts him in a tie for the club lead.

Today, Caracas will travel to the island of Margarita for 2 games against Bravos. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIGA PARALELA

Caracas 2, Zulia 1

W- Luis Sanz (1-0)
L- Robert Gonzalez (0-1)
S- Jhonathan Jimenez (2)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The little Lions also topped Zulia. Nestor Tejada entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 6th and struck out in his only plate appearance in the 8th.

A little later on this morning, Caracas will host the Phillies. First pitch is at 11:00 A.M. Venezuelan time.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Obregón 5, Jalisco 4

W- Oswaldo Martinez (1-1)
L- Juan Delgadillo (0-4)
S- Jonathan Arias (6)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

The difference in this game was a 2-run 5th for Obregón. Leo Heras hit an RBI single in the 2nd, his only hit in 4 at-bats. He also stole his 3rd base of the LMP season. Heras currently has a 7-game hitting streak going, but in 6 of those 7 games, he's recorded 1 hit. Japhet Amador went 0-3 with a walk.

These two teams will go at it again at 7:00.

Arizona Fall-Star Faux Pas: A Soapbox from Wallee Wright

The list of Fall League All-Stars came out yesterday and our intrepid Arizona correspondent was not amused. The good news is that Astros RHP Tyson Perez got the nod. The bad news? Well, let's hear from Wallee Wright about that as he borrows my soapbox for the day.

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The Arizona Fall League rosters for their Fall Star game were named today on MLB.com, and frankly folks, monkeys at the San Diego Zoo could have made better choices slinging dung at poster board rosters. It’s a shame the folks that make these selections have chosen to include young men who have not performed up to their billing because it lessens the honor for those who truly deserve the recognition … and Tyson Perez is one of those who has earned this recognition.

A little harsh, you say? Try this on for size … the list includes MLB Top-100 prospect number 86, Kansas City’s Hunter Dozier, who is rocking a .184/.298/.327 slash with 17 strikeouts in forty-nine at bats, but does not include the Yankees Greg Bird, slashing .343/.375/.672 with a league leading 6 home runs and sixteen strikeouts in sixty-seven at bats.

Had to get a certain number of players from each team, you say? Puzzle me this then, Batman … how does the roster include Minnesota Twin outfielder and MLB Top-100 Number One, Byron Buxton, who is stroking a modest.264/.316/.302 yet exclude Minnesota Twin outfielder/2B Eddie Rosario who is the second leading hitter in the entire league at .429/.436/.449?

But it’s the pitching staff that I’m sure those monkeys played a part in selecting … check these out – the Blue Jays Roberto Osuna made the squad with a 12.27 ERA and 2.59 WHIP in seven and one-third innings of work, walking four and striking out seven; and Tayron Guerrero of the monkey’s home town Padres made the squad with an astounding 21.60 ERA and 3.30 WHIP in three and one-third innings of work.

Not making the Falling Stars roster was our own Mark Appel, with a league high seventeen innings of work at a 1.59 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and four bases on balls to go with his fourteen strikeouts … nor did the Pirates Joely Rodriguez, with a 3-0 record in thirteen and one-third innings and a 1.35 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and three walks against 13 strikeouts. But looking forward to ‘play(ing) the best, and beat(ing) the best’ is Arizona’s Archie Bradley with his 0-2 record and 6.55 ERA with a 2.18 WHIP while walking seven and striking out eight.

This screed is not an indictment of the players selected and mentioned … it is not their fault. These young men are all superior athletes, with extraordinary skills that folks like myself could have never dreamed of possessing, and it troubles me not just a little to write something like this piece. But an All Star game should include only those whose performance warranted selection and should not be based upon the number of winter visitors from a certain area, or the location of the game, or the ranking of the players by MLB.com, which is apparently what was employed this year … unless, of course, the San Diego Zoo is missing some monkeys.

~ Wallee Wright ~

Happy Birthday - 10/28

Happy Birthday to ~

OF Brauly Mejia (20)
Signed by the Astros as an international free agent in May 2012 out of the Dominican Republic, Mejia spent most of his 2014 season with the Gulf Coast League Astros, hitting .273/.394/.429 in 49 games. He played his last five games of the season with Quad Cities, and let's just say that his bat didn't have time to get warmed up.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Mark Knudson (54)
Drafted by the Astros in the third round in 1982, Knudson pitched in only 11 games for the Astros in 1985 and 1986. In those 11 games (9 starts), he went 1-7 with a 5.20 ERA and a 1.621 WHIP. He was traded to the Brewers in August of 1986 and went on to have modest success with Milwaukee over six seasons with that organization.

SS Tim Bogar (48)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the eighth round in 1987, Bogar came to Houston in a March 1997 trade with New York. In 392 games for the Astros in 1997 through 2000, he hit .219/.297/.327 with 43 doubles, nine triples and sixteen home runs. In the 1999 NLDS, he went 3-for-4 with a double, walk and an RBI. In 2014, he served as the bench coach and interim manager for the Texas Rangers.

RHP Kirk Bullinger (45)
A 32nd round pick by the Cardinals in 1992, Bullinger signed with Houston as a free agent in December of 2001. In 34 games pitched for the Astros in 2003 and 2004, he had a 6.28 ERA and a 1.397 WHIP.

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Monday, October 27, 2014

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Sunday, October 26, 2014

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Zulia 2, Caracas 0

W- Julio Vivas (1-0)
L- Boone Whiting (0-1)
S- Tim Dillard (1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The capital club was blanked and got held to just 4 hits. Danry Vásquez went 0-3 from the leadoff spot for Caracas.

Caracas and Zulia will be the only game on the LVBP slate today. First pitch will be at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Águilas 6, Licey 1

W- Tony Peña (1-0)
L- Randall Delgado (0-1)

Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.
Licey HRs by Astros players: None.

