Astros Thursday Minor League Recap
Wow, yesterday was eventful. I'm going to be honest and say that I was getting completely annoyed by all of the false rumors. I don't know how many times reports came out saying the exact opposite of another report. It was quite frustrating being that we knew there was a deal in place.
In the end though, was I satisfied? Not exactly. And gathering from the hundreds of comments, neither were many of you. I'm excited about Villar, but to be honest, I'd rather have gotten a pitching prospect. Although, he is better than someone like Worley. As far as Brett Wallace is concerned, there is room to be excited but I'm less excited than I would have at this time last year. Last season he was still considered a 3B prospect but carried severe doubts about him sticking. Well those doubts were warranted and now there are some doubts about his ability to hit well enough at the major league level for a 1B given his stats aren't completely over-whelming. There are circumstances that could have been affecting his performance, like the number of teams he's been playing for over the years since he's been a part of so many trades. Now, I'm not saying I'm upset we got him, I actually am pleased. I like his ability and think he could be a slightly above average 1B. And I'm very excited at the possibility of seeing him play Saturday. I live in Nashville and the Express are coming to town and my wife and I are accompaning some friends to the game against the Nashville Sounds and I'm hoping he will be ready to play. None the less, I will have a short report on what I see at the game. I'm also excited at the possibility of seeing Danny Meszaros pitch since he pitched an inning to day, he should be available.
Won
- Corpus 15-7 (check out the offensive explosion!)
- Lancaster 5-4
- Lexington 4-1
- Greeneville 4-3 (Velasquez pitched)
- DSL Astros 3-1
Lost
- Round Rock 8-1
- Tri-City 9-2
- GCL Astros 5-4
Top Performances
- Yorman Bazardo (AAA)-5 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO-He's been in the pen all season and is now back in the rotation it seems. I like Bazardo even though he's proven he's nothing more than a AAAA guy.
- Wladimir Sutil (AAA)-1-4, 2B, SO-This is literally the only thing happening in RR last night.
- Jack Shuck (AA)-2-4, 2 BB-It's nice to see him get a rebound game, he's been slumping.
- Michael Affronti (AA)-2-6
- J.D. Martinez (AA)-1-4, 2 BB, 2 SO-He's not hitting as much but he's drawing walks. He's putting things together in AA!
- Jonathan Gaston (AA)-3-5, 2B, HR, BB, SO-Holy Crap! This guy is starting to rake!
- Jhon Florentino (AA)-3-6, 2B, SO-Well he only got demoted for four games.
- James Van Ostrand (AA)-2-6, 2B, SO
- Lou Santangelo (AA)-3-3
- Jonathan Fixler (AA)-1-3, 2B, 2 SO
- Andrew Simunic (A+)-2-5, 2B
- Jay Austin (A+)-0-2, 2 BB, 2 SB
- Albert Cartwright (A+)-3-4, BB, 2 SB
- David Flores (A+)-2-4
- Vincent Velasquez (Rk)-5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO-He's making a better debut than Folty in pro ball. I like the early returns on this kid.
- Bubby Williams (Rk)-1-4, 2B, SO
- Emilio King (Rk)-2-3
- Luis Cruz (A)-7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO-That is one heck of a performance for the 19 year old lefty! This is why he gets some hype.
- Jose Altuve (A)-2-4, 2B, 2 SB-I'll bring up the hype again!
- Jake Goebbert (A)-2-4, 2 B, SO, SB
- Rene Garcia (A)-2-4, 2B, SO, SB
- Adam Champion (A-SS)-1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO
- Enrique Hernandez (A-SS)-2-4, 2B
- Ben Heath (A-SS)-1-3, HR-Yeah, there's some impressive catchers in short-season ball.
- Angel Gonzalez (GCL)-5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
- Kristian Bueno (GCL)-2 IP, 0 H, 0BB, 2 SO-Calallen grad and Brewer draft pick in 2007.
- Jordan Scott (GCL)-2-5, BB, SO
- Luis De La Rosa (DSL)-3-4, SB, CS, PO-He apparently has the speed but reading pitchers is something he's going to have to work on.
