Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, December 30, 2014

And here we are. The last recaps for the year 2014.

LIDOM

Estrellas 4, Águilas 1

Both teams scored a run in the 4th, but it was Estrellas that came out on top as they held Águilas hitless and scoreless over the final 5.2 innings. Jonathan Villar finished 0-3 with a strikeout for Águilas.

After a 2-day break for the New Year, Águilas will be back in action on Friday when they host Toros.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Carolina 7, Caguas 2

Carolina scored in just 1 inning, but... they still ended up on top, thanks to the touchdown they put up in the 2nd inning. Jobduan Morales appeared as a defensive replacement in the 7th to catch and went 0-1. For Caguas, Roberto Peña went 0-4.

This was the final regular-season game for both squads.

Santurce 4, San Juan 1

This game was memorable as it featured one man playing all 9 positions. Jose Lozada started in center field for San Juan. He played 1 inning at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, RF, then in the 8th, he moved behind the plate, and then got the final 2 outs of the inning on the mound.

Ruben Sosa got the start in CF for Santurce and finished 2-2 with a walk, a run scored, and 2 steals, his first 2 swipes in Puerto Rico. Travis Ballew was the first man out of the Santurce bullpen and he got the win with 2 scoreless, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2.

Santurce has 2 games to finish with Mayagüez today; one of them originally started on the 16th, but was suspended. A doubleheader was also scheduled for that day but was rained out, so now they're playing those games today. Then, and only then, will the regular season be completed.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Caballos 16, Industriales 1

I'm guessing that there's a mercy rule in Panamanian baseball because this game was made final after 6.5 innings. As you can see, it was all Caballos. Telvin Nash smashed a solo homer, drew a walk, and scored twice. Tyler White finished 0-2, and Jack Mayfield finished 4-4 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base, and scored 3 times.

Caballos returns to action on Friday when they take on Águilas.

Indios 3, Águilas 0

Rodrigo Ayarza got the start at 2B for Indios and went 2-3. Jose Montero was the first man out of the Indios pen and threw 2 scoreless, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3.

Indios will face Industriales on Friday, when the league resumes play.


Astros Playing in the Venezuelan Winter League

And yet another winter league ended its regular season yesterday. Three Astros players plied their wares for the Caracas team in Venezuela. Here is how they fared:

Danry Vasquez
Vasquez had a particularly good winter campaign. In 48 games, he hit .304/.371/.443 with four doubles, SIX TRIPLES(!), two home runs and 22 RBI. He walked 18 times, struck out 30 times and was caught stealing three times.

L.J. Hoes
Hoes played in 14 games, hitting .322/.344/.441 with four doubles, one home run, 12 RBI, two walks to 12 strikeouts and was caught stealing once.

Gregorio Petit
In 31 games, Petit had a .252/.308/.297 batting line with five doubles and seven RBI. He walked seven times and struck out 23 times.

Previously posted:
Astros in the Arizona Fall League
Astros in the Dominican Winter League
Astros in the Mexican Pacific Winter League

Happy Birthday - 12/31

No future Astros with birthdays today, but one former Astro and a rocket scientist both celebrate the day ~

RHP Brian Moehler (43)
Originally drafted by the Tigers in the sixth round in 1993, Moehler came to Houston as a free agent and played for the Astros in 2003 and again from 2007 to 2010. In 125 games (66 starts) for Houston, he was 21-28 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.482 WHIP.

Best wishes also go out to Astros Director of Decision Sciences Sig Mejdal!

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Monday, December 29, 2014

LIDOM

Estrellas 5, Águilas 1

Águilas was on the short end of the stick in round 3 as Estrellas got on the board in 5 of their 8 innings. Jonathan Villar went 2-3, stole a base (2), and scored Águilas' only run of the game in the 3rd inning when he came home on an RBI single from Ricardo Nanita.

These two teams will play each other again tonight at 7:30 Atlantic; Águilas will be the host.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Caguas 7, San Juan 0

Making his first appearance for San Juan since November 21, Edwin Medina got the start in CF and went 1-4.

San Juan will take on Santurce at 7:30 Atlantic.

Mayagüez 14, Carolina 3

Carolina was buried with an 8-run 5th. Jobduan Morales finished 1-3 with a strikeout, and Carlos Corporán went 0-3.

Carolina will face Caguas at 7:30 Atlantic.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Águilas 6, Indios 3

Rodrigo Ayarza went 0-1 with a walk and a run scored for Indios. Harold Arauz got the start for Águilas and got the win. He went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned), 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4.

The final game in this 5-game set will take place tonight at 7:00 Eastern.

Caballos 7, Industriales 3

Caballos jumped out to a 5-0 lead on their way to winning the series. Telvin Nash went 1-5 with a double, Tyler White went 1-4 with 2 runs scored, and Jack Mayfield finished with a triple in 4 at-bats and scored a run.

Caballos and Industriales will concluded their series at 7:00 Eastern.

Astros Playing in the Mexican Pacific League

One more winter league ended its regular season yesterday and the two Astros playing in the Mexican Pacific League both had excellent winter campaigns:

Leo Heras
Playing for Jalisco, Heras hit .289/.429/.513 with 20 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 38 RBI in 64 games. He drew 55 walks while striking out 58 times. Heras also swiped 14 bags and was caught four times.

Gonzalo Sanudo
Sanudo appeared in 27 games for Culiacan and ended with a 3-1 record, 0.64 ERA and 0.953 WHIP. He walked eight batters and struck out 34 in 28.1 innings of work.

Previously posted:
Astros in the Arizona Fall League
Astros in the Dominican Winter League

Monday, December 29, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for the weekend of December 26-28, 2014

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

The Adelaide Bite dropped the first game of their series as part of a series-opening twinbill with the Canberra Cavalry, but they wound up taking the next 3 to win the series. This was a doubleheader because Friday was Boxing Day.

Saturday Game 1: Canberra 2, Adelaide 1

Chan-Jong Moon finished 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Tyler Brunnemann worked around a hit to record the final out of the 6th.

Saturday Game 2: Adelaide 2, Canberra 1

Moon went 1-3 with a walk, a strikeout, and a run scored.

Sunday: Adelaide 6, Canberra 3

Moon finished 2-4 with 2 runs scored.

Brunnemann was summoned to secure the win in what was turning out to be a rough 9th inning. He inherited a bases-loaded situation after the pitcher in front of him, Troy Scott, got a double play. The Cavalry dinged Bruno for a 2-run single (which allowed 2 of Scott's runs to score), and then a rare walk issued by Brunnemann re-loaded the bases. But, he was finally able to finish off the game before things started snowballing again.

Monday: Adelaide 6, Canberra 5 in 12 innings

Moon went 0-4 with a walk, a strikeout, and a run scored. Brunnemann worked around a 2-out double to throw a scoreless 10th, striking out 1.

The Bite will host Sydney next weekend, which includes a doubleheader on Saturday.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Saturday: Magallanes 5, Caracas 3

Magallanes put up 5 after stretch time. Gregorio Petit finished 1-4 with a run scored.

Sunday: Caracas 2, Margarita 1

Caracas scored 1 in the bottom of the 8th to break a tie as they finished their season on a winning note. Gregorio went 1-4 with a run scored, while Danry Vásquez appeared as a pinch-runner in the 7th and remained in the game at centerfield. He walked in his only plate appearance.

LIDOM

Saturday: Gigantes 2, Águilas 1 in 11 innings

The LIDOM playoffs began this weekend; the top 4 qualified for this next phase. Águilas faced their regional rivals and were nipped in extras. Jonathan Villar was 0-3 with 2 walks, a strikeout, and a stolen base.

Sunday: Águilas 8, Toros 2

Villar went 0-3 with a walk, 2 strikeouts, and a run scored.

Round 3 has Águilas traveling east to play Estrellas tonight at 7:30 Atlantic.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Results from Friday

Indios 2, Águilas 1

Cris Santamaria got the save for Indios as he allowed a hit and struck out 1 over the final 2 innings.

