Houston Astros Minor League Recap: 7/2/13

Two More All-Stars

With Delino DeShields, George Springer, and Carlos Correa set for the Futures Game, the Astros have two more players All-Star Game-bound, as Jarred Cosart and Jason Stoffel both were named Pacific Coast League All-Stars. Cosart was one of thirteen All-Stars selected by managers, media members, and online voting. Stoffel, on the other hand, was selected by the PCL office. The game will be broadcast live on MLB Network, the Armed Forces Network, and the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network (go figure) at 8:05 central time on July 17.

Appel Seeds

Did you know that, in fencing, it's called an appel when you stamp your foot on the ground to distract your opponent? The Astros are all set to distract their opponents, with Mark "Kevin" Appel set to make his professional debut this week. MLB.com has a nice article on the relative brevity of Appel's draft-day-to-first-start process, which leads me to the question: When have other recent highly-drafted pitchers taken the mound for their first professional starts?

All in all, not bad for someone who some thought would hold the Astros hostage for a few years before absconding with all of their money. Now let's hope the debut goes well.

Men of Troy

The Troy Record is giving away ValleyCats tickets - and they've already begun. If you find yourself in the Capital District with nothing to do, drop by and see if you can win. It's unlikely one of their six giveaways will be a Mark Appel start, but one never knows.

Speaking of Troy and Appel...

It seemed odd that Appel will join Jason Castro, Jordan Lyles, and George Springer as the only first round picks to ever play for the ValleyCats, according the this article. Then I realized they weren't including the franchise's history as the Little Falls Mets (NYM 1977-1988), Pittsfield Mets (1989-2000), and Pittsfield Astros (2001.) After all, I clearly remember Preston Wilson almost getting in a fight with someone in the Wahconah Park bleachers in 1993.

Opening The Floodgates

I'm not exactly sure why, but I never get tired of hearing about Modern Woodmen Park getting flooded.

Taking A Little Off

In Mike Hauschild's last start, he began to get back to the devastating changeup that helped him decimate Atlantic 10 lineups at the University of Dayton and get drafted in the 33rd round. He had lost confidence in it, but if this article for the QC Times can be believed, he may have found it again. Now, Hauschild was never dominant, even in the Atlantic 10. But this is still a pretty promising step for the young man. Once upon a time, Hauschild's alma mater, Beavercreek High School, was in the same conference as my own alma mater. I don't think that's the case anymore, but it's still good to see a local guy do well.

On Another Personal Note...

I've been dealing with some health and work issues lately, so I've been pretty scarce. Thank you to those of you who noticed and took the time to reach out to me. It was very much appreciated. The rest of the staff, as well as the commenters, really make this an incredible place to be a part of, and I appreciate every one of you. It's good to be back.

What Happened Was...

Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA) - Things got off to a rocky start for Asher Wojciechowski, who walked the first three batters he faced and gave up three runs in the top of the first inning to the Albuquerque Isotopes (LAD). But former Astros farmhand Rob Rasmussen got into trouble himself, as the Oklahoma City put up two runs on five hits - and Jonathan Villar's league-leading 28th stolen base - in the bottom of the frame to draw closer. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Brandon Laird doubled home Robbie Grossman to tie the game. George Springer later grounded out to score Villar, and the RedHawks moved ahead 4-3. With a man on third in the ninth inning, Josh Zeid struck out the final batter to earn his eighth save as the RedHawks won, 4-3.

Oklahoma City: 45-40, 3rd (3.5 GB) - Pacific Coast League American Southern

• LF Robbie Grossman - 1/2, R, 2 BB
• SS Jonathan Villar - 1/3, 2 R, BB, K, SB
• 3B Brandon Laird - 2/4, 2B, R, RBI, K, E
• CF George Springer - 1/4, 2 RBI
• 2B Marwin Gonzalez - 1/4
• 1B Jonathan Singleton - 1/4, RBI, 2 K, E
• DH Jose Martinez - 2/4, 2 K
• RHP Asher Wojciechowski - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 5 K
• LHP Eric Berger - 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RHP Jose Valdez - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, WP
• RHP Josh Zeid - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

• 2B Delino DeShields - 2/3, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
• SS Nolan Fontana - 2/3, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, E
• CF Andrew Aplin - 1/3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
• 1B MP Cokinos - 2/5, 2B, 3 RBI
• DH Joe Sclafani - 1/5, RBI, SB
• 3B Matt Duffy - 1/3, 2 R, BB, K
• RF Chris Epps - 1/2, 2 R, 2 BB, K
• RHP Tyson Perez - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
• RHP Cameron Lamb - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RHP Michael Dimock - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Quad Cities River Bandits (A) - The Clinton LumberKings (SEA) and the Quad Cities River Bandits are close. Really close. Modern Woodmen Park is about 40 miles away from Ashford University Field... or about the distance between Minute Maid Park and Conroe, Texas. As commuter leagues go, they're about as close as two teams can be. So it should be no surprise that Clinton and QC always seem to play each other tough, and this one was no exception, as they traded blows in the first inning. Clinton put up five more runs on Lance McCullers over the next three innings before the River Bandits offense flipped a switch, scoring six unanswered in the final six frames, culminating in a Jordan Scott walkoff groundout to the center fielder in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out. Quad Cities wins, 7-6.

If that sounds strange to you, apparently it was even stranger in person.