I wonder if the tandem starting pitchers would also serve to preserve their trade values. In the end, their results and potential would likely greater affect their trade value, but all things being equal, a minor-league starting pitcher is probably more valuable than a minor league reliever.
Tropeano. Quick question, any word on Alaniz? I remember he was pitching really well last year in High-A for the first part of the season, but then started to struggle towards the end of the season. I believe he was injured
Though rosters haven't been announced yet, a couple of players are dropping hints as to where they'll be starting off. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Off to Cali</p>— Travis Ballew (@Tballew18) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tballew18/status/318318562093715456">March 31, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Spring Training in the books!!! Ready for the season! Headed to the Lone Star State!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23roadtrip">#roadtrip</a></p>— Nick Tropeano (@PaPaTropeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaPaTropeano/status/318056688987041793">March 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>According to the map we've only gone about 4 inches. @<a href="https://twitter.com/jiomier">jiomier</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/grant_hogue">grant_hogue</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/erikbcastro">erikbcastro</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/kikehndez">kikehndez</a></p>— Nick Tropeano (@PaPaTropeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaPaTropeano/status/318169138092716032">March 31, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Welcome to Iowa <a href="http://t.co/xgkYlDTXfI" title="http://twitter.com/DMinor91/status/318404186419101696/photo/1">twitter.com/DMinor91/statu…</a></p>— Daniel Minor (@DMinor91) <a href="https://twitter.com/DMinor91/status/318404186419101696">March 31, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> ^Retweeted by Lance McCullers
Ballpark Digest: Astros looking to buy the New Orleans Zephyrs The purchase price would be just over $20 million, according to the article. New Orleans was a former Astros AAA affiliate. The Zephyrs would be moved to "somewhere in Montgomery County, not necessarily The Woodlands." The story also talks about a possible new spring home, and that the Astros would be sharing it with the Blue Jays.
Man, I can't wait to see what the opening day minor league rosters are. I've been going to the Hooks page every day to see if they've put up a new roster but nothing so far. We know where some of the big names are going (Correa to QC, DDJ to Cali, Springer to CC), but some of the lesser names I'm very curious about. McCullers to EST/Tri-City? Ruiz to EST/Tri-City or QC? Wojo to CC or OKC? We know OKC will have 8 starting pitchers to start the season. Which other pitchers will be there besides Chapman/Stoffel/Lo? So excited to see baseball back!
According to Baseball America, the Astros have picked up another Mexican pitcher who pitched for the GCL Twins. Gerardo Ramirez was released by the Twins on March 22. He is a 19-year-old righthander from Mérida, Yucatán (turned 19 on January 17) who stands 6'2" and weighs 165. He's spent his first two professional seasons in the GCL, but didn't fare too well in his second go-round. Despite going 4-1 in 12 relief appearances, he had a 6.62 ERA in 17 2/3 innings of work. Ramirez allowed 13 runs on 24 hits, walked 10, and struck out 13.
Hooks roster announced PITCHERS Ruben Alaniz Jake Buchanan Jorge De Leon Bobby Doran Matt Heidenreich David Martinez Andrew Robinson Ross Seaton Alex Sogard Jason Stoffel Nick Tropeano Patrick Urckfitz Asher Wojciechowski CATCHERS Rene Garcia Ryan McCurdy Carlos Perez INFIELDERS Erik Castro Enrique Hernandez Jonathan Meyer Jiovanni Mier Ben Orloff OUTFIELDERS Michael Burgess Domingo Santana George Springer Austin Wates
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's baffling to me why Jason Stoffel is slated to be on <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23cchooks">#cchooks</a> roster to start the season. What more does he need to do to move up?</p>— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregRajan/status/318846556210094081">April 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Link TRIPLE-A OKLAHOMA CITY Pitchers – Kevin Chapman, Jose Cisnero, Paul Clemens, Jarred Cosart, John Ely, C.J. Fick, Dallas Keuchel, Jordan Lyles, Wes Musick, Brett Oberholtzer, Rudy Owens, Jose Valdez, Josh Zeid. Catchers – Cody Clark, Jason Jaramillo, Chris Wallace. Infielders – Jake Elmore, Marc Krauss, Brandon Laird, Jose Martinez, Jonathan Villar. Outfielders – Trevor Crowe, Jake Goebbert, Robbie Grossman, Che-Hsuan Lin, Jimmy Paredes. DOUBLE-A CORPUS CHRISTI Pitchers – Ruben Alaniz, Jake Buchanan, Jorge De Leon, Bobby Doran, Mat Heidenreich, David Martinez, Andrew Robinson, Ross Seaton, Alex Sogard, Jason Stoffel, Nick Tropeano, Pat Urckfitz, Asher Wojciechowski. Catchers – Rene Garcia, Ryan McCurdy, Carlos Perez. Infielders – Eric Castro, Enrique Hernandez, Jonathan Meyer, Jio Mier, Ben Orloff. Outfielders – Michael Burgess, Domingo Santana, George Springer, Austin Wates. CLASS A LANCASTER Pitchers – Travis Ballew, Luis Cruz, Chris Devenski, Jonas Dufek, Mike Foltynewicz, Theron Geith, Alex Gillingham, Tyson Perez, Carlos Quevedo, Brady Rodgers, David Rollins, Tommy Shirley, Blair Walters, Aaron West. Catchers – M.P. Cokinos, Tyler Heineman. Infielders – Delino DeShields Jr., Matt Duffy, Nolan Fontana, Zach Johnson, Raoul Torrez, Rafael Valenzuela. Outfielders – Andrew Aplin, Chris Epps, Brandon Meredith, Andrew Muren, Preston Tucker. CLASS A QUAD CITIES Pitchers – Joe Bircher, Colton Cain, Kyle Hallock, Mike Hauschild, Brian Holmes, Jordan Jankowski, Cam Lamb, Mitchell Lambson, Lance McCullers, Daniel Minor, John Neely, Gera Sanchez, Vincent Velasquez. Catchers – Jobduan Morales, Roberto Pena. Infielders – Carlos Correa, Chase Davidson, Ryan Dineed, Carlos Perdomo, Rio Ruiz, Joe Sclafani, Jesse Wierzbicki. Outfielders – Teoscar Hernandez, Terrell Joyce, Ariel Ovando, Jordan Scott.