Caballos 7, Industriales 1

Telvin Nash finished 1-1 with a walk for Caballos, while Jack Mayfield and Tyler White both went 0-3 with a walk.

Results from Saturday

Indios 6, Águilas 3

Rodrigo Ayarza made an impact for the Indios offense as he finished 1-3 with a double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Juan Delis walked 3 over 1.1 scoreles innings.

Industriales 4, Caballos 3

Caballos tied the game at 3 with a pair in the 9th.... only to see Industriales walk off with the win in the bottom of the inning. Telvin Nash went 1-3 with an RBI, Tyler White finished 0-3 with a walk, and Jack Mayfield went 0-4.

Results from Sunday

Indios 6, Águilas 3

Santamaria got the win as he allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1 over 3 innings for Indios. Jose Montero got the save as the pitched the final 2 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and striking out 3.

The 4th in this 5-game series will take place tonight at 7:00 Eastern.

Caballos 7, Industriales 3

Nash finished 2-4 with a double, while White went 1-5, and Mayfield finished 0-5.

Game 4 of this 5-game set will also take place at 7:00 Eastern.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Results from Saturday

Jalisco 9, Mazatlán 4

After Mazatlán scored a pair in the top of the 7th to make it a 1-run game, Jalisco put it out of reach, and a 4-run 7th was the key. Leo Heras finished 2-5 with an RBI double in that 7th inning, and he would score himself after a wild pitch.

Mexicali 4, Culiacán 2 in 13 innings

Gonzalo Sañudo issued 1 walk over 2 scoreless innings. He induced a double play to end the 9th, and got 3 groundouts (2 of which went to him) in a 1-2-3 10th.

Sunday: Jalisco 12, Mazatlán 7

Jalisco found themselves down 7-3 late, but they got 2 in the 7th to slash the deficit in half and then seized all momentum with 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Heras went 0-2, but walked 3 times and scored twice.

The final game of the series and the regular season will be at 8:00.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Friday: Santurce 3, Caguas 2

Ruben Sosa, who just wrapped up his campaign with Licey, is now in Puerto Rico. He went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts and got the start in RF for Santurce.

Luis Cruz got the start for Caguas and went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs (both on a 2-run homer), 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Roberto Peña went 0-3 for Caguas.

Saturday: San Juan 6, Carolina 1

Carlos Corporán went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts for Carolina.

Results from Sunday

Caguas 4, San Juan 2

Roberto Peña walked in his pinch-hit appearance in the 9th.

Santurce 4, Carolina 2 in 11 innings

The Crabbers got a pair in the top of the 11th to break the tie.

Travis Ballew was the 3rd Santurce reliever to appear; he allowed a single, walked 1, and got 2 outs in the 7th, 1 via strikeout. Ruben Sosa went 1-4.

Carlos Corporán appeared as a pinch-hitter in the 9th and later remained in the game behind the plate. He finished 0-2 with a strikeout.

Tonight, Carolina will take on Mayagüez at 6:00 Atlantic, while Caguas faces San Juan at 7:30 Atlantic.

Happy Birthday - 12/29

No future Astros with birthdays today, but two former Astros celebrate ~

OF James Mouton (46)
Drafted by the Astros in the seventh round in 1991, Mouton played for Houston from 1994 to 1997, hitting .249/.321/.338 in 411 games. He was traded to the Padres in January 1998.

IF Tomas Perez (41)
Perez signed with the Astros as a free agent in November 2007 and played in only eight games for Houston in 2008, hitting .200 in 10 at-bats.

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Sunday, December 28, 2014

Happy Birthday - 12/28

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

RHP Jose Sosa (died June 8, 2013 at age 60)
Signed by the Astros as a free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1970, Sosa pitched in 34 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.636 WHIP.

1B/3B Ray Knight (62)
A 10th round pick by the Reds in 1970, Knight came to Houston in a December 1981 trade which sent Cesar Cedeno to the Reds. In 391 games played for the Astros from 1982 to 1984, he hit .283/.331/.393. Knight was an All-Star for the Reds in 1980 and for Houston in 1982. The Astros traded him to the Mets in August of 1984; he was World Series MVP for New York in 1986.

IF Bill Hall (35)
Originally drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round in 1998, Hall signed with Houston as a free agent in December 2010. In 46 games for the Astros in 2011, he hit .224/.272/.340. In 2014, Hall played for the Independent League Long Island Ducks.

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Saturday, December 27, 2014

Happy Birthday - 12/27

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Tyson Perez (25)
Drafted in the 17th round in 2011 out of Fresno Community College, Perez started the season with High A Lancaster (5.87 ERA and 2.022 WHIP in 9 games), but was promoted to Corpus Christi in late May. Perez had a phenomenal season with the AA team, putting up a 2.09 ERA and a 1.009 WHIP in 30 games, and collecting 11 of his 12 saves for the season. Perez played in the Arizona Fall League in 2014 and made the "Fall-Star" team.

Catching Coach Jeff Murphy (44)
Murphy served as the Catching Coach for the AAA Oklahoma City team in his first season coaching in the Astros system in 2014.

These former Astros mark the day as well ~

1B Norm Larker (died March 12, 2007 at 76)
Drafted from the Dodgers in the 1961 expansion draft, Larker played in 147 games for the Colt .45's in 1962, hitting .263/.358/.374. Larker was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 1960 and won a World Series with that team in 1959.

OF Byron Browne (72)
Browne came to the Astros in a May 1968 trade with the Cubs and played in only 10 games for Houston that season, hitting .231/.412/.231, before being purchased by the Cardinals in February 1969.

CF Michael Bourn (32)
Originally drafted by the Phillies in the fourth round in 2003, Bourn came to Houston as part of the November 2007 trade that sent Brad Lidge to the Phillies. In 541 games played for the Astros from 2008 to 2011, Bourn hit .271/.337/.359 with 193 stolen bases. He won Gold Gloves in 2009 and 2010 for Houston and was an All-Star in 2010. In July 2011, he was traded to Atlanta where he earned another All-Star bid in 2012. He is currently with the Cleveland Indians.

SS Craig Reynolds (62)
A first round pick by the Pirates in 1971, Reynolds came to the Astros in a December 1978 trade with the Mariners. In 1170 games played for Houston from 1979 to 1989, he hit .252/.286/.345. Reynolds was an All-Star in 1978 for Seattle and in 1979 for Houston.

LHP Nate Bland (40)
Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round in 1993, Bland was drafted by Houston from the Mets in the December 2002 rule 5 draft. In 22 appearances for the Astros in 2003, he had a 5.75 ERA and a 1.672 WHIP.

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Friday, December 26, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for December 23-25, 2014

Most of the leagues had a Christmas break. For many players, especially the Americans playing overseas this winter, they find themselves living far away from home, far from their loved ones as they continue playing a game they love almost as much as they love their families. (I may catch some heat for this statement.)

This was a very light schedule that only saw significant action in Mexico, which was off on Christmas Eve, but every team was playing on Christmas Day. In Puerto Rico, 4 of the 5 teams were in action on Tuesday.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Charros del Jalisco

Tuesday: Jalisco 7, Obregón 1

Leo Heras went 1-3 with a walk and scored 2 runs for Jalisco as they blew this one open with a 4-run 5th.

In their final series of the season, Jalisco will host Mazatlán beginning on Saturday.

Tomateros de Culiacán

Thursday: Hermosillo 3, Culiacán 2

Gonzalo Sañudo was the first man out of the Culiacán bullpen on Christmas night, and he worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 7th, striking out 1.

Culiacán will travel to Mexicali for their final series of the year.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Results from Tuesday

San Juan 3, Santurce 2 in 14 innings

This was the 2nd game of a doubleheader. This game was originally scheduled for November 22, but rain washed it out, and if I'm not mistaken, they tried making this game up once already, only to see it get suspended by rain yet again.

Travis Ballew, who is actually in Puerto Rico and not Panama, came on to begin the 8th and got the first 2 outs before he gave way to David Rollins, who struck out 4 over 2.1 perfect frames.

Santurce will host Caguas tonight at 7:30 Atlantic.