Águilas had a pair of 3-run innings to top Licey as they honored a fallen teammate with a victory. Cardinals OF Oscar Taveras, 22, was a member of the team in 2012. He, along with his girlfriend, Edilia, lost their lives in a car accident in the Dominican Republic yesterday. My condolences go out to his family and friends, his girlfriend's family and friends, and the St. Louis Cardinals organization and its fans.

Sidebar: Although he was not a part of the Houston Astros organization, I knew that Oscar Taveras was extremely well-regarded. Not just as a baseball player, but as a person, as well. He was a perennial top prospect who got his chance to shine in the Major Leagues this season. I feel that Oscar was just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential as a MLB player, and he was on the cusp of becoming one of the game's brighest stars. Not many people who play baseball can say that they reached the Majors by the time they turned 22. Oscar Taveras, from the time he turned professional, honed his skills every year, and in the process, he became a top prospect, and as a testament to his top prospect status, he eventually became one of the few men who could say that he achieved the feat of becoming a Major League Baseball player by the age of 22. With his passing, we can only talk about what could have been. The game of baseball will never know how great Oscar Taveras could have been, and that, for lack of a better term, is simply unfair.

Oscar Taveras and I were the same age. Obviously, I did not know him personally, but whenever I hear of, or read about, someone my age, or close to my age, passing away, I suddenly feel myself becoming more mortal. It has been said countless times, but tomorrow is not guaranteed. Cherish every moment you spend with your loved ones.

Descanse en paz, Oscar. Rest in peace, Oscar. You will be greatly missed. Although your family, and Edilia's family, grieve for the two of you, I hope that they find solace in the fact that you are both at peace now. And, as time passes, they will remember you for the joy that you brought them during your time on this Earth. I also hope that everyone involved with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, from the front office to their fans, will remember you for the excitement that you brought them as a top prospect who brought them great hope for the future of their team. Now that you have taken your place alongside the Lord, I hope that you will take some time to reflect on your brief time here on this Earth and know that you have accomplished so much in that timespan.

As long as your family lives, you will live on in their hearts and souls. You will never be forgotten.

End sidebar. Recollecting myself....

As far as the game was concerned, Jonathan Villar went 0-4 with a strikeout, but he did record a stolen base (3).

For Licey, Domingo Santana entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 4th and led off the 6th with a double. Ruben Sosa went 1-4.

Both of these teams will be off until Wednesday. Licey will host Gigantes that night, while Águilas will host Toros.

Toros 4, Escogido 3

W- Jhan Marinez (1-0)
L- Stephen Kohlscheen (0-2)
S- Jose Valverde (2)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.

Teoscar Hernandez's sac fly in the top of the 9th was the difference for Toros as it broke a 3-3 tie. He entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 8th for Cameron Maybin.

These two teams will be back in action tomorrow as they face each other.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Culiacán 9, Mazatlán 2

W- Oscar Villarreal (1-1)
L- Alejandro Martinez (0-2)

Gonzalo Sañudo worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 7th, striking out 1.

After a day off, Culiacán will travel to Navojoa for a 2-game set beginning tomorrow.

Jalisco 2, Mexicali 1

W- Brian Broderick (2-0)
L- Francisco Rodriguez (1-2)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

All 3 runs in this game were scored in the final 3 innings. Jalisco walked off with the W thanks to an RBI single from Amadeo Zazueta. Leo Heras hit a 2-out double in the 8th and drew a walk in 3 at-bats, while Japhet Amador went 0-4.

Jalisco will now begin a series Obregón tonight. It's the only game on the LMP schedule, and it will begin at 7:00.

Happy Birthday - 10/27

Happy Birthday to ~

C Carlos Perez (24)
Perez was one of the players obtained in the 10-player megatrade with the Blue Jays in July 2012. He spent the 2014 season with Oklahoma City, hitting .259/.323/.385 in 88 games. In 74 games behind the plate, he caught 32% of would-be base stealers.

One former Astro celebrates as well ~

LHP Eric Bell (51)
Originally drafted by the Orioles in the ninth round in 1982, Bell signed with Houston as a free agent in 1993. In 10 appearances for the Astros that year, he was 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA and a 1.636 WHIP.

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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Saturday, October 25, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Peoria 6, Salt River 3

W- Ryne Harper (2-0)
L- Edgar Olmos (0-1)
S- Sam Tuivailala (2)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

Mark Appel got the start for the Rafters and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 5 innings of work. Those were the first 3 runs that he's allowed in AFL play. The Javelinas broke a 3-3 tie with a pair off of Edgar Olmos (Marlins) in the top of the 6th to take control of the game. Mitch Lambson struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 7th.

Batting 2nd and playing LF, Joe Sclafani went 1-4 with an RBI single in the 5th, and Rio Ruiz finished 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

It's Sunday, so the AFL is off. The Rafters will be back in action on Monday afternoon when they host the Mesa Solar Sox.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Zulia 5, Caracas 1

W- Sergio Perez (1-0)
L- Yoanner Negrin (0-3)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

Danry Vásquez was 1-3 and scored the lone Caracas run in the 7th when he came home on a sac fly from Tommy Pham. Gregorio Petit was 0-2 with a strikeout before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 7th.

These two teams will play again at 7:00 Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Águilas 8, Estrellas 3

W- Angel Castro (1-0)
L- Richard Bleier (1-1)

Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Águilas seized all the momentum in this game when they put up a 5-spot in the 4th inning. Jonathan Villar went 0-3 with 2 strikeouts, but he drove in Águilas' final run of the evening with a sac fly in the 6th.

Águilas will host Licey at 5:00 Atlantic.

Toros 4, Licey 3

W- Elih Villanueva (2-0)
L- John Lannan (0-1)
S- Jose Valverde (1)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.
Licey HRs by Astros players: None.

