Astros Minor League Recap: 6/24/13

Call Him Batman

When the minor league rosters were released right before the season began in April, I looked at the Lancaster team and thought, "good-night, this team is going to score a ton of runs." And they have. However, I overlooked the pitching, dismissing some of the talented arms just because it's Lancaster. Boy, was that a mistake. One guy in particular who I'm very fond of is Aaron West, was drafted last year in the 17th round out of Washington.

If you look at three numbers on West's stat line, the ones you usually take your first glance at, he's not too appealing. Yes, Aaron West's ERA this season is 4.61. First, you have to remember this is Lancaster. Anything under 5.00 should be cause for celebration. Now, what if I told you Aaron West has more walks than home runs allowed; no big deal right? What if I told you he's only walked seven hitters all year? That's right; West has walked seven and only allowed four home runs, in one of the most hitter friendly leagues (and ballparks) in all of professional American baseball.

West is another Luhnow-type draft pick that we've grown accustomed to in later rounds. Great numbers in college, though his stuff doesn't really stand out. Sure, maybe West was supposed to pitch well in High A ball, and he has. But those walk and home run rates sure do have me excited for some success in the high minors. In fact, in 116 professional innings going back to last year, West has allowed seven home runs and 16 walks, good for an absurd 6.94 BB/9 ratio. He's also striking hitters out at a 8.6 K/9 clip. West is a guy who's been overlooked even on his own team as Brady Rogers and David Rollins have pitched well this year too. But West is a personally favorite of mine, and I'm really excited to see if he can continue this in Corpus soon. On to the recap!

Oklahoma City (AAA): Loss, 3-2

All Quiet on the Luhnow Front

Fresh off a pretty ugly series defeat in Chicago, the front office shook things up yesterday as Marwin Gonzalez, who's been struggling in the field and at the plate, was optioned and Wade LeBlanc, who pitched all of 3.2 innings with the Astros before his stint ended with a bad outing on Sunday, was DFA'd. After a few hours without word on the situation, Jake Elmore was announced as the replacement for Marwin. LeBlanc's replacement remains a mystery. Elmore concluded his second stint in OKC with a 2 hit game, bringing his average up to .300. Phillip Humber turned in a nice start with good control. Jonathan Singleton still hasn't gotten hot yet, though he's drawn 8 walks which is a good sign.

Jonathan Villar: 1-3, 2 K's

Jimmy Paredes: 1-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Jake Elmore: 2-4

Jonathan Singleton: 1-3, 1 K, 1 BB

Robbie Grossman: 0-3

Carlos Perez: 0-4

Phillip Humber: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's

Jose Valdez: 2 IP, I H

Corpus Christi (AA): Off Day

Lancaster (A+): Win, 6-3

'Hawks Keep On Rollin(s)

The Jethawks improved to 44-31 with a 6-3 win over Bakersfield. M.P. Cokinos and Carlos Perdomo provided the offenese in this one, while David Rollins continued to mow down Cal League hitters in four innings of work.

Delino Deshields: 0-4, 1 BB, 2 R

Carlos Perdomo: 3-5, 3 R, 1 RBI

Andrew Aplin: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K's

M.P. Cokinos: 2-3, 1 R, 4 RBI (43 RBI on the season)

Preston Tucker: 1-3, 1 BB, 2B

Telvin Nash: 0-4, 3 K's

Matt Duffy: 0-4, 3 K's

Tyson Perez: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K's (ERA up to 6.68)

David Rollins: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 7 K's, 1 HR allowed

Quad Cities (A): Off Day

Tri-City (Short Season A): Loss 4-0

Toney, Feliz Make Us Happy

The ‘Cats were proven human again as they were shutout 4-0. Not a lot happened on offense in this one, with D’Andre Toney providing the only extra base hit in the form of a double. Michael Feliz turned in his second straight solid outing, while Andrew Thurman turned in his second outing….ever.

Tony Kemp: 1-4

D'Andre Toney: 1-4, 2B

Conrad Gregor: 0-4

Jose Fernandez: 0-3, 1 K

Michael Feliz: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 K's

Andrew Thurman: 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER

Greeneville (Rookie League): Loss, 7-2

Rollin' on the Rivera

Greeneville fell to 1-4 on their young season. Darwin Rivera was the lone bright spot offensively, while Ariel Ovando is still trying to find a groove after being demoted from full season ball. This one looked like a spring training game from the pitchers, as five of them combined to pitch with mixed results.

Ariel Ovando: 0-2, 2 K's

Bobby Borchering: 2-4, 1 K

Darwin Rivera: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI

J.D. Osborne: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K's

Sebastian Kessay: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

GCL (Rookie League): Win, 5-4

It's Nottingham's Forest, We're Just Living In It

It was a good all-around performance for the GCL 'Stros. They showed up on offense to the tune of six hits and eight walks, including Jacob Nottingham's first professional RBI (still looking for that first hit). Jason Martin reached base twice in the leadoff spot, while the pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts.

Jason Martin: 1-4, 1 BB, 2 R

Brandon Wikoff: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 R

Tyler White: 2-3, 2B, 2 BB

Brett Booth: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI

Jacob Nottingham: 0-4, RBI, BB, 2 K's

Luis De La Rosa: 0-4, 2 K's

Brandon Culbreth: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's

Jose Montero: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL Astros (Rookie): Win, 3-2

The DSLers improved to 11-8 behind the bat of Hector Roa, who had three hits and raised his average to .250, and Jesus Bermejo hit a three-run homer.

Luis Payano: 0-5, 3 K's

Hector Roa: 3-5, 2B, 2 R

Jesus Bermejo: 1-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Geronimo Franzua: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K's