Former G'stros on Opeing Day Rosters 2012

Teams had to finalize their rosters by 4:00 yesterday.  There were four former Greeneville Astros who were listed among 750 players who can call themselves current major leaguers. 

Fernando Abad - Astros (Greeneville 2007)
Hoping to rebound from a rough 2010 season, Abad showed good stuff this spring.  He only gave up four hits and one walk in 8 2/3 innings this spring.  Meanwhile he fanned 11 during that span.  The lingering concern with Abad is the long ball.  Two of the four hits this spring were home runs.  With the Astros keeping 13 pitchers on the opening day roster, the tryout might not be over.  He will have to continue to show he belongs in Houston every time out.

Jose Altuve - Astros - (Greeneville 2008-09)
Quickly becoming a fan favorite in Houston, Altuve showed more patience at the plate this spring taking 11 walks in 68 plate appearances. That is impressive improvement when you look at last year in both the majors and the minors, he walked just 31 times in 625 plate appearances. Being more selective should lead to him getting on base more and getting better pitches to drive.  He could be primed for a break out year.

J. D. Martinez - Astros - (Greeneville 2009)
Martinez has been slotted for LF since the end of last year.  His spring numbers were not great, so we will be watching to make sure he avoids a sophomore slump. We will also be watching to see how his body, especially his knees hold up to a full season of playing the field.  In 2011, out of the 88 games he batted in Corpus Christi before the call up, he only played 72 in the field.  That meant a fair amount of time at DH.  Not an option in Houston; at least not this year.

Troy Patton - Orioles - (Greeneville 2004)
Patton has become a different pitcher since his shoulder surgery.  This spring he was effective in 10 1/3 innings allowing eight hits, four walks and one hit batter while fanning only four.  But none of the 13 base runners crossed the plate.

It also looks like Patton is taking interview tips from Tim Tebow:

"I'm excited. I am really excited. But it will be interesting to see how it works, whether they use me long or short or specifically (against) lefties. Or what the deal is. But I'm just excited to be one of the 25," Patton said.

Patton is 26 and has worked hard to get back to the major league level.  Let's hope this is the first complete year of many in the big leagues for him. 

On the DL to start the year: 

Felipe Paulino - Royals - (Greeneville 2004) 
Paulino will start 2012 on the 15 day DL with a right forearm flexor pronator strain.  He will be eligible to come off the DL on 4/11/12.  Here is the latest on his recovery from the Kansas City Star

Right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino reported no day-after problems with his sore elbow after playing catch Monday before the Royals broke their Arizona camp. Plans call for him to play catch again today, and he expects to throw from a mound in a bullpen workout before the end of the week.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/03/3534200/royals-notebook-reports-all-positive.html#storylink=cpy