Ruben Sosa and Domingo Santana were pinch-runners for Licey; Santana scored in the 8th, while Sosa was thrown out at home trying to score the tying run in the top of the 9th. Sosa also stole his 2nd base of the LIDOM campaign.

For Toros, Teoscar Hernandez entered the game as a defensive replacement in LF in the 8th and did not appear at the plate.

Toros will take on Escogido at 5:00 Atlantic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 3, Mexicali 1

W- Ivan Salas (1-0)
L- Edgar Gomez (1-1)
S- Brian Broderick (5)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: Japhet Amador (1, solo in 4th)

Amador tied the game at 1 with his blast in the 4th, and the Horsemen put up 2 in the bottom of the 8th to break the tie. Leo Heras was 1-3 with the go-ahead RBI ground-rule double in the 8th, and then Amador, who finished 3-4, brought him home with an RBI single for insurance.

Mexicali and Jalisco will wrap up their weekend series at noon.

Astros Arizona Fall League Game 17 Eyewitness Report

Wallee Wright weighs in again with one of his excellent eyewitness reports of Arizona Fall League action ~

In the midst of Mark Appel’s widely-chronicled California League troubles one of the most frequently cited ‘proofs’ that Appel was an overrated bust in the making was the apparent absence of emotion when things were going badly … ‘he doesn’t even care enough to get upset.’ was the prevailing sentiment among the baseball ‘writers’ community. Well, he may not show the made-for-television ‘emotion’ they love at Fenway, but he does get genuinely upset … and the results are as predictable for a number 1-1 draft pick as they would be for a 40-30 selection.

After cruising through the first two innings Mark let a poor decision by his first baseman get to him in the third, opening the door to a two-run inning … in defense of his first sacker, he is another of the offensively talented but defense-challenged catchers getting time at another position this fall. The ball that resulted in a base hit was a skulled roller down the line that never even reached the bag - barely more than a drag bunt – that Appel was pursuing when Casteel called him off and attempted a scoop and tag play … and failed to come up with the ball. I don’t think Mark was upset with his first baseman so much as giving up a hit on a bleeder.

A sacrifice bunt and a ground out moved the runner to third and then Appel’s only tormentor this fall, Francisco Lindor, creamed a gapper between Astro shortstop/second baseman/third baseman (playing left field) Joe Sclafani and the Twins second baseman (playing center field) Eddie Rosario that became a triple … before the Rockies’ shortstop/third baseman (playing second base) Trevor Story, threw the relay into the dugout. Perhaps you’ve noticed the pattern here … the inning came to a merciful end three batters later when D-Backs outfielder, playing right field, Evan Marzilli made the first of two spectacular catches on balls that appeared to be destined for extra bases.

Sclafani and Rosario clearly had communication issues this afternoon … they played Alphonse and Gaston on a lazy fly ball to mid-left center field that dropped between the two of them for a ‘double’. A ground out and sacrifice fly and there’s one more ‘earned run’ for the Javelinas … Trevor Story redeemed himself briefly in the bottom of the inning with an RBI triple driving in Rosario, and then Sclafani and Rosario redeemed themselves in the bottom of the next inning with RBI singles to keep Appel from absorbing a loss in the game.

Today’s Rafters starting lineup included four Colorado Rockies, two Astros, and one each from Miami, Arizona and Minnesota … three of those four Rox contributed a total of nine strikeouts to the team’s total of thirteen – and two of the Rafter’s seven hits. I’m just sayin’ … there’s a reason the Rox lost four more games than the Astros while playing in the lamest division in baseball.

As you might have suspected by now, to these old eyes there was not a lot to like today from either our Astros or our Rafters … player of the game was clearly Evan Marzilli, who made two sterling defensive plays and went two-for-three with a double and a walk. Marzilli, who has not been getting the same playing time as the two ranked prospects, Drury and O’Brien, has nonetheless outplayed them both to date.

Just so you won’t think I’m just being a grump today, with nothing good to say about anything, I’d like to point out that they fixed enough of the centerfield scoreboard to display the score by the bottom of the first … he was 500 feet away, so I can’t be sure, but I don’t believe the man on the lift with the really cool tool belt was Tony LaRussa – but everyone else was out of position today so it may have been.

~ Wallee Wright ~

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Saturday, October 25, 2014

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Friday, October 24, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 8, Glendale 1

W- Jimmie Sherfy (1-0)
L- Mychal Givens (0-2)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

The Rafters sunk the Desert Dogs behind Trevor Story's 4-RBI day. On the Astros side of things, Andrew Aplin went 3-5, and Tyson Perez finished it off by striking out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

The Rafters return to Salt River Fields, where they'll host Peoria at 12:35 Mountain.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 7, Lara 1

W- Albert Suarez (1-0)
L- Nestor Molina (0-1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

After the Astros in the lineup sparked a big inning for Caracas on Thursday, Friday brought about a rather quiet night for the two Astros in the lineup. Danry Vásquez went 0-5 with a run scored and 2 Ks, while Gregorio Petit finished 1-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Caracas will now head to Maracaibo to play 3 against Zulia. Game 1 will take place at 7:00 Venezuelan time.

LIGA PARALELA

Caracas 3, La Guaira 1

W- Luis Bastardo (2-0)
L- Tyler Ibarra (0-1)
S- Jhonathan Jimenez (1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The little Lions held La Guaira to just 2 hits. Nestor Tejada got the start in CF and batted 1st. He went 0-4 with a strikeout and was hit by a pitch.

The Liga Paralela will be back in action on Monday. Caracas' Paralela squad will also take on Zulia at 10:00 A.M. Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Escogido 6, Águilas 5

W- Matt Zielinski (1-0)
L- Edward Paredes (0-1)

Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Águilas managed to take a 5-4 lead after scoring a run in the top of the 7th, but Escogido tied the game with 1 after stretch time, and they walked off with the win in the 9th, thanks to an error that allowed Joc Peterson to score. Hitting 2nd for Águilas, Jonathan Villar went 2-4 with a run scored.

