Season Recap: Infielders

Lets go around the diamond and look at how the infielders did in 2012 for the G-Stros.


I will start with the 2012 MVP Brian Blasik.  The Non Drafted Free Agent out of the University of Dayton had a very impressive 2012.  He appeared in 48 games at second and also put in five appearances at third and one in left field.  At second, he showed a sure glove.  He made just four errors in 212 chances for a fielding percentage of .981.

At the plate, Blasik stayed among the league leaders in average for the season and finished with a solid .318 average.  Had he not suffered an injured hand in August, he might have appeared in just about every game.  Still he batted in 55 of the G-Stros 68 games.  He only hit one home run but had 18 extra base hits out of the 69 hits collected.  He also started taking more walks as the season progressed.  He is a very aggressive hitter as well.  With Blasik's solid glove, solid bat, versatility in the field and his age; I would not be surprised to see him at high A next year. Definitely a great sign by the Astros' scouting department.

Jean Batista was another solid performer in 2012 for the G-Stros.  In the field, he played 26 games at first, 11 at second and 10 at short.  He was new to first base when the season began and made some early errors but acclimated to the position well.  He made three errors at first in 226 chances (.987 fielding %).  In the middle infield, he struggled more defensively.  He made two errors at second in 54 chances (.964 fielding %) and made five errors at short in 71 chances (.930 fielding %).  I would have like to have seen him at third some.  However, he did play four games there after his promotion to TriCities with less than stellar results.

Batista is a hitter.  Twenty seven of his 69 hits in Greeneville went for extra bases (19 doubles, two triples and six HR).  He left Greeneville with a .321/.345/.531 slash line in 51 games. Batista hit well in TriCities in a small sample size as well.

Batista lost a year of development due to age related issues surrounding his signing.  These are chronicled in the documentary Pelotero. Batista appears to be working hard to make up for lost time and will likely be in full season ball next year.  I expect you will continue to see him playing multiple positions as a means of finding ways to get his bat in the line up. 

Carlos Correa came to Greeneville late in the season and let it be known he was worthy of the first overall draft pick.  He was solid in the field making some tough plays in the hole look easy.  He did make one error in the 43 chances he has at short (.977 fielding %).  He was equally impressive at the plate where he hit .371/.450/600 over 11 games.  His baseball IQ impressed several of the folks I talked to about him. Barring an injury, I expect to see him in Quad Cities next season.

Rio Ruiz also got a late call up.  In nine games at third, he made just one error in 20 chances (.950 fielding %).  He received an AB in 15 games. he showed descent pop with five of his 11 hits going for extra bases.  Yet, overall, his numbers dropped after his promotion.  As always, caution should be used in making projections from short season numbers.  I think we will get a good look at Ruiz next spring in Quad Cities.

Michael Martinez played 42 games at first. He played a solid first base, making just two errors.  The 22 year old from Florida International batted in 48 games.  He hit a solid .277 for the season. He finished strong with a .292 average for August with a equally strong .391 OBP.  His power dropped as the year went on but his strike outs did too.  He fanned just eight times in August (72 AB) after striking out 18 times in July (62 AB). He walked 11 times in August after walking 11 times in June & July combined.  Solid production from the 36th round draft choice.

Angel Ibanez showed improvement over the season.  He played 53 games at third and added in four appearances at first and a cameo in left for one game.  At third, he made 11 errors in 118 chances (.907 fielding %).  There is no game log for errors so I can't verify this but my memory is that most of those were in the first part of the season.   At the plate, Ibanez didn't show much pop but he did handle the bat fairly well. He hit .264 over 60 games.  

Jimmy Howick made his pro debut in Lexington this year after missing all of 2011 after being drafted in the 21st round.  After starting the season in Lexington, he was brought down to Greeneville where he played a great deal of short to start the season.  He played 39 games at short, and five games at second this season. He made seven errors at short in 149 chances for a .953 fielding percentage.  At the plate, he got off to a descent start with a .278 average in 10 games in June but fell off from there.  He finished with a .121 August in 11 games that brought his season average down to .201.

