Happy 4th of July!!!
It wasn't exactly a great two days in the minors. There were quite a few losses and not a lot of wins. But, wins and losses aren't the main concern with the minors, its player development. And well, there are some exciting developing going on in the minors. Perfect example is Jiovanni Mier. A lot has been written over various blogs and prospect sites on Jio's abysmal first half of the season. Most people have been quite worried about it and have cautioned others to lessen their expectations of Mier's potential. Here at TCB, most of us have tried to warn off the critics and wait longer to pass judgement. Bobby Heck even said to not worry since he is still hitting doubles and taking walks. Well, he has been doing that and hitting for average is starting to show signs of life.
As promised, I included some prospects who performed really well this week, and I really tried to limit it to legitimate prospects and this year's draftees. But I want to put a question out there for you readers. Since this is a longer post that includes two days of games plus top performances, when would you rather see the top performers? Would you like me to shorten the Sunday post to just the Friday and Saturday games and include the performers in Monday's post, or keep it like this? Also, I really like clever titles. Farmstro's Five is just an awesome name. One of my favorites. So, I'm going to give you the opportunity to name list of top performers for the week.
Friday
Round Rock lost 2-1
In his return to RR, Josh Banks pitched very well. He pitched eight innings and allowed two earned runs on just four hits and one walk while striking out four. I'm going to add this in because it's pretty interesting, he stole a base as well. Bogey went 1 for 2 with two walks. Tommy Everidge went 3 for 4 with a double.
Corpus Christi lost 6-3
Jeremy Johnson struck out six in five and two-thirds innings of work, but allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk. Fernando Abad was unimpressive in his third outing since coming off the DL as a reliever. In one inning, he gave up three hits which led to two runs. Jonathan Gaston went 1 for 3 with a triple and a walk while playing both his usual RF and some time in CF. Michael Affronti went 2 for 4 with a strikeout.
Lancaster lost 4-3
In case you missed my article on Dallas Keuchel, he is one of my favorite pitching prospects for many reasons. He took the loss Friday night but I'm not going to put the blame on him, but on the manager. He pitched eight and two-thirds innings and allowed four runs (all earned) on nine hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Before the ninth inning, he allowed just one run on an uncharacteristic homerun. He gave up two singles (one was an infield single) and his lone walk in the ninth while also striking out two before being pulled for Mike Modica who immediately gave up a walk-off double to score the three baserunners. Andrew Simunic went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, and two stolen bases. Felix Hernandez went 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout.
Lexington lost 5-0
Jose Cisnero pitched six innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. Jose Altuve went 1 for 3 with a walk, strikeout, and his 15th stolen base on the year. Rene Garcia went 2 for 4. Miguel Arrendell went hitless but drew two walks. Brian Kemp went 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout.
Tri-City lost 5-4
Jake Buchanan allowed three earned runs in four and two-thirds innings on five hits, one walk, and striking out six. Joan Robinson was the only reliever not to give up a run. He struck out three and allowed one hit in two innings of work. Last year's ninth round pick, Ben Orloff has done well this year after a bad season last year, he went 2 for 3 with two walks and his first stolen base this year. Enrique Hernandez went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. Danield Adamson went 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk. Oscar Figueroa went 2 for 4 with a double.
Greeneville lost 5-0
The Bristol White Sox handed it to the Astros again, although not as bad. Mike Foltynewicz struggled in his second start. He is still on a limited pitch count that kept him to two innings pitched. He allowed two runs (both earned) on two hits, one walk, and struck out two. His control was lacking as he had one wild pitch and hit two batters. Here's to hoping it gets cleaned up. Jonathan Merritt continues to be a steal of an undrafted free agent. He didn't pick up a hit but walked twice, was hit by a pitch, and stole a base.
GCL Astros won 8-4
Mark Jones started the game and pitched four innings in which he gave up two earned runs on three hits, four walks and only struck out one. Juan Mojica pitched an inning of hitless baseball and walked one while striking out two. Jose Vargas went 1 for 2 with two walks. Jose Monzon went 2 for 4 with a double and a strikeout. Ernesto Genoves went 2 for 4 with a strikeout.
DSL Astros won 1-0
Remember when the Astros signed the two Dominican Republic pitchers? Well the one who didn't have to serve a suspension for PED's, Jose Montero continues to be the best pitcher for the DSL Astros. He pitched five scoreless innings and allowed just four hits, walked one, and struck out two. Cristian Hirland pitche the remaining four innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed one hit, walked none, and struck out two. There was only one big hit in the game, Raymir Lopez's homerun.
