2013 Astros Minor League Thread

Some of the new Tri-City ValleyCats took part in a picnic for season ticket holders today.

As currently comprised, the roster contains 13 pitchers, 2 catchers, 8 infielders, and 5 outfielders.

2013 Tri-City ValleyCats Preliminary Roster


Pitchers

Tanner Bushue
Pat Christensen
Kevin Comer
Randall Fant
Michael Feliz
Edison Frias
Christian Garcia
Evan Grills
Adrian Houser
Albert Minnis
Zach Morton
Andrew Walter
Kyle Westwood

Catchers

Ernesto Genoves
Luis Alvarez

Infielders

Ryan Dineen
Jose Fernandez
Conrad Gregor
Tony Kemp
Thomas Lindauer
Michael Martinez
Chan-Jong Moon
Adam Nelubowich

Outfielders

Dan Gulbransen
Jon Kemmer
Ronnie Mitchell
James Ramsay
D'Andre Toney

 

Friday Stories

Corpus Christi clinches!

Lancaster looks to join them.

Recap

Round Rock 11, Oklahoma City 2

Not a good way to start off a big series.

Ross Seaton was devoured in 5 innings. He allowed 10 (yes, 10!) runs (2 inherited) on 10 hits (3 homers), walked 6, and struck out 3. He failed to retire any of the 3 hitters he faced in the 6th. Jason Stoffel came on and ended up pitching 2 innings; he gave up 1 on 2 hits and struck out 3. Considering that all the relievers saw action in the 12-inning game against Iowa the other night, the Redhawks had to summon Andy Simunic, who allowed a hit and walked 2 in 1 1/3 scoreless, and Che-Hsuan Lin, who retired both men he faced in the top of the 9th.

Jonathan Villar went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. The Redhawks got both of their runs in the 4th, on an RBI single from Brett Wallace and a sac fly by Justin Maxwell. Yeah... that was all she wrote for the OKC offense.

Game 2 of this series pits Jarred Cosart against Ryan Feierabend. First pitch is at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 3, Frisco 2 in 11 innings

With the victory, the Hooks not only won this series, but they also clinched the 1st-half championship in the Texas League South.

Domingo Santana's solo shot (13) in the top of the 11th off of Wilmer Font with 1 out put the Hooks in the lead. Before that, Erik Castro tied the game in the 7th with a 2-run shot (8). All 3 Hooks runs tonight were driven in and scored by Santana and Castro. They both went 2-5. George Springer had a steal (19).

Jorge De Leon went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walked 1 and struck out 3. R.J. Alaniz tagged in to throw 4 scoreless, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 4. Andrew Robinson threw a 1-2-3 10th and struck out 1. Pat Urckfitz worked around a single to retire the side in the 11th and got the save.

The Hooks will look for the sweep, and they will send out David Martinez and Mike Foltynewicz to try and do so. They will face Neil Ramirez at 7:05.

Lancaster 7, Lake Elsinore 3

The Jethawks will have to wait a little longer to clinch the 1st-half title in the California League's South division, as Inland Empire beat High Desert 4-3. They have clinched at least a share of it; the magic number is now 1. A win and they clinch. A loss... and they better hope High Desert beats Inland Empire. If the 66ers and Jethawks tie, they'll settle this on the 4th of July at Inland Empire.

But... back to Lake Elsinore. After being shackled through 8 innings, the Jethawks busted out for 6 as they batted around in the top of the 9th. They got on the board first with a Matt Duffy single in the 1st, but left the bases loaded.

Fast-forwarding to the 9th... Preston Tucker and Telvin Nash reached with singles and were sacrificed over by Tyler Heineman. M.P. Cokinos got hit by a pitch to load the bases.... but was sent back to the batter's box because he didn't make enough of an effort to avoid it. He made the umpire regret that decision by crushing a 2-run double that tied the game. He was pinch-run for by Carlos Perdomo, and Chris Epps gave the Jethawks the lead with a double. Delino DeShields added some insurance with another RBI double. And finally, Matt Duffy finished it off with a 2-run single. Tucker extended his hit streak to 8 games with a 3-5 performance. DeShields finished 3-5 with 2 runs scored and a steal (16). Cokinos and Duffy had 2 hits apiece.

Tyson Perez was alright in his 5 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 3. David Rollins didn't allow a hit in his 3 innings, and he walked 1 and fanned 2. Travis Ballew, in a non-save situation, worked out of a bases-loaded situation by striking out the side to end the game.

Game 3 of the series pits Kyle Hallock and Luis Cruz against Colin Rea. Again, a Jethawks win clinches the division outright. First pitch is at 6:05 Pacific.

Burlington 3, Quad Cities 1

Carlos Correa got the night off. The River Bandits offense was held in check as they dropped the series opener.