Águilas will return home to host Estrellas at 7:30 Atlantic.

Estrellas 8, Licey 6

W- Wirfin Obispo (1-0)
L- Gabriel Arias (0-1)
S- Marcos Mateo (2)

Licey HRs by Astros players: None,

Licey came all the way back to tie the game at 6, only to see Estrellas break the tie by scoring the game's final 2 runs.

Asher Wojciechowski got the start for Licey and allowed 5 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 7 in 4.2 innings. Domingo Santana went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Licey will travel east to take on Toros at 7:30.

Gigantes 7, Toros 4

W- Jose De Paula (2-0)
L- Caleb Clay (0-1)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.

Gigantes opened up the game on a 7-1 run and never looked back. Teoscar Hernandez went 1-3 with 2 strikeouts for Toros.

Toros will host Licey at 7;30 tonight.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 3, Mexicali 2

W- Brian Broderick (1-0)
L- Eder Llamas (0-2)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

Mexicali took the early 2-0 lead, but los Charros clawed their way back and eventually walked off with the victory as Gabriel Gutierrez scored on an error. Leo Heras finished 1-5, while Japhet Amador saw his 9-game hitting streak go by the wayside with his 0-5 line.

Both of these teams will be back at it later this afternoon; first pitch is at 4:00.

Happy Birthday - 10/25

Happy Birthday to ~

3B Bobby Borchering (24)
A first round draft pick by Arizona in 2009, Borchering came to the Astros organization, along with Marc Krauss, in the July 2012 trade that sent Chris Johnson to the Diamondbacks. Borchering only played in 16 games for Lancaster this season, hitting .238/.324/.333, before being shut down in late May and shipped off to Weiland Island, never to be heard from again.

RHP Gabriel Valdez (19)
An international free agent out of Panama, Valdez spent his first professional season with the Dominican Summer League Astros. In 18 appearances, he was 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.264 WHIP. He walked only 10 batters, striking out 34, in 46.2 innings.

Two former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

RHP Danny "Dr. Death" Darwin a.k.a. The Bonham Bullet (59)
Darwin came to Houston in an August 1986 trade with the Brewers. Nicknamed Dr. Death by teammate Nolan Ryan, Danny Darwin spent 21 seasons in the major leagues, playing for eight different teams.  For his career, he had a 3.84 ERA and a 1.268 WHIP.  Dr. Death was with Houston from 1986 to 1990, during which time he had a 47-35 record with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.164 WHIP.  His most successful season was 1990 when he led the National League in ERA, WHIP and BB/9.

From Wikipedia:
It was a source of debate amongst Astros players and fans over who would win in a fight, Ryan or Darwin. Though Astros pitcher Bob Knepper attempted to set up a fight between the two during spring training in 1988, manager Hal Lanier stopped it before it could commence. Many experts, including Astros shortstop Rafael Ramirez, felt that Darwin would win because he "looked like someone no man would want to mess with."
LHP Skip Guinn (70)
Guinn first came to Houston in April 1969 from the Expos. In 32 games for the Astros in 1969 and 1971, he was 1-2 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.863 WHIP.

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Friday, October 24, 2014

Astros Arizona Fall League Game 15 Eyewitness Account

Wallee Wright once again brings us his eyewitness account of last night's Arizona Fall League game, featuring only one of your Astros, but also gives us a little more news about the experimental rule changes ...

Tonight was a Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks show with Rio Ruiz, playing third and batting fifth, making a token appearance for the Astros ... and while that would not normally be appealing to this Astros fan, it was actually a fun, competitive, game. Even the four relievers were equally divided between Minnesota and Arizona … sheesh, the Twins Zack Jones got his third Hold by pitching one-third an inning, walking three and leaving the bases loaded for the Snakes’ Kaleb Fleck – no problem, no runs.

The 5-3 win moves the Salt River Rafters to 11-3-1 and a full three game lead at the halfway point over the suddenly surging Mesa Solar Sox who are 7-3 in their last ten but only 8-6 overall. The Rafters opponent Friday night, the Glendale Desert Dogs, lead the Western division with a 7-6-1 record … the Desert Dogs beat the Rafters and Vincent Velasquez in Glendale ten days ago, and have a winning record at home, so this afternoon road game could be tough following tonight’s late start.

Although MLB has stated that all games played with the new clock have been completed in less than two and one-half hours they are blowin’ smoke … the first game under the clock barely came in under three hours. However, the clock is actually working better than I could have imagined, and has elicited some hilarious reactions from pitchers hit with a 20-second violation … funny for those of us whose future livelihood does not depend upon getting the batter out, that is. The biggest issue is still the timekeeper forgetting to start or stop the clock and the inconsistent application of the new rules by the home plate umps … for instance, does stepping off the mound reset the clock? And the between innings time, originally established at 2:05, has been tweaked a bit … the pitcher now has two and one-half minutes to make that first pitch, and the game is not the poorer for that change.

Another sign that Rio Ruiz is coming around … Rio has been making solid and loud contact of late, hitting line drives but not threatening the folks parked on the berms – tonight in the bottom of the seventh Ruiz backed the Saguaros’ center fielder to the warning track with a 400-foot pop to dead center. It is so good to see … understand that Rio is only 20 and had 602 plate appearances in the California desert before his 46 appearances here in the Arizona Desert – but the bus ride has to be better here.

The main scoreboard at Salt River Field was not working this evening, nor was the scorekeeper for that matter … the latter individual had difficulty keeping track of the opposition’s runs – such a shame, not. I’ll leave repairs to the scoreboard to Tony LaRussa … can’t you picture him with a Home Depot tool belt? Me neither …

Archie Bradley is throwing tomorrow … the young man has had a really tough time after the first inning in his previous starts – and this Desert Dogs team has some real bangers. It would sure be good to see Bradley get it turned around … and even better if we could see some of that Astro talent on the field as well.