Jose Fernandez also moved down from Lexington to Greeneville during the season. He played in eight games at short, two games at second and one game at first.  The sample sizes are really too small to know what to make of Fernandez at the plate but he appeared to struggle making contact.  He won't turn 20 until next May, so he is still very young.

On a side note,Josh Magee, who was released early in the season has walked on at Alabama and is listed on their roster as a wide receiver.  He is #88 and has not made a catch yet. 

  

Eye Witness Report: July 8th Greenevile 2 - Bristol 5

Well, Bristol got their first road win of the season.  Greeneville had their chances in this game but couldn't get a timely hit or a timely out.  Here are my fan observations from last nights game:

On the mound:
Fredrick Tiburcio was sandwiched some good outs in between a rough start and a bad finish.  A lead off single followed a solid triple resulted in a first inning run for the B-Sox.  He got out of the man on third no out jam and then completed three straight one, two, three innings.  He then blew up in the fifth.  A lead off triple, a walk and a single led to one run and then a two out double plated two more.  This was his longest outing of the year. 

The bullpen did an excellent job.  Christian Garcia fanned the  side in his inning of work.  Scott Zuloaga scattered three fly balls around the outfield in his one inning.  Euris Quezada got a bunch of ground balls but they were often hit hard.  One took a bad hop and caught Mike Martinez in the throat. It was a scary moment but he stayed in the game.  Another handcuffed Jimmy Howick at short for an error that led to an unearned run.  Michael Dimock did a nice job in his inning as well. 

At the plate:
Ariel Ovando went one for four but also just missed on a missile down the right field line in the ninth that would have been for extra bases.  On the down side, later in that at bat, he hit a hard grounder to first that pinballed around the first baseman's feet.  Ovando didn't hustle down the line and allowed the late covering pitcher to beat him by several steps.

Brian Blasik impressed me yet again with a bunt single that was perfectly placed in the sixth.  I am not sure if it was called or not but it put a runner on base when Greeneville was having trouble creating any momentum.   He also got on with a walk. 

Josh Magee went one for three, but he hit the ball hard all night. 

Terrell Joyce extended his hitting streak to nine games with a one for four night. 

In the field: 

Joyce made the play of the night with a great diving catch in left.  The ball was hit to left and was tailing toward the line.  He ran a long way and made a great dive at the ball about a foot off the ground and came up with the catch.

The loss, combined with an E-Twins loses keeps the G-Stros 2 1/2 games back of Elizabethton and 1 1/2 ahead of Johnson City for the wild card spot. 

Greeneville Report - The Hitters -June 2012

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  The 2012 edition of the G-Stros have hit the ground running and are certainly making a positive impression with a 9-3 mark to start the season.  Here are some of the individual player highlights from June.  All stats will be from June but their rank among league leaders will be as of last night's games.

Hitters:

Juan Batista - hit .377 for the month of June with seven of his 20 hits going for extra bases. That provided him with a slugging percentage of .603.  He has only struck out five times in 54 at bats, compared to his brief stay in Greeneville last season where he struck out 13 times in 45 at bats.

In the field, Batista has played the most at first, though he is listed as a shortstop.  At short, he has struggled making four errors in 19 chances.

Among league leaders, he is tied for seventh in runs scored (11), second in hits (21), tied for ninth in doubles (4), tied for eighth in HR (2), tied for 4th in RBI (12), fourth in total bases (33), and seventh in batting average and slugging.

Ariel Ovando -is getting a second chance to make a better impression. Last year, he appeared like he wasn't giving good effort in the field.  This year, that has not been the case.  The best evidence of this was in a game early in the year, he made a sliding attempt at a foul ball near the Greeneville bullpen that last season, he probably wouldn't have attempted.

For June, he hit .364 in June with six of his 16 hits for extra bases.  Even though he struck out 13 times in 44 at bats, he still produced an OBP of .408.  He has yet to make an error in 14 chances in the right field.  He has one outfield assist.

