Astros Thursday Minor League Recap

The fanshot already pointed this out, but Chris Sampson has been designated for assignment.  Sure, he has the option to take the minor league assignment and stay an Astro, but I don't see that happening.  Based on his comments about saying that he is appreciative of the Astros giving him the opportunity to come back to baseball and that it's weird knowing he likely will be somewhere else next year tells me that he's done with the Astros.  Plus, his tweet saying communication isn't a strong point for the organization kind of says he's a little resentful.  I wish him luck and hope he find a major league job because he is a classy individual who works hard and has represented this club well over the past few years.

On to some good news now.  With all of the minor league movement, there were bound to be some debuts scattered throughout the season, and some didn't disappoint at all.  Most notably Ben Heath!  He had a great night at the plate.  The birthday boy, Austin Wates, also knows how to celebrate a birthday and really contributed to the ValleyCats win last night and help keep them in first place of their division for the playoffs!

Oh, and College Football started last night!  Who is as excited as I am?

Round Rock lost 6-2

• Sergio Perez (5.40)-4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR-Why are we wasting an AFL spot on this guy?
• Ozzie Navarro 3B (.277)-2-3, 2 2B
• Edwin Maysonet SS (.253)-2-3

Corpus Christi lost 8-7

• Patrick Urckfitz (3.60)-5 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO-Not a bad AA debut at all.
• Albert Cartwright 2B (.242)-1-7, 3 SO
• Koby Clemens DH (.245)-2-6, HR, BB, SO-That's 25 homers on the season!
• J.D. Martinez RF (.303)-3-5, BB, SO-There's been a lot of ya'll asking where he's been and if he's hurt, but he makes a return to the recap with the first nice game he's had in awhile!
• Jonathan Gaston CF (.249)-0-3, 3 BB, SO, SB-I don't care if he was hitless if he drew three walks!
• Jimmy Van Ostrand 1B (.245)-3-6, 2B, SO
• Wladimir Sutil SS (.283)-3-5, BB
• Ben Heath C (.750)-3-4, BB, SO-Yes!  That is a great way to make your AA debut at the plate! (I say at the plate because he played defense the night before)

Lancaster lost 9-8

• Leandro Cespedes (6.94)-3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR
• David Berner (3.05)-2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 SO
• Jose Altuve 2B (.265)-2-5, HR
• Brian Pellegrini LF-1B (.282)-2-4, 2B, BB, 2 SO
• Lee Cruz DH (.353)-2-5, HR
• Jonathan Villar SS (.231)-0-5, 4 SO
• Andrew Simunic RF (.317)-2-2, 2B, 2 BB, SB
• Mike Ori 1B (.288)-2-3, HR, BB

Lexington won 8-6

• Tanner Bushue (4.11)-5 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO-It's interesting that he got beat up so bad when when he posted his best groundout to flyout ration (9:1). 
• Jimmy Paredes 2B (.289)-2-3, HR, 2 BB, SB
• Jio Mier SS (.238)-0-2, 2 BB
• Jake Goebbert RF (.285)-1-4, HR, SO
• Kody Hinze 1B (.273)-2-3, 2 BB, SO
• Jonathan Meyer 3B (.247)-2-5
• Roberto Pena C (.400)-2-5, 2B-Solid debut!  He is moving up the catcher depth chart too, possibly.
• Barry Butera DH (.179)-1-4, 2B, 2 SO
• Grant Hogue CF (.282)-2-3, SB

Tri-City won 3-1 as they continue the race for the playoffs!

• Carlos Quevedo (3.06)-6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
• Ben Orloff 2B (.294)-2-5, 2 SO, SB
• Austin Wates DH (.385)-3-3, 3B, BB, 2 SB-That's how you celebrate your birthday!
• Adam Bailey LF (.220)-2-4, 2B
• Chris Wallace C (.233)-2-4, SO