If the Astros can't make good projections on offensive players based on their progress there... and additionally, if their pitchers development gets hampered because they get banged around in a hitters league regularly... then why exactly are we continuing to maintain an affiliate in that league? Minor league development is going to be as important as ever for this rebuilding team. They need to have facilities that are tailored to developing players in the mold of what the major league team wants. Hell, I wouldn't care if every minor league park had the dimensions of MMP... it would be boring, but would certainly eliminate park factors as a reason why a player could or could not perform at a higher level.
I'd like to see J.D. Martinez as the Astros' starting left fielder on July 15, when they play the Pirates. The guy's more than proven himself in the Minors... and he didn't even need to inflate anything in Lancaster. Also, I'm guessing the plan with Ovando is to stick him with Tri-City to start off (I don't think he'll be tested much in Greeneville) and then eventually give him some time in Lexington to finish his first year in America.
I THINK they got stuck with Lancaster a few years back. I remember listening to someone mention that they never wanted to go sign up there but their original high single A team got scooped up by another team and they got left with Lancaster...musical chairs. JD needs to be at AAA within a few weeks, I doubt we'd see him at MMP that quickly but a September call up is very much in the cards...I'd think at least. He is almost 24 and has progressed nicely at every level, not sure why he isn't being fast tracked a bit more but I'd assume our fat version of Juan Pierre would have something to do with it. I mean right now his OBP is over .400 and slugging .500 with a .333 average...what more can you ask for besides a bit more power but he does have 13 doubles too.
Not going to happen. Barring injuries, Martinez isn't likely to come to the majors before September. I just wonder if they will move him to AAA beforehand. Maybe after we sign our draft picks, we will start to see a great deal of promotions. Nearly every regular position player at Lexington is posting good numbers.
The Red Sox snapped up the Carolina League team we had in Salem, Virginia. Went from the Salem Avalanche to the Salem Red Sox. Fenway bought the team in 07 after they lost their High-A team in Wilmington (which had always been affiliated with Kansas City, with the exception of the 2005 and 2006 seasons) and pretty much made their intentions clear as to where their new High-A team would be. Lancaster was pretty much a placeholder...
Alright, I was being a little too hopeful. I will amend my statement and say that J.D. Martinez should be in Houston after August 1.
This is what I'm talking about. The Astros have been complacent to "take what is given to them" regarding their minor league affiliates, rather than go out and establish/build up the system that will be the sole determining factor as to whether or not they will become contenders again. They settle for Lancaster, Nolan takes Round Rock away and they settle for OKC. They would probably end up losing Corpus as well if the Rangers didn't have such a strong AA team/following in Frisco. I know things are starting to turn around with re-establishing the latin america presence and signing all our draft picks... but they need to get back to focusing on what is of utmost importance to the future of this team.
Not that I disagree with your statements, in fact quite the contrary, but I will say Stros trading RR for OKC was a major coup. Nolan wanted RR because of his affiliation with the team but OKC is probably the crown jewel of Minor League parks. Although slightly further away and losing the Austin fanbase, it was a good trade for the team.
It's not uncommon to change affiliates at different levels every few years. It's a two-way street. Some minor league clubs are village bicycles. Wikipedia the NO Zephyrs, one of the Astros previous AAA affiliates; see how many major league teams they've been affiliated with. Honestly though, what would you have them do about RR and CC? Nolan Ryan literally owns those teams. BTW, most teams don't own their minor league affiliates.
OKC was doubled up by Round Rock 8-4. Jason Bourgeois went 3-5 with a double and scored a run. Max Ramirez had a consolation 2-run homer in the 8th. Golden sombrero for Koby Clemens. Nelson Figueroa gets shelled for 8 runs in 4 1/3. Obviously, he got the loss. Corpus fell to Springfield 3-1. Jose Altuve is still raking in the hits at the moment; he went 2-4 tonight to raise his average to .415 spanning Lancaster and Corpus. Jacob Goebbert drove in J.D. Martinez in the 2nd for the Hooks' only run. Ross Seaton got the loss, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs, walking 3 and striking out 3 in 6. He might have lost tonight, but he looks to be turning the corner after a pretty rough start to the season. A stark contrast to the offensive outbursts of the Cali League, as Lancaster fell to Modesto 2-1. The Jethawks got their only run in the 1st with a David Flores double, his first hit since being demoted. This is his third go-around with Lancaster. Robert Donovan went the distance, allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs (1 of them earned), walking 2 and striking out 4, but the key number is 2 runs. Tough luck. Lexington jumped West Virginia with 4 runs in the 2nd, but allowed the Power to score 4 of their own in the 4th, and they ended up adding 1 more in the 5th. The score would hold up as the Legends would fail to get the tying run. Delino DeShields, mired in a 1-25 slump entering the game, had a 2-run homer in the 2nd. He ended up going 2-5, and is now hitting .220. Emilio King had an RBI double scoring Mike Kvasnicka, and he came around to score off an error. Mike Foltynewicz lasted 3 2/3, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, walked 5, and fanned 3. Jason Chowning took the loss, allowing the run in the 5th, which was unearned. The Dominican Summer League team's game with the Mariners was postponed. In their last game, they beat one of the Mets squads 9-7 despite committing 4 errors. They withstood a 7-run barrage in the 2nd and scored 4 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to get the win.