Compared to the league leaders, he is also tied for seventh in runs scored (11), leads the league in doubles (7), tied for fourth in RBI (12),  and ninth in total bases (27). He has added two more Ks in July tying him for ninth most (15)

Brian Blasik - is fun to watch. He has been good at the plate but more impressive in the field where he has yet to make an error in 50 chances at 2B (8 games) and 3B (1 game).  At the plate, he is hit .372 for June with six of his 16 hits going for extra bases.  He has been at bat with runners on base in 22 of his 43 at bats.  In those situations, he is hitting .591! In 15 at bats with runners in scoring position, he is hitting .600!  Any wonder why I call him "Big Hit Brian"? He is very aggressive at the plate but has only struck out one time.  He puts the ball in play.  His on base percentage is .386 but would rise if he ever took a walk.  He has no walks on the year due to his aggressive approach.

Among league leaders, he is tied for second in doubles (5), tied for fourth in RBI (12), tied for 10th in total bases (24) and is fifth in batting average.

Other league leaders: 
Ernesto Genoves is ninth on OPS (.970) and tied for second in doubles (5).

Mark Wik is third in OBP (.477) and tied for ninth with eight walks.

D'Andre Toney is tied for fifth in runs scored (12).

Josh Magee is tied for sixth with four stolen bases.


Michael Martinez is tied for eighth in HR (2).

As a team, Greeneville is third in runs scored (94), doubles (32), RBI (81) OBP (.357), and OPS (.760). They are second in hits (149), total bases (209), batting average (.288).  They also have the fewest strikeouts in the league (87).

They have been caught stealing (9) more than any other team but they have stolen 14 bases, which places them at fourth in the league.

What To Watch For In 2012 - Former G-Stros Secondbaseman

In our continuing series of what we will be looking for from former Greeneville Astros. Moving around the diamond to second, let's see what we will be watching for as full season ball begins. The year(s) they played in Greeneville and their age on opening day will be in parenthesis.

Second Base
Jose Altuve (2008,09 - 21) What a year for Jose!  Jumping from high A to MLB.  Getting almost 900 AB in minors, majors and winter ball?  Can he build off the buzz of a great 2011 season and put up solid MLB numbers in 2012? Will the lack of rest this winter hurt him this season?  

Albert Cartwright (2007, 08 - 23) - Missed all of 2011 season with a torn Achilles tendon. He is a part of the Phillies' farm system. How will he do after missing all of 2011?

Delino DeShields (2010 - 19) - Showed solid progress with the transition to second.  Yes he made a bunch of errors but many were before the all star break. Will he progress on to Lancaster to start the season?  With the defense improving, will the bat follow?  Will stolen bases improve?

Josh Magee (2011 - 20 - Rookie) - Hit .376 in August to boost his season average to .283.   This was aided by his record breaking 12 at bat hitting streak. Can he continue to improve his approach at the plate as the pitchers he faces improve? Can show improvement defensively this year?

Ben Orloff (2009 - 24 - Low A) - Orloff played 80 games at SS for Lexington last year and just 15 at 2B.  He hit a solid .284 but is old for the level.  Will he head to Lancaster or be released this year?

Ruben Sosa (2011 - 21 - Low A) - I am putting him in this group because he played more games at 2nd base (20) than he did in the outfield (16) for Greeneville in 2011.   Will he make a Lexington out of Spring Training?  Will he be in the OF or at 2nd this year?

Projected placement for those still in the Astros organization:

MLB
Altuve
 

Oklahoma City - AAA

Corpus Christi - AA

Lancaster - High A
DeSheilds
Orloff

Lexington - Low A
Magee

Extended Spring Training
Sosa

Three G-Stros up for MILB Game of the Year Awards

MILB let's fans vote on a number of awards every year.  They currently have the ballots up for "Best Game of the Year" at each level.  Three former G-Stros are mentioned in these awards.  Here is your chance to show your support for these outstanding performances.

