Why? DDj is probably the fastest player in the Astros system. This is not an end to itself, but it certainly something that can not be taught. He also made a position change (CF to 2nd) in his first full professional season. This explains some of his problems with the bat. I know we all wanted a better offensive season from DDJ. He will need to show more next season to maintain his prospect ranking.
MILB.com assessment of the farm system. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/...&content_id=25889462&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb
Jose Altuve update ... Fall and Winter League Updates Jose Altuve had a perfect night, going 4-4 with a double and he scored two runs. He is now hitting .412 over 102 AB's with a .441 OBP, .559 SLG & 1.000 OPS.
Here is a top prospect list with grades. The grades give a feel for how well our prospects rank against the other teams. Houston Astros Top 20 Prospects for 2012 by John Sickels on Nov 21, 2011 3:05 PM EST QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS: Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don't intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases. Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role. Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don't make it at all. A major point to remember is that grades for pitchers do NOT correspond directly to grades for hitters. Many Grade A pitching prospects fail to develop, often due to injuries. Some Grade C pitching prospects turn out much better than expected. Also note that there is diversity within each category. I'm a tough grader; Grade C+ is actually good praise coming from me, and some C+ prospects turn out very well indeed. Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment in the book for my full opinion about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player. 1) Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Grade B+: Acquired in the Hunter Pence deal with the Phillies. You can make a case for an A-, although he hasn't yet fully tapped into his natural power. I think he might need a bit more time than people think, but still an elite prospect. 2) George Springer, OF, Grade B+: Much broader tool base than Singleton, but exactly two years and one day older, which makes a difference. I think he made real progress with his swing and contact ability this year. Impressive power/speed/walks package even if he doesn't hit for a high average. 3) Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade B-: Excellent arm strength, but pitchability seemed to take a small step backwards last year. Strikeout rate is low for a guy who throws as hard as he does and he needs command refinements. Another part of the Pence trade. 4) Jonathan Villar, SS, Grade B-: He's very young, has been pushed too quickly in my view, and has some serious contact problems to resolve. He also has double-digit homer and steal potential and great defensive tools. High risk, high-reward player. Grade A tools, grade C skills. 5) Paul Clemens, RHP, Grade B-: Part of the Michael Bourn deal with the Braves. Solid stuff, has made progress with command, projects as a number three or four starter for me. 6) Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Grade C+: I probably like him more than I should. Strong fastball, secondary pitches still works-in-progress but I think he can be a mid-rotation guy if everything works out. 7) Domingo Santana, OF, Grade C+: Exceptional power potential and was just 18 years old in the Sally League. He's also got serious issues with strikeouts/contact and plate discipline. Similar problems have killed many careers. Like Villar, Santana has a very high ceiling but a very low floor. 8) Brett Oberholtzer, LHP, Grade C+: Part of the Bourn deal with Atlanta, average velocity but mixes his pitches well. Could be a nice number four starter but not a huge upside. 9) Delino DeShields, 2B, Grade C+: Another high-ceiling low-floor high-risk guy with tools who lacks refinement. Hit just .220 in the Sally League but swiped 30 bases. 10) Adrian Houser, RHP, Grade C+: Second round pick from an Oklahoma high school, performance in rookie ball was spotty but could develop into a number three starter. 11) Telvin Nash, 1B-OF, Grade C+: Enormous raw power, but fanned 105 times in 281 at-bat in Low-A and GCL rehab assignment. Little defensive value. Cecil Fielder-like upside if he can make enough contact but that is a big IF. 12) Nick Tropeano, RHP, Grade C+: Stony Brook product lacks plus velocity but changes speeds extremely well, could develop into a solid inning-eater type. 13) Austin Wates, OF, Grade C+: Hits for average, swiped 26 bases in High-A, good athlete, but lack of distance power could be a hindrance. 14) Jiovanni Mier, SS, Grade C: The Astros have not given up on him, still young, athletic, respected defense, but hitting is very questionable. 15) Tanner Bushue, RHP, Grade C: Still projectable and young, but progress has stalled and he's had problems staying healthy. Too young to give up on of course at age 20. 16) Juan Abreu, RHP, Grade C: Older prospect acquired from the Braves, but has a lively arm and can be very effective middle man if he maintains his command. If you want immediate impact rank him higher than this. 17) Ariel Ovando, OF, Grade C: Impressive power potential but did not hit well in the Appalachian League. Given the $2,600,000 invested in him, they will be as patient as possible and he's just 18. 18) Ross Seaton, RHP, Grade C: Still has the raw material to be a good pitcher, and he's been badly rushed. It would not surprise me to see him perform much better in his second attempt at Corpus Christi. 19) Jake Buchanan, RHP, Grade C: Doesn't have a high upside, but keeps the ball down, throws strikes, and was one of the few pitchers able to survive and prosper at High-A Lancaster. Sleeper guy to watch for 2012. 20) Chris Wallace, C, Grade C: Like Buchanan, Wallace is a college product (University of Houston in his case) who doesn't have a high upside but could be a useful role player, in this case as a power-hitting catcher with fair defense. Power-hitting first base prospect Kody Hinze would also fit in that category although he'll have less glove value. OTHERS: Ruben Alaniz, RHP; Jack Armstrong Jr., RHP; Jay Austin, OF; Adam Bailey, OF; Xavier Cedeno, LHP; Jorge De Leon, RHP; Dayan Diaz, RHP; Jake Goebbert, OF; Kyle Hallock, LHP; Kody Hinze, 1B; Dallas Keuchel, LHP; Mike Kvasnicka, 3B; Chris Lee, LHP; Luis Ordosgoitti, RHP; Jordan Scott, OF; J.B. Shuck, OF; Vincent Velasquez, RHP; Josh Zeid, RHP. This system has improved, thanks mostly to trades, but it is still thin. I love Singleton and Springer, but everyone below them has a caution flag of some kind. The toolsy guys tend to be extremely raw (Villar, Santana, DeShields) with a high risk of failure, while the polished guys lack upside, and there aren't many who combine both attributes. There is a large group of Grade C prospects, and the slots 14-20 could be listed in any number of ways. You could make a case to include several of the "OTHER" category in those slots. Alaniz is projectable; Austin still has great tools; Hinze could sneak into some playing time before Singleton is ready; De Leon, Diaz, and Ordosgoitti all have live arms but need to show them at higher levels. Velasquez has a high upside if he recovers properly from Tommy John, and the very polished Kyle Hallock is a personal favorite. Overall, the system has improved and there are some intriguing players here, but there are a lot of players in the "wait and see" and "need more data" categories.
Another setback for Jason Castro... http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...ry/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Not sure this belongs in the minor league thread, even if it involves the Arizona Fall League. Still terrible news.
Astros, Quintero agree to terms on one-year deal Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow announced on Monday that Houston and veteran catcher Humberto Quintero have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1 million contract -- plus bonuses. The Astros avoided arbitration with Quintero. It marked the final time in being arbitration-eligible for the 32-year-old Quintero, who will be eligible for free agency next offseason.
It just stinks that he will be rehabbing again instead of completely healthy by training camp. Typically removal of a sesamoid bone is not a big deal. But Castro is a catcher, so it depends on where it is and it needs completely heal so he does not have further issues down the road.
Didn't know whether to start a new thread, but the new Minor League season will start on April 5. Here's where the Astros affiliates will be playing: Oklahoma City hosts Memphis Corpus Christi will open at home against NW Arkansas Lancaster travels to High Desert Lexington visits Greensboro Tri-City travels to Vermont on June 18 for Short-Season Opening Day Greeneville's schedule has not yet been announced.