- Max Ayarza (DSL)1-3, 2B, SO
Poor-formances
- Chris Shelton (AAA)-1-4, 2 SO-His playing time is going to diminish with Wallace coming in!
- Edwin Bellorin (AAA)-0-3, 2 SO
- Brad Thompson (AAA)-1/3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO-Terrible outing out of the pen.
- Dallas Keuchel (AA)-3 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO-It really pains me to see this. You all know how much I like Keuchel. But, it's just his second start, so I'm not worried.
- Kyle Greenwalt (A+)-6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO-It's not that bad but I had to put it here because of the walks.
- Michael Kvasnicka (A-SS)-0-3, BB, 2 SO
- Daniel Adamson (A-SS)-0-3, BB, 2 SO
- Alex Sogard (A-SS)-2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
- Pedro Feliz (Rk)-0-4, 2 SO-He's even playing like the major leaguer.
- Chris Lovett (Rk)-0-3, BB, SO-He was the Braves 12th Round pick last year and this was his debut. He's a 3B prospect so I'll try and do some research on him.
- Jose Fernandez (GCL)-0-5, 2 SO
- Edgar Ferreira (DSL)1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 1 SO-He didn't allow any runs but those walks are pretty bad.
- Yonathan Mejia (DSL)-0-4, 2 SO
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I doubt it really. Esp since RR released Everidge (lol-thx Boxy) last night. You never know though with this franchise.
The only reason I say that is that Wallace’s value would be higher as a 3d baseman, and, according to Total Zone results, Wallace’s defense at 3d base doesn’t appear to be worse than CJ’s defense. It might not be a bad idea to see if Wallace is unacceptable at 3d base. Assuming Berkman isn’t traded, Wallace could be called up and get more playing time if he rotated between 3d base and 1st base.
His value there might be higher but there was reason he was moved to 1B. Having not seen him personally I can’t honestly say if isn’t athletic enough for 3B. Besides, to me it looks like CJ is starting to get comfortable at 3B in Houston and you don’t really want to mess up what he has going on there. At least that’s I look at it. Again I could be wrong.
I suspect in the long run he will be a very good defensive first baseman. Yes, he has some problems there right now, but he just changed positions and needs to get some reps and instruction at first base. Supposedly he has excellent hands and instincts, and if it was thought he could play third base, I’d imagine he has plenty of range for first.
It doesn’t hurt that once he gets Houston (also in spring Training) he’ll a soon to be HOF’er waiting to help him both offensively and defensively.
I agree. Being with his 4th team in such a short time can’t be easy. That means he has had many different coaches instructing him and I’m sure no coach goes about it the same as the next guy. Now that he’ll have some organizational stability and getting instruction from a HOF first baseman, I can see him settling in.
On a side note, Buster Olney said on Mike and Mike this morning that he expects Berkman to be moved. He named the Rays and White Sox as suitors. He said the Rays and Yankees are going after Dunn and sees the Rays viewing Berkman as their 2nd choice.
by IndianaAstrofan on Jul 30, 2010 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I was saying that about Wallace yesterday. Feel sorry for the kid being shipped around like nobody wanted him (i know he was wanted by all the teams that drafted and traded for him). A little uneasy feeling after landing in multiple different spots in in two years time. you never get comfortable which could have been affecting some plus learning a new position this year.
JD Martinez
Last night wasn’t all that impressive but with him facing much better pitching talent in AA the kid is definitely holding his own. Batting close to .290 after 14 games against better pitching is a good sign for him and the Astros’ future OF propsects. Let’s see see how he finishes out the season in Corpus and see if they move him up to RR for 2011.
Just wondering.
When someone is a September call up, does that get their arbitration clock ticking? I’m not exactly sure how it works.
by MadMartygan on Jul 30, 2010 8:58 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Oh ok. That makes sense. Thanks.
by MadMartygan on Jul 30, 2010 9:48 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
yes..Rule 5 implications. normally wouldn’t need to place the player on the 40 man roster until their minor league service time makes them eligible for the Rule 5 draft. so, if you put them on the 40 man earlier than that, it reduces flexibility in protecting other minor league players.
Well it appears
that about 65% like this deal, so I guess there will be no fan uprising. It was certainly an interesting few days.

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