Welcome to Appy Astros, a blog dedicated to following current & former Greeneville Astros, the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. Here you will find reports on current G-Stros, updates on the development of former G-Stros and occasionally an update on what has happened to the guys who have hung up their spikes.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Former G-Stros Playing Indy Ball 2012

With independent leagues starting to get underway, I thought we would take a peak at their rosters and see if there are any former Greeneville Astros still playing unaffiliated ball.  I found 10 that are on current rosters, one who has moved to coaching and one who has been naughty and is on the suspended list. I also located at least 12 other guys who played in the Astros farm system on the rosters.  I might have missed one as there are a bunch of indy leagues and teams. 

American Association:
Ole Sheldon (2004) - St. Paul Saints
Bubby Williams (2009/10) - Kansas City T-Bones
Beau Torbert (2004)- Hitting Coach - Lincoln Salt Dogs
Mitch Einertson (2004)- Wichita Wingnuts
Ryan Mitchell (2006)- Amarillo Sox

Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Jon Gaston - Fargo, Chris Salamida - Winnipeg, Matt Cusick - Winnipeg, and Lee Cruz - Kansas City

Atlantic League

Douglas Arguello (2004) - Somerset Patriots

Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Raymar Diaz - Blueport, Collin DeLome- Bridgeport, Lou Santangelo - Somerset, Ryan McKeller - Sugarland, Jimmy Van Ostrand - Sugarland, Drew Locke - Sugarland.

Canadian American League
Bryce Lane (2010) - Newark Bears
Kyle Greenwalt  (2007/08)- New Jersey Jackals
Steve Brown (2006)- Qubec Capitals

Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Anthony Pluta - Newark

Frontier League:
Garrett Bullock (2009/10)- Evansville Otters
Marcus Nidiffer (2010)- Travers City Beach Bums
Josh Flores (2005) - On suspended list of Joliet Slammers

Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Justin Gill - River City Rascals


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Appy Astros Alumni of the Month: April 2012

Each month of the season, I will select a former Greeneville Astros player who had the best month at each level of the organization. I will also select one for outside the organization. Let's get started with our review of April:

Lexington Legends: 
Hitter of the Month- Alex Todd
Todd hit an even .300 in 18 games (70 AB) in the month.  He was a road warrior hitting. 438 on the road.

Pitcher of the Month- Mike Foltynewicz
Folty was solid in his five starts (27 1/3 IP).  He finished the month with a 1.98 ERA, which was good for 8th best in the league.  He fanned 27 batters this month.

Lancaster JetHawks
Hitter of the Month - Jonathan Meyer
While Telvin Nash has gotten attention for his Home Runs (9 in the month), Meyer has quietly put together an all around good month.  He hit .309 with four doubles, two triples and two HR.  

Honorable Mentions: Telvin Nash & Jio Mier

Pitcher of the Month - Rubin (RJ) Alaniz
Pitching in Lancaster is not for the faint of heart.  Alaniz has performed well in his five starts (31 IP) in the Cal League.  His 2.90 ERA for the month is second on the team among starters.  He fanned 26 and walked only seven during the month.

Corpus Christi Hooks
Hitter of the Month -  Brandon Barnes
Barnes hit .353 for the month with 21 RBI in 22 games.  Of his 32 hits, 18 were for extra bases (14 doubles and four HR).  His 14 doubles leads the Texas League and he is listed in the top 10 in almost every offensive category. 
Honorable Mention - Kody Hinze
 
Pitcher of the Month - Jose Cisnero
Cisnero had three good outings and two that weren't so great during April.  He finished the month with a descent 3.80 ERA but with 30 strike outs in 23 2/3 IP.

Honorable Mention - Arcenio Leon

Oklahoma City RedHawks
Hitter of the Month - None - there are no hitters in Oklahoma City who have spent time in Greeneville. 

Pitcher of the Month - Fernando Abad

Sandwiched between two unspectacular performances in Houston, Abad put up stellar numbers out of the pen in AAA.  In 5 relief appearances (7 1/3 IP), Abad struck out 12 and didn't allow a run.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Lyles

Outside of the System - Minors
Hitter of the Month - Jordan Parraz
Parraz hit .367 in April for the Gwinnett Braves (AAA).  He is 6th in the league in batting average.  Parraz, who was one of the last players cut from the Braves spring training, is making a case for his first call up to the Majors. 

Pitcher of the Month - Tom Vessella
Vessella pitching out of the pen for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA- Giants) appeared in nine games (11 2/3 IP) in April.  He amassed a 3.09 ERA, allowing only six hits, while walking seven and striking out seven. 
 
Major League
Hitter of the Month - Jose Altuve
El Escorpion leads all MLB 2nd basemen in average, on base percentage, and hits. He is in the top three in runs, doubles, slugging, and OPS.  His .360 average for the month of April was third best among NL hitters and 7th best in all of MLB.  But I am most excited about the seven walks he took! 

Pitcher of the Month - Troy Patton
Patton was the only former G-Stro pitcher to spend the whole month in the bigs.  He got off to a rough start, giving up 2 earned runs in 1/3 of an inning.  Since then, he has surrendered three earned runs in 9 2/3 IP. His performance out of the bullpen has helped the Orioles get off to a surprising start in the AL East.