Cartwright Traded

Today, Albert Cartwright was traded from the Astros to the Phillies. The Astros have added depth at the middle infield positions last year through the draft & through trades. Cartwright was the oldest of the prospects at 23. The other prospects who are vying to get to Houston include the following (age at the start of next season):

Jose Altuve - (20) - will likely be in AA this year. Primarily a 2nd baseman

Jonathan Villar - (19) obtained in the Oswalt trade. Finished the year at Lancaster. Likely to repeat there but could move up to AA if Mier gets pushed to Lancaster. #3 in Baseball America's rankings of Astros' prospects

Jimmy Parades - (22) - obtained in the Berkman trade. Finished the year at Lex. Will likely be the 2nd baseman at Lancaster. #7 in Baseball America's rankings.

Jio Mier -(20) - 1st round draft pick 2009. Spent 2009 in as the SS in Lexington but struggled; likely to repeat. #5 in Baseball America's rankings.

Enrique Hernandez - (19) 6th round pick in the 2009 draft. Spent 2009 in Tri Cities and hit .287. Likely the 2nd baseman in Lexington next year, though he will be competing with our next prospect.

Delino DeShields - (18) 1st round pick in the 2010 draft. Hit .313 in a short stint in Greeneville but as a center fielder. I expect he will be sharing time with Hernandez in Lexington as he learns to play 2nd base. #2 prospect in Baseball America's rankings.

So to summarize, here is how I see the middle infields looking for AA, high A & A.

Corpus Christi -

2nd - Altuve
SS - Organizational player (possibly Wlad Sutil)

Lancaster -

2nd - Parades
SS - Villar

Lexington -

2nd - DeShields/Henriquez
SS - Mier

You can see where Cartwright was depth and not a top prospect. He was a 36th round draft pick and has been traded for a LHP who has a shot to help out in the bullpen at AAA or maybe in Houston. At this point, I would say this is a good trade for Houston. I would also wish Albert Cartwright the best of luck with his new team.