2014 Astros Minor League Thread

Got my tickets to Sat. April 5th game at Round Rock.

If anyone is interested, I have a code to get infield reserve tickets for the OKC series for 1/2 ($8 instead of 16). Just email me through the board and I'll forward you the email.

 

Callis was saying he thought Appel would start at AA...not sure who is more tied in . . .personally, I'd much rather see Appel at AA as the park situation isn't a joke, and really is you are a 4 year college starter, who was 1st more because of your "polish" than your "stuff" . .. .you shouldn't be at high A

 

They'll probably put Appel on the accelerated Folty track... High-A/AA this year... with the possibility of breaking camp with team next year (or starting at AAA).

I'm against holding prospects to "set" schedules, but apparently that's something this front office believes highly in (whether its due to financial reasons or not).

 

there's actually something to be said about having Appel face the adversity of Lancaster.

I'm OK with this

 

I really hate Lancaster, just thought I'd repeat this for the hundredth time.

Ultimately the cream will rise, I just don't like the idea of sending prospects to a place that can so grossly effect results for both hitters and pitchers.

 

I agree, and also think there is a huge difference in a typical "prospect" and one that was a possible #1 overall as a junior, who didn't sign and went back to college for a 4th year, then went #1 overall and signed, played a little in A ball after signing . . .shouldn't be in single A especially in a park that makes Coors look like the dome . . .but just my opinion

 

The Lancaster team only plays half of their games at home, right?

If you are a numbers guy, you can always concentrate on the away splits or better yet on the park adjusted numbers.

I have no problem with the Astros sending prospect through Lancaster. It is the next step up the latter. A step most players need to take in order to be ready for AA.

 

That would be true, but the whole league has inflated numbers. The average OPS in the Cali league was .761. The average OPS of the other 2 High-A leagues were .696 and .712. The last place Cali team would have just about led the other 2 leagues, and Lancaster is the most comically extreme of the bunch.

I'm really not overly concerned about the numbers, I trust the scouts to know whats legit. My bigger concern is teaching. When you know a player has something that needs correcting, its kind of hard to drive that point home when he's putting up insane numbers, and vice versa with the pitchers doing things well, but not getting results.

Similar to Coors in the majors, when many FA pitchers went there not only did their home numbers skyrocket, but their road numbers also sucked. It's just a mental thing that I would rather not subject a prospect to.

 

The fear is that they adjust their mechanics, or possibly subject themselves to injury from "over-throwing" to compensate for the park factor.

I feel that is why pitchers exposed to ballpark factors (like Coors) ultimately end up having some bad road starts as well.

 

I believe Lunhow has said he likes seeing players prove themselves at all levels. If he's like Folty, and takes just around 5 starts, I don't think it's a big problem. Keep in mind, Folty was a guy who really struggled his first go round in A ball, so I don't think it was crazy for them to want to see him in High-A before jumping a level. Folty didn't even pitch all that well in High-A (3.81 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) and still moved up quickly.

If Appel dominates 2-3 starts, he'll probably make the move up right away. I'm sure he's been told exactly what he needs to show in order to move up a level.

 

How does one retire when he never played a game? Did he even get in a spring game?

 

Contractual issue.

As a total aside, I'm watching Game 5 of the '80 NLCS on espn classic right now as I wait for the pest control guy. So many cool memories, I'm slightly mesmerized by the rainbow guts and afros and the baby blue and maroon phillies unis. First baseball game I remember going to, I was a wee lad but I do remember my dad (he was about the same age then as I am now) being bitter about it for the next week or so.

If Luis Pujols didn't have a bum ankle he doesn't get thrown out at home by a step in the 2nd inning and the Astros go to the World Series (I know, bobrek, butterfly effect notwithstanding).

 

Oh, the announcers are Howard Cosell and Keith Jackson. Suck it Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

 

I know...it was tongue firmly in cheek. I just remember what a jackass the kid was when he was drafted and think it's funny he gets to retire when he never even put on a uniform.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>LHP Eric Berger to A's for ptbnl</p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/450022305314643969">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Berger pitched for OKC last season. Acquired by Astros last April in trade with Cleveland.</p>&mdash; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/450022605722906624">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Domingo Santana in AAA ball. I think Tucker will only be at AA for about a month then he will be at AAA and be a sept call up.