It has been a long Time since the Astros have so much Lefty Batters in the Minors Kenny Lofton Steve Finley Ken Caminiti Switch Hitter Luis Gonzalez Bobby Abreu
Thoughts from the last week on the farm: Quincy Hamilton and Kenedy Corona are on the upswing. Both guys are projecting as everyday OF the way they are currently playing, and both could be guys other teams ask about a lot. We really need to see how Luis Baez would do in A ball over 150+ pa this season. There's really no precedent for what he's doing in the FCL. Joe Perez is quietly raising his stock. His k rate is now under 30% and he's hitting for more power. On top of that, he's playing more in the corner OF to up his defensive versatility/value. Still thinking he could be a JD Davis level player. Guys who currently are projecting as everyday players on paper: Drew Gilbert, Colin Barber, Korey Lee, Grae Kessinger, Kenedy Corona, Jacob Melton, Zach Dezenzo. Luis Baez will join this list if/when he gets to A ball and/or gets a bigger sample of dominating the FCL. Guys who project as quality complimentary/bench players: Joe Perez, Miguel Palma, Shay Whitcomb, Quincy Hamilton, Joey Loperfido, Ryan Clifford, Pedro Leon, Cesar Salazar It would not surprise me if Pedro Leon ends up being a better major leaguer than he is a minor leaguer. I haven't been this excited about the complex league talent level in awhile, maybe ever. Overall I am comfortable saying the position player side of the farm is above average. The depth on the pitching side is fine, but they lack high end pitching prospects, although I am pretty high on Arrighetti. All 4 of Whitley, Dubin, Santos, and Solis busting this season was not ideal, especially without any other high ceiling/risk arms breaking out. My list of prospects I would have off-limits in deadline discussions: Drew Gilbert, Luis Baez, Kenni Gomez, Spencer Arrighetti. I would demand a big return for Colin Barber, Korey Lee, Jacob Melton, Zach Dezenzo, Joey Loperfido, Kenedy Corona, and Ryan Clifford. I would be willing to part with Grae Kessinger, Pedro Leon, Quincy Hamilton, Joe Perez, Shay Whitcomb, Justin Dirden, Will Wagner, Forrest Whitley, Shawn Dubin, and really any other prospects for any meaningful major league value.
Eduardo Perez, the 16 year old "Aaron Judge" went 4 for 5 today, including his first home run as the DSL Astros Blue won 8 to 7. Oswald Mori went 5 innings with no runs, giving up 1 hit, walking 3 and striking out 3. The DSL Astros Orange also won 2 to 1. Esmil Valencia went 2 for 3 with a walk.
Protect the Prospects, Forget the Astros terrible Team that is on themselves to fix it. The Star Players should take responsibility over their terrible batting average. Dana Brown and Jim Crane just ignore making changes. Protect the Future Prospects.
What does this even mean? If you think struggling players are not keenly aware of their struggles, way moreso than you, I mean c'mon that's silly. Are you expecting them to stand up in the clubhouse and declare "I suck" [/declare bankruptcy]. .... are you saying those two should ignore making changes or are ignoring making changes?
You mean boo him at home at an All Star Game while Bagwell and Biggio are being introduced? Horrible chickensh!t dumbass Astro fans, which is par for the course.
Only 10 teenagers have had 50+ pa in High A for Houston since 2006. Only 5 of them posted a wRC+ >100: Carlos Correa Kyle Tucker Domingo Santana Jon Singleton Ryan Clifford Clifford has the 2nd highest ISO power metric next to Tucker. His k/bb ratios have him looking more like Santana/Singleton than Tucker/Correa. But he is in elite company.
He is limited defensively and his k rate in High A gives me pause. Look at how Singleton and Santana played out. Guys who are limited to corner OF/1B/DH really have a lot of pressure on their bat; for them to project as everyday major leaguers, they have to walk a lot, not strike out very much, AND hit for a lot of power. If any one of those 3 things isn’t there, those prospects start to look more like bench bats or enigmatic AAAA guys. He could easily jump up a tier if he gets his k rate in Asheville down to ~22% or less while maintaining his power output.
Raimy Rodriguez allowed a couple of runs in his three innings for the Blue team but he also struck out six. Rodriguez now has 19 strikeouts in his three appearances this season (10 innings).
Alimber Santa makes BA prospect hot sheet this week along with Arrighetti. Santa got rocked early in the year, but he has settled down in June. Still walking too many. If he can get that under control, watch out. He has struck out 23 in 14.1 innings this month as a 20 year old in A ball.