Jesse Wierzbicki was 2-4 with an RBI single in the 7th that was the River Bandits' only semblance of offense. Teoscar Hernandez was also 2-4, and he scored that run.

Vince Velasquez went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6. Jamaine Cotton tagged in to throw 4 scoreless, allowing 2 hits and fanning 6.

Tonight is a doubleheader. That's because a game between the River Bandits and Bees that was postponed on April 10 needs to be made up. Dan Minor will start game 1, and his opponent will be Brandon Love. That game will begin at 6:00. Lance McCullers will start in game 2, and he'll be opposed by Tyler DeLoach.

DSL Astros 6, DSL Indians 4 in 10 innings

Continuing a trend that was briefly interrupted on Thursday, the Academy got 2 in the 10th to break the tie, and they swept the home-and-home with the Indians' Academy.

Kristian Trompiz's RBI triple in the 10th put the Academy up. He would score on an error that allowed Arturo Michelena to reach. Michelena hit an RBI fielder's choice in the 5th that allowed Luis Payano to score. Trompiz drew 3 walks, and Payano walked twice and scored 3 times. Brian Peña went 3-5. Jean Estrella was 2-4 with a double, and Jesus Bermejo was also 2-4. Payano scored on a wild pitch in the 7th, and two errors in the 8th allowed Estrella and Bermejo to score.

Juan Hernandez threw 5 shutout innings, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 6. Junior Garcia went 1 2/3 and allowed 4 unearned runs (all in the 7th) on 3 hits and walked 1. Javier Saucedo allowed a hit and struck out 1 in 1 1/3. Angel Heredia went 2 and allowed 2 hits and fanned 2 to get the win.

The DSLstros will be at the A's complex in the morning.

 

It appears that Juri Perez and Brett Phillips are the newest members of the Quad Cities River Bandits. They take the places of Jamaine Cotton and Terrell Joyce, who were both placed on the 7-day DL.

In Lancaster, Blair Walters and Ryan McCurdy were activated from the DL; Chris Devenski and Brandon Meredith took their places on the shelf.

 

Saturday Stories

That's 2 playoff teams in the system.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lancaster wins first half title! Two minor league teams already in post season for Astros. Great job from scouts, staff and players.</p>&mdash; Jeff Luhnow (@jluhnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/jluhnow/statuses/346118113332445184">June 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Let's play 2 in the Quad Cities!

Recap

Oklahoma City 6, Round Rock 4

The Redhawks jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 4th, and then the Express gradually chipped that lead away. Robinson Chirinos hit a solo homer off Rhiner Cruz in the 9th that made it a 6-4 game, but Josh Zeid clamped down and got the save, allowing OKC to draw even in the series.

OKC got 2 in the 1st, the 3rd, and the 4th. The 2 in the 1st came off RBI singles from Marc Krauss and Brandon Laird. The 2 runs that were put on the board in the 3rd was a solo homer from Brett Wallace (10) and a sac fly from Jose Martinez that turned into a double play as Krauss was thrown out trying to take 3rd. And finally, Jake Elmore hit a 2-run shot (4) in the 4th. Elmore finished 2-3 with 2 runs scored and a steal (14) and Krauss was 2-4. Justin Maxwell went 1-3 with 2 runs scored as his rehab assignment continues.

Jarred Cosart went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs (both on a 2-run homer from Jared Hoying in the 5th) on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Kevin Chapman came on for 2 innings and gave up a run on a hit and struck out 2. Rhiner Cruz only got 1 out in the 9th before Chirinos KOed him. Zeid inherited runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out, and he proceeded to get Engel Beltre to line out and finished it off by striking out Greg Miclat after he hit 6 straight foul balls.

Asher Wojciechowski and Brad Mills will be tonight's pitching matchup. First pitch is at 6:05.

Frisco 3, Corpus Christi 0

The Hooks were held to 3 hits as Frisco avoided the sweep. Max Stassi hit a double.

David Martinez was thwarted in his attempt to become the first 10-game winner in the Minors, but he pitched rather well. Problem was... the Hooks didn't score. In 5 innings, Martinez gave up a run on 3 hits and struck out 4. Mike Foltynewicz went 2 1/3 and allowed 2 on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Gonzalo Sanudo worked around a walk and a hit to get the final 2 outs of the 8th.

With the Texas League South 1st-half title wrapped up, the Hooks will head home to begin a 4-game set with San Antonio. The first 2 games of the series are the final 2 of the 1st half, and the last 2 are the first 2 games of the 2nd half. Jake Buchanan will start the opener against Donn Roach at 6:05. His partner, Carlos Quevedo, is currently on the DL.

