Astros Prospect Report: Vincent Velasquez excels in start

El Paso Chihuahuas (SDP) 2, Oklahoma City Redhawks 1

Jonathan Villar: 0-3, BB, 2 K

Joe Sclafani: 3 H, 1 R, 2 2B, SB

Ronny Torreyes: 1-4

Preston Tucker: 1-4, 2B, 2 K

Domingo Santana: 0-4, 3 K

Ruben Sosa: 1-3, K

Asher Wojciechowski: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Jason Stoffel: 1 IP, 2 K

Paul Clemens: 0 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB

Anthony Bass: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K

JASON LANE: 1-3, BB, K

This was a good night for pitching with the exception of the eighth inning, which went walk, walk, groundout, Sclafani error on another grounder, run scored. More to the point, it was Paul Clemens and his lack of control. In his August relief appearances (there are five of them), Clemens has a 15 ERA to go along with four hits and five walks versus three strikeouts. This is a minuscule sample size, as he has only faced eighteen batters over that span, but it is still worrisome.

I know, this has been beaten to death, but Joe Sclafani is just clamoring for a call-up. In the 28 games since the PCL All-Star Break he's slashed .379/.464/.484 and is 6-7 on steal attempts. Oh, yeah, he's reached base every single game dating back to July 18, which I think was a double-header, which would mean he's reached every day since July 9. Wow.

Corpus Christi: Mark Appel Day pushed off due to wet grounds

Lancaster Jethawks 6, High Desert Mavericks (SEA) 2

Brett Phillips: 1-2, R, 2B, BB, SB, CS (3-6 so far in Lancaster)

Chan Moon: 1-3, BB, K

Rio Ruiz: 0-3, R, BB

Tyler White: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

Jon Kemmer: 1-4, HR

Roberto Pena: 1-3, R, BB

Danry Vasquez: 2-4. R, 2B

Austin Elkins: 1-3, RBI, BB

Tanner Mathis: 0-4, RBI, 2 K, CS

Vincent Velasquez: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Zach Morton: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, K

Andrew Walter: 0.2 IP, 1 H, K

Anytime your whole lineup gets on base, you've usually had a good night. The team was actually only 1-9 with RISP but still produced runs through home runs and sheer volume of baserunners. Vincent Velasquez was perfect in every inning except the fourth, and although he was quoted by Eric L. Smith as only being 75%, coupled with an 18 MPH wind out to center, he still turned in a superb performance.

Chan Moon has cooled off considerably this month, slashing only .239/.320/.328. with 3 extra-base hits after hitting .311 and collecting 11 extra-base hits from the time of his promotion in June through the end of July. He's an org guy if he doesn't get going soon due to his advanced age (he'll be 24 by the start of next season).

Quad Cities River Bandits 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 2

Bobby Boyd: 2-4, EBI, BB, K

Jose Fernandez: 2-5, 2 RBI, 3 K

Marc Wik: 1-3, BB, K, SB

Chase McDonald: 0-5, 3 K

J.D. Davis: 0-5, 2 K

Ryan Bottger: 2-4, 2 R, BB, K, SB

Brian Holberton: 1-4, K

Dayne Parker: 1-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K

James Ramsay: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, RBI, SB, 2 outfield assists

Chris Lee: 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, K

Troy Scribner: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Troy Scribner is so much fun. 26/4 K/BB ratio so far in his first few games for Quad Cities. He has no pedigree at all (UDFA), he turned 23 in July, and yet he gets fantastic results with otherworldly peripherals. In his 13 appearances for Tri-City and Quad Cities this year, only twice has he not struck out at least five batters. That's good enough for an 11.32 K/9.

Great game by James Ramsay, notching two outfield assists, matching Brett Phillips for the most in a game this season. I've been told Ramsay has a below-average hit tool, which is a shame considering his above-average arm, top-notch center-field defense, and blazing speed on the basepaths (he has 33 stolen bases on the year). If he can make the necessary adjustments (not an easy task), he has a chance at being a special player.

Vermont Lake Monsters (OAK) 3, Tri-City ValleyCats 1

Mott Hyde: 2-5

Jason Martin: 1-4, BB

Derek Fisher: 1-5, K, SB

Nick Tanielu: 0-3, R, BB

Jamie Ritchie: 0-3, BB

Terell Joyce: 1-3, 2B, 2 K

Ariel Ovando: 2-4, RBI

Robert Kahana: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 K

Chris Munnelly: 2.1 IP, K

Angel Heredia: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, BB, K

This one had to hurt. 2-13 with runners in scoring postition. With two singles to lead off the ninth, Hyde grounded out, Martin grounded out, and Fisher struck out to end the game. Fisher also flied out with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth. It seemed that whenever Tri-City was about to start a rally, it abruptly ended. That's just baseball, I guess.

I'd never heard of Robert Kahana before this, probably for good reason (32nd round pick). But he's had a decent year, with a 6.39 K/9 and a 2.55 BB/9 through Greeneville and Tri-City. He also had a 7/1 GO/AO in this game, and seems to be a good ground ball pitcher. He's young for a college pick (turned 21 in May), so he has that working in his favor. Also, his full name is Robert VK Kahana. I don't know what that VK stands for, but hopefully it's Velocity & K's. You never know...

Greeneville Astros: Off day

GCL Yankees1 6, GCL Astros 1

Jean Estrella: 1-3, R, BB, SB, CS

Randy Cesar: 2-4, RBI, K

Jorge Martinez: 1-4, 2B, K

Nestor Tejada: 1-2, 2B

Joan Mauricio: 0-3, BB, 3 K

Joselo Pinales: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K

Cristhopher Santamaria: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 K

Kyle Gehrs: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (0 ER), BB

DSL Astros Orange 6, DSL Rangers2 5 (8 innings)

Wilson Amador: 0-2, R, BB, K

Juan Fuentes: 2-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI

Reiny Beltre: 1-3, 2B, RBI

Edgar Lorenzo: 0-3, R, BB, K, SB

Ihan Bernal: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB

Carlos Pizzolato: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K

DSL Dodgers 5, DSL Astros Blue 3

Wander Franco: 0-2, R, 2 BB

Cristopher Luciano: 0-3, BB, K

Bryan De La Cruz: 1-2, R, 2 BB

Rodrigo Ayarza: 1-4, RBI, K

Oscar Campos: 0-4, R, RBI

Salvador Montano: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 9 K

Luis Ramirez: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K

Just thought I should mention-DSL Astros Blue turned a 6-4-3 Triple Play.