Mayagüez 4, Carolina 2

Carlos Corporán went 2-4 with a double and a run scored for Carolina.

Carolina will travel to San Juan tomorrow.

Happy Birthday - 12/26

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Darin Downs (30)
Originally drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2003, Downs was claimed by the Astros off waivers from Detroit in November 2013. In 45 bullpen appearances for Houston in 2014, Downs was 2-1 with a 5.45 ERA and a 1.536 WHIP.

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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Happy Birthday - 12/25

No future Astros with birthdays today, but several former Astros mark the day ~

2B Nellie Fox (died December 1, 1975 at 47)
Fox came to Houston in a Deccember 1963 trade with the White Sox and played in 154 games for the Colt .45's and the Astros in 1964 and 1965 at the end of his career, hitting .265/.317/.319. A 12-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and 1959 AL MVP, Fox was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1997.

IF Julio Gonzalez (62)
Gonzalez came to the Astros in a December 1976 trade with the Cubs and played for Houston from 1977 to 1980, hitting .235/.270/.288 in 296 games.

OF Telmanch "Ty" Gainey (54)
Drafted by the Astros in the second round in 1979, Gainey played in 57 games for Houston from 1985 to 1987, hitting .216/.293/.288.

CF Willy Taveras (33)
Taveres was drafted by Houston from Cleveland in the December 2003 Rule 5 draft and played for the Astros from 2004 to 2006, hitting .284/.329/.340. In 2005, he came in second in Rookie of the Year voting to Ryan Howard. In December of 2006, Tavares was included in a trade to the Rockies for he-who-must-not-be-named. Taveras last played for Puebla in the Mexican League in 2014.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Astros Minor League Transactions

According to Baseball America, the following four Astros minor league pitchers have been released:

LHP Kyle Gehrs
LHP J.D. Osborne
RHP Patrick Christensen
RHP Aaron Vaughn

The only one that I'm really surprised about is Vaughn. He had an outstanding first season and I was hoping to see more of him.

I have updated the Off-Season Transaction list here to reflect those changes.

In addition, Darin Downs was outrighted to Fresno yesterday and the Astros 40-man roster now stands at 39.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Monday, December 22, 2014

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 10, La Guaira 1

It was all Caracas in a game that sounded like it got chippy at times; 4 players were hit by pitches; La Guaira's Heiker Meneses was plunked twice.

Danry Vásquez entered the game as a defensive sub in the 5th to play LF. He finished 1-2 with a run scored. Gregorio Petit went 0-4 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

Caracas' penultimate game of the season will be on Saturday, when they conclude this long, season-ending roadtrip against Magallanes.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Caballos 2, Águilas 0

Caballos continued their blazing start to the season as they blanked Águilas, who had Harold Arauz on the mound. Arauz threw 4 scoreless and allowed a hit, walked 4, and struck out 3.

Telvin Nash went 1-4 with an RBI single, Jack Mayfield was 1-3 with a solo homer, and Tyler White finished 0-3 with a walk.

These teams will play once more at 7:00 Eastern.

Industriales 6, Indios 2

Rodrigo Ayarza appeared as a pinch-hitter for Indios and struck out. On the mound, Cris Santamaria was the first man out of the Indios bullpen and allowed a run, a hit, and walked 4 over 2.2 innings.

7:00 Eastern. Don't you just love it when the start times are synchronized?

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 7, Obregón 3

Touchdown > field goal.

Leo Heras had a perfect night at the plate for Jalisco. About the only thing that went wrong for him was that he was caught stealing 2nd in the 1st inning... but he still made it safely, thanks to an error. He finished 3-3, a homer shy of the cycle, with 2 RBI, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored. He hit an RBI double in the 7th, an RBI single in the 9th, and led off the 4th with the triple.

This series continues at 7:30 Mountain.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Caguas 6, San Juan 3

Roberto Peña appeared as a defensive replacement in the top of the 9th.

Caguas will return to action on Boxing Day as they take on Santurce.


Astros Playing in the Dominican Winter League

The seasons for many of the winter league clubs are starting to wind down. The Dominican Winter League finished up over the weekend. Here is the scoop on how your Astros fared. Click on the player's name to see their full winter stats line.

Asher Wojciechowski

Wojo had three great outings and two not-so-great outings for Licey. In five games (five starts), he had a 5.31 ERA and a 1.328 WHIP in 20.1 innings. He walked eight batters and struck out 22.

Richard Rodriguez

Rodriguez did a nice job in his five bullpen appearances for Aguilas. He was 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.091 WHIP in 3.2 innings, walking one and striking out five.

Jonathan Villar

Villar also appeared for Aguilas. In 38 games, he hit .233/.310/.333 with four doubles and three home runs, walking 14 times while striking out 37.

Domingo Santana

Santana appeared in 36 games for Licey, hitting .284/.400/.422 with seven doubles, four triples and no home runs. He walked 17 times while striking out 44 times.

Ruben Sosa

Sosa also played for Licey, appearing in 29 games and hitting .231/.302/.308 with one double, one triple, two walks and six strikeouts. Sosa only had 39 at-bats in his 29 games as he was often used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

Teoscar Hernandez

Hernandez appeared in 34 games for the Toros, hitting .228/.279/.354 with four doubles and two home runs. Like Sosa, Hernandez was frequently used as a defensive replacement and/or pinch runner, but did manage to get 79 at-bats in. He walked five times and struck out 28 times.

Luis Flores

Flores, a catcher who was picked up in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft earlier this month, appeared in eight games for the Estrellas team, hitting .125/.300/.125 with two walks and five strikeouts.

Previously posted: Astros in the Arizona Fall League

Happy Birthday - 12/23

No future Astros are celebrating, but these former Astros have birthdays today ~

RHP Al "Bozo" Cicotte (died November 29, 1982 at 52)
Purchased from the Cardinals in October 1961, Cicotte pitched in five games for the Colt 45's in 1962 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.929 WHIP.

RHP Brad "Lights Out" Lidge (38)
A first round draft pick by Houston in 1998, Lidge played for the Astros from 2002 to 2007 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.197 WHIP and 123 saves in 378 games. He was an All-Star for Houston in 2005 when he had 42 saves in 70 games. Lidge was traded, along with Eric Bruntlett, to the Phillies for Mike Costanzo, Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary in November of 2007. In 2008 he was on the All-Star team for the Phillies and won a World Series with them. He retired at the end of 2012 after last pitching for the Washington Nationals.

RHP Shawn Chacon (37)
Originally drafted by the Rockies in the third round in 1996, Chacon started 15 games for Houston in 2008, going 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.506 WHIP. He was an All-Star for the Rockies in 2003. For some reason, I can't help but get choked up whenever I think of Chacon.

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Monday, December 22, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Saturday, December 20, and Sunday, December 21

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Sunday: Adelaide 4, Sydney 3

The Blue Sox tied the game at 3 with a pair in the top of the 9th, but Ben Lodge un-tied it with a solo homer in the 9th to give Adelaide the sweep. Chan-Jong Moon went 0-2.

This weekend, Adelaide will be in the capital for 4, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Saturday: Caballos 5, Indios 1

Caballos scored in just 1 inning, but it was enough for them to win the game. Telvin Nash went 0-2, but he walked 3 times and scored a run. Jack Mayfield went 1-3 with 2 walks and a run scored, and Tyler White hit a 2-run double and came around to score in the 5-run 3rd.

Jose Montero and Juan Delis combined for 6.1 scoreless innings for Indios; Montero allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 3.1 innings, and Delis walked 2 and fanned 4 over the final 3 frames.

Results from Sunday

Industriales 4, Indios 3

Rodrigo Ayarza appeared as a defensive sub for Indios; he did not appear at the plate. Agapito Barrios allowed a hit and walked 1 in the 1st inning.

These two teams will play again at 7:00 Eastern.

Águilas 6, Caballos 1

Telvin finished with a double in 4 at-bats, Jack Mayfield went 0-4, and Tyler White tripled in 3 at-bats. Blaine Sims pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits (2 homers), walked 2, and struck out 3.