According to the press release, these rosters are tentative and won't be officially finalized until Opening Day.
I was really hoping to see Folty at AA. Oh well, no need to rush the talent. Hopefully he doesn't experience the Lancaster effect.
Kenny Long tweaked something. That's why he isn't listed on any of the rosters. However, it isn't a serious issue. Same with Dan Gulbransen. Long would probably be in Lancaster, and given the outfielders in QC, Gulbransen is probably stuck in extended spring training. I'm surprised that they sent both Rodgers and West straight to Lancaster. For the longest time, I thought only one of them would go there. Here are the guys I would expect to be considered the starters. OKC: Cisnero, Clemens, Cosart, Keuchel, Lyles, Oberholtzer, Owens, Ely Corpus: Alaniz, Buchanan, Doran, Heidenreich, Martinez, Seaton, Tropeano, Wojciechowski Lancaster: Cruz, Devenski, Foltynewicz, Gillingham, Perez, Rodgers, Walters, West QC: Bircher, Cain, Hallock, Holmes, McCullers, Minor, Velasquez; I think Cameron Lamb could be considered one as well, as he has started previously. In a later post I'll make up a lineup that should be close to an everyday lineup for each level.
A few notable names missing (with 2012 team/teams): - Jean Carlos Batista (Greeneville and Tri-City) - Luis Ordosgoitti (Lexington) - Bobby Borchering (Visalia and Corpus); He'll most likely go back to Corpus - Telvin Nash (Lancaster) - Chan-Jong Moon (Lexington and Lancaster) - Jose Fernandez (Greeneville and Lexington) - Austin Elkins (Tri-City) - Lance Day (Tri-City) - Adrian Houser (Greeneville) - Juri Perez (Tri-City and Lexington) Lineups Guys who aren't listed will be the bench. OKC C: Chris Wallace 1B: Marc Krauss (obviously, Jonathan Singleton will be there once his suspension is over) 2B: Platoon with Elmore/Martinez 3B: Brandon Laird SS: Jonathan Villar LF: Robbie Grossman CF: Che-Hsuan Lin RF: Jimmy Paredes DH: Jake Goebbert (Krauss will probably be the regular DH when Singleton returns) Corpus C: Carlos Perez 1B: Erik Castro 2B: Enrique Hernandez 3B: Jonathan Meyer SS: Jio Mier LF: Austin Wates CF: George Springer RF: Domingo Santana DH: Michael Burgess Lancaster C: Tyler Heineman 1B: Zach Johnson 2B: Delino DeShields 3B: Matt Duffy SS: Nolan Fontana LF: Brandon Meredith CF: Andrew Aplin RF: Preston Tucker DH: M.P. Cokinos Quad Cities C: Peña/Morales platoon 1B: Jesse Wierzbicki 2B: Joe Sclafani 3B: Rio Ruiz SS: Carlos Correa LF: Terrell Joyce CF: Jordan Scott RF: Teoscar Hernandez DH: Ariel Ovando/Chase Davidson
I know a few people aren't as high on Jason Stoffel as I am, but the dude needs to be in AAA and soon in the majors.
Astros County presents their annual "Where Did They Come From?" for the minor leaguers. OKC Corpus Lancaster Quad Cities WTHB: Minor League Rosters Also contains the names of more players who weren't placed on a roster. Starting tomorrow, TCB will be rolling out team previews. Minor League Opening Day is this Thursday! Not much longer now. Here's where they'll be: OKC @ Memphis Corpus Christi vs. Springfield Lancaster vs. High Desert Quad Cities @ Kane County
