Here is the explanation from one of their broadcasters... Darren_Headrick They REALLY need to get out of Lancaster, it skews offensive numbers and messes up pitchers, badly. Good thing they skipped Lyles and sent him to AA, should have done the same with Seaton.
Dallas Keuchel didn't have any problems there last season, and Jake Buchanan has been very impressive there so far this season.
Yea true that, I just don't like the exgarrated numbers and what it can do to some pitchers psychi. Seaton as an example, had an impressive start in Lexington and just BOMBED in Lancaster, that could lead to bad habits and it showed in AA this season. Credit to those who thrive in that condition but for ever starters who does well another 3 or 4 struggle. Speaking about Lancaster... ScoutingtheSAL Might be time to move him up but not sure there is a spot in AA for him, right now.
That's both a heartening and disheartening article. Heartening: -There is some definite potential among those players -Lots of up-the-middle talent (C, 2B, SS on the list) -Seeing a local product, catcher Chris Wallace of UH, doing so well is awesome. Especially because he plays a skill/defensive position. -Kwasnicka is putting up a solid, albeit un-amazing season and plays a need-position (3B). Disheartening: -None of the high picks are doing particularly well, much less enough to fast-track. -Being Low-A means almost certainly none of them are going to contribute to the big club for 2 years. -Kwasnicka appears to profile much like Chris Johnson at 3rd. A ceiling of 15-20 home runs that'll need to be carried by a high BA, something CJ couldn't keep up this year. -Total dearth of corner/power prospects in the system. But hey for once we actually have prospects worth following their ascent up the ladder. We haven't had a hot prospect since Roy or Lance but these guys sound more interesting than B/C level prospects like Bud Norris, Chris Johnson or Brian Bogesevic. Lyles could be the only above average mlb player the club produces in the next 3 years.
Telvin Nash is a big time power prospect that they didn't mention probably because he is injured right now. He's only like 20 years old.
Coming off a 2-homer game last night, Brandon Barnes followed that up with a 3-5 performance at the plate. 2 doubles, a triple, and an RBI for him, and he came home thrice. Unfortunately, OKC came up short against Fresno, 8-5. Griz scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th to seal the deal. Sergio Perez took the loss, allowing 7 hits and 6 runs in 5 innings. He walked 1 and struck out 5. Xavier Cedeno took a no-hitter into the 8th, then lost it to Springfield's Thomas Pham on an infield single. The game would remain at 0-0 until the 9th, when J.D. Martinez had a pinch-hit RBI single that scored Jonathan Gaston. Unfortunately, the Hooks walked off 2-1 losers to Springfield, as Audry Perez delivered the winning single for the Cardinals. Cedeno allowed the 1 hit in his 7 2/3 innings and struck out 8, despite walking 5 Cardinals. Pat Urckfitz blew the save and lost. He got 2, but he couldn't quite get the final out, allowing 3 hits and the losing runs. After being demolished 25-9 last night , it was Lancaster's turn to reciprocate. They jumped RC to the tune of a 10-2 lead after 4, on the way to winning 13-4. The Jethawks scored in every inning but the 6th. Everyone had a hit, and everyone scored a run except for Grant Hogue. Solo homers were provided by Jonathan Villar, Jonathan Meyer, and Jose Thompson. Jose Altuve went 3-5 and scored twice; he's brought his average back up to .403. Kody Hinze and Grant Hogue drove in 2 apiece. Zach Grimmett allowed 7 hits, but only 2 runs while striking out 8, but he couldn't get the 15th out that he needed to get a win. Instead, Michael Ness got the W, allowing 3 hits and 2 unearned runs in 4 relief innings. The Quakes committed 5 errors. Lexington led Rome by a TD after 2 innings. However, Rome answered with a TD of their own to tie the game after the 7th inning. The Legends answered with 3 in the 8th to retake the lead. Final score: Lexington 10, Rome 8. Jio Mier went 3-4 with 3 RBI and scored twice. Adam Bailey also went 3-4 and scored twice, but he had 2 RBI. Emilio King went 3-4 and scored twice as well. Dan Adamson, Chris Wallace, and Mike Kvasnicka also chipped in an RBI. Everyone had a hit except for Tyler Burnett. Tanner Bushue allowed 1 hit, walked 2, and fanned 4. He only went 3 innings. Just hoping it's not an injury. David Martinez blew the save by allowing the homer that allowed Rome to tie the game at 7. He also allowed the runners he inherited from Garrett Bullock to score. 3 of them, to be exact. However, he got the win by virtue of Lexington's 3-run 8th.