First of all we have Chris Wallace & Telvin Nash sending balls out of McCormick field in Asheville like they were candy canes at a Christmas parade.  Back in April Telvin & Chris each went 5-for-6 with three homers, a double and four runs scored. You can read more about the game here. And  vote for them here.

Later in the season, Josh Magee had an amazing run of getting a hit in 12 straight at bats for Greeneville. I know the award is for "Best Game" but Magee's outstanding performance stretched over three games.  He went 5-5 and 4-4 in back to back games and then got three hits in the next game before striking out going for hit number 13.  You can read about the streak here and vote here.  

Let's support our former G-Stros - Vote early & often!

GCL - Past, Present, & Future (2011 edition)

Last year, I looked back at the where the 2009 GCL players spent their seasons and then made predictions where the 2010 folks would spend their 2011.  I didn't do to badly on the prediction piece.  All four of the players I predicted to be in G'ville (Moon, Monzon, Smith & Jones) were there.  Of the three I projected for Tri Cities, two of the three spent time there this year (Scott & Rosario) while one player was released (Ditthardt).  I didn't fair as well in Lexington where I only  one (Perez) out of three spent any time there.

Let's do the same process for this year:

Where 2010 GCL Astros Spent 2011:

Lets look at only those who spent more than a handful of games in the GCL in 2010 and find out where they spent 2011.


Repeat of GLC 

Of the 39 players who spent significant time on the GCL roster in 2010, 11 (28%) of them returned to the GCL for 2011.  That is a slight increase from the 26% (9 players) who returned from 2009 to 2010.  Let's look at a few of the returnees to see who they did in their second stint.


Jose Fernandez (SS) - The young shortstop showed slight improvement at the plate.  His average and OBP raised slightly.  He stolen base total jumped from four to 11 while holding his caught stealing to three.  His fielding showed significant improvement.  He dropped from 32 errors in 265 chances to 15 errors in 203 chances.  He will still be 18 when spring training rolls around next season. 

Luca Martone (2B) - Showed a huge jump at the plate this season in the GCL. His average went from .173 to .314 and his OPS jumped from .419 to .770.  He remained solid in the field.  He will also be 18 when spring training starts.

Kyle Reddinger (1B) - The 11th round draft pick in 2010 went backwards in 2011.  His average dropped from .219 to .148 and his OPS dropped from .568 to .436.  He will be 20 when spring training starts.

Pedro Gomez (RHP) - His ERA dropped from 7.76 down to 4.18. His WHIP dropped from 1.979 to 1.429.  This drop was highlighted by his hits dropping from 54 in 31 1/3 IP to 21 in 28 IP.  However, his BB jumped from 8 to 19.  He will be 20 when spring training starts.


Evan Grills (LHP) - The 10th pick in the 2010 draft might be ready for a big jump in 2012.  He showed good progress in 2011.  He appeared in 13 games (33 1/3 IP) and amassed a 3.00 ERA.  He only allowed 7 walks to go along with 33 hits for a 1.212 WHIP and he fanned 29 batters.  He will be 19 at the start of spring training.

Kirshawn Holley (RHP) - Holley only made one appearance in 2010, so 2011 was for all intents and purposes, his first season.  He had an impressive showing.  In 13 appearances (16 2/3 IP) he fanned 15 while only allowing 12 hits and 8 unintentional walks.  He will turn 20 just before spring training starts.

Francis Ramirez (RHP) - He repeated the GCL for most of the season and while his numbers didn't improve from an outcome standpoint.  He continued to miss bats consistently.  This warranted a late season jump to Greeneville where he fared better in ERA and showed better control. He will be 20 when spring training starts.

 Promoted to Greeneville

Greeneville was a popular landing spot for the GCL class of 2010.  They had 14 players (36%) make the jump to the Appy League.  This is an increase from the 24% who made the same jump last year.  Here is a look at what the experience was like for some of the more notable players to make the leap.