Lancaster 5, Lake Elsinore 1



The Jethawks did what they needed to do: win the game, and the California League South's first-half title and its accompanying playoff spot was theirs.

Matt Duffy finished 3-4 with 2 RBI doubles: the first came in the 1st to put the Jethawks on the board first, and the 2nd came in the 9th to push the Lancaster lead to 5-1. They got 2 in the 4th with a sac fly from Tyler Heineman and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Delino DeShields, who hit a 1-out triple in the 3rd and walked twice. Chris Epps hit an RBI double in the 6th. Preston Tucker went 2-5 with a run scored to extend his hit streak to 9 games. It's also the 6th in a row in which he's had at least 2 hits. Andrew Aplin was also 2-5 with a run scored.

Kyle Hallock got the start and quieted the Storm... for 4 2/3 innings. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 2, but was knocked out because he issued 5 walks, 3 of which loaded the bases in the 5th. T.J. Geith struck out Kyle Gaedele to end the threat, though. Well, if you're only going to face one batter, it's probably best if you get him out. Luis Cruz pitched 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Travis Ballew clinched it with a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

The Jethawks will look for a strong finish to a great 1st half in the series finale, as they send out Aaron West and Blair Walters (fresh off the DL) to take on Trevor Holder. First pitch is at 2:05 Pacific.

Game 1: Quad Cities 6, Burlington 5 in 9 innings

Down 5-0 after 2 innings, the River Bandits ran off 6 unanswered, with the final run coming in walk-off fashion.

Teoscar Hernandez was 2-5 with a solo homer in the 3rd (4) that put QC on the board. Brian Blasik went 2-4 and tied it with a grand slam (1) in the 6th. Carlos Correa finished game 1 3-5. That 3rd hit was the winner: an RBI single that scored Hernandez in the 9th. Jordan Scott went 2-3 with a steal (15).

Dan Minor went 4 2/3 and allowed everything. Only 2 of those runs were earned, though. He gave up 6 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1. Juri Perez, in his season debut, threw 3 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 3. Mitch Lambson got the win as he allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 over 1 1/3 scoreless.

What happened in Game 2?

Game 2: Burlington 2, Quad Cities 1 in 8 innings

The River Bandits were held to 3 hits, and they had to settle for the doubleheader split.

In his season debut, Brett Phillips hit a 1-out double in the 3rd and came around to score on a Ruben Sosa single. The other Quad Cities hit was a single from 2012's #1 in the 7th.

Lance McCullers allowed a run on 6 hits and struck out 6 in 5 innings. All 6 of Gerardo Sanchez's outs were strikeouts. He allowed a hit and walked 2. Unfortunately, Chance Ross poked a pitch from John Neely up the middle for a 2-out RBI single that put the Bees up 2-1. Neely's outs were a fly out, a groundout, and a pop out.

In the series and 1st-half finale, Mike Hauschild and Colton Cain will be on the hill for QC, and their opponent will be Ryan Crowley. First pitch is at 5:00.

DSL Athletics 2, DSL Astros 0

The Academy got 1 hit from Kristian Trompiz. He's currently on a 5-game hitting streak. Luis Payano walked twice.

Edwin Villarroel went 5 innings and allowed a run on 7 hits and struck out 2. Joselo Pinales tagged in for 3 innings, and he allowed an unearned run without allowing a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2.

I keep forgetting that the complex leagues have Sundays off.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jonathan Singleton set to join Class AAA Oklahoma City. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLB&amp;src=hash">#MLB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&amp;src=hash">#Astros</a></p>&mdash; Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/statuses/346347894732906496">June 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Now that Twitter is all Singleton crazy, I'll add some gas to the fire: He's playing first base and batting fifth tonight.</p>&mdash; Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) <a href="https://twitter.com/azfreedman/statuses/346354453533843456">June 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Sunday Stories

Epic meltdown in Oklahoma City.

Lancaster and Quad Cities look to finish out their first halves on positive notes.

Recap

Round Rock 9, Oklahoma City 4



Well, I wanted to write about a 4-1 OKC win, but Jose Valdez had to ruin the whole damn thing....

Valdez gave up 7 in the top of the 9th on 7 hits (solo and 3-run home runs) and Phil Humber finally got the final out, but not before giving up a solo homer to Mike Olt, who had homered to lead off the inning.

That feces show spoiled a fine outing from Asher Wojciechowski, who went 6 innings and allowed a run (on a solo homer from Engel Beltre) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. Science Guy held the lead in his 1 2/3 innings, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 2.

All 4 Redhawks runs were solo homers. Jonathan Villar went 3-5 and went deep (7) in the 1st and 7th. Brandon Laird (7) hit one in the 2nd, and Justin Maxwell hit his first rehab homer. Villar finished 3-5, while Brett Wallace was 3-4 with a double. In his AAA debut, Jonathan Singleton went 2-4, doubling twice.