Ditto for these two teams. They play again at 7:00 Eastern.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Saturday: Caribes 5, Caracas 4

Caracas scored their 4 in the top of the 6th, which gave them the lead. Caribes, however, scored 3 unanswered runs late to get the win. Gregorio Petit finished 0-3 for Caracas.

Sunday: Caracas 10, Caribes 9

Caracas wound up taking 2 of 3 from Caribes as they fended off a 5-run 1st and a 3-run 5th. They outscored Caribes 7-4 from the 5th to the 8th. Petit finished 2-5 with a double and a run scored.

Tonight, they will be in La Guaira. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Results from Saturday

Águilas 10, Estrellas 3

Jonathan Villar went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored for Águilas.

Toros 6, Licey 2

Ruben Sosa got the start in left field for Licey and went 3-4 with an RBI infield single in the 5th.

Sunday: Escogido 8, Licey 3

Sosa started at 2B and went 0-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Sunday marked the end of the regular season in the Dominican Republic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Saturday: Jalisco 6, Los Mochis 5

Leo Heras had a solid night for Jalisco as he finished 3-5 with a double and scored 3 runs.

Sunday: Los Mochis 4, Jalisco 3

Jalisco fought back from an early 3-0 hole to tie the game.... only to see Los Mochis un-tie the game with a run in the 7th. Leo Heras smacked a 2-run homer in the 5th, his 9th homer of the campaign.

There is one week left in the regular season. Jalisco will take on Obregón tonight at 7:30 Mountain.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE


Saturday: Caguas 4, Mayagüez 3

Roberto Peña got the start behind the plate for Caguas and went 0-3.

Sunday: Carolina 5, Caguas 4

Luis Cruz got the start for Caguas, and he was done in by a 4-run 5th from Caguas. He went 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him) on 7 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 4. Peña finished 0-4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Corporán ripped a 2-run double in that 4-run 5th.

Tonight, Carolina will take on Santurce, while Caguas hosts San Juan. Both games will be at 7:30 Atlantic.

Happy Birthday - 12/22

No future Astros have birthdays today, but these former Astros celebrate ~

RF Glenn Wilson (56)
Originally drafted in the first round in 1980 by the Tigers, Wilson came to Houston in an August 1980 trade that sent Billy Hatcher to Pittsburgh. In 146 games for the Astros in 1989 and 1990, he hit .238/.284/.357. His best season was his All-Star season for the Phillies in 1985 when he hit 39 doubles and drove in 102 runs.

RHP Michael Jackson (50)
A second round pick by the Phillies in 1984, Jackson signed with the Astros as a free agent in December 2000. In 67 games for Houston in 2001, he had a 4.70 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. In 1998, he saved 40 games for Cleveland with a 1.55 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP.

OF/LHP Jason Lane (38)
Drafted by the Astros in the sixth round in 1999, Lane played in 494 games for Houston from 2002 to 2007, hitting .241/.315/.458. He re-invented himself in 2011 as a left-handed pitcher with a little help from the Diamondbacks organization. After his release in May 2012 by Arizona, Lane pitched for the Independent Sugar Land Skeeters in 2012 and 2013 before being picked up by the Padres organization in July 2013. On June 3, 2014, Jason Lane played in his first major league game since October 1, 2007, this time as a pitcher for the Padres. He made three appearances for San Diego in 2014 with a 0.87 ERA and a 0.667 WHIP in 10.1 innings. What a terrific story!

Tweet of the Day

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Happy Birthday - 12/21

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Asher Wojciechowski (26)
A first round pick by Toronto in 2010, Wojciechowski came to the Astros in the July 2012 10-player trade with the Blue Jays. Wojo spent a good chunk of his season on the DL, but in his 15 games (14 starts) for the AAA Oklahoma City team in 2014, he was 4-4 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.447 WHIP.

LHP David Rollins (25)
Drafted by Toronto in the 24th round in 2011, Rollins also came to Houston in the big July 2012 trade with the Blue Jays. Rollins pitched for the AA Corpus Christi team for the entire season and was transitioning from a starter to a relief role in the latter part of the season. In 27 games (12 starts), Rollins had a 3.81 ERA and a 1.231 WHIP. He walked 22 batters and struck out 77 in 78 innings. [NOTE: Rollins was claimed in the Rule 5 draft, but I'm currently in denial so I'm leaving him on the birthday list for now.]

2B Austin "Catfish" Elkins (24)
A 19th round pick out of Dallas Baptist by Houston in the 2012 draft, Elkins split the 2014 season between Quad Cities and Lancaster, but also spent a chunk of the season on the DL. In 62 games, he hit .254/.369/.340.

RHP Gerald Benzant (20)
An international free agent out of the Dominican Republic, Benzant pitched his first season in the Dominican Summer League. In 14 games (seven starts), he had a 7.17 ERA and a 1.912 WHIP.

These former Astros mark the day as well ~

RHP Howie Reed (died December 7, 1984 at 47)
Reed came to Houston in an October 1966 trade with the Angels. In four games (two starts) for the Astros in 1967, he was 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP. His best season was 1965 when he played for the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

RHP Joaquin Andujar (62)
Andujar first came to Houston in an October 1975 trade with the Reds and pitched for the Astros from 1976 to 1981 and again in 1988.  In 202 games with the Astros, he had a 3.67 ERA and a 1.377 WHIP.  He was an All-Star with Houston in 1977 and 1979. Andujar made two additional All-Star appearances and won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals, and he earned his one World Series ring with them  in 1982.

RHP LaTroy Hawkins (42)
Originally drafted by Minnesota in the seventh round in 1991, Hawkins came to Houston in a July 2008 trade with the Yankees. In 89 appearances for Houston in 2008 and 2009, he was 3-4 with a 1.71 ERA and a 1.091 WHIP. He has currently pitched 20 seasons for ten different teams with the latest being the Rockies in 2014. He may be turning 42, but I still wouldn't mess with him if I were you.

RHP Philip Humber (32)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 2004, Humber was claimed by the Astros off waivers from the White Sox in November 2012. In 17 appearances (seven starts) with the Astros in 2013, Humber went 0-8 with a 7.90 ERA and a 1.738 WHIP, a far cry from the perfect game he threw for the White Sox on April 21, 2012. Humber spent 2014 playing for the AAA Oakland affiliate.

Tweet of the Day

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, December 18, and Friday, December 19, 2014

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Friday: Adelaide 6, Sydney 2 in 8 innings

Chan-Jong Moon had a fine night at the plate as he went 4-4 with a double, 2 RBI singles in the 3rd and the 7th, and added 2 stolen bases (5). Tyler Brunnemann got the final 2 outs of the 8th inning, striking out 1.

Saturday: Adelaide 4, Sydney 2

Moon went 0-3 with a run scored and 2 strikeouts. Bruno notched his 5th save of the ABL campaign as he got the final 2 outs of the game for a 2nd straight night. He worked around a hit to do so and struck out 1.

The Bite will look for the sweep at 1:00 Australian Central Time.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Thursday: Caballos 2, Indios 0

All 3 Astros reps on the Indios squad made appearances. Cris Santamaria got the start, and unfortunately, the loss, as he allowed a run on a solo homer, one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 4 innings. Jose Montero was the first man out; he allowed a run, a hit, walked 2, and struck out 1 in the 5th. Juan Delis walked 1 in a scoreless 8th.

For Caballos, Jack Mayfield went 0-4, and Tyler White went 1-3.

Friday: Indios 7, Caballos 5

Caballos went into the loss column for the first time this season as Indios responded to a 4-run 2nd with a 6-1 run to close out the game.

Telvin Nash finished 1-4 with a walk and 2 strikeouts, and Jack Mayfield went 0-4 with a walk.

These two teams will play again at 6:00 Eastern.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Thursday: Caracas 9, Bravos 1

It was all Caracas as they scored 9 unanswered to close it out. Gregorio Petit finished 2-4 with an RBI single in a 6-run 4th inning and later came around to score.

