It's been something of a disappointing season at the major league level, but it looks like the minor league chain, a strength of the organization in the late 80's and all through the '90's, is starting to become a real asset again.
Even if Houston continues to tread water the way they have been, 2006 will have been at least a limited success because of the farm system.
Players like Jordan Parraz, who may win the New York-Penn batting title, and Jimmy Barthamier, who led the Carolina League in strikeouts, and Matt Albers and Jason Hirsh, who you know about, have got the organization headed in the right direction, even if this year's model needs to be scrapped.
Wednesday Round Rock @ Nashville 7:00PM CT
Thursday Round Rock @ Nashville 7:00PM
Friday Nashville @ Round Rock 7:05PM CT
Saturday Nashville @ Round Rock* 1:05PM CT
Sunday, Nashville @ Round Rock* 1:05PM CT
AA Corpus:
Tuesday, Midland @ Corpus Christi 7PM CT
Wednesday, Midland @ Corpus Christi 7PM CT
Thursday, Corpus Christi @ Midland 6:30PM CT
Friday, Corpus Christi @ Midland*
Saturday, Corpus Christi @Midland*
High A Salem:
Wednesday, Kinston at Salem, 7 p.m. ET (Chuck Lofgren vs. Jimmy Barthmaier)
Thursday, Salem at Kinston, 7 p.m. ET (Felipe Paulino vs. Scott Lewis)
Friday, Salem at Kinston, 7 p.m. ET *(Rory Shortell vs. Joe Ness)
A Lexington:
Wednesday, Lexington @ Lakewood, 7 p.m. ET
Friday, Lakewood @ Lexington, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Lakewood @ Lexington*, ? ET
I'll get you Tri-City's when it's posted.
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* if necessary