Two of the Astros' biggest stars from the past will be helping mold some possible stars of the future when the Nolan Ryan Elite Pitching and Jeff Bagwell Elite Hitting Camps begin Monday at Minute Maid Park. The camp, which began solely for pitchers two years ago, will feature most of the Astros' top minor league prospects, as well as major leaguers Chris Burke, Jason Lane, Brad Lidge and Chris Sampson. Ryan and Bagwell, both special assistants to general manager Tim Purpura, will direct the five-day camp with manager Phil Garner. Ryan is scheduled to participate despite having been hospitalized Friday with an undisclosed ailment. Helping assist with the camp will be new Astros pitching coach Dave Wallace, hitting coach Sean Berry, minor league field coordinator Tom Wiedenbauer and director of pitching development Dewey Robinson. Roger Clemens is expected to be involved. "Each year you can see more and more the effect it has on the players that go (to the camp)," Purpura said. "Confidence levels and comfort levels increase. You look at guys that have been in the camp and get back here at some point in the season, and they come in with a different point of view. "They know how to get to the clubhouse. They know how to get to the field. They've thrown off the mound, and the hitters know where the cages are. It gives them a real look at what it's going to be like to compete in that atmosphere." Purpura said although the stands are empty and the camp is not open to the public, having Ryan, Bagwell and Clemens watching the players does ratchet up the intensity. "That's pressure right there," Purpura said. Among the minor leaguers scheduled to participate are infielders Koby Clemens and Tommy Manzella, catcher Max Sapp, outfielder Hunter Pence and pitchers Troy Patton and Brian Bogusevic. Pitchers will throw today, Wednesday and Friday and will work on fielding drills Tuesday and Thursday. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4506550.html
Full list of invitees: RHPs: Matt Albers Tip Fairchild Lincoln Holdzkom Casey Hudspeth Brad James Bud Norris Sergio Perez Chad Reineke LHPs: Brian Bogusevic Troy Patton Chris Salamida Catchers: Ralphie Henriquez Lou Santangelo Max Sapp J.R. Towles Infielders: Brooks Conrad Koby Clemens Chris Johnson Tommy Manzella Outfielders: Josh Flores Eli Iorg Hunter Pence Mike Rodriguez
If he was attending a Yankees pre-season camp, it would be breaking news on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPN.com.
All my hats look good, just remember me when "your people" hook you up with Astros playoff tickets because you know I can get extras for you come playoff basketball time in my section.