The new AFL batting leader, Eddie Rosario, had two more hits tonight and three runs batted in … oh, and two stolen bases. Byron Buxton also had two, but one was an infield slow roller and the other a blooper to left center … Rosario does not hit for power, but he’s giving Byron a real run for his money for that centerfield slot – I’m wondering if Buxton isn’t still injured.

Saturday is my next game … later, dudes and dudettes.

~Wallee Wright~

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, October 23, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 5, Surprise 3

W- Anthony DeSclafani (1-0)
L- Lisalverto Bonilla (0-1)
S- Enrique Burgos (2)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

The Rafters opened up the scoring with 3 in the 2nd, only to see the Saguaros tie the game with 3 of their own in the 4th. But, Salt River emerged on top as they managed to break the tie with 1 in the 5th and 1 in the 6th. Rio Ruiz went 1-3 with a walk.

Today, Salt River will head to Camelback Ranch to face the Glendale Desert Dogs at 12:35 Mountain.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 8, Bravos 5

W- Victor Larez (1-0)
L- Casey Lawrence (0-1)
S- Jesus Pirela (5)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The capital club only scored in 1 inning, but that turned out to be all they needed to get the win. Caracas also erased a 5-0 deficit in the process with their 8-run barrage in the 5th.

Gregorio Petit smacked a 2-run double to begin the assault. One of the runners who came home was Danry Vásquez. Petit would eventually score on a ground-rule double from Ronald Bermudez. Carlos Perez grounded into a force out that would give Leones the lead, and then Danry added an RBI single. Petit, who kick-started the big inning, finished it as well after his RBI single.

Danry finished 3-3, while Gregorio Petit's 2 hits and 3 RBI all came in the 5th, and Carlos Perez finished 1-4 with 2 runs scored.

Los Leones will welcome the Cardinals of Lara to the capital tonight. First pitch is at 7:30 local time. Venezuelan time is currently 30 minutes behind Eastern Time. Well, at least until November 2nd, when it'll be 30 minutes ahead.

LIGA PARALELA

Caribes 5, Aragua 2

W- Edwin Villarroel (1-0)
L- Raul Ruiz (0-2)
S- Joyce Linares (1)

Caribes took control with 3 in the 4th and 1 more in the 5th in support of Edwin Villarroel, who allowed just 1 run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 solid innings to get his first win in the Liga Paralela campaign.

Caribes will take on the Seattle team later this morning, at 11:00 A.M. local time.

Caracas 11, Navegantes 4

W- Wilce Nieves (1-0)
L- Manuel Ochoa (0-2)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

The little Lions finished the game on an 8-1 run after Navegantes tied the game at 3 with a pair in the 4th. Nestor Tejada went 1-3 with a run scored, while Jonathan Matute hit an RBI groundout in the 1st and finished 1-2 with 3 walks, 2 runs scored, and a stolen base (1).

Caracas will be in La Guaira for a game that will begin at 10:00 A.M. local time.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Navojoa 5, Jalisco 4

W- Hugo Gutierrez (1-0)
L- Hugo Castellanos (0-1)
S- Gene Escat (2)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

Jalisco got on the board first with 1 in the 1st, but Navojoa responded with 3 in the bottom half of the inning, and their cushion held up.

Leo Heras went 1-5, while Japhet Amador extended his hitting streak to 9 games with a 2-5 outing.

Los Charros will return home to Guadalajara to host Mexicali for the weekend. First pitch is at 7:00.

Mexicali 9, Culiacán 8

W- Edgar Gomez (1-0)
L- Gonzalo Sañudo (1-1)

Los Tomateros walked off with the loss as Ramon Urias took Gonzalo Sañudo deep with 1 out in the first extra frame. Sañudo got the final 2 outs of the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extras, striking out Xorge Carrillo to end the inning. Urias' homer was the only hit he allowed.

Culiacán will host Mazatlán in a weekend series that will begin at 7:30 Mountain.

Happy Birthday - 10/24

Happy Birthday to ~

Lancaster Hitting Coach Darryl Robinson (47)
Robinson has served as the hitting coach for the Lancaster JetHawks for the past five seasons. In 2013, he earned the California League Coach of the Year award. He also boasts two League Championship rings from two out of the last three seasons.

One former Astro also celebrates the day ~

RHP Mark Grant (51)
A first round pick by the Giants in 1981, Grant signed with Houston as a free agent in January of 1993. Less than four months later, he was traded to the Rockies. In the interim, he pitched in 6 games for the Astros with a 0.82 ERA and a 1.455 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Thursday, October 23, 2014

An Update on the 2008 Astros Draft Class

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to look back at some of the Astros draft classes and see where things stand. Today we'll look at 2008, the first class from the Ed Wade/Bobby Heck era. Let's look at the numbers:

52 players drafted
32 players signed
4 players still in the Astros system (plus one drafted later)
15 players still active in organized baseball in 2014*

27 position players drafted/15 signed/2 still in the system
11 from high school/4 signed/1 still in the system
5 from junior college/2 signed/0 still in the system
11 from college/9 signed/1 still in the system

25 pitchers drafted/17 signed/2 still in the system
11 from high school/6 signed/2 still in the system
8 from junior college/6 signed/0 still in the system
6 from college/5 signed/0 still in the system

*Of the 15 players who were still active in baseball in 2014, seven are high school players who did not sign with Houston, but later signed with other teams, two were released (Shuck and Simunic), one was traded (Lyles), one was drafted by Houston in a later year (Jankowski) and four are left from the original draft (Castro, Seaton, Cruz and Garcia).

