Pimentel, 23, signed as an undrafted free agent on June 28 out of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, an NAIA school. He made 14 relief appearances with the GCL Astros last year, going 1-2 with 3 saves and a 4.66 ERA. The suspension starts at the beginning of the GCL season, which means his 2018 season is pretty much done... if he's not released between now and next June.
I've wondered about that myself. I also finally did find the answer as to whether suspended minor leaguers can participate in the MLB playoffs. They can't. Section 7.H.2 of the Joint Drug Agreement states:
I like the trade. I was never too high on Laureano to begin with. Bailey appears to have some upside and has put up stellar numbers so far.
Well, I like Brandon Bailey already. He also had a series of blog posts this past season on a site focusing on A's minor leaguers:
https://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/11/27/16707660/houston-astros-top-20-prospects-for-2018 1) Forrest Whitley, RHP, Grade A/A- 2) Kyle Tucker, OF, Grade A-/A ------ 3) J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Grade B+ 4) Yordan Alvarez, OF-1B, Grade B+ ------ 5) Colin Moran, 3B-1B-OF, Grade B 6) David Paulino, RHP, Grade B 7) Cionel Perez, LHP, Grade B: 8) Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Grade B 9) J.D. Davis, 3B, Grade B ------ 10) Hector Perez, RHP, Grade B- 11) Gilberto Celestino, OF, Grade B- 12) Corbin Martin, RHP, Grade B- 13) Jason Martin, OF, Grade B- ------ 14) Brett Adcock, LHP, Grade C+/B- 15) Garrett Stubbs, C, Grade C+/B- 16) Cristian Javier, RHP, Grade C+/B- ------ 17) Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B, Grade C+ 18) Framber Valdez, LHP, Grade C+ 19) Joe Perez, 3B-RHP, Grade C+ 20) Brandon Bailey, RHP, Grade C+
Interesting grade for Armenteros. He's certainly earned some attention, but doubt many would throw a B grade. While Whitley is obviously the sexy name for the rotation, Armenteros could be a big part moving forward as well.
Grades are generally funny things. Armenteros's ceiling (#3 starter) is lower than Whitley's (#1 starter). Armenteros's floor (MLB bullpen) may be higher than Whitley's (MLB bust).
I typically give the guys with stuff a better chance to fail as a starter, but make it as a reliever than the guy that is expected to get value based on durability, deception, control, and pitch mix.
I'm a little surprised by basically everyone in Grade B. On Moran, Paulino, and Davis, I wasn't sure of their prospect status. Two, usually these type of guys are rated lower (for good or bad) than high upside, but risky guys in lower levels. On Armenteros, durable back of rotation prospects usually get little love especially now that more teams are using back of the rotation starters two times through the order and then done. Cionel Perez..don't know much about him. Hasn't been exceptional for age and level, but Astros seem to like him though.
In fairness, his ERA was inflated by 2 terrible starts to begin his career, but he was pretty good after that.
I'm not much of an ERA man for prospects. For a guy that seems as well liked as he is, I expect to see strikeouts even if he is working on things. I usually expect a prospect of that level to have something going that works in A+ and AA for Ks even if other things are causing control problems (e.g, elevated BBs, ERA).
Bailey is the big trade acquisition for this offseason. Astros had to give up Laureano from the minors or let him go to the Rule 5 draft.
I’d have Armenteros, Adcock, and Javier lower. Cionel Perez is a lefty with good velocity and stuff; those guys will get love. If he were 3 inches taller he’d be a Top 100 guy.