Friday: Caracas 9, Caribes 3

In the first of 3 straight with Caribes, Caracas took round 1 as they finished the game on an 8-1 run after Caribes scored a pair in the bottom of the 4th to take a 2-1 lead. Gregorio Petit finished 3-4 with a double, 2 RBI singles in the 6th and the 7th, and scored 2 runs.

The 2nd game of this series, if you will, will take place at 7:00 Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

Results from Thursday

Águilas 7, Estrellas 4

Jonathan Villar played a big part in a 4-run 2nd for Águilas as he hit a 2-run single. He did get thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch it into a double, but I think he'll take the 2 RBI.

Licey 3, Toros 2 in 11 innings

Licey walked off with the win as Juan Francisco hit a sac fly in the 11th. Domingo Santana went 0-4 with a strikeout.

Results from Friday

Escogido 5, Águilas 4

All the scoring in this game was done in the first 3 innings. The difference was Escogido's run in the 3rd. Jonathan Villar went 1-3 with a run scored.

Águilas will host Estrellas at 7:30 Atlantic.

Estrellas 1, Licey 0

Licey was held to just 3 hits. Ruben Sosa went 0-4 with a strikeout, and Domingo Santana finished 0-3 with a strikeout.

Licey will head east as they take on Toros tonight at 7:30 Atlantic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Thursday: Jalisco 3, Hermosillo 1

Jalisco completed the sweep. Leo Heras went 0-3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

Results from Friday

Jalisco 6, Los Mochis 4 in 10 innings

The Horsemen won their 7th straight as they put up a pair in the first extra frame. Leo Heras finished 2-5 with a run scored.

The series continues at 6:00 Mountain.

Obregón 3, Culiacán 1

Culiacán outhit Obregón 12-3... but they lost in the column that counts. Gonzalo Sañudo got the final out of the 7th, but he also allowed the go-ahead hit, which allowed 2 runs to score.

This series continues at 6:00 Mountain.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Thursday: Mayagüez 4, Carolina 2

Mayagüez broke the tie with 2 in the 9th after both teams scored 2 in the 3rd inning. Carlos Corporán went 0-3 with a walk, and Jobduan Morales was 0-2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Carolina will be back in action tomorrow when they take on Caguas.

Happy Birthday - 12/20

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

1B/3B/OF Aubrey Huff (38)
A fifth round pick by Tampa, Huff came to Houston in a July 2006 trade for Mitch Talbot and Ben Zobrist. In 68 games for the Astros in 2006, he hit .250/.341/.478. He went on to play for Baltimore where he earned a Silver Slugger, Detroit and finally San Francisco where he earned World Series rings in 2010 and 2012.

LF Keith Lampard (69)
Drafted by Houston in the second round in 1965, Lampard played in 62 games for the Astros in 1969 and 1970, hitting .238/.289/.393. In nine seasons in the minor leagues, he hit .289/.316/.470.

RHP Marc Valdes (43)
Originally drafted by the Marlins in the first round in 1993, Valdes came to Houston in a May 2000 trade with Tampa. In 53 appearances for the Astros in 2000, he was 5-5 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.659 WHIP. After playing, he became a coach in the Mets organization. In 2014, he was the pitching coach for the Low A Savannah Sand Gnats.

MGR Cecil Cooper (65)
As manager of the Houston Astros for parts of 2007 and 2009 and all of 2008, he compiled a 170-170 record. Of all the things I could remember Cooper for, I actually most remember him for his freakishly large hands.

Tweet of the Day

Friday, December 19, 2014

2015 Astros Minor League Coaching Staffs

The Astros announced their minor league coaching staffs, including roving instructors and coordinators, today. As was reported by Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle last week, three of last year's Astros minor league Managers are on the move with Rodney Linares going from Lancaster to Corpus Christi, Omar Lopez going from Quad Cities to Lancaster, and Josh Bonifay going from Greeneville to Quad Cities. Bonifay's replacement at Greeneville has not been announced at this time.

Other than numerous moves within the Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning ranks, most remaining staff will stay put with a couple of notable exceptions. Ralph Dickenson, who was the Astros MLB assistant hitting coach in 2014, will rejoin the minor league ranks as the Roving Hitting Instructor. Dan Radison, who was a Special Assistant for Player Development in 2014, will join the Hooks as Hitting Coach, replacing Tim Garland who will be joining the Quad Cities team as an Outfield/Baserunning Coach. Garland replaces Vince Coleman in that capacity. Coleman and 2014 Corpus Christi Manager Keith Bodie, along with Oklahoma City Pitching Coach Steve Webber who announced he was leaving the team at the end of the 2014 season will not be returning. A former Cardinals minor league coach, Arthur "Ace" Adams, will replace Webber as Pitching Coach for the new AAA affiliate Fresno Grizzlies.

Doug Brocail, interim Pitching Coach for the Hooks in 2014, is now joining the team in that capacity officially as former Hooks Pitching Coach Gary Ruby will be a Pitching Advisor headquartered out of Kissimmee. Tom Lawless was originally intended to be an Infield Coach for Corpus Christi in 2014 when he was pressed into service as the interim Oklahoma City RedHawks Manager as Tony DeFrancesco went on medical leave. He later served as acting Manager of the Astros after Bo Porter was fired. Lawless will now be fulfilling last year's intended assignment and will report to Corpus Christi.

Here is how the rest of the assignments break down:

2015 MINOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF

Coordinators, Rovers and Medical Staff
Special Assignment Coach - Morgan Ensberg
Pitching Advisor - Gary Ruby
Field Coordinator - Paul Runge
Pitching Coordinator - Dyar Miller
Hitting Coordinator - Jeff Albert
Infield Instructor - Adam Everett
Roving Pitching Instructor - Doug White
Roving Hitting Instructor - Ralph Dickenson
Roving Catching Instructor - Mark Bailey
Strength & Conditioning - Brendan Verner
Medical Coordinator - Jamey Snodgrass
Rehab Coordinator - Daniel Roberts
Rehab Coach - Mike Burns
Athletic Training Advisor - Mike Freer

FRESNO GRIZZLIES (AAA)
Manager - Tony DeFrancesco
Pitching Coach - Arthur "Ace" Adams
Hitting Coach - Leon Roberts
Catching Coach - Jeff Murphy
Athletic Trainer - Bryan Baca
Strength & Conditioning - Trey Wiedman

CORPUS CHRISTI (AA)
Manager - Rodney Linares
Pitching Coach - Doug Brocail
Hitting Coach - Dan Radison
Infield Coach - Tom Lawless
Athletic Trainer - Grant Hufford
Strength & Conditioning - Mark Spadavecchia

LANCASTER (Advanced A)
Manager - Omar Lopez
Pitching Coach - Don Alexander
Hitting Coach - Darryl Robinson
Infield Coach - Ramon Vazquez
Athletic Trainer - Michael Rendon
Strength & Conditioning - Taylor Rhoades

QUAD CITIES (A - Full Season)
Manager - Josh Bonifay
Pitching Coach - Dave Borkowski
Hitting Coach - Joel Chimelis
Outfield/Baserunning Coach - Tim Garland
Athletic Trainer - Corey O'Brien
Strength & Conditioning - Dwayne Peterson

TRI-CITY (A - Short Season)
Manager - Ed Romero
Pitching Coach - Chris Holt
Hitting Coach - Russ Steinhorn
Athletic Trainer - John Gregorich
Strength & Conditioning - James McNichol

GREENEVILLE (Rookie)
Manager - To be announced
Pitching Coach - Josh Miller
Hitting Coach - Cesar Cedeno

GULF COAST LEAGUE (Rookie)
Manager - Marty Malloy
Pitching Coach - Hector Mercado
Hitting Coach - Vinny Lopez
Coach - Wladimir Sutil
Strength & Conditioning - Julio Diaz

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (Rookie)
Manager - Johan Maya
Manager - Charlie Romero
Development Specialist and Pitching Coordinator - Rick Aponte
Pitching Coach - Erick Abreu
Hitting Coach - Luis Mateo
Hitting Coach - Sixto Ortega
Outfield Coach - Melvi Ortega
Catching Coach - Carlos Lugo
Athletic Trainer - Ambiorix Reyes
Athletic Trainer - Christian Bermudez
Strength & Conditioning - Geremias Guzman
Strength & Conditioning - Miguel Angel Cabrera

Happy Birthday - 12/19

Happy Birthday to ~

OF/1B Brandon Meredith (25)
Drafted out of San Diego State in the sixth round in 2011, Meredith split his 2014 season fairly evenly between Lancaster and Corpus Christi (but missed about six weeks of the season on the DL). In a total of 80 games, he hit .249/.346/.450 with 10 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 44 RBI.