Here is a little on each of them. Active Astros players are in bold. The position shown is the position at which the player was drafted, and I have also indicated in parentheses whether they were drafted out of high school (HS), junior college (JC) or college (C).]


Castro is the only one from the 2008 draft class who is currently on the Astros major league team. In four seasons at the major league level (2010, 2012 - 2014), he has a .243/.316/.399 batting line and a 27% caught stealing percentage.

1s. RHP Jordan Lyles (HS) - Traded

Lyles came as a supplemental pick as compensation for losing LHP Trever Miller in free agency. Lyles pitched in three seasons for Houston, going 14-29 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.454 WHIP before being included in a trade (along with outfielder Brandon Barnes) to the Rockies for OF Dexter Fowler and cash considerations. In his one season with the Rockies, Lyles is 7-4 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.366 WHIP.

2. OF Jay Austin (HS) - Released in 2012

Austin did not play in 2013, but showed up in independent ball in 2014. He has a career batting line of .254/.317/.354.

3. 1B Chase Davidson (HS) - Did not sign

Davidson did not sign out of high school but later signed in 2011 as he was re-drafted by the Astros in the 41st round that year.

3s. RHP Ross Seaton (HS)

The Astros received this pick as compensation for not signing Derek Dietrich in 2007. Seaton has made it as far as AAA, but injuries derailed much of his 2014 season. Between Corpus Christi, Oklahoma City and a rehab stint with the GCL, Seaton had a combined 4.20 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 16 games (seven starts).

4. OF T.J. Steele (C) - Released in 2012

Steele was released by the Astros in May 2012 and then signed on briefly with the Padres organization before being released by them in July 2012. In the 327 games of his career, he hit .247/.284/.379.

5. LHP David Duncan (C) - Released in 2012

Duncan was actually released by the Astros in 2010, but then re-signed by them in early 2011 only to while away on the DL that entire season. In 50 games (46 starts) from 2008 through 2010, he was 10-23 with a 5.78 ERA and a 1.444 WHIP.

6. OF J.B. Shuck (C) - Released in 2012

Shuck made his major league debut for the Astros on August 5, 2011, hitting .272/.359/.321 in 37 games. He then spent all of 2012 playing in Oklahoma City and was released at the end of that season despite hitting a very healthy .298/.374/.352. Shuck was signed by the Angels shortly after his release by the Astros in late 2012. He had an excellent season for the Angels in 2013, hitting .293/.331/.366 in 129 games, but did not fare quite so well at the major league level in 2014 and was sold to the Indians in September 2014. His overall major league batting line to date is .264/.307/.333. Shuck turned 27 in June.

7. OF Jon Gaston (C) - Released in 2012

Gaston was released by the Astros in March of 2012 and spent time in independent ball and in the White Sox organization that year. After his release by the White Sox in June 2012, he continued to play in independent ball up through 2014. His career batting line is .254/.330/.446.

8. LHP Brad Dydalewicz (HS) - Released in 2012

Dydalewicz made it as far as Lancaster, but was released at the end of 2012 after putting up a career 6.41 ERA and 1.668 WHIP.

9. LHP Luis Cruz (HS)

Cruz spent the majority of his 2014 season at Corpus Christi and received a late season call-up to Oklahoma City. In 26 games (22 starts) in 2014, he had a 3.68 ERA and a 1.243 WHIP. He walked 38 while striking out 118 in 124.2 innings of work. He just turned 24 in September.

10. LHP Jarred Holloway (JC) - Released in 2010

Holloway only played in the organization for one season in 2008 (and did not play at all in 2009). In 13 starts, he was 4.05 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.541 WHIP.

11. OF Jacob Priday (HS) - Released in 2010

Priday played only 32 games in the Astros system in 2008, hitting .216/.331/.324. He was on the restricted list for all of 2009 before being formally released in 2010.

12. SS Jeff Hulett (JC) - Released in 2009

Hulett played two seasons for the Astros (playing more at third base than at short) and then another three in independent ball. He had a career batting line of .216/.296/.293.

13. RHP Kyle Godfrey (JC) - Released in 2011

Godfrey played from 2008 through 2010 in the Astros system. After his release in March 2011, he played independent ball for one season. He has a career ERA of 4.14 and WHIP of 1.522.

14. RHP Chris Hicks (C) - Released in 2012

Hicks pitched in the organization from 2008 through his release in June 2012, although he missed the entire 2010 season on the DL. He made it as far as AAA and had a career ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.571.

15. C Phil Disher (C) - Released in 2010

Drafted as a catcher, Disher actually played first base for the organization in 2008 and 2009 before being released in early 2010. In a total of 110 games, he had a batting line of .257/.343/.451.

16. LHP Josh Poytress (HS) - Did not sign

Poytress was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 18th round in 2011 and played for them for two seasons before being released in early 2013. He played one more season in independent ball and had a career ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.422.

17. 2B Andy Simunic (HS) - Released in 2014

Simunic played in the Astros system until his release in early June of 2014. He was briefly picked up and subsequently released by the Braves organization. In his seven seasons with the system, he became a utility player, eventually playing at every position except catcher and hitting a career .276/.357/.339.

18, 3B David Flores (C) - Released in 2012

Flores played in the Astros system from 2008 through 2011 and was released in early 2012. For his career, he hit .258/.312/.430.

19. RHP Ashton Mowdy (JC) - Released in 2010

Mowdy pitched from 2008 to 2010, with a career 4.55 ERA and 1.477 WHIP.

20. C Shea Robin (C) - Did not sign

It appears that Robin never played professional baseball.

21. OF Rodarrick Jones (HS) - Did not sign

Jones was drafted by the Pirates in the 37th round in 2011 out of Southern University and A&M in Baton Rouge, and played in that system for two seasons, hitting .231/.352/.375 before his release in July 2012.

