2015 Astros Minor League Thread

I like that the Astros (and the Rockets) have analytical people that take into experienced baseball opinions into account into their analytics. Nolan Ryan and the analytics department are also of the same opinion that greater than 3 year free agent deals for a pitcher is not desirable. Granted, the Astros have not been in a position to have to really worry about whether they can get what they desire.

 

I was not happy with Emanuel, but have come around on him. He's not flashy and may never recover from TJ surgery, but I've mellowed on "upside" a lot since then.

 

It helps when a low upside guy like Dallas Keuchel becomes a Cy Young candidate.

 

Tyler White, Jason Martin, and Jon Kemmer were also in that draft.

I'm not particularly high on Kemmer or White, but they are having really good seasons at high levels. I really like Martin, he's probably a top 15 prospect already and rising.

I like the approach we have. Instead of looking primarily at projectable tools, look more at guys who are proven players and see if they can translate their skills up the minor league ladder (although projectable tools are still a major component). It has lead to a massive amount of prospect depth, we'll see how it translates to MLB success for the AJ Reeds and Tony Kemps of the world.

 

Kemmer strikes out too much, and doesn't have the tools to make up for it. Hard to imagine him making it.

White is more interesting. His BB-K rate has been great throughout his minor league career. He'll be a 1B/DH type in the majors, and doesn't have ideal power for that, but if he gets on base, that won't be a problem. He'd be an amazing find.

We saw it with the Cardinals with players like Jaime Garcia, Jon Jay, & Allen Craig.

 

Have we ever heard anything about White's defense? I haven't seen anything, so it seems uncertain right now whether he'll be a 1B/DH type or whether he can play at 3B.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some time at the corner outfield spots in AAA, either.

That said, based on this year's starting lineup, the Astros seem to value outfield defense more than infield defense. They started the year with 3 CFs in the outfield spots, whereas none of the infielders have particularly good defensive reputations. I don't have the data, time, or patience to work through all this, but I suspect the Astros have figured out that you can get by with mediocre infielders by using so many shifts and pitching batters in a certain way. In the outfield, your defensive runs saved probably depends more directly on the quality of the outfielders.

TL;DR: White is good, I hope he can play 3B, and although he might be a competent outfielder, the Astros probably favor ++defenders in those outfield spots in an ideal world.

 

White profiles as a poor defender at third.

 

He has a .919 fielding % career, which is better than this season. His RF/G is 2.16 . Both are horrid numbers. For comparison, Brett Wallace was .934 & 2.40 in the minors.

 

From the chat.

George (Gulf Coast): J.J., thanks for the chat. What is the MLB ceiling for the Astros pitching prospect Francis Martes?
J.J. Cooper: Middle-of-the-rotation starter. Have talked to evaluators who think he could hold his own in Double-A right now thanks to two plus offerings.

Brian (Nashville): What are the realistic expectations for AJ Reed?
J.J. Cooper: Potential everyday 1B. Can’t argue with the results so far and his track record stretches back to college as well.

 

Fisher also hit his 7th (13th total) and Davis hit his 12th

 

I figured Nottingham would love the friendly confines. Only question at this point is whether the Astros wanna give him a cup of coffee in AA this season.

Fisher has been really disappointing at Lancaster so far. Since that monster debut he had, he has posted a sub .700 OPS, which is terrible in Lancaster. Still a small sample so its not a huge deal, but anytime a prospect doesn't rake at Lancaster it is a bit of a concern.

And AJ Reed is inexplicably still in Lancaster.

 

Reed was actually just promoted to AA after last nights game

https://mobile.twitter.com/IanSteeleKIII?p=i

 

Well, that's a little good news to start my Saturday. Wonder what took so long.

 

Woof.

Ok, hope he can hit enough to justify a DH spot, then.

 

All three of our first rounders from this year are having rough starts.