Minor League Recap, Games of 4/26

Yesterday was actually quite an interesting an unique day in the Astros organization; every team lost...except the major league club. I doubt that has happened very often so far this year. Offense had a down night, but there were some notable lines from some of the pitching prospects in the system.

One guy that deserves a detailed mention in this recap is Josh Hader. He's a guy that seems to be benefiting greatly from the tandem pitching philosophy. Hader tossed three perfect innings last night for Lancaster, striking out six. The lefty now has 35 strikeouts against 5 walks in 23.2 innings. Hader's age is also worth pointing out; he just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, and he's dominating so far in a league where the median age is 23 (via Baseball America). After having questions about his control and overall upside coming into this season, Hader has pitched like he deserves to be a top 10 prospect in a crowded Astros system so far this season.

Another player who's playing well despite a considerable age difference in leagues in Domingo Santana. The outfielder has been heating up at the plate after a slow start. He's only 21 playing in Triple-A, and his offensive production has been solid recently. He's still striking out at a high rate, but it's encouraging to see a guy adapt rather quickly to another level of the minors.

Triple-A: Nashville Sounds (MIL) 6, Oklahoma City Redhawks 3

The Redhawks fell to an unpromising but experienced Nashville team on Saturday night. The Brewers affiliate doesn't have any big prospect names but a lot of MLB journeyman types on the squad. Brad Mills (no, not that one or his son) started for the Sounds. OKC scattered 12 hits but could only push across three runs; Domingo Santana continued to heat up at the plate, contributing three hits including a homer. Ross Seaton, who apparently was promoted to AAA (he's been up and down a few times in his career) started and was roughed up for three homers. Nick Tropeano finishing the game with a strong outing.

Robbie Grossman- 1-5, K
Gregorio Petit: 2-4, 2B
Jon Singleton: 2-4
Max Stassi: 1-3, RBI, K
Domingo Santana: 3-4, HR(2), K, .341/.357/.537 last ten games (AVG, OBP, SLG)

Ross Seaton: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 K, 3 HR allowed, 6:1 GO/FO
Rhiner Cruz: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K
Nick Tropeano: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 6:4 GO/FO

Double-A: Frisco Roughriders (TEX) 3, Corpus Christi Hooks 2

Brady Rogers turned in another strong start, but the Hooks offense couldn't put anything together against Rangers prospect Luke Jackson in a close game. Rogers went 5.2 innings, but the offense struck out 9 times opposed to a single walk.

Nolan Fontana: 1-4, 2 K
Andrew Aplin: 1-4
Preston Tucker: 0-4, K
Leo Heras: 2-3, 2B, BB
Jio Mier: 0-3, K

Brady Rogers: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K, HR allowed, 8:2 GO/FO
Alex Sogard: 2.1 IP, H, 2 K
Travis Ballew: 1.0 IP

High-A: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAD) 3, Lancaster Jethawks 0

So let me get this straight; the Jethawks don't get shutout facing Clayton Kershaw on Friday night, but score zero runs the next night? With Carlos Correa sitting out a second straight night, the Jethawks offense didn't do much. Carlos Perdomo, who hit the home run off of Kershaw last night, contributed three more hits and is hitting a cool .410 in 39 at-bats. A familiar (or unfamiliar) name showed up in the Lancaster box score; Bobby Borchering made his season debut as the designated hitter and added a double to the Jethawks seven hits. As mentioned above, Josh Hader pitched the back end of the tandem and tossed three perfect innings against the Quakes.

Tony Kemp: 0-4
Teoscar Hernandez: 0-3, BB, 2 K
Rio Ruiz: 1-4, K
Brandon Meredith: 1-4, K
Bobby Borchering: 1-4, 2B
Carlos Perdomo: 3-4
Danry Vasquez: 1-4, 2B

Chris Devenski: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, BB, 4 K, 4:6 GO/FO
Josh Hader: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 2:1 GO/FO

A few more miscellaneous items to add on the Jethawks: Carlos Perdomo got some recognition on the Dodgers broadcast last night. Here's Vin Scully talking about him while discussing Keshaw's rehab start. Also, there's a nice video of Rio Ruiz taking grounders and batting practice from Big League Futures.

A-ball: Peoria Chiefs (STL) 3, Quad Cities River Bandits 2

Again, not a lot of offense for QC in this one; no multi-hit games, though Brett Phillips did add a triple. Michael Feliz started for QC and got roughed up a little bit, but the bullpen continued a strong stretch led by noted TCB favorite Pat Christensen, who contributed a scoreless inning of work.

Brett Phillips: 1-4, 3B (3), BB
Chan Moon: 1-5, BB
Conrad Gregor: 0-3, 2 BB
Brian Holberton: 1-4
Chase McDonald: 1-3, BB
James Ramsay: 0-4, K

Michael Feliz: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 0:3 GO/FO
Zach Morton: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, BB, K
Pat Christensen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0R, 1 K

Today's probable starters:
Oklahoma City (Doran) vs. Nashville, 2:05 CT
Corpus Christi (West) vs. Frisco, 1:10 CT
Lancaster (TBD) vs. Rancho Cucamonga, 4:05 CT
Quad Cities (Sanudo) vs. Peoria, 2:00 CT

Lancaster's probable on the MILB.com site is Mark Appel...but I'm thinking that's not going to happen.