Doesn't matter yet, but Alvarez was voted the "most athletic" player in the Stros minors last offseason. Yes, it shocked me too.
Myles Straw is currently 3-3 and has scored a couple of runs for Corpus Christi. Taylor Jones, who looked... pretty bad in 105 games (.222/.314/.321, 7 HR, 45 RBI) between both A-ball teams last season, is 2-2 with both of his hits being run-scoring doubles. The first one drove in two in the 1st and the other drove in one in the 2nd. He now has three straight multi-hit games after 2-18 in the five games prior to this streak.
one straight up, one oppo, one slightly to the left of shortstop two classified as grounders, the opposite-field one was a soft flare
Went over the head of the RF, who played it wrong. Luckily, there's a video. http://clips.milb.com/milb/2018/04/22/44-546617-2018-04-21/web_cut/milb_1963553783_1000K.mp4
Abraham Toro just hit his second home run of the season for Buies Creek, a 2-run homer that was the difference in their 3-1 win over Carolina. Abdiel Saldaña: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 K; season numbers: 19.2 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 12 K
To no one's surprise, Myles Straw just went the other way and got a 2-run single to give Corpus a 3-0 lead in Frisco in the 2nd inning.
Taylor Jones just hit his 2nd homer of the year for Corpus. He now has four straight multi-hit games... Here's his line through 3 games and 3 innings: 9-14, 2 HR, 10 RBI
Per the Hooks' website, all of his starts were either OF or DH. I think he's going to be primarily an OF. His only appearance at 1B was in one game as part of a late inning defensive switch, and his position is listed as LF.
Just checked Straw's stats. Wow. He is absolutely killing it so far. If Marisnick's offensive struggles continue, it'll be interesting to see how the FO addresses it. Does HOU begin to give Jake's ABs to other players, and if so, who? Logically they would fall to Davis/White/Kemp, and maybe Tucker. Straw seemed penciled in as a September call up, but if his play continues, maybe his play will warrant a sooner call up? I'm guessing we'll have to wait until September to see Straw in the majors, but he's looking like another steal by Luhnow.
It would be incredibly rare for a prospect who has Straw’s lack of pedigree to skip AAA and be promoted to the majors after a 1/2 season in AA without there being a dire need in the majors due to multiple injuries. The absolute best case scenario for Straw is to continue doing what he’s doing, get promoted to AAA late next month, then be in position to get called up in August (assuming he continues to rake and there is a need in Houston).
Straw is not on the 40 man. Probably take an extraordinary chain of events for him to be called up this year.
22 yr old Panamanian RHP Abdiel Saldana has gone 19.2 innings this year for the High-A Buies Creek Astros without giving up an earned run. He has either turned a corner, added velocity, Drew French is the best pitching coach in the minors, this is too small of a sample size to get excited about or something else. Anyway, If he gets to AA soon and performs there as well as he is doing in High A, I will definitely get excited.
You really don’t think they will resign anyone or that’s just your prediction if they aren’t resigned?
Saldana sits high 80s to low 90s. He's been a pretty strong statistical performer each of the last 2 years, which indicates he's got either a solid off speed pitch, or some deception and command that works at the lower levels. He's way down the list of guys I'm excited about, but he's got some chance to make the show. Jayne at wthb indicates he's a good makeup/clubhouse guy.