22. LHP Terrance Jackson (spelled Terrence in Baseball-Reference) (JC) - Did not sign

Jackson was subsequently drafted by the Mets in the 45th round in 2010 out of Oklahoma City University, but it appears that he did not sign with them either. According to B-R, his only professional experience was with a team in the Frontier League in 2011 for whom he pitched a total of 4.1 innings (12.46 ERA and 2.769 WHIP).

23. LHP Chase Huchingson (JC) - Did not sign

Huchingson was signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent in July 2010 and is still in their system, having reached AA in 2014. He has a career 2.94 ERA and 1.277 WHIP in 132 games (318 innings).

24. OF Danny Meier (HS) - Released in 2009

After playing in only 64 games in the Astros system in 2008 and 2009, Meier was released in July 2009. He played in three additional games in the independent leagues as well in 2009. His career batting line was .196/.263/.366.

25. LHP Mike Hacker (JC) - Released in 2010

Hacker played in the Astros system in 2008 and 2009. After his release in March 2010, he played independent ball until signing with the Red Sox organization in July 2010. He was released by the Red Sox in July 2011 and played independent league ball through 2012. He has a career ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.626.

26. LHP Shane Wolf (C) - Released in 2012

Wolf pitched in the system from 2008 through 2011 with a career ERA of 5.08 and a WHIP of 1.468 before his release in January 2012.

27. RHP Nate Pettus (JC) - Released in 2012

Pettus pitched from 2008 through 2012 and was released in November 2012. For his career, he had a 4.60 ERA and a 1.504 WHIP.

28. RHP Zach Grimmett (HC) - Released in 2013

Grimmett was in the Astros system for five seasons. After his release in March of 2013, he was signed by the Phillies and spent a short time in that organization in May and June of 2013. For his career, he had a 6.62 ERA and a 1.635 WHIP.

29. SS Chris Jackson (C) - Released in 2010

Jackson spent two seasons in the organization, hitting .208/.269/.279 in 144 games.

30. 2B Mike Diaz (C) - Released in 2010

Diaz played two seasons in the Astros system. After his release in March 2010, he played a season in the independent leagues. Over his career, he hit .262/.316/.348.

31. RHP Philip Rummel (HS) - Released in 2010

Rummel was released in March 2010 after pitching in the Astros system for two seasons and went on to play one season of independent ball. He had a career ERA of 5.41 and a WHIP of 1.609.

32. SS B.A. Vollmuth (HS) - Did not sign

Vollmuth was drafted by Oakland in the 3rd round in 2011 out of the University of Southern Mississippi and played in that system from 2011 until his release in August of 2014. He had a career batting line of .231/.311/.391, playing mostly at third base.

33. RHP Shawn Armstrong (HS) - Did not sign

Armstrong was drafted by Cleveland in the 18th round in 2011 out of East Carolina University. He ended his season with Cleveland's AAA affiliate and has a career ERA of 2.43 and a WHIP of 1.248.

34. C Jordan Jankowski (HS) - Did not sign

Jankowski did not sign as a catcher back in 2008, but was re-drafted by the Astros (again in the 34th round) in 2012 out of Catawba College as a RHP. He has a 3.17 ERA and a 1.078 WHIP for his career thus far.

35. C Rene Garcia (HS)

Garcia spent his 2014 season at AA Corpus Christi where he had a 37% caught stealing percentage. His career batting line is .258/.300/.335.

36. RHP Austin Wood (HS)

Wood was drafted by the Rays in the 4th round in 2010 and did not sign and then again in the 6th round in 2011 by the Angels -- this time he did sign. Woods was a highly ranked prospect in the Angels system after the 2012 season, but missed much of the 2013 and 2014 seasons due to injury. In his four seasons in the Angels system, he has a 3.94 ERA and a 1.492 WHIP in 44 games (40 starts).

37. LHP Kirkland Rivers (C) - Released in 2010.

Rivers pitched in the Astros system for two seasons and then in independent league ball for another two seasons, ending his career with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.480 WHIP.

38. LHP Kris Castellanos (HS) - Did not sign

Castellanos played for Florida State one year and for Tampa University for one year, but it appears that he never played professionally.

39. C Tyson Van Winkle (C) - Did not sign

Van Winkle was drafted in the 10th round in 2009 by the Diamondbacks and played for four seasons in that organization with a career batting line of .231/.321/.293.

40. 2B Scott Lawson (JC) - Did not sign

Lawson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 29th round in 2010 out of the University of Miami and played just one season in that organization, plus one additional season in independent ball. He had a career batting line of .273/.377/.407, playing at second base and third base.

41. OF Tony McClendon (HS) - Did not sign

McClendon was drafted again in 2010 in the 47th round by Oakland, but did not sign, and it does not appear that he ever played professionally.

42. OF Ryan Danbury (JC) - Did not sign

It appears that Danbury did not ever play professionally.

43. C Austin Green (HS) - Did not sign

Green was drafted by the Tigers in the 13th round in 2013 out of the University of San Diego and has played two seasons in that organization with a batting line of .261/.310/.416.

44. C Edmond Sparks (JC) - Did not sign

It appears that Sparks never played professionally.

45. LHP Grayson Garvin (HS) - Did not sign

Garvin was drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round (supplemental) in 2011 out of Vanderbilt. In three seasons (2012-2014) in the Rays organization, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 1.224 WHIP.

46. LHP Mike Modica (C) - Did not sign

Modica was re-drafted by the Astros in the 24th round in 2009 and played for the Astros for two seasons before being released in April 2011. He had a 4.18 ERA and a 1.546 WHIP for his career.

47. OF Nathan Metroka (JC) - Released in 2009

Metroka played in the Astros system for two seasons, hitting .252/.317/.357.

48. RHP Danny Meszaros (C) - Released in 2013

Meszaros played in the system from 2008 through 2011 and sat out 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. After his release in March 2013, he played one season of independent ball. He has a 4.05 ERA and 1.357 WHIP for his career.