Ernesto Genoves (C) - He looked poised for a break out season after posting a batting average over .370 for the first 20 games.  However he faded in August, hitting just 172 for his last 18 games.  However, his season average of .280 was still an increase from his GCL numbers and his OPS jumped .140 points.  He will still be 20 when spring training begins.

Jordan Scott (LF) - Scott actually spent some time this year in Lexington before the short season teams started but he spent the majority of the season in Greeneville so he is listed here.  He had an All Star caliber season in Greeneville.  He was named the team MVP after hitting .337 in 60 games in Greeneville.  His defense will need some work but has shown he is ready for full season ball, and he will just be 19 when spring training starts.

Joshua Magee (2B) - Magee showed a significant amount of development this season.  He only hit .133 in June (9 games), he hit .232 in July (21 games) and then capped off the season by hitting .376 in August.  His August was helped by a 12 for 12 streak during the month.  Overall, his average jumped 56 points and his OPS rose 134 points.  He will be 20 when spring training starts.

Chan Moon (SS) - Moon showed a descent glove but his offensive numbers dropped from the GCL days.  He showed alittle more power but everything else showed decline.  Although he did have better numbers in August (.256 avg with .680 OPS).  He will be turning 21 during spring training next year.

Luis Ordosgoitti (RHP) - When as an 18 year old, you come into the APPY and strike out 42 batters in 44 IP while only walking seven, you qualify as a pitcher to watch.  He needs to work on missing bats a bit more.  He gave up 47 hits in those 44 IP.  He will be 19 when spring training starts.

Jose Perdomo (RHP) - Perdomo didn't fare as well as Ordosgoitti.  In fact, he was shut down in mid July and didn't appear again.  In his five starts (18 IP), he surrendered 33 hits and four HR.  He did fan 21 during those appearances.  Perdomo will be 20 at the start of spring training 2012.

Jeremiah Meiners (LHP) - I always like to pull for the underdog.  Meiners was a 40th round draft pick who didn't fare too well in the GCL in 2010 (6.95 ERA in 22 IP).  However, he showed growth in Greeneville.  In 40 1/3 IP (20 games), he fanned 42 batters and only allowed 34 hits and 10 walks for a WHIP of 1.09.  He will be 23 when spring training rolls around so the odds are against him but I hope the growth continues.

Promoted to Tri Cities
There were four players (10%) who were promoted to Tri Cities from the 2010 team.  That is up from 2 players or 6% from the 09 group.  All of those promoted were pitchers.

Kristian Bueno (LHP) - Bueno struggled with his control in SS-A ball.  He walked 19 batters in 20 2/3 IP. He will be 23 when 2012 spring training starts.

Dayan Diaz  (RHP) - Diaz put on a show in Tri Cities.  His season ERA was an impressive 1.98 over 50 IP (19 games).  More impressive was the 70 strike outs in those 50 innings pitched. Diaz missed all of 2009 and most of 2010 with injury so his 2011 performance puts his name on the radar for 2012. He will 23 just before spring training begins.

Juri Perez (RHP) - Perez is working his way back from an injury at the end of the 09 season that stunted his development.  He show some signs of returning to his strong 2009 form (67 Ks in 67 1/3 IP)  but there is still a long way to go (5.48 ERA).  He will still only be 21 when spring training rolls around.

Ebert Rosario (RHP) - Rosario continued his effort to covert from an infielder to a pitcher.  He struggled with his control in the NYPenn League, walking 14 batters in 23 2/3 IP but he also fanned 27.  Still a work in progress.  He will turn 25 after the season starts next year, so time is limited.

Promoted to Lexington
There was only one player(3%) who spent the majority of 2010 in the GCL who made the jump to the SALLY League.  That is down from four in 2010.

Roberto Pena (C) - In his first full season, Pena showed promise, nabbing 39% of runners who tried to steal.  However, the wear and tear of the long season appeared to catch up to him.  His batting numbers peaked in July (.258 avg & .638 OPS) but waned as the season went along.  He is seen as a promising catching prospect by those in Houston.

