Four Astros Prospects Cut From Major League Spring Training Camp

Jose de Jesus Ortiz with the call:

Ross Seaton, Brett Oberholtzer, Jose Cisneros and Jarred Cosart were optioned to minor-league camp.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 13, 2013

Ross Seaton and Jose Cisnero only had 2.2 innings pitched for the major league club so it's not surprising they were sent down as they are expected to start for the Astros high level minor league clubs and need to start getting starter innings to prepare for either AA or AAA.

Both Jarred Cosart and Brett Oberholtzer pitched Sunday with Brooks and I in attendance for Sunday's game. Cosart was hitting mid-to-high 90s with his fastball but was failing to command his pitches. He hit two batters the second with the second one almost clearing the Astros and Phillies benches. Cooler heads prevailed, though, and the game continued with out incident. He did strike out Ryan Howard again, for whatever that's worth.

Oberholtzer on the other hand had a fantastic outing. In one inning of work he struck out Cesar Hernandez and Josh Fields on called strikes, gave up a single to Yuniesky Betancourt and then got Ender Inciarte to ground out for the third out. Brooks in particular was impressed with Oberholtzer's outing.

As Brooks and I discussed in Friday's podcast, Ross Seaton and Jose Cisnero were not unexpected cuts. I thought Cosart and Oberholtzer would have gotten more time but it's not exactly surprising. There are several more seasoned pitchers ahead of both them.

Camp roster is now at 49 players.

Official Press Release:

ASTROS MAKE SECOND ROSTER CUTS

Four Pitchers Optioned To Minor League Camp

HOUSTON, TX — Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced the following roster moves this morning: RHP Jose Cisnero, RHP Jarred Cosart, LHP Brett Oberholtzer and RHP Ross Seaton were optioned to minor league camp. Today’s moves were the Astros second wave of roster cuts. Seven players were sent to minor league camp on Sunday.

Minor league Spring Training games begin on Thursday, March 14. With today’s moves, the Astros now have

49 players remaining in Major League camp.

-ASTROS-