I really think it's time for a few guys to be moved up. We've mentioned JD Martinez enough but Dallas Kuechel needs to be at AAA also. Kody Hinze needs to be moved up to AA, not sure what else he needs to do. Not sure what his hole would be, normally guys like Clemens who strike out a ton are held back a bit but this guy has a great k/BB ratio. I'd also consider moving up Austin Wates, his numbers aren't mind blowing but seems to be trending up and he is a college kid so his curve should be less. Also think Meir and Michael Kvasnicka need to move up to Lancaster. Kvasnicka is showing some good stuff and should be at AA by season's end or opening day 2012.
Kody Hinze is actually hitting substanially better on the road. It may or may not translate up the system, but were just wasting time with him there.
Yep, I'm a bit worried because he is going to be 24 pretty soon and that is old for high A. He has excelled the last two years so hopefully they put him on the fast track from here on out.
OKC got doubled up again, this time by Memphis by an 8-4 score. Jose Vallejo homered in the 3rd, and Brian Bogusevic drove in 2. Andy Van Hekken was the loser, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, walking 4, and striking out 5 in 3. Game 2 of the series will be at 4:05. The Hooks were blanked 8-0 by Arkansas. Well, nothing of note on the offensive end. Dallas Keuchel took the loss, as he allowed 7 hits and 5 runs in 5 innings. He walked 2, fanned 2, and served up 2 homers. Game 4 of the series starts at 6:05. Lancaster's game with Modesto was postponed due to rain. They will make up this game the next time they meet, which will be July 2. They start a series with Lake Elsinore at 2 PM Pacific. Lexington defeated West Virginia 7-1 to earn a split in their series. A 5-run 5th spurred them on to victory. However, they started the show with 2 in the 1st. Adam Bailey tripled, sending Tyler Burnett home. Bailey came home on a Mike Kvasnicka single. Jordan Scott doubled to lead off the 5th, and came home on Ben Orloff's groundout. Emilio King doubled and came home when Delino DeShields doubled. Adam Bailey grounded out to score DeShields. Chris Wallace followed up with his 11th homer to make it a 6-1 game. Jordan Scott provided the cherry with an RBI single, his 2nd hit of the inning, scoring Kvasnicka. Ruben Alaniz was the winner, allowing 1 run in 5 innings. The Legends are on the road today; they'll be heading off to Greenville, where the Drive will be rolling out the welcome mat for them at Fluor Field at the West End. First pitch is at 4 Eastern.
OKC dropped tonight's game against Memphis 3-2. The Redbirds scored 2 in the top of the 1st and added 1 more in the 6th to hold on. RBIs came from Brian Esposito and Max Ramirez. Sergio Perez fell to 4-4, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings. He walked 3 and fanned 5. Oh, and uh, Brandon Lyon started his rehab assignment. He allowed 2 hits in the 8th, but didn't allow a run. After being held to 1 run in the last 2 games by Arkansas, Corpus came back with a 7-2 drubbing. Trailing 2-1 entering the 5th, the Hooks left it tied, then took the lead in the 6th and seized control with 4 in the 7th. Jose Altuve tripled in the 6th and came home on a J.D. Martinez single. He cleared the bases with a double in the 7th. Jimmy Van Ostrand homered in the 5th, his 5th. Jonathan Villar went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Jacob Goebbert went 3-4 and is now on a 7-game hitting streak. He's raised his average with Corpus to .344, and .326 overall. Erick Abreu allowed 5 hits and 2 runs, and struck out 7 without walking a batter to get the win. Lancaster's dozen trumped Lake Elsinore's half a dozen. The Jethawks scored 6 in the 2nd, highlighted by Jay Austin's grand slam, his 2nd homer of the year. Miguel Arrendell added 3 RBI. Kody Hinze went 3-4 with an RBI, and David Flored went 3-5 with 2 RBI. The Storm tied the game after 5 innings, but Lancaster broke the tie in the 6th and blew them away with 5 in the 8th. Jose Cisnero earned a no-decision after going 3 1/3, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs (3 earned). He walked and struck out 2. Chris Hicks threw 2 1/3 perfect innings, striking out 3, to get the win in relief. Lexington had their first look at Greenville this year and came out on top, 3-1. Chris Wallace drove in Delino DeShields in the 4th and 6th, and Emilio King went deep for the 3rd time this season to add the icing. Tanner Bushue shut the Drive down for 5, allowing 3 hits, walking 2, and fanning 8 to improve to 6-1. Due to recent torrential rains in the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Summer League has suspended all games for now. The Astros' academy hasn't played since Thursday.