The series concludes with Brett Oberholtzer getting the start for the Redhawks. He'll be opposed by Martin Perez. First pitch is at 7:05.

San Antonio 7, Corpus Christi 2

Well, Jake Buchanan has been very much mortal in these past 2 outings. He was the first Hooks starter to pitch the 6th (as his partner, Carlos Quevedo, is on the shelf), but he was knocked around in 5 2/3, as he allowed 6 runs on 10 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 3. Matt Heidenreich allowed a run on 4 hits and walked 2 in 2 1/3. Kenny Long mopped up, allowing a hit and walking 1 in the 9th.

Erik Castro went 2-4 with a solo homer (9) in the 6th and Jio Mier went 2-4 with an RBI single in the 5th.

The Hooks conclude the first half in game 2 of this series. The past 2 games seem to be hangover games, so hopefully they'll finish strong. Bobby Doran and Nick Tropeano will get the start, and their opponent will be Jose De Paula. First pitch is at 7:05.

Lake Elsinore 4, Lancaster 2

Jethawks settled for the split in a pretty uneventful game.

Telvin Nash hit an RBI double and scored on an M.P. Cokinos groundout in the 6th. Preston Tucker's 6th-inning single extended his hit streak to 10 games. Ryan McCurdy went 2-3.

Aaron West went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (both on a 2-run homer) on 4 hits and struck out 3. Blair Walters, in his first outing since being activated from the DL, went 1 2/3 and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 3. Cam Lamb retired all 4 Storm hitters he faced, striking out 1. Tom Shirley finished out with 2 perfect innings, striking out 1.

The Jethawks will now begin their All-Star break. The California-Carolina League All-Star Game will be on Tuesday at 7:35 PM Pacific in San Jose.

Quad Cities 5, Burlington 4

The River Bandits closed out the first half on a winning note with a series split.

They got 4 in the 3rd. After Jordan Scott hit a double to lead off the inning, 4 RBI singles from Ruben Sosa, Teoscar Hernandez, Carlos Correa, and Roberto Peña. QC added the 5th run in the 5th on a Correa sac fly. #1 finished 2-3 with a steal (7), pushing his average to a robust .304. Hernandez was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a steal (17). Sosa had a steal (8).

Mike Hauschild went 4 1/3 and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited) on 6 hits and fanned 2. Mitch Lambson got the final 2 outs of the 5th, allowing a hit, walking , and striking out 1. Colton Cain got the win with 3 scoreless, allowing a hit and fanning 2. Juan Minaya allowed a homer to Chevy Clarke in the 9th, but was able to get himself composed to get the save. He allowed 2 hits and struck out 2.

QC will now begin its All-Star break The Midwest League All-Star game is Tuesday at 6:00 PM Eastern in Dayton, Ohio.

Tri-City begins its season Monday, June 17

Against Vermont at 7:00 PM Eastern.

Greeneville begins its season Thursday, June 20

Against Bluefield at 7:05 Eastern.

GCL Astros begin its season Friday, June 21

Against the Braves at noon Eastern.

DSL Astros were off

The Academy will play the DSLetics at home tomorrow at 10:30 AM Atlantic.

Three Stars

3.



Carlos Correa, SS, Quad Cities
2-3, 2 RBI, R, SB(7)

2012's #1 has 6 multi-hit games in his last 10 contests. The power will come, and I know RBI is an antediluvian statistic to measure a player's offensive quality, but his splits with runners on/in scoring position have been unreal. That, to me, looks like he's making the most of his RBI opportunities.

2.



Asher Wojciechowski, P, Oklahoma City
6 IP, 4 H (solo homer), ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Wojo has firmly put himself in contention for a shot at Houston. I think he'll get a test run at some point this season.

1.



Jonathan Villar, SS, Oklahoma City
3-5, 2 solo HR (7)

I really hope this Jonathan Villar continues to show up.

Wild prediction: Jonathan Villar will be the Houston Astros' starting shortstop on July 19.

Honorable Mentions

Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Oklahoma City: A fine AAA debut for the Minors' top 1B prospect.

Colton Cain, P, Quad Cities: Since that disastrous April, Cain has posted a 2.48 ERA.

Erik Castro, 1B, Corpus Christi: Really liking the adjustment's he's made after that poor April.

Teoscar Hernandez, CF, Quad Cities: Has hit the wall, but keep in mind that he was in the Gulf Coast League last season. The potential is certainly there, and I believe he's largely kept his head above water in his transition to a full-season league.

Goats



The normally reliable Jose Valdez failed in epic fashion. George Springer's golden sombrero gives him a share of the ignominy.

 

That's $750,000 gone right there.