Tom Lawless (58)
In his sixth season working in the Astros minor league system, Lawless served as interim manager for the Oklahoma City RedHawks while Manager Tony DeFrancesco was on medical leave, in addition to his job as minor league infield development specialist. On September 1st, he became the 21st Manager in Astros history, guiding the big league club to an 11-13 record in his brief tenure in the interim position. Lawless is still remembered by many for his three-run home run for the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series in 1987 and his subsequent bat flip seen here 48 seconds in.

These former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

OF Walt "No Neck" Williams (71)
Where have all the good nicknames gone? No Neck signed with Houston as an amateur free agent prior to the 1963 season. In 10 games for the Colt .45's in 1964, Williams went hitless in nine at-bats. He went on to play several more seasons with the White Sox, Indians and Yankees with a .270/.310/.365 career batting line.

RHP Joe Slusarski (48)
Originally drafted by Oakland in the second round in 1988, Slusarski came to Houston as a free agent in May 1998. In 65 games pitched for the Astros in 1999, 2000 and 2001, he had a 4.57 ERA and a 1.379 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, December 17, 2014

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Adelaide 10, Sydney 3

The Bite struck for 6 in the bottom of the 1st to take control of this game. Chan-Jong Moon clubbed a 2-run homer in that 1st inning, his 4th Down Under.

Game 2 of this series will take place at 7:00 Australian Central Time.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Caballos 3, Industriales 0

Caballos has emerged from the first 3 games as the sole undefeated team in the league. Telvin Nash finished 2-3 with a solo homer and scored 2 runs. Jack Mayfield and Tyler White both finished 1-3.

Tonight, Caballos will host Indios at 7:00 Eastern.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Bravos 8, Caracas 1

Gregorio Petit went 1-4 with 2 strikeouts, while Danry Vásquez appeared as a pinch-hitter in the 8th and struck out. He remained in the game as the LF.

Caracas will play one more on the island tonight. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

LIDOM

All 3 games in the Dominican Republic last night were shutouts.

Estrellas 10, Licey 0

Domingo Santana had 2 of Licey's 8 hits.

Licey will host Toros tonight at 7:30 Atlantic.

Águilas 8, Escogido 0

Jonathan Villar opened up the scoring for Águilas with a 2-run double in the 3rd, and he eventually came around to score as Manny Ramirez roped a single to left field. He scored another run in the 5th as he reached on an error to lead off the frame, stole 2nd, and then took 3rd as part of a double steal... then Escogido catcher Charlie Valerio threw the ball away, which allowed Villar to score. He now has 8 steals on the season.

Águilas will host Estrellas at 7:30 Atlantic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 7, Hermosillo 0

Leo Heras opened up the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st, and then he led off the bottom of the 7th with a solo shot, his 8th of the Mexican campaign.

The series concludes at 7:00.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Carolina 5, Mayagüez 4

Carlos Corporán went 1-3 with a sac fly in the 1st and an RBI single in the 7th. Jobduan Morales finished 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout.

Tonight, these two teams will play each other again in Carolina; this game is a makeup from December 3, when it was rained out. First pitch is at 7:30 Atlantic.

Happy Birthday - 12/18

Happy Birthday to ~

DH/1B/LF Chris Carter (28)
Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round in 2005, Carter came to the Astros, along with Brad Peacock and Max Stassi, in the February 2013 trade that sent Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland. In 145 games for Houston in 2014, Carter hit .227/.308/.491 with 21 doubles, one triple, 37 home runs (second in the AL) and 88 RBI. He dropped from first to second place in strikeouts in the league in 2014, letting Mike Trout have the honors for the year.

RHP Edison Frias (24)
Frias was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. Frias pitched for the Quad Cities team in 2014, compiling an 8-5 record with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.326 WHIP in 17 games (12 starts).

These former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

LHP Rudy Owens (27)
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the 28th round in 2006, Owens came to Houston in the 2012 trade that sent Wandy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh. Owens made his major league debut for Houston in a spot start on May 23, 2014, but otherwise pitched his entire season with AAA Oklahoma City. In 25 games (21 starts), he was 8-5 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.252 WHIP. He recently signed with Oakland as a free agent.

OF Mike White (76)
Originally drafted from the Angels in the minor league draft in 1961, White played in 100 games for the 1963 and 1964 Colt .45's and the 1965 Astros, hitting .264/.311/.321.

RHP Jim Clancy (59)
A fourth round pick by the Rangers in 1974, Clancy signed with Houston as a free agent in December 1988. In 96 games (36 starts) for Houston from 1989 to 1991, he had a 9-25 record with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.478 WHIP. His best years were for the Toronto Blue Jays for whom he pitched for 12 seasons and won his one All-Star nod in 1982.

RHP Willie Blair (49)
Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round in 1986, Blair came to Houston in a December 1991 trade with the Indians. In 29 games (eight starts) pitched for the Astros in 1992, he was 5-7 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.258 WHIP. Most recently, he was the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres in 2014.

Tweet of the Day

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, December 16, 2014

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

The ABL All-Star Game took place yesterday (today Down Under), with the natives defeating the imports 11-8. Team Australia took control with 8 in the bottom of the 8th. Tyler Brunnemann was on the World Team and allowed a hit to the only batter he faced in the 7th inning.

The season resumes today as Adelaide welcomes the Sydney Blue Sox to South Australia. Last week, they took 3 of 4 on the road from Sydney. First pitch is at 7:30 Australian Central Time.

LIGA VENEZOLANA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 4, Zulia 3 in 11 innings

In the only game in Venezuela last night, Caracas walked off with an extra-inning win. Gregorio Petit finished 1-5 with a double and a run scored, while Danry Vásquez entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 8th and remained in the game as the left fielder. He walked to lead off the bottom of the 11th and scored the winning run on a botched double play attempt from Zulia. They were trying to double off Petit, which would've sent the game to the 12th.

The capital club is on the island of Margarita tonight as they take on Bravos. First pitch is at 7:30 Venezuelan time.

PROBEIS PANAMA

Indios 4, Águilas 1

Harold Arauz got the start for Águilas and took the loss as he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 1 over 3 innings.

Cris Santamaria was the first man out of the Indios bullpen and threw a 1-2-3 6th, while Juan Delis finished it out. Águilas spoiled the shutout when they got an unearned run off of Delis in the 9th; he allowed a hit and struck out 2.

These two teams will play again at 7:00 Eastern.

Caballos 8, Industriales 4

Telvin Nash went 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored for Caballos. Jack Mayfield finished 1-4, and Tyler White finished 2-3 with a double, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks.

Blaine Sims got the start for Caballos and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 5 innings.

These two teams will play again; the only difference is a change of venue. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

LIDOM

Gigantes 6, Águilas 5

Jonathan Villar finished 1-4 with a run scored and opened the scoring with an RBI infield single in the 2nd for Águilas.

Tonight, Águilas will host Escogido at 7:30 Atlantic.

Licey 8, Escogido 2

In a battle between the bottom 2 clubs in the Dominican, it was Licey taking this one with 8 unanswered after Escogido put up 2 in the 3rd. Ruben Sosa went 1-3 as the DH, while Domingo Santana was 2-4 with a double, a walk, and a run scored.

Licey will host the leaders, Estrellas, tonight at 7:30 Atlantic.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACÍFICO

Jalisco 3, Hermosillo 2

Leo Heras, in his customary #3 spot for Jalisco, went 1-3 with a walk and 2 Ks.

