It'll be interesting to see which prospects, if any, will be moved this offseason. We have a glut of decent to solid prospects and some blue chips. Gluts are nice for rebuilding teams with ample opportunity, but the talent on our roster makes our situation somewhat unique. Luhnow usually sells high on prospects, so I don't think we'll move underperforming prospects for pennies on the dollar. The [prospective] addition of Lourdes will us that much more flexible, too. I wouldn't be surprised to see any major addition come via trade instead of FA.
If you don't care to give the Chron clicks, here's the original story from the Fayetteville Observer. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> could have a high-A affiliate in the Carolina League as early as 2017. <a href="https://t.co/vw0cRfXgnr">https://t.co/vw0cRfXgnr</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonChron">@houstonchron</a></p>— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregRajan/status/766323371994865665">August 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He deserved it. He doesn't have gaudy stuff but has a decent shot at being a #3 starter if he holds his own in Corpus and Fresno.
It is going to depend on what players are available in trade. It is very likely that Chris Sale and/or Jose Quintana will be available. Chris Archer and Julio Teheran are both possibly available. If the Astros can get Sale or Quintana, then you are likely to see a number of top prospects in the minors (Tucker/Martes/Abreu) gone and likely one key piece already in the majors (McCullers) gone. If the Astros cannot get a top bat or pitcher or a catcher; then you may see guys like Preston Tucker etc. moved for a compensation pick and/or low minor league talent.
Jon Kemmer's quietly been having a very good last two months. He's hit .298/.398/.618 with 10 HR since July 1 for a season slashline of .280/.351/.492 with 15 HR and a WRC+ of 122. Pretty solid at AAA. His age (almost 26) limits his ceiling but he could be another in the line of Tyler White and Preston Tucker.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> No. 6 prospect David Paulino promoted to <a href="https://twitter.com/FresnoGrizzlies">@FresnoGrizzlies</a>. 1.83 ERA, 72 K in 64 IP for <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks">@cchooks</a>. <a href="https://t.co/xtMckU90Nn">https://t.co/xtMckU90Nn</a></p>— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamDykstraMiLB/status/766741632297398278">August 19, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jorge Alcala started late, but he might be a guy to watch in the future. He threw 5 no-hit innings for Greeneville last night, walking 1 and striking out 7. The Astros have made some pretty good finds with 18/19-year-old pitchers in the IFA market (that is, they were signed when they were 18 or 19) with Hector Perez, Alcala, Cristian Javier, and Ricardo Castro. Speaking of Castro, he completed the shutout by allowing 3 hits and striking out 6 in the final 4 innings. Oz Ocampo describes Alcala as having two potential plus pitches with his fastball and slider. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats to RHP Jorge Alcala on his 1st U.S. start (5IP-0R-1BB-8K). Starter profile with 2 pot plus pitches, FB 95 t98, SL 83-88 for strikes</p>— Oz Ocampo (@OzOcampoHouston) <a href="https://twitter.com/OzOcampoHouston/status/746906485888802816">June 26, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Spoiler <script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.sports-reference.com/wg.fcgi?css=1&site=br&url=%2Fregister%2Fplayer.cgi%3Fid%3Dalcala000jor&div=div_standard_pitching"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former OBJ & <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> prospect, LHP Evan Grills has been promoted to the <a href="https://twitter.com/FresnoGrizzlies">@FresnoGrizzlies</a>! Grills will make his AAA debut Sunday! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OBJFam?src=hash">#OBJFam</a></p>— Ontario Blue Jays (@OntarioBlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/OntarioBlueJays/status/766993440206979072">August 20, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Stubbs setting himself up for a huge opportunity next season. He and Laureano have weathered the jump from Lancaster really well and both are pretty high ceiling players. Also, nice to see Armenteros start off his AA career with 7 shutout innings.