Released 
So far, we have covered 30 of the 39 players who spent any significant time on the 2010 GCL Astros roster, that leaves us with 9 players who were released, retired or were placed on the restricted list before the end of the 2011 season.  That list is as follows:

Ryan Ditthardt
Wilder Parra 
Geber Suniaga
Emmanuel Cedano
B J Hagans
Rafael Felix
Austin Lucas
Andrea Lucatti
Dieudone Paul


Back to the Future

So now who do I think could make the move this year. Any of the projections here are likely to be impacted by the draft, and any prospects picked up in trades. Let’s see who the crystal ball says we should keep an eye on for next year.

Greeneville 

Yonathon Mejia (2B)  - After improving his average from .235 in the DSL to .329 in the GCL, Mejia is ready to move up.  However, with his age being 19 next year, I don't expect him to jump to Tri Cities but it is possible. He needs time in the field.  He was at DH for 21 of his games in the GCL.

Luca Martone (2B) -He got the majority of the starts at 2B for the GCL team but he only appeared in 29 games.  I can see he and Mejia sharing time at 2B at Pioneer Park next season. 

Kenny Diaz (C) - It is a small sample size but in 13 games, he hit .281 and he threw out 5 out of 9 runners trying to steal.  He will be 19 when spring training begins.

Kelvin Vizcaino  (LF) - Average increased from .191 to .244 in his jump from the DSL to the GCL.  

Javaris Reynolds (CF) - The 7th round draft pick out of H. S. only hit .228 this season but he plays a solid center field.  He might repeat the GCL but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Greeneville.

Kirshawn Holley (RHP) & Evan Grills (LHP) - They give every indication that it is time to move up.

 
Tri Cities


Juan Mojica (RHP)  - His 1.42 ERA earned a late season promotion to Greeneville in 2011.

Blake Ford (RHP) - The 44th round pick for 2011 appeared in 18 games with a 1.90 ERA.  Might jump all the way to Lex.

Justin Gill (RHP) - Held opponents to a .210 average in 21 2/3 IP as a 22 year old in the GCL.

Lexington

Chris Epps (RF/LF) - Hit .304 in 35 games before promotion to Tri Cities.  There he hit just just .212 in 70 plate appearances but did crush two HR.  Will turn 23 in December.

Feel free to add you ideas about who you think is going where.  We will look back at this next year to see how we did.

Appy Astros G-Stros End of August Report

Little Appy Astro and I went to Pioneer Park last night and caught the last game of the season.  It is always a bitter sweet time of the year.  You can tell the players are ready to go home and see family and friends. And having experienced being away from home, I understand where they are coming from. However, as a baseball fan, it means the season is drawing to a close.  And a disappointing season at that.

I had high hopes for this edition of the G-Stros.  Some of the players I thought would do well, didn't.  However, that doesn't mean there wasn't some development that took place.  Let's take a look at who showed some growth during the final month of the season.

Josh Magee turned his season around in a big way in the month of August.  In June and July, he played in 30 games and was 20 for 99 at the plate (.202).  He got sizzling hot in August including one stretch where he hit in 12 straight AB.  He finished the month hitting .376 (32 of 85) and that brought his season average up to a respectable .283.  He is a good example of a player who develops over a short season.  He raised his OBP at least .100 points each month.

Jordan Scott was the MVP of the G-Stros this season.  He hit .337 on the season but hit .366 for the month of August.  He also hit his first HR of the season.  He will turn 20 on 9/22/11.  Look for him to be in LF in Lexington next season.

Jean Batista joined the G-Stros around the middle of August.  He appeared in 12 games and got off to a hot start.  The 19 year old SS hit .333 and also hit two HR during his brief stay in Greeneville.

On the mound, there were also some positive developments:


Frances Ramirez was called up from the GCL and made four starts in G'ville in August.  In those four starts, he put up a 2.89 ERA in 18 2/3 IP. He only allowed 12 hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters during that span. 

Tyson Perez put together a solid last month of the season.  His ERA for August was 3.54 in six starts but he fanned 29 batters in 28 innings pitched.  Prior to this month, he had only fanned 20 in 27 IP. 

