Marcos Almonte hit a 3-run homer in his season debut with Quad Cities last night. He just hit a 2-run homer to extend Quad Cities' lead to 6-1 in the 6th. Almonte was signed out of the Dominican in 2014 for just $35K. He's someone who can play multiple positions, much like Osvaldo Duarte, who's currently with Buies Creek.
He will be in AA by July 1st at this rate. If he destroys AA later this year like he is doing to High A now, he will easily be one of the top 50 prospects in the game.
A few highlights from tonight's action: - Stephen Wrenn hit his 3rd homer of the season for Quad Cities. - Jake Rogers hit his 2nd homer and has extended his hitting streak to 8 games. - Everyone in Buies Creek's lineup recorded a hit in their 14-1 win against Carolina. - Osvaldo Duarte, who started the season 2-34 at the plate, is currently on a 4-game hitting streak that has raised his average from .059 to .216. - Kyle Tucker went 2-4 with a double, 2 RBI, and stole his 4th base of the season. - In 14.1 innings, Franklin Perez has allowed 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 14.
Martes, Tucker, F. Perez, Fisher, Whitley, Hoyt are all looking great. Future is bright. Glad we held off on the Quintana deal. These guys are only building bigger trade value. Keuchel and McCullers are the 1-2 punch. Morton and Musgrove both have two quality starts out of the three they've each made and McHugh can come back and do the same.
If Astros can sign sign Luis Roberto & then draft a stud at 15 in the 2017 MLB draft, we have something cooking for the next wave of players to come to Houston.
I don't think it was about character, Luhnow probably taught he had a drug problem at a time, and was a risk of getting suspended in the majors. Apparently, he has been caught or the Cubs turn a blind eye on it.
I'm higher on Perez. Watch this mix of stuff and polish for a 19 year old. http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=1306774283&topic_id=&sid=milb&tcid=vpp_copy_1306774283&v=3 He's only been pitching for three years.
Source on that being the main reason why Luhnow didn't draft Bryant? I can't find anything through a quick Google search.