I've got some more game notes from Round Rock and I'm just going to give a brief run-down on them here instead of writing a very short post. Astros County was unable to join me at the game due to a migraine, but I've still got the goodies for you.
Bogey is a very athletic guy who can swipe a few bases and obviously has a strong arm since he used to be a pitcher. But, he continues to get regular starts at 1B, which I think under-utilizes his potential. Although, he does field quite well there. He did pick up three hits and really he was lucky to get three. Two of them were groundballs right between 3B and SS. He has some loft to his swing, but he is primarily a line-drive hitter. He is pretty advanced in his approach and I think he has figured it out for the most part. Therefore, I think what we're seeing from him is pretty much what we'll get. In other words, don't hold out for him improving much more and adding more power. He is a future reserve player, albeit a very solid one though. So, I will be fairly ticked if we spend money on a 4th/5th OF in the off-season so he can continue to get everyday at-bats.
As I said in my report yesterday, I've been impressed with Jack Shuck. He did nothing to lessen my thoughts on him last night. The guy plays hard. His hustle also probably means that he works hard which leads to a solid make-up. As we know, Bobby Heck values that kind of make-up and work ethic which is probably why he got drafted in the sixth round. It also means he will play above his talent level. I was able to get another look at his defense, but the sample size is still far too small and I would hesitate to call it anything over/under average. In all likelihood, he probably has average range being that he is very fast. But, you can tell from his stolen base numbers, he either has slow reactions or struggles with reads, since a guy with his speed (although not elite) should have more stolen bases than he has. But, that is correlating reading/reacting on the basepaths to fielding which isn't necesarily proper. That could be a problem being that the vastness in MMP, which is currently occupied by Michael Bourn and will be for a while, requires above average range. But, that is another topic for another day. There was one play that I feel he could have been more aggressive on and charged the ball to have possibly made a nice catch in front of him, but he decided to hold up and field the bounce. But of course, he has a much better view of it than I do. Plus, Bourn has spoiled us all. I'm sure with more time to learn the position with more experience, he could get better too. His arm probably doesn't play in RF either, so you can probably eliminate that idea. In left, he lacks the power of the typical LFer. He is primarily a slap hitter but he has a little more power than a typical slap hitter and will occasionally drive a ball. I would put it past him to hit a few home runs into the Crawford Boxes since he showed me that he could hit that far to opposite field Saturday night. But, if he continues to hit for such a high average as well as drawing walks at the rate he does, he could probably hold his own in left.
Last night, his ability to slap the ball into CF and draw walks put him on base four times out of five plate appearances, only to be forced out three time by Wladimir Sutil groundballs. Twice to the shortstop and once to the third baseman. But, on all three of those, Shuck's speed was able to get him close enough to second so that his slide could potentially break up a double play. Twice it worked as the Sutil was able to beat the throw by a hair. My personal opinion is that Sutil should not be batting so high in the lineup. Sure he has some wheels on him, but he hits lots of groundballs and isn't a great hitter which leads to plenty of double plays. Although, Sutil impressed me all night again with his range on defense.
Locke almost tied the game up in the 8th. With Bogey on 1st and no outs, Drew Locke litteraly blasted the ball to center field. We are talking the crack of the bat made people turn their head it was so loud. Unfortunately, it was to dead center and at 400 feet, it just didn't have enough behind it. Orem also mentioned yesterday that Greer Stadium suppresses offense some and that is why it wasn't a homerun. Locke definitely has some power behind him.
Sadly, that will be my last minor league game this season unless I somehow become rich and can travel a little over four hours to Greeneville, TN to catch a glimpse of Mike Foltynewicz, Vincent Velasquez, Evan Grills, Chris Wallace, Bubby Williams, Telvin Nash, and the newest Astro, Delino DeShields Jr.
Round Rock lost 4-2
- Yorman Bazardo (3.99)-5 2/3 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO-His line isn't impressive but he was a little unlucky. I still hold out hope that he could be a solid swing-man at the major league level.
- Jack Shuck (.294)-2-3, 2 BB
- Wladimir Sutil (.236)-0-5, 2 SO
- Brian Bogusevic (.297)-3-3, BB, SB
- German Duran (.234)-2-4, 2B
Corpus Christi won 11-5
- Dallas Keuchel (6.75)-6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO-Impressive performance for him. It lowered his ERA by approximately 3.00 points. The strikeouts were lacking but I expect them to increase as he adjusts. He was also unlucky with half his baserunners scoring.
- Jailen Peguero (0.52)-2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO-He's been outstanding out of the pen but he his beyond prospect age. Although, he needs to show what he can do for RR.
- Freddy Parejo (.342)-2-4, SO
- J.D. Martinez (.265)-2-2, 2 BB-Thats what I like to see out of JD. He's just showing off for Ed Wade who's in CC until Thursday.
- Jon Gaston (.265)-2-4, 2B, BB-He continues his dominance after the All-Star game.
- Kody Kirkland (.262)-2-2, 2B, 2 BB
- Michael Affronti (.290)-4-4, 2B, BB
Lancaster
- Robert Donovan (12.71)-5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR
- Jay Austin (.271)-2-5, 3B, SO
- Jonathan Villar (.538)-3-5, 2B, 2 SO
- Brandon Barnes (.268)-3-5, 2B, HR, SO
- Lee Cruz (.370)-4-5, 3B
- Brian Pellegrini (.296)-1-5, 2B
- Andrew Simunic (.339)-2-5
Lexington lost 8-5
- Luis Cruz (3.60)-4 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR
- Jimmy Paredes (.283)-2-5, 2B, SO
- Jake Goebbert (.272)-1-2, 2B
- Renzo Tello (.207)-1-2, 2B, SO
- Kody Hinze (.274)-3-4, 2B, HR, SO-Could he be back to his beginning season form?
- Aaron Bray (.265)-2-4, 2B
Tri-City won 5-3
- Alex Sogard (4.74)-3 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR
- Brandt Walker (3.78)-1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 SO
- Ben Orloff (.325)-3-4, 2B, 2 CS
- Kike Hernadez (.299)-2-4
- Tyler Burnett (.291)-2-4, HR-Tyler was drafted as a 3B but has played a lot at 1B. I don't know if this is an indicator of his defense lacking at 3B or just giving way to Kvasnicka. I wish I knew because I think he has a good bit of power potential.
- Michael Kvasnicka (.235)-2-4
Greeneville lost 5-3
- Travis Smink (3.00)-2 2/2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO-Why is a 23 year old reliever starting in a rookie level league?
- Gabriel Garcia (0.00)-2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO-Pretty solid debut. He was a starter for Greeneville last season.
- Rafael Valenzuela (.263)-1-4, HR, 3 SO
GCL Astros lost 6-1
- Danilo Del Rio (5.70)-4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
- Jose Monzon (.235)-1-3, 2B
DSL Astros lost 11-3
- Frederick Tiburcio (6.99)-5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
- Raymer Lopez (.241)-0-2, 2 BB, 2 SO
- Luis De La Rosa (.275)-2-4, 2B, SO