49. RHP Chase Lehr (JC) - Released in 2009

Lehr pitched in the organization for one season with a 6.52 ERA and a 2.276 WHIP before his release in May of 2009.

50. OF Jamal Austin (HS) - Did not sign

Austin was drafted by Seattle in the 13th round in 2013 out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is still playing in that organization. In a total of 360 games, he has hit .290/.343/.356.

Previous draft reviews:

2007 Draft
2012 Draft


Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

I forget to post one day... and you don't get to hear about Leo Heras' 2-homer night south of the border.

Results for Tuesday, October 21, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 5, Peoria 0

W- Vince Velasquez (1-1)
L- Aaron Northcraft (1-2)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

4 Salt River pitchers combined to throw a 2-hitter, and Vince Velasquez led them off as he allowed a hit and struck out 2 over 4 innings. Rio Ruiz got the start at 3B and went 1-2 with a couple of walks and scored a run. 

LIDOM

Águilas 10, Estrellas 6

W- Johan Yan (1-0)
L- Esmerling Vasquez (0-1)

Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Águilas seized momentum by putting up a 5-spot in the 7th to take a 7-4 lead, and added 3 more to push it to 10-4. Jonathan Villar was 1-5 with 2 runs scored; that 1 hit was an RBI single in the 8th. René Garcia, who scored on the play, was 1-4. 

Toros 5, Licey 3

W- Raul Valdes (1-1)
L- Kastuki Matayoshi (0-1)
S- Edwar Cabrera (1)

Toros HRs by Astros players; None.
Licey HRs by Astros players: None.

The Bulls of the East scored 5 unanswered runs before Licey could answer.

Teoscar Hernandez went 2-4 with a double and a run scored in the 8th. For Licey, Domingo Santana was 1-4 with 2 strikeouts, and Ruben Sosa flied out as a pinch-hitter in the 8th.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 4, Magallanes 3

W- Loiger Padron (2-0)
L- Jose Mijares (0-2)
S- Jesus Pirela (5)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

Danry Vásquez went 1-3 with an RBI single in the 8th for Caracas, while David Martinez got the start for Magallanes. He went 5 innings and allowed a solo homer to Henry Rodriguez in the 1st, 2 other hits, walked 2, and struck out 5 in 5 innings of work.

LIGA PARALELA

Tampa Bay 7, Caracas 3

W- Alberto Casanas (1-0)
L- Andres Mendoza (0-1)

Caracas HRs by Astros players: None.

Jonathan Matute was 1-2 with an RBI single in the 4th, and Nestor Tejada struck out as a pinch-hitter in the 9th.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 6, Navojoa 4

W- Orlando Lara (2-0)
L- Mario Gonzalez (0-1)
S- Brian Broderick (4)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: Leo Heras 2 (3; solo in 1st, solo in 5th)

Leo Heras had a big night for los Charros (the Horsemen) as his 2 solo shots were key. All 3 of his hits went for extra bases and resulted in an RBI; he had an RBI double in the 3rd sandwiched in between his homers. Japhet Amador went 1-4. 

Mexicali 4, Culiacán 2

W- Francisco Rodriguez (1-1)
L- Oscar Villarreal (0-1)
S- Anthony Slama (2)

Gonzalo Sañudo was the first reliever in for Culiacán; he allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 6th inning.

Results for Wednesday, October 22, 2014

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Salt River 9, Surprise 2

W- Jayson Aquino (2-0)
L- Nick Howard (1-1)

Salt River HRs by Astros players: None.

The Rafters used a pair of 4-run innings to sink the Saguaros. 

Andrew Aplin went 0-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Joe Sclafani came through with a 2-hit day. His first was a 2-run single in the 2nd that put Salt River up 4-0, and he plated the final Rafter run of the afternoon with an RBI double in the 8th.

Mitch Lambson threw a scoreless 6th despite walking 2. 

The Rafters and Saguaros will play again at Salt River Fields; they'll be the late game. First pitch is at 6:35 Mountain.

LIDOM

Águilas 2, Escogido 1

W- Johan Yan (2-0)
L- Merrill Kelly (0-1)
S- Matt Ramsey (1)

Águilas HRs by Astros players: None.

Águilas' 2 in the 4th held up, despite a choppy 9th inning. Jonathan Villar went 1-4 with a double and scored 1 of the 2 runs. 

These two teams will play again on Friday at 7:30 Atlantic. Águilas has today off. 

Gigantes 4, Toros 1 in 10 innings

W- Jhonny Nuñez (1-0)
L- Frank Garces (0-1)
S- Ramon Ramirez (2)

Toros HRs by Astros players: None.

Teoscar Hernandez went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout, but he scored the lone Toros run on a Tyler Moore groundout in the 5th. 

Gigantes will take on Escogido tonight in the lone game on the LIDOM slate. Toros have the day off, but they'll hit the road to face Gigantes again tomorrow night in San Francisco de Macoris. 

Estrellas 11, Licey 1

W- Radhames Liz (1-0)
L- Mitch Atkins (0-2)

Licey HRs by Astros players: None.

Ruben Sosa served as the DH in this game, which was all Estrellas. He led off the bottom of the 6th with a triple and scored Licey's only run on a groundout from Elmer Reyes.

Both teams have the day off and will play each other again on Friday. Estrellas will be the host that night.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Navojoa 6, Jalisco 1

W- Eddie Gamboa (1-0)
L- Juan Delgadillo (0-3)

Jalisco HRs by Astros players: None.

Navojoa rattled off a pair of 3-run innings, and their pitchers shackled the Jalisco offense in the south of Sonora.

Leo Heras went 1-3, and Japhet Amador finished 2-4. 

Both of these teams will conclude their series tonight at 7:30 Mountain.