The middle game of this series is tonight at 7:00.

LIGA DE BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Both games on the slate last night were rained out. Tonight, Carolina will take on Mayagüez, while San Juan will face Santurce. Both of these games will start at 7:30 Atlantic.

The Astros Third Base Conundrum

When Brian McTaggart of MLB.com tweeted out a question Monday regarding how Astros fans felt about the signing of SS Jed Lowrie to a three-year contract, I replied with a one-word response, "Underwhelmed." A friend of mine responded, "he's solid, likely declining, but front loaded contract, and not a markedly better option available than him." I don't disagree with that, but there are other factors involved in molding my opinion.

I will admit that I was somewhat put off by Jed Lowrie's response to the buttshot heard 'round the world last year. Fine, have your say and move on. But the response lingered on for over a week which I found to be a bit excessive. I'll admit that I am not a professional athlete (not even close!), but it seems to me that getting plunked on the heinie is not worthy of a daily press briefing. But I digress. (Don't I always?)

Seriously, I have no lingering issues with the aforementioned unfortunate episode. I actually like Lowrie. I had a very nice conversation with him one day about his trip to Africa. I even gave him a little advice for an upcoming trip that he and his wife were taking to Ecuador. Dang it, I'm digressing yet again.

I also do not have an issue with his play at shortstop. I think he is solid at the position and will bring some needed stability to the position, plus he will provide a solid, albeit unspectacular, bat in the lineup. I'm not wild about signing him for three years, but so long as he doesn't soil the bed linens, and assuming that there isn't a repeat of anything like this incident, the Astros should be able to trade him in a year or two if need be. So even that isn't a particular problem for me.

My problem lies with the idea that, in the event that Carlos Correa is ready for the major leagues in late 2015 (as I think will be highly likely), the Astros have stated that they will just move Lowrie on over to third base until Colin Moran or Rio Ruiz are ready to play at the hot corner on the big stage. Jed Lowrie has played precisely 83 games at third base in his major league career, the majority of those in 2008, none since 2011. Lowrie has a decent bat for a shortstop, but will not provide the offensive output you want to see from a corner outfielder. I'm not a huge fan of shoving guys into positions just to find a place for them if their talents don't dovetail well with the position.

So, let's have a little chat about third base. Matt Dominguez has been a fan favorite when it comes to his defense, but his bat has always been a question mark, and he has not necessarily given the Astros the answer to that question that they wanted. The third base job is his to lose in Spring Training. The problem is that he may very well do that if he doesn't show marked improvement with the lumber. Jeff Luhnow has alluded to Marwin Gonzalez as a possibility at third. Personally, I feel that Marwin's best use is as a utility infielder. Third is not his natural position, and he has shown himself to be a much better middle infielder.

The presumed third basemen in waiting, according to the Astros front office are Colin Moran and Rio Ruiz. Let's take Ruiz first. I think Ruiz is going to be a terrific player, but he is at least a year away, more likely two years. He needs the time, the at-bats, and the continued development at third base. He should not be rushed. He will let us know when he is ready. So, let's put Rio to the side for the time being.

Colin Moran has only played 28 games at AA. He can definitely hit, but he has not developed the power that is expected from a third baseman yet. When I saw him in Corpus at the end of the season, I was left a bit bewildered by what I saw from him. And then I read this EXCELLENT piece in Baseball Prospectus that put my thoughts into words beautifully. I'm not sure that Colin Moran is ultimately even going to be a third baseman, much less the Astros third baseman of the future. I'd love to see him prove me wrong, but in any event, I cannot see him being legitimately considered for the position in 2015.

So, apparently there are no other options at third base for the coming season? Well, yeah, there is another option. And for the life of me I can't figure out why this player gets no love from the front office. Let's take a look at Matt Duffy:

  • Hit .293/.367/.468 in his four years in the organization
  • Hit .302/.340/.455 in 49 games in Corpus in 2014 before his promotion
  • Hit .279/.333/.448 in 87 games in Oklahoma City after his promotion
  • Hit .354/.374/.469 in August (OKC) in 28 games

Matt Duffy can hit. He's always been able to hit. And he always makes the adjustments he needs to make. I have no reason to believe that he can't make the same adjustments in Houston. He can hit to all fields although his power is to the left side. He would love the Crawford Boxes. His lefty/righty splits got a little lopsided for the season (.256/.311/.383 vs. RHP and .382/.410/.649 vs. LHP), but they evened out a bit for Oklahoma City as he hit .267/.322/.419 against righthanders at the higher level. Over his career, he has had reasonably good lefty/righty splits.

Still doubtful? Let's dig a little deeper for our SABR minded friends. (Click on the name for the player's Fangraphs page.)

Matt Duffy in 2014
wOBA at AA: .361
wOBA at AAA: .343
WRC+ at AA: 128
WRC+ at AAA: 100
ISO at AA: .153
ISO at AAA: .168

Colin Moran in 2014
wOBA at A+: .340
wOBA at AA: .341
WRC+ at A+: 110
WRC+ at AA: 114
ISO at A+: .100
ISO at AA: .107

Matt Dominquez in 2014:
wOBA: .260
WRC+: 63
ISO: .115

Jed Lowrie in 2014:
wOBA: .300
WRC+: 93
ISO: .106

Duffy seems to stack up pretty well by those parameters as well. He does fall short in walk rate (4.9% for the season up to 6% at OKC) and strikeout rate (18.7%) when compared with Lowrie and Moran, but he represents an improvement over Dominguez.

So, Duffy's defense must be awful, right? Wrong. He is a solid defensive player. I specifically talked to him (and with his coach and manager) about his defense in this interview from 2013 because I had seen such an improvement from him in that area. In 2014, Duffy had a .961 fielding percentage and a 2.49 per game range factor in his 70 games played at third base (he was moved to first base for a number of games). Not quite as good as Matt Dominguez's 2014 numbers (.972 fielding percentage and a 2.53 per game range factor), but not that far off either. (The last time Lowrie played third base in 2011, he had a .948 fielding percentage and a 2.79 per game range factor.)

Competition is a good thing and I hope that Matt Duffy is given a legitimate opportunity to compete for the Astros third base job. I think he has earned that much. What he does with the opportunity is up to him, but I think he may surprise some people.

Oh, and one more thing to like about Duffy ... having been hit by pitches 41 times in one season (in 2012) shows that he knows how to take a hit by pitch.

Anywho, since one is limited to 140 characters at a time, "underwhelmed" was the best response I could come up with on short notice. With all of that said ... Welcome Back to Houston, Jed Lowrie!*

*provided that you don't block Carlos Correa for a nanosecond and don't take up residence at third base

Happy Birthday - 12/17

No future Astros with birthdays today, but one former Astro celebrates ~

LHP Fernando Abad (29)
Abad was signed by the Astros as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic in 2002. In 88 games for Houston from 2010 to 2012, he compiled a 1-11 record with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.559 WHIP. Abad signed as a free agent with the Nationals in November 2012 and was subsequently traded to Oakland in November 2013. In 69 appearances for Oakland in 2014, he had a 1.57 ERA and a 0.855 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Astros Winter League Recaps: An Intro to Panamanian Baseball

The major winter leagues in the Caribbean were largely off on Monday, but another league in Panama, the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Panamá, or Probeis, kicked off play on Monday. The Astros have players on all 4 teams in the league, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Here is the official website of the league: http://probeispanama.com/

One note: the entire site is in Spanish.

Indios de Urracá

Urracá was an indigenous freedom fighter, taking on the conquistadors of Spain in the territory that we now consider modern-day Panama. He was captured by the Spanish after falling into a trap and was about to be sent to Spain, but he escaped captivity and continued his resistance for several more years. 

This team represents the province of Veraguas, located in the west-central part of the country. Veraguas borders the Pacific Ocean on its southern coast.

