Gregor, Tucker Building Steam
There are certain types of players that Jeff Luhnow tends to chase, and one such player is the college hitter with less than stellar tools but a knack for hitting and a stellar approach. His proclivity towards this type of player has been on display during the last two drafts, which have produced Florida Gator Preston Tucker and former Vanderbilt star Conrad Gregor in the 7th and 4th rounds, respectively. Tucker has reached AA already while Gregor is still wetting his feet in the NYPL, but as of late both have shown signs of catching fire. Gregor has strung together five consecutive multi hit games, including a trio of three hit performances, with four of his knocks going for extra bases. Tucker, on the other hand, has smacked four home runs in his last ten games- including one last night- and has continued to walk in around 10% of his plate appearances. Tucker now has 24 home runs on the year to go along with a slash line of .301/.371/.524. The newly-23 year old lefty hitter is starting to get his bearings at AA and could make his major league debut in 2014 or perhaps even this September.
Gustave Settles Down, G-Stros Pitchers Rack Up 15 K's
Jandel Gustave is one of the more enigmatic prospects in the Astros' system. Some nights his high-90s heat makes him untouchable and on others he's a catcher's worst nightmare, chucking 99 MPH fastballs with shotgun accuracy. On Saturday night, Gustave had it going, and fanned five Kingsport Mets while walking none and allowing just one run over four frames. He was followed by UDFAs Kevin Ferguson and Ryan Connolly, who combined to throw three 1-run innings and strike out six before Gonzalo Sanudo, who was acquired in the Mike Kvasnicka trade, came on for a two-inning save in which he recorded all six outs via the K. Greeneville's pitching staff has been dominant this season and one of the more pleasant surprises in the farm this season.
Scribner Dominant in Tri-City Debut
Troy Scribner, a free agent signing out of Sacred Heart College in Connecticut, has been one of the more remarkable stories of the young season so far. A 22 year old right hander with a relatively slight build, Scribner posted a Nintendo-esque 42/3 K/BB ration in the GCL before making a quick jaunt to Greeneville that spanned just two appearance. After his detour in the Appy League Scribner was sent to the more age-appropriate NYPL where he got the call for a three inning appearance on Saturday. He rose to the occasion, allowing just one hit and walking none while striking out five. Scribner is a just a name to follow at this point, but it's hard to make an impression much stronger than the one he has to this point in his career.
High Desert Has No Answer for Smith in 2-hit Shutout
Getting Kyle Smith for Justin Maxwell might end up being a signature move for Jeff Luhnow down the line, and on Saturday we got to see the kind of dominance that Smith can display on his best days. He's short, he doesn't throw especially hard and he's a right hander, but when Smith is snapping off his curveball he's incredibly difficult to square up. Against High Desert last night, he was absolutely untouchable for nine innings, in which he allowed just two hits, walked none and struck out nine Mavericks. Smith is on track to become a #3 starter if his stuff continues to develop and is one of the 15 best prospects in the system.
Notable Lines
GCL Astros (Rk.)
Jason Martin- 1 for 3, 2B, BB
Javaris Reynolds- 0 for 3, 2 K
Yonathan Mejia- 1 for 4, 2B
Jean Batista- 1 for 4, 2 K
Joe Musgrove- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 K
Greeneville Astros (Rk.)
Brian Holberton- 0 for 1
Chase McDonald- 0 for 3, BB
Ariel Ovando- 1 for 3, 2B, BB
Jandel Gustave- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Kevin Ferguson- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Gonzalo Sanudo- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Tri-City ValleyCats (SS)
D'Andre Toney- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 K, SB
James Ramsay- 1 for 4, HR, 2 K
Tyler White- 0 for 4
Conrad Gregor- 3 for 3, BB
Randall Fant- 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 2 K
Troy Scribner- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 5 K
Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
Tony Kemp- 0 for 3, K
Teoscar Hernandez- 0 for 4, K
Carlos Correa- 0 for 4, K
Danry Vasquez- 1 for 4
Rio Ruiz- 0 for 3
Lancaster JetHawks (A+)
Delino DeShields- 0 for 4, K
Nolan Fontana- 1 for 3, 2 BB
Andrew Aplin- 0 for 4, BB, K, SB
Tyler Heineman- 1 for 3, 2B, K
Kyle Smith- 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
Ronald Torreyes- 0 for 4
Preston Tucker- 1 for 2, HR, 2 BB, K
Max Stassi- 0 for 4, K
Domingo Santana- 1 for 3, BB
David Rollins- 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HRA
Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA)
Jimmy Paredes- 0 for 4, 2 K
George Springer- 1 for 3, HR, BB, K
Jonathan Singleton- 0 for 3, 2 K
Rene Garcia- 1 for 3, K
Jake Buchanan- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HRA
Jason Stoffel- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K