Astros Thursday Minor League Recap

After looking at the Round Rock box score, I realized something about my feelings on the improved farm system.  I don't know what excites you the most, but I'm just happy that next season will feature less AAAA guys who really are not going to be much more that AAAA pitchers and offer nothing to the major league team.  There will be less Shane Loux, Josh Banks, Gary Majewski, Roy Corcoran, and Andy Van Hekken's of the world on the Round Rock roster.  Sure, there is value in having guys with major league experience on your AAA pitching staff to provide immediate depth that isn't going to freak out at the major league lights, but do we need all but a few pitchers that fit that category?  I'd like to have more prospects and young guys who have some upside left, like Yorman Bazardo, who can still figure things out in the majors. 

We have lacked the ability to put prospects there the last several seasons but now we can.  Jordan Lyles, Dallas Keuchel, Douglas Arguello, Henry Villar, Matt Nevarez, Arcenio Leon, and Chia-Jen Lo all will likely be in AAA next season at some point or another, hopefully to start the season.  That's very exciting to me because we have upside and legitmate talent just a step away from the major leagues.  What is the most exciting part for you?

Round Rock won 6-2

• Shane Loux (5.66)-6 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO-Extreme groundball performance with 16 groundout to just one flyout.
• Jonah Bayliss (3.70)-1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
• Jack Shuck (.307)-2-5
• Drew Locke (.290)-1-2, HR, 3 BB
• Brian Bogusevic (.293)-2-5, HR, HR, SO-Locke and Bogey have really turned it up a notch lately and are making a push to be the 4th/5th OFers next year.
• Collin DeLome (.236)-1-4, 3B, 3 SO
• Edwin Bellorin (.195)-1-3, 2B, BB

Corpus Christi lost 4-2

• Dallas Keuchel (4.76)-7 2/3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO-Solid start if the defense would have held up behind him.
• Evan Englebrook (3.57)-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
• Albert Cartwright (.219)-1-4, 3 B, SO
• Jonathan Gaston (.249)-1-3, 3B, BB
• Federico Hernandez (.240)-1-3, 2B

Lancaster lost 6-2

• Ross Seaton (6.10)-6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO-These are the types of start that give me confidence that he'll turn into something.  But, don't worry, he'll frustrate me next week.  Although, he's actually improved his GO:FO ratio this year.  That's hard to do in Lancaster.
• Jay Austin (.270)-0-2, 2 BB, 2 SO, CS-19 CS isn't good, he is lightning fast and should do better than that.
• Jose Altuve (.275)-0-4, 3 SO
• Andrew Simunic (.345)-0-3, 3 SO
• Mark Ori (.284)-2-3

Lexington won 5-2

• Jose Cisnero (4.18)-6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO
• Renzo Tello (.192)-1-3, 2B, SO-I liked when he was promoted earlier, but he really has struggled since then.

Tri-City won 3-2

• Jake Buchanan (3.44)-6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO-He gets outs, which is the purpose, but his very low strikeout rate concerns me.  It's hard to be effective if you can't strike anyone out.
• Jorge De Leon (0.44)-1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO-Wow, he's really good as reliever.  Whitak, what does this guy throw?  I know he used to be a SS and has a strong arm, but that's about it.
• Dan Adamson (.292)-1-3, 2B, BB, SO-It seems we have started a tradition of 20th round draft picks being solid hitting out-fielders.  I'll be sure to watch for who we draft next June.
• Marcus Nidiffer (.316)-1-3, HR, BB
• Adam Bailey (.206)-1-4, 2B, SO

Greeneville-Postponed

GCL Astros won 3-2

• Jose Perdomo (1.89)-5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO-He's obviously got good stuff but it seems he's having trouble controlling it.  He hit one batter and threw three wild pitches.  I'm excited about seeing what he can do against better competition.  I wouldn't be surprised if he jumps up to Tri-City next season.
• Austin Wates (.000)-0-3, 2 SO, HBP-Seems like sitting out awhile really does hurt you at the plate.  He and DDJ struggled in their debuts.
• Jordan Scott (.281)-1-3, 2B, SB
• Garen Wright (.228)-2-4, 2B
• Bryce Lane (.333)-3-4, 2B

DSL Astros won 6-1

• Leonardo Alayon (3.24)-6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
• Jose Solano (.277)-2-5, 2B
• Kelvin Vizcaino (.192)-2-3, 2B
• Franny Polanco (.248)-1-5, 2B, 2 SO
• Mario Gonzalez (.262)-2-3, BB
• Max Ayarza (.253)-0-4, 3 SO