That would be very surprising to me but would be an excellent sign. Any of those DSL guys having success in full season ball would be a gigantic boost to their stock.
The one area that was kind of lacking in the Luhnow era was the failure to really nail any of their mid to high end international signings. They finally started to get some value recently, trading Valdez and Abreu- combined signed for around $750k or de la Cruz. Part of the reason that the Mariners were able to trade for Castillo was that Marte developed into a prospect in a way that Nova, Sierra, Lorenzo, etc. never did. That's obviously not to criticize the Astros international staff as a whole. They've hemmoragged pitchers over the last few years, and currently have a rotation comprised mostly of under the radar Latin pitchers. That more than makes up for the lack of hitting production, but they're investing much more in the hitters. Tucker (Draft) and Alvarez (trade, but the international scouting group helped) developing into stars on small salaries has allowed the Astros to compete even as they're paying franchise pillars big salaries (Altuve, Bregman). Peña is obviously a nice add to the core, but nailing some of these international signings would go a long way towards extending the Astros dynasty. I have hope for this group in the DSL, and I like that they've moved to 2 DSL teams to potentially cast a wider net.
Edinson Batista was a bit wild as he issued four walks in his four innings of relief for Fayetteville, but it was also a scoreless outing in which he allowed one hit and struck out five.
At home against the A's right before the All Star break, this after Odorizzi made a bad throw. Brinson was the main guy the marlins got for Yellich, former top prospect but has fallen because he can't hit. The A's game at home before the all star break after Odorizzi made a bad throw, then the game turned.
Former prospect traded in the Yellich deal to the Brewers; I believe he was the main guy coming back to the Marlins. Anyways, yeah, let's see if he can hit enough to stay up which was his issue in the first place.
You want the best 13 position players who are healthy for the postseason. Meyers is clearly not healthy. It may be mental and not physical but either way it's hurting the team. At least with Siri's Ks there was the chance of a HR or SB. Meyers does not have his power and is not a base stealer. Brinson and Leon are both playing well at AAA and COULD be the answer at CF for the playoffs But there is no way to know if you don't try them.
Astros have Chas as the starting CF if Meyers doesn't get healthy. Dubon if Chas doesn't work. Despite the rumblings of Buck and most of the board, Tucker was higher on the ladder for starting in CF than Siri for the playoffs. If the Astros want a stolen base threat, they will bring up Leon.
Drew Gilbert's home run came in a game that originally started on July 22. He's DHing in the regularly scheduled game.
The two DSL teams are playing each other today and Sandy Gaston (9), Darwin De Leon (5), and Waner Luciano (3, grand slam) have all homered so far.
How’s this for a 2023 Fayetteville opening day position player roster: CF Drew Gilbert LF Kenni Gomez 1B Jacob Melton DH Ryan Clifford 3B Tyler Whitaker RF Luis Baez SS Zach Dezenzo C Sandro Gaston 2B Jackson Loftin Bench: Zach Cole, Tim Borden II, Collin Price, Tommy Sacco Jr. (Garcia, McGowan, and Wrobleski would be in High A.) That’s pretty stacked.
Drew Gilbert is currently 2-4 with an RBI single in the FCL Orange team's second game; a second run scored afterwards, but on an error.
Back at the beginning of Luhnow's rebuild, the very top college picks would head to high A and the rest of the top 10 picks would head to low A ...position players only. Now the top pick is playing in the Florida League. I guess that the Astros want to work on swing and other fundamentals and start 'em in A ball next spring.
Kenni Gomez just hit a three-run shot (3) for the Blue team, who now leads 11-6 in the 7th inning. Gaston is currently 3-4.
Man... if Drew Gilbert goes nuts and is knocking on the MLB door next year similar to what Bregman did that would be so huge for this organization.
That's a pretty sweet lineup. While it's fun to dream on, Houston has traditionally been more conservative with their young international hitters. Dauri Lorenzo might finally make it out of rookie ball though. I do think there's a chance Gilbert starts in Asheville though. I'm don't think that playing in the FCL is a sign they're taking it slow with him, it could just be letting him get some reps in a low competitive environment with the July draft forcing a longer layoff after the college season.
Barring injuries, I would be a little surprised if they promoted him this season because of 40 man roster issues. If he had an OPS north of 1.000 it would be different. Leon doesn't have to be protected from the rule 5 draft until December 2024 but a bunch of guys like Hunter Brown, Yainer Diaz, David Hensley, etc, etc do need the protection this offseason.