Looking at the standings.... OKC is mired deep in the cellar at 24-33, 9 games behind Round Rock in the PCL American League South. They and Tacoma share the distinction of being the worst teams in the league. Corpus Christi is the worst team in the Texas League at 20-35. They were eliminated from any discussion about a first half championship long ago. They're 17 games behind San Antonio in the South Division. Lancaster is also the worst team in the Cali League, at 23-33, 8.5 behind Rancho Cucamonga in the South Division. And finally, Lexington is 28-29, but they're in 2nd place in the Sally League South Division. They sit 3.5 back of Savannah and a game ahead of Asheville and Greenville.
Keeping Hinze at Lancaster has almost gotten to be a joke. Obivous he doesn't belong there and hasn't for some time. CC has no prospect playing 1st so no log jam there. I have to imagine sometime this week he gets moved up. That should be a nice little infield at AA, Hinze (23) playing 1st, Altuve (21) playing 2nd, Villar (20) playing SS and Parades (22) playing 3rd. Throw in JD Martinez (23) and Goebbert (23) in the oufield, CC has some VERY nice talent on the roster.
And.... OKC gets their asses kicked tonight by Memphis 14-2, as the Redbirds scored 4 in the 5th, then to really make it ugly, added 8 more in the 6th. Brian Bogusevic homered in the 4th, and Brian Dopirak added an RBI groundout in the 9th. RRS lost, allowing 6 hits and 6 runs in 5, but he didn't even bear the brunt of the assault. Francis Beltran got blasted for 7 runs while only getting 2 outs in the 6th. Corpus Christi fell to Arkansas 3-2 in 10. After allowing the Travelers to score 2 in the 1st, Jimmy Paredes scored on a J.D. Martinez groundout in the 3rd. Then, Paredes went deep for the 5th time this year in the 5th. He also stole his 21st base in the 3rd, part of a double steal with Jose Altuve taking 2nd. Forgettable night for Jonathan Villar, as he wins a golden sombrero. He did steal 2nd after walking. Villar and Paredes are tied at 21 steals, with Altuve at 20. Speaking of Altuve, he went 2-5 with a double and whiffed twice. Xavier Cedeno went 8 2/3, allowing 5 hits 2 runs, walking 3, and fanning 10. He, unfortunately, got a no-decision for his efforts, as Kyle Greenwalt allowed the go-ahead run to cross in the 10th on a sac fly DP. Lancaster walked off 8-7 winners over Lake Elsinore, as Austin Wates hit a sac fly scoring Jay Austin in the 10th. Austin walked with 1 out and advanced to 3rd on a Miguel Arrendell single and a subsequent Storm error. The Jethawks had been down 7-2, but they put up 5 in the 7th to tie the game. Hector Rodriguez opened up the inning with a walk, then moved to 3rd on a ground-rule double from Jay Austin. A wild pitch with Miguel Arrendell batting allowed Rodriguez to score. Arrendell eventually walked, as did Wates (bases loaded) and Kody Hinze following him. Hinze's walk sent Austin home, then David Flores was hit by a pitch, scoring Arrendell. Finally, two sac flies from Jonathan Meyer and Rene Garcia brought Wates and Hinze home. Zach Grimmett allowed 5 runs, hits, and walks in 4 1/3. He gets a no-decision. The win goes to Wander Alvino, who pitched 2 2/3 innings of 1-hit relief. Lexington lost to Greenville 6-5. The Legends allowed 5 runs in the 6th to lose the lead, and eventually the game. How about Adam Bailey as a potential callup candidate? He went 2-4, hitting his 13th homer of the year. Emilio King added a 2-run double. King is now hitting .365 in 96 at-bats, with 3 homers and 16 RBI. His OBP is a robust .408, and combined with a .542 slugging percentage, owns a .950 OPS. Carlos Quevedo went 5 1/3, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and struck out 7 without allowing a walk. Jio Mier's slow start to June has seen his average drop to .249, and Delino DeShields has now slumped to .219.
Looks like Mier, Chris Wallace and Adam Bailey made the SAL All-Star Team. Good to see Mier get some recognition, he must have something numbers aren't pointing out for all the praise he has been getting. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/...ey=news_l116&fext=.jsp&sid=l116&tcid=fb_share
Still walks a lot, and has a little bit of pop in his bat. Supposedly a good fielder. If only he wouldn't strikeout so much.
