2019 Astros Minor League Thread

I'll guess Matijevic, Pena (if healthy), Arauz, Ivey, Javier, and Bailey.

 

I’m beginning to think Donato is a very underrated prospect and has a high chance to get Rule 5’ed if he isn’t protected.

A huge chunk of the AA pitching staff are legit Rule 5 risks:

Javier is a lock to be protected.
Paredes has struck out 12 per 9 with 3.36 xfip in AA.
Scrubb has struck out 10 per 9.
Donato has been pretty dominant (3.5 xfip).
Pinales has been hurt but over 69.1 AA innings he’s striking out 13 per 9.
Bailey is a spin darling (although his numbers are underwhelming).
Hernandez has also been hurt but also has struck out 12 per 9.
Even Yohan Ramirez and Carlos Sanabria have elite k rates, although the walk rates makes them less likely to be picked.

Houston may not have the elite prospects of a Top farm system, but their pitching depth is still very, very good.

 

I guess I'm not that high on Donato. He tore up A ball competition, but that's what you expect from a 23 year old collegian with a good curve. He's been okay this year, but hardly anything special, and I don't think he's got as good of stuff as Ramirez, Bailey, Paredes, etc.

I agree with your point that there's a lot of interesting arms in the system, especially in Fayetteville and Corpus. Right now, most of them look like back end starters/ middle relievers, but a step or 2 forward and they could really take off.

 

WHIP is just under .8 in his last 3 outings. It may not be all the way back, but there's definite signs of the Forrest we've been hoping for. I think they're building him him towards a 9/1 call up. He threw 69 pitches on Sunday. Next outing should hopefully be closer to 80 or 90.

 

They’re not calling him up this year.

 

Maybe, but I think part of the problem he had was that between injuries and suspensions he wasn't spending enough time at each level.

 

Yeah, a Whitley call up went out the window when they were able to add 3 pitchers at the deadline.

 

They rushed him, Luhnow admitted it.

 

They sure aren’t rushing Tucker. Let’s give him a bit of an audition. Why is Stubbs here by the way?

 

Chirinos had a bum shoulder that kept him out for a few days but didn't merit an IL stint.

Tucker will get his shot in September I assume, there's really no place for him on the current roster and he's not exactly beating down the door for a callup.

 

Tucker has a little too much Phil Nevin in him.... a little humility would go a long way.

 

And he does it again. Another 2-run homer to make it #30 on the year. Looks like the gloves are working.

 

I’ve been skeptical of Kyle Tucker’s ability to translate his talents on the big stage. But this guy is going to be a 30/30 Player and drive in 100 after the slow start he had in April. I really really hope he proves me wrong.

 

Alex De Goti just hit for the cycle for the Round Rock Express. Needed a double to complete it and just got it.

 

So... Here is Jose Urquidy's line from tonight's Round Rock game.

4.2 innings, 14 hits, 11er, 3hr

And Round Rock still won. The final score was 20-12

 

I mean, **** like that happens in El Paso and ABQ. Those places are launching pads.

 

Tucker has dramatically dropped his strikeout percentage lately. He's almost at the 25% K/AB which is pretty dang impressive given he's struck out at a career high clip. Twice in his last 24 ABs. Wonder if something changed in his approach. Coincidentally his batting average is trending up as well over the same time period.

 

So Tucker is going to have a slow start to his career, but will be able to be a middle of the order hitter 2-3 years from now.