Drew Locke had an RBI double in the 1st, but that was all the offense OKC could muster for Ryan Rowland-Smith as they fell 3-1 to Nashville. RRS took the loss, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs in his 7 1/3 innings. He walked 3 and fanned 6 Sounds. Springfield scored 4, 4, 2, and 1 from the 4th to the 7th innings to pull away from Corpus Christi 12-4. Jimmy Paredes had 2 doubles and drove in a run. Jimmy Van Ostrand went 2-5 with 2 RBI. Jonnathan Aristil walked 3 and recorded 7 K's.... but he allowed 8 hits and 8 runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. Brandon Wikoff went 1-4 to raise his average to .424 in 99 at-bats. After the outbursts of the previous 2 nights, last night's affair with RC was rather mild, with Lancaster falling 9-6. Jose Altuve went 3-4 with a 2-run homer to raise his average to .415. Jay Austin doubled, tripled, and drove in a run. Jake Buchanan is feeling the Cali League effect. He took the loss, allowing 8 hits and 7 runs in 6. He walked 2 and struck out 5. 3 errors doomed Lexington in their 6-3 loss to Rome. Jhonny Medrano had a 2-run homer in the 8th and Delino DeShields scored on a wild pitch. Carlos Quevedo was the losing pitcher. He allowed 9 hits and 6 runs (5 earned) in 5. He struck out 3.
It's obvious Altuve should be at AA now but there is a logjam up there. Problem actually is at AAA, they have a couple of journey men taking up ABs. IF Parades can up his average they should move him up and that would open up a spot for Altuve. Problem then becomes what to do with Wilkoff, dude has been hitting as well...nice problem to have.
Are there any can't miss prospects available in next year's draft that the Astros can get if they have the worst record in the league? Something to look forward to?
Brian Bogusevic, in his second game back in OKC, had a 3-run homer in the 8th, but it wasn't enough as the Redhawks lost to Nashville 8-3. The Hairless One, Gustavo Chacin, was the loser, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings, walking 1 and fanning 1. Corpus Christi walked off 5-4 losers to Arkansas, as they allowed 1 in the 9th and 10th. Federico Hernandez had a solo homer in the 3rd. Brandon Wikoff went 2-5 with 2 RBI and scored a run. Ross Seaton allowed 3 hits and 3 unearned runs, walked 3, and struck out 3. He had to settle for a no-decision, as Sammy Gervacio blew the lead, and Pat Urckfitz took the loss, getting 1 out in the 10th but allowing the Travelers to score the winning run. Lancaster earned a split in a wild series against Rancho Cucamonga, alternating losses and wins. After allowing the Quakes to score 2 in the top of the 1st, the Jethawks took off for 5 in the bottom half, capped off by a 2-run homer by Miguel Arrendell. They added 2 in the 5th and 1 more in the 8th to win 8-5. Jose Altuve had an RBI triple in that 1st inning, his only hit in 5 ABs. He's now hitting .410, and has regained his status as the Minors' top hitter, in average and total hits. Jay Austin went 3-5 with an RBI and was caught stealing twice. Bobby Doran allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in 4, walking 3 and striking out 1. He got the no-decision, as Andrew Robinson only allowed a solo homer and 1 other hit in his 4 innings of relief to get the win. Robinson struck out 4. Lexington dropped another one to Rome, this time by a 7-3 margin. Dan Adamson drove in 2, and Jhonny Medrano drove in the other. Delino DeShields Jr. moved over to DH as Ben Orloff got the start at 2nd. DeShields went 1-5 with 2 K's and is now hitting .237. Orloff went 2-4 and it hitting .343 in 70 at-bats. He has 7 walks compared to only 2 strikeouts. Juan Minaya lost, allowing 5 runs and 4 hits in 3 innings. He walked 1 and struck out 2.
The draft is coming up soon, what positions would you guys like the Astros to address in the first few rounds? In the last couple of years we've gone heavy at drafting the up the middle positions (C, SS, 2B). Although there is temptation to find the big bat in the 1st round, I think I would much rather see us draft a pitcher with true ace potential.
On the mocks i've read, Taylor Jungmann out of Texas seems to be the one kid almost everyone has as a strong possiblity for us. Seems like a decent get at #11, college pitcher who could come up quickly. I've also seen names like Archie Bradley and Taylor Guerrieri, both HS pitchers with big upside but this draft looks like pitching, pitching and more pitching. I'm curious as to the later rounds and if Crane will go over slot for a power bat. There are a few guys in the lower minors who have HR power but the system REALLY needs power hitters.
BPA between power hitters and polished starting pitchers. Outside of Lyles we haven't had much success with high school pitchers.
has there been any word about what involvement crane will have on this draft since he doesn't own the team yet?
I say pitchers also. Use the later rounds for positional players. Down the road, it would be easier to trade a good pitcher for a positional player than the reverse, if somehow we find ourselves overstocked with good pitchers. Boy, wouldnt that be a nice problem to have?
Well, Drayton meet with Crane to discuss the draft but it will be Ed and Heck making the calls anyway. I have to imagine, Crane will have word on spending and if they go over or stay at slot. Drayton was Bud's boy so pretty much stayed the course in early rounds and took chances in later ones, should be interesting to see if Crane follows or goes against the system being a developmental guy.
