/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16250475/163099639.0.jpg)
By all accounts, the Houston Astros are the worst team in baseball – they're on pace to finish with the worst record for the third consecutive year (Rodon!!!). Despite that, Astros fans are in relatively good spirits. Sure, the Major League team is playing like the Cleveland Indians from the first 45 minutes of Major League II, but a brighter future has been promised.
Since Jeff Luhnow took over the job of GM, he's drastically improved the Astros farm system – this is well-documented. However; up until this point, these "future faces of the franchise" have been nothing more than mythical creatures, of which we occasionally catch a glimpse of on a grainy internet feed, or read tweets about. That changed Wednesday, when Jarred Cosart got the call.
Sure, prospects have been promoted under Luhnow, and prior, but those were under different circumstances. Not only has Jarred Cosart been a well-regarded prospect since his days with the Phillies, but his promotion finally feels like the beginning of something. The "something" we've all been waiting for, as Astros fans.
Cosart was acquired in the Hunter Pence trade, which represents the bomb that sent the Astros into full-blown re-build mode. At the time, the farm system was one of, if not, the worst in baseball. Now it's one of the best, and littered with big-name, high-ceiling prospects.
Although not as highly-regarded as he once was, Cosart is still the most-anticipated Astros debut in a long time. Jordan Lyles was fun, but Cosart is funner (LOLPhillies). And it's mostly because this is first domino to fall, kicking off a new, exciting, successful era of Astros Baseball. Just think – Springer, Singleton and Appel aren't far behind.
--
Cosart might not have the upside everyone thought he did when he was in Philadelphia, but I'm irrationally excited about his debut. I love everything about him, from his weird delivery and his electric, yet un-controllable stuff, to his emotional Twitter feed. He has a little Ricky Vaughn in him. I could totally see an "I want Parkman" moment in his future.
As far as Major League comparison is concerned, I had a hard time thinking of one. Cosart has a unique skillset. The best I could think of was Darren Dreifort. Feel free to enligten me, because I love comparisons.
Oklahoma City (50-42)
- Robbie Grossman - 1-5 HR, K
- Brandon Laird - 1-3, HR, 2 BB, K
- George Springer - 1-3, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
- Marwin Gonzalez - 2-5, 2B, K
- Justin Maxwell - 0-3, BB, K
- Jon Singleton - 0-4, K
- Carlos Perez - 0-4
- Ruben Sosa - 2-3, BB, K, SB, CS
- Brad Peacock - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 3/6 GO/AO
Corpus Christi (52-37)
- Erik Castro - 2-5, HR, 2 BB, K
- Preston Tucker - 1-7, BB, K
- Max Stassi - 2-4, HR, 2 BB
- Domingo Santana - 3-8, 2B, K
- Jio Mier - 1-6, 2B, 2 K
- Ross Seaton - 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 7/1 GO/AO
- Kenny Long - 1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Chia-Jen Lo - 0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Carlos Quevedo - 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1/3 GO/AO
Lancaster (54-37)
- Delino DeShields Jr. - 2-5, 2B, 2 K, 2 SB
- Nolan Fontana - 0-4, BB, K, E
- Andrew Aplin - 0-4, BB, 2 K
- MP Cokinos - 0-4, BB
- Telvin Nash - 0-2
- Brandon Meredith - 3-5, 2B, HR, K
- Tyler Heinemen - 2-4, HR, K
- Joe Sclafani - 2-4, HR
- Luis Cruz - 1.1 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4/1 GO/AO
- Blair Walters - 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 4/3 GO/AO
- Michael Dimock - 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/AO
Quad Cities (50-37)
- Austin Elkins - 2-4, 2 K, SB, CS
- Jordan Scott - 2-4
- Carlos Correa - 0-1, 3 BB
- Rio Ruiz - 1-4, HR, K
- Bobby Borchering - 1-3, HR, BB, 2 K
- Jobduan Morales - 0-2, 2 BB, K
- Lance McCullers Jr. - 4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 3/2 GO/AO
Tri-City (14-9) - RAINED OUT
Greenville (10-10)
- Brett Phillips - 0-4
- Tanner Mathis - 3-3, BB
- Chase McDonald - 0-4, 4 K
- Ariel Ovando - 1-4, 3 K
- Wallace Gonzalez - 1-3, 2B, BB, K
- Ricky Gingras - 2-3, HR, BB
- Juan Santana - 0-4, 2 K
- Jandel Gustave - 2.2 IP, (5 R) 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 4/0 GO/AO
GCL Astros (9-6)
- Jason Martin - 1-4, BB, K, SB
- Luis Reynoso - 1-4, BB, 3 K
- Jean Batista - 3-5, 2 3B
- Jacob Nottingham - 1-3 BB
- Jose Soiano - 2-4, HR, K, SB
- Francis Ramirez - 2.2, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1/1 GO/AO
- Troy Scribner - 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 4/4 GO/AO