Robert Witt is a native Texan now living in New York and is an avid fan of the Tri-City ValleyCats. He just tweeted out a preliminary TC roster: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/JayneWTHB">@JayneWTHB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NickCassone">@NickCassone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/itsDTrain">@itsDTrain</a> Here is one for you all <a href="http://t.co/U1Y7NQIOrL">pic.twitter.com/U1Y7NQIOrL</a></p>— Rob Witt (@Robert__Witt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert__Witt/status/611236241477124097">June 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A couple really young names stick out on that list: Austin Nicely Harold Arauiz Alexander Melendez Hector Roa David Paulino, from last year's trade with the Tigers, is also interesting.
I'll add: Elieser Hernandez (great numbers in DSL and rookie ball) Dean Deetz (velo up to 97 according to BA) Rogelio Armenteros (no idea what to expect from this guy but he defected from Cuba and it will be his first season stateside)
Kolbey Carpenter signed? That's surprising and awesome. Should be a nice Middle Infield there with him & Marlow. Some of the best recent Texas high school baseball hitters.
J.D. Davis just hit a 2-run homer, his 8th. One batter later, A.J. Reed whacked his 17th homer of the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A.J. Reed just hit a home run onto the onramp of the 14 Freeway behind the right-center field fence here in Lancaster. Unreal. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— Donny Baarns (@DonnyBaarns) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonnyBaarns/status/611350229850284032">June 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tony Kemp has a hit in 20 straight games. And.. J.D. Davis just hit another 2-run homer for Lancaster.
Jamie Ritchie (C/DH) for QC is an interesting prospect. A little old, senior sign out of Belmont but a crazy .450 OBP throughout the first year ish sample size of MiLB.
Showed a little more power last year than this. Walks a tons, hits triples, steal bases. Not your typical catcher.
Good to see J.D. Davis bust out in a game. He's had a disappointing season so far. He's posted mediocre numbers offensively, at least by the standards of an MLB hitting prospect in Lancaster. Defensively he has really struggled, an .896 Fld%, and a bad range factor. They put him there out of need/hope, but I can't see him making the MLB as a 3B. His offensive numbers would look better if he could stay there.
Look for Houser to put up good numbers. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adrian Houser (<a href="https://twitter.com/AdrianHouser12">@AdrianHouser12</a>) has been promoted to AA <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks">@cchooks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosFuture/status/611678123889823744">June 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Michael Feliz in game 1 of a doubleheader: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K Corpus Christi topped Frisco 2-0 in game 1. Josh Hader is on the mound for game 2.
Following the pitching depth the club has accumulated is just flat-out enjoyable right now. Two high-upside top prospects get called up to the majors? There's plenty of talent right behind them including: Former top picks: -Appel (everyone knows his deal) -Musgrove (1s round, 2011) -Houser (2nd round, 2011) -Comer (1s, 2011) -Bostick (2nd round, 2013) Prior/current prospect loving: -Feliz Low round picks way overperforming: -Hader -Devenski Former top prospects trying to make good: -Straily -Wojo Total wild card: -Frances Marte Just loving it right now.