Saturday
Round Rock lost 7-6
I was hoping for a better year than what Polin Trinidad has put together so far, but this could be a possible turnaround. He pitched five innings and allowed just one run which was earned on six hits and two walks. Although, I'd really like to see more than just one strikeout. Gary Majewski pitched two near perfect innings. The only blimish in his hit hitless and scoreless outing was the single walk that accompanied his four strikeouts. I don't know what has gotten into Matt Kata, but he has been hitting with some power lately. He went 3 for 4 with two homeruns. Bogey went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Tommy Everidge went 1 for 5 with a homerun and a strikeout. Andrew Locke went 1 for 3 with a homerun as well and a walk.
Corpus Christi postponed til tomorrow
Lancaster won 4-0
Patrick Urckfitz seems to be in transition to being a starter and it seems to be working. He has been pitching long outings in relief and has made two starts counting Saturday. He pitched five and a third innings and didn't allow a run. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Brian Wabick pitched two and two-thirds inning and allowed three hits and struck out two. Albert Cartwright went 1 for 4 with a double. Brandon Barnes was hitless but walked twice and stole a base. Mark Ori went 2 for 4.
Lexington won 4-1
I'm a fan of the small yet electric FB pitcher Luis Cruz. He pitched six scoreless innings and only allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four. I also like the closer in Lexington, Kirk Clark. He picked up his 16th save with one inning of scoreless ball on two hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. Jose Altuve went 1 for 5 with a double and a strikeout. Jake Goebbert went 1 for 3 with a double and two walks. Kody Hinze went 3 for 5 with a double and two strikeouts. Jio Mier went 1 for 3 with a double. Brian Kemp went 3 for 4 with a double.
Tri-City won 10-2
I wish the Astros posted scouting reports of all their players, or at least what pitches they threw. I would definitely read the one on Carlos Quevedo. He has been one of the best pitchers for Tri-City so far and Saturday was no different. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six. I'm beginning to wonder when Chris Blazek's rehab will get moved up. He pitched two more scoreless innings and allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three. Michael Ness pitched one inning and only allowed one hit and struck out one. Enrique Hernandez went 2 for 5 with a double and two strikeouts. Kyle Burnett went 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk, and a strikeout. Daniel Adamson went 2 for 3 a stolen base. Adam Bailey went 1 for 4 with a homerun and two strikeouts.
Greeneville lost 6-2
Bristol White Sox seem to be the Greeneville Astros kryptonite. Euris Quezada got hit up for three earned runs in six innings of work on eight hits and a walk while striking out three. Pedro Feliz went 2 for 4 with a strikeout and a stolen base. Bubby Williams went 2 for 4 with a strikeout.
GCL Astros won 2-1
Jose Perdomo pitched five scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out three. Austin Lucas pitched two scoreless innings and allowed two hits, no walks, and struck out three. Ryan Ditthardt was the only notable hitter, he went 2 for 4 with a big homerun, the first of his pro career.
DSL Astros lost 8-1
I'm not gonna go into Jandel Gustave's one inning start with six runs. Rochi Gutierrez pitched three innings and didn't allow a run on one hit and no walks, he also struck out two. Ydarqui Marte went 1 for 1 with a homerun, his second of the year. Andru Sierra went 2 for 3 with two doubles.
Solid Performers of the Week
Matt Kata-He went 9 for 19 with one double and three homeruns
Jio Mier-8 for 25 is pretty solid and add that in with 3 doubles, good week
Jose Trinidad- 9 1/3 IP 3 H 3 R 1 ER 1 BB 8 SO His FIP is 3.49.
Angel Gonzalez-6 IP 0 H 0 R 2 BB 4 SO It was only one game, but it was special.
Jose Perdomo-9 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 9 SO: Solid week for the 18 yr. old.
Bubby Williams-5 for 13 2 HR
Carlos Quevedo-12 IP 9 H 4 R 3 ER 1 BB 12 SO Pretty solid week. He currently sports a solid FIP of 3.38
Jose Fernandez-5-15 with a triple and 2 SB: He's 17 in American pro ball
Patrick Urkfitz-10 1/3 IP 6 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 14 SO That brings his FIP to 3.41 which is really good for the CAL League.