Astros Prospect Report: June 17th, 2016

Musgrove Gives Up Pair of Home Runs in 10-4 Loss

It's rare to see Joe Musgrove struggle. And outside of two innings, he didn't. He gave up a two-run shot in the third inning and the runner on for that one was there because of a rare walk. Then, in the fifth he gave up four straight hits to allow four runs. Single. Single. Two-run single. Two-run home run. Then he followed up with groundout, ground, flyout.

Hooks Score 7 in 7th for 10-3 Win

Corpus Christi Top of the 7th

• Pitching Change: Ryne Slack replaces Luis Ortiz.
• James Ramsay hit by pitch.
• Alfredo Gonzalez doubles (5) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Joe Jackson. James Ramsay to 3rd.
• Chan Jong Moon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Preston Beck. James Ramsay scores. Alfredo Gonzalez to 3rd.
• Alejandro Garcia hit by pitch. Chan Jong Moon to 2nd.
• Danry Vasquez grounds into a force out, first baseman Ronald Guzman to catcher Kellin Deglan. Alfredo Gonzalez out at home. Chan Jong Moon to 3rd. Alejandro Garcia to 2nd. Danry Vasquez to 1st.
• Nick Tanielu singles on a fly ball to right fielder Preston Beck. Chan Jong Moon scores. Alejandro Garcia out at home on the throw, right fielder Preston Beck to catcher Kellin Deglan. Danry Vasquez to 2nd.
• Teoscar Hernandez walks. Danry Vasquez to 3rd. Nick Tanielu to 2nd.
• Conrad Gregor walks. Danry Vasquez scores. Nick Tanielu to 3rd. Teoscar Hernandez to 2nd.
• Pitching Change: Jason Richman replaces Ryne Slack.
• Mott Hyde hits a grand slam (2) to left center field. Nick Tanielu scores. Teoscar Hernandez scores. Conrad Gregor scores.
• James Ramsay flies out to left fielder Joe Jackson.

Seems like a pretty fun inning. Especially when the big grand slam comes from the teams back-up short stop with eight career homers in over 800 plate appearances.

Bower Continues Struggles in Lancaster in 12-5 Loss

Matt Bower was really pitching well in Quad Cities as he had a 33% strikeout rate and a 7% walk rate. Plus, he hadn't given up a home run. That earned him a promotion seven games ago, but the struggle has been real. Last night's game was one of his worsts. He allowed three home runs, including one grand slam. His strikeouts per nine still look good since it's over 10 SO/9 but his efficiency with them has dropped to 22%. Plus, the walk rate has gone up to 9%. The California League is obviously a very tough environment for pitchers to adjust to and he hasn't done that yet. The peripherals are far from his norms and you expect for them to drop with promotions, but these are far away what his norms are so it's not representative of his talent level.

Cedar Rapids Outlast Quad Cities in 14 Inning 2-1 Game

That's a tough loss. Play fourteen innings to lose. Plus, the "winning" pitcher's name sounds like a bad fan fest promotion, TheoFANopolous (upper case added for effect). But, Franklin Perez was dominant for five innings. He allowed just five hits and issued no walks. He struck out six to continue his strong strikeout rate. Offensively, Osvaldo Duarte is starting to really develop. In his last ten games he's hit two home runs and is batting .326. The strikeout and walk rate are not where you'd like them from the 20-year old. But, he's showing some good signs.

Wrenn Homers in First Pro AB to Lead TC in 13-1 Opening Night Win

Stephen Wrenn was just one of many players that represented a theme in this year's draft. Guys who underperformed in their draft year or haven't performed as well as their tools/skills would suggest but are trending that way. Wrenn made an initial statement to validate that. He broke three bones in his face this year and as a result had numbers that were worse than his sophomore year but was starting to show signs of his old talent level. Obviously one at bat doesn't confirm it all, but it's a good sign.

DSL Astros Blue Wins 5-4

DSL Astros Orange Loses 3-2