The Astros are represented by 3 pitchers: RHPs Jose Montero and Juan Delis, and LHP Cris Santamaria (I got tired of typing Cristhopher). Carlos Gonzalez, a coach in the Astros organization, is on the coaching staff for Indios. I do not know if he really is an Astros coach because I don't see his name listed under the coaching staffs of the minor league affiliates, or if he is, then he's probably a DSL coach.

Caballos de Coclé

Coclé, on the central coast, shares a border with Veraguas to its west. The city of Aguadulce, in the southwestern part of the province, is best known as the hometown of El Caballo, Carlos Lee. 

The Astros have 5 players on the roster: RHPs Blaine Sims and Travis Ballew, SS/2B Jack Mayfield, 1B/DH Telvin Nash, and 3B Tyler White. Along with Jose Montero, they are the non-Panamanian contingent representing the Astros on the isthmus.

Industriales de Herrera

Nestled into the south-central coast of Panama, Herrera Province shares borders with Coclé and Veraguas. 

RHP Agapito Barrios is on the active roster, while utilityman Rodrigo Ayarza is on the "active reserve" list. RHP Edgardo Sandoval and SS Ozziel Sanchez, who is a member of the Astros' 2014 international free agent class, are on the "inactive reserve" list. 

Águilas Metropolitanas

Representing Panama City, this is Panama's capital club. RHP Harold Arauz is the Astros' lone representative on the team.

Panama uses Eastern Time. There were supposed to be 2 games, but I believe one of them was rained out because the box score isn't available.

Caballos 12, Industriales 2

The hosts, Caballos, romped as they scored in all but the first 2 innings. Telvin Nash finished 2-4 with a 2-run homer, Jack Mayfield went 1-5 with a run scored, and Tyler White went 0-2 with 2 walks and a run scored. 

Agapito Barrios got the start for Industriales and threw 1.1 scoreless, walking 3 and striking out 2.

These two teams will play again at 7:00 Eastern.

Astros Off-Season Transaction List for 2014-2015

Since there are generally dozens of transactions during the off season, I like to keep a running list to help me remember what all has transpired. I will be posting this on the sidebar on the front page and will do my best to keep it updated through the end of Spring Training.

Here is the Astros 40-man roster which currently stands at 40.

NEW TO THE SYSTEM
RHP Rogelio Armenteros (Cuban defector signed by Astros according to Baseball America)
RHP Akeem Bostick (Obtained from the Rangers in a trade for C Carlos Corporan)
RHP Luis Castro (19-year old [turns 20 on May 11] Dominican signed on February 10)
C Hank Conger (Obtained in trade for RHP Nick Tropeano and C Carlos Perez)
1B Jared Cruz (PTBNL in the July 2014 Andrew Robinson trade with the Braves)
RHP Harlen Florencio (19-year old Dominican signed in early December)
C Luis Flores (Claimed by the Astros in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft)
C Evan Gattis (Obtained from the Braves in a trade for RHP Mike Foltynewicz, 3B Rio Ruiz and RHP Andrew Thurman)
RHP Luke Gregerson (signed as a free agent)
RHP Will Harris (claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks)
OF Jose Hernandez (18-year old [turns 19 on March 12] Dominican signed on February 10)
RHP Roberto Hernandez (signed as a free agent; also know as Fausto Carmona)
RHP James Hoyt (obtained along with Evan Gattis in trade with the Braves)
RHP Dylan James (NDFA out of West Texas A&M)
1B Dan Johnson (signed as a free agent)
SS Jed Lowrie (signed as a free agent)
2B Nicolas Miranda (18-year old [turns 19 on June 12] Panamanian signed on February 10)
RHP Pat Neshek (signed as a free agent)
RHP Christian Powell (Minor League free agent, previously with Twins)
OF Colby Rasmus (signed as a free agent)
3B Anthony Rodriguez (18-year old [turns 19 on July 23] Dominican signed on February 10)
LHP Maikel Sepulveda (18-year old Dominican signed on February 11)
RHP Robert Stock (Minor League free agent, previously with Cardinals)
RHP Dan Straily (obtained from the Cubs in trade for OF Dexter Fowler)
LHP Joe Thatcher (signed as a free agent)
RHP Luidin Toribio (19-year old Dominican signed on February 10)
3B Luis Valbuena (obtained from the Cubs in trade for OF Dexter Fowler)
C Randy Vasquez (18-year old Dominican [turns 19 on March 13] signed on February 23)


ADDED TO THE 40-MAN ROSTER
C Hank Conger
RHP Michael Feliz (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)
C Evan Gattis (will be used in OF and as DH)
RHP Luke Gregerson
RHP Will Harris
SS Jed Lowrie
RHP Pat Neshek
C Carlos Perez (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft) - Traded to the Angels
OF Colby Rasmus
RHP Dan Straily
IF Ronald Torreyes (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)
3B Luis Valbuena
RHP Vince Velasquez (added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft)

OUTRIGHTED TO FRESNO
RHP Jose Cisnero - Left via free agency
LHP Darin Downs
LHP Rudy Owens - Left via free agency
IF Gregorio Petit
RHP Anthony Bass - Left via free agency

PLACED ON THE RESTRICTED LIST
RHP Andrew Walter (50-game suspension for testing positive for drug of abuse)

NO LONGER IN THE SYSTEM
RHP Matt Albers - Left via free agency
1B Japhet Amador (According to Baseball America, the Astros sold their rights to Amador back to Mexico City of the Mexican League)
RHP Anthony Bass - Left via free agency
IF Bobby Borchering - Released
RHP Patrick Christensen - Released
RHP Jose Cisnero - Left via free agency
RHP Paul Clemens - Left via free agency
C Brett Clements - Released
C Carlos Corporan - Traded to the Rangers
RHP Jesse Crain - Left via free agency
RHP Jorge de Leon - Claimed off waivers by Oakland
Delino DeSheilds - Drafted by the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft
IF Will Dupont - Released
IF Jean Estrella - Released
LHP Kevin Ferguson - Released
RHP Mike Foltynewicz - Traded to Atlanta
OF Dexter Fowler - Traded to the Cubs
C Rene Garcia - Left via free agency
LHP Kyle Gehrs - Released
RHP Jandel Gustave - Drafted by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft and flipped to Kansas City
1B Jesus Guzman - Left via free agency
RHP Matt Heidenreich - Released
OF Terrell Joyce - Released
1B/OF Marc Krauss - Claimed off waivers by the Angels
RHP David Martinez - Left via free agency
C Ryan McCurdy - Retired
1B Yonathan Mejia - Released
RHP Luis Ordosgoitti - Released
LHP J.D. Osborne - Released
OF Ariel Ovando - Drafted by the Cubs in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft; being converted to a pitcher
LHP Rudy Owens - Signed as Free Agent with Oakland
C Carlos Perez - Traded to the Angels
RHP Raul Rivera - Released
LHP David Rollins - Drafted by Seattle in the Rule 5 Draft
3B Rio Ruiz - Traded to Atlanta
IF Juan Santana - Released
RHP Andrew Thurman - Traded to the Braves
RHP Nick Tropeano - Traded to the Angels
LHP Patrick Urckfitz - Left via free agency
RHP Aaron Vaughn - Released
RHP Jose Veras - Left via free agency
RHP Josh Zeid - Claimed off waivers

FREE AGENTS
RHP Matt Albers - Signed with the White Sox
RHP Anthony Bass - Signed with the Rangers
RHP Jose Cisnero - Signed with the Reds
RHP Paul Clemens - Signed with the Phillies
RHP Jesse Crain - Signed with the White Sox
C Rene Garcia - Signed with the Phillies
RHP Murilo Gouvea - Re-signed with the Astros
1B Jesus Guzman - Signed with the Hiroshima Carp
RHP David Martinez - Signed with the Rangers
LHP Rudy Owens - Signed with the A's
IF Carlos Perdomo
RHP Ross Seaton
LHP Patrick Urckfitz - Signed with the Marlins
RHP Jose Veras - Signed with the Braves

Have you purchased your copy of my new book "2015 Houston Farm System Handbook" yet? The Handbook contains information on 257 players in the Astros minor league system and should prove to be a valuable resource throughout the season.