Colton Shaver hit a grand slam for Corpus. He now has 11 home runs on the season and he looks like another case of a guy who wasn't considered a prospect at first but has seemingly turned himself into one, especially if he can handle catching.
Down in the GCL, Adonis Giron hit his first home run as a member of the Astros organization. Yimmi Cortabarria has two hits and both of them have resulted in runs. He hit an RBI single in the 1st and just hit an RBI double in the 4th. If I remember correctly, Cortabarria was one of the many $300K signings in 2017. He's certainly a work in progress on offense (39% K rate in the DSL last year).
I don’t see any way Shaver could handle catching on more than an emergency basis. He’s already fat and he’s only 23. They’ve not tried him at catcher in AA despite not having any viable prospects at that position on that roster. Shaver’s absolute best case is to end up like Tyler White. I will be very surprised if he plays in the majors.
Taylor Jones went 3-4 with a three-run homer and an RBI double for Round Rock. He now has 16 home runs on the season.
I know, AAA =/= MLB, but I'd rather see him get A CHANCE and fulfill his dreams, and see his parents happy, than watch White play. Sorry, I know it won't happen, but that's what I want. Also, BREAKING: Tucker at 1B sighting. Two garbage innings at the end of the game. Didn't do anything in the 8th, but got all three outs (all grounders, one from Rojas at third and the other two from Tanielu at second) in the ninth. Don't read too much into this, but an interesting observation. Likely just the result of a short bench.
I think I read that Shaver has dropped a significant amount of weight from last year. If he continues that trend, maybe he can work himself into a body type that can stay behind the plate.
Weird things going on with Tucker lately. He’s hardly played lately, yet he subs in at 1B late in the game.
Who homered today Taylor Jones (16, 3-run) Lorenzo Quintana, twice (10; solo and walk-off grand slam) Ronnie Dawson (14, solo) Ross Adolph (7, solo); first Carolina League HR Adonis Giron (1, solo); first HR as a member of the Astros org
Astros: We want Scherzer and could give you Tucker Nats: Can he play first base Astros: One sec.... Tucker: Hold my beer!
The 2017 draft class produced quite a few pitchers who have progressed nicely through the minor league system (J.B. Bukauskas, Corbin Martin, Tyler Ivey, Peter Solomon, Parker Mushinski, Brandon Bielak). The pitchers from the 2018 draft class are now 1/2 way through their first full year in the minors. Here is a quick look at their stats this season: 2 Jayson Schroeder hot mess, 3.079 WHIP 5 Cody Deason A- 60 IP / 42 H, 1.210 WHIP 6 R.J. Freure A- 58.1 IP / 38 H, 1.440 WHIP 8 Austin Hansen A- 41.2 IP / 20 H, 0.936 WHIP A+ 21.1 IP / 17 H, 1.313 WHIP 11 Brett Conine A- 33.0 IP / 19 H, 0.758 WHIP A+ 40.0 IP / 33 H, 0.975 WHIP 12 Mark Moclair A- 7.2 IP / 4 H, 1.696 WHIP 13 Shawn Dubin A- 12.0 IP / 7 H, 0.917 WHIP A+ 53.0 IP / 42 H, 1.245 WHIP 14 J.P. France A+ 67.1 IP / 54 H, 1.322 WHIP In conclusion, the Astros appear to be doing a very good job of developing their minor league pitching talent.
It would be wonderful if they were working him at 1B in AAA. You wanted him called up to play 1B for the Astros last week. One of these is a good idea.
I'm quite ready for some of these great arms we've been developing in the minors to turn into usable big league pieces, especially in the pen. So far it's...kinda/sorta James?
I would consider Peacock to have been developed by Houston. James, Devenski, and Valdez have all been decent in the bullpen. But yes, Keuchel and McCullers are really the only 2 ToR starters developed and kept by Houston in the last 10 years.
The 2nd one, right? They should teach Tucker to field and throw left-handed... He already bats lefty, how hard could it be?
