With a cap tip to DoitDickau, the Astros have acquired RHP Gonzalo Sanudo from the Twins in exchange for 3B/C/OF Mike Kvasnicka. Sanudo, a 6'3", 215-pound righty from Tabasco, Mexico, turned 21 in January. He spent the 2012 season in the Gulf Coast League (repeating the league) and went 2-0 with 4 saves and an ERA of 2.00 in 15 appearances (2 starts). In 36 innings, he allowed 34 hits, walked 2, and struck out 33.
Reading that makes me even more excited about the road trip to Corpus that I have scheduled in a few weeks. I expect the Hooks to be very competitive in the Texas league with this combination of top prospects and experience. Is Austin Wates upside a 4th OF? He posts consistently productive numbers but is never spoken of in prospect talk.
Basically. Wates has decent speed, not elite speed. He's pretty devoid of power, and while he hits well, he doesn't walk enough to have the kind of OBP needed to offset those things.
Depending on a lot of factors, i could see Wates being our everyday outfielder for most of the second half. We'll see how he performs but he should reach Houston before Springer and Singleton. I expect Pena to be gone one way or the other by midseason, moving Carter to 1B/DH and out of the outfield. Him and Grossman will duke it out to see who takes his spot.
any info out yet on a possible lancaster roster? i have not seen any other roster info besides the corpus info above. anyone have any news?
I think with Singleton on the way, Carter is going to be looked at in the OF all year. Obviously the DH spot is going to be there, but if Carter is going to be an everyday player long term, I think LF is the most likely destination.
Just bought some tickets to the Hook's game on 4/6 while I am in CC for business. Will take lots of photos and post. Anyone been to Whataburger field?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Delino DeShields Jr. said he'll start season at High A Lancaster. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317082051629174784">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Jonathan Singleton said he'll start season at Class AAA Oklahoma City. George Springer will begin at AA Corpus Christi.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317081825266769920">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Carlos Correa thinks he's starting year at Quad Cities but not 100-percent sure. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317080447886696448">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Delino DeShields Jr. said he'll start season at High A Lancaster. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317082051629174784">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I like it. DDS had one hell of a season and a good spring, but I wouldn't mind seeing him put up solid and consistent numbers for half a season at A+. Springer the same.
While this certainly gives us a longer window to evaluate starters, I am wondering what work there will be for relievers? What are these guys going to do until July?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rather than predetermine 1-5 starting pitchers from A to AAA, <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Luhnow wants top young starters in organization to "emerge."</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317321029724798977">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> GM Luhnow made it clear tandem pitching won't be used throughout 2013 season. No set break point. But will go 1-5 at some point.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317321361167118336">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