Chris Lee, the highest draft pick at the start of the year, showed some signs of development.  He fanned 26 batters during his last 23 2/3 IP.  While he still gave up way too many walks, he was getting more swings and misses and more ground balls.

Jeremiah Meiners was one of the most solid arms out of the pen all season.  He finished with a 2.90 ERA and never had a month where his ERA rose to the 3.00 level.  In 40 1/3 IP, he fanned 42 batters and only walked 10.   He didn't get enough IP to qualify among the league leaders (14 1/3 short), but his WHIP of 1.09 would have been in first place.  He showed significant growth over his 2010 season in the GCL (6.95 ERA).

Zach Dando didn't have the best of months for August but despite an ERA of 4.97, he held opposing batters to a .196 average.  He had more Ks (35) than IP (33).

Matison Smith was one of the older players on the roster.  At 23, he put together a nice August out of the G-Stros pen.  He put up a 1.42 ERA in 9 appearances (12 2/3 IP).  During that span, he fanned 20 batters.

Scott Zuloaga, had an impressive August.  The side winding lefty posted a 2.45 ERA for the month that was less than half of his previous month's 5.68.  During August, he appeared in 12 games and fanned 8 batters in 7 1/3 IP.  He also induced ground balls at a higher rate.  His season ERA is deceptively high due to his 36 ERA in August.

Most Likely To Return
Last year, I predicted that Cotton & Batista would return to pitch in G'ville.  Here are the players, I feel will be back in Greeneville next year.  It will be a larger number than were here this year.

Possible returnees include:

Ariel Ovando - raw talent still has a great deal of work to do in the field and on the bases.
Darwin Rivera - made a big jump to the Appy after only 13 games in the DSL over 2 years.
Garen Wright - injuries hampered this season for another raw outfielder.
Chan Moon - really started to shine at SS later in the season.  Had a few flashes at the plate as well.
Adrian Houser - don't see him ready for older competition yet. 
Jose Perdomo - if he is not hurt, I could see him back for a 2nd year.  Didn't pitch after 7/18.

If those six players return, that would be a solid foundation for a good team for 2012.  Because there is always next year.

A few silly & serious things to look for in the last 8 games

Heading into the last 8 games of the season. The G-Stros have a 24 - 36 mark. Here is what we know... they will NOT finish with the worst record in G-Stros history. That ignoble mark belongs to the 2007 G-Stros who finished 17-51.

Let's look at what could happen if they win a certain number of games.

8- Let's go out with a streak and win them all. If that happens, they pass the 2010 club (31-35) for the 3rd most wins in team history.

7 - Okay, so maybe nobody's perfect and they let one get away. They will still have the 3rd best win total along side the 2010 club.

6- That would be a solid way to wrap up the season. This would assure them that they do not finish last in the Appy West based on their two game lead over Bristol. 30 looks so much better than 29 in the win column. They would also tie the 2008 team for the 4th highest win total.

5- That would be over half the remaining games won. It would tie them with the 2005 club (29-37) for 5th most wins. It would also insure that they would not have the worst record in the league based on their three game lead over Burlington in the overall standings.

4 - Finishing .500 would keep them ahead of the the 2009 club (27 - 40) and put them in 6th best record by themselves. And let's face it loosing any more means 40 losses and 40 losses simply looks bad.

I won't even go into the impact of loosing more than half of the last eight. I am hoping they are able to pull out at least five wins.

What so you don't find this kind of score board watching fun? Fine, then let's just continue to see if:

Josh Magee can continue his torrid pace. If he gets eight more hits, he will have averaged a hit per game this season.

Ariel Ovando can finish strong. Only hitting .221 in August.

Ernesto Genoves can keep the average above .300 for the season. Currently at .303

Jordan Scott can reach higher than 5th best batting average in the Appy League.

Greeneville fans can claim their 8th straight attendance win. They are 8,000 fannies in the seats ahead with five more home games.

There is always something to look for at the ball park.