So we have come to the bullpen at last. Eighty percent of the players listed below, pitched in Greeneville in 2009, 2010 or 2011. Relievers are the longest shots to make it to the majors. Let's see who is still around and what I will be watching for in 2012 as the full season teams start up next month.
The player's year(s) with the G-Stros, highest level and age on opening day will be in parentheses.
Relief Pitchers
Fernando Abad (2007, MLB, 26) - Abad didn't live up to expectations in 2011. I suspect he pitched too much in winter ball and wasn't rested for spring training. This year, he only pitched 16 innings of winter ball and is off to a good start in spring training. Will he be with the big club when camp breaks? Can he have a breakout year?
Wander Alvino (2008, Hi A, 25) - Alvino had fairly impressive numbers for Lancaster in '11. He fanned 73 batters in 73 innings but did have an increase in walks. How will he handle AA hitters?
Ryan Cole (2010, SS A, 24) - Cole was the closer in Tri Cities last season. Will he be in Lancaster before the year is out?
Jermaine Cotton (2010, 11, SS A, 21) After being a reliever in 2010, he was pressed in starting in 2011. He did well as a starter and earned a promotion to Tri Cities where he made five starts. Will he start or relieve in Lexington in 2012? Can he continue to show the improvement he showed in 2011?
Zachary Dando (2011, Rookie, 21) - Had an up and down season in Greeneville but more up than down. Can he make the jump to Lexington in 2012?
Victor Garate (2005, MLB, 27) - Garate pitched in AAA for the Marlins last year putting up an impressive 2.72 ERA out of the pen. He was signed by the Brewers as a minor league free agent and is expected to be AAA depth. Will he get another crack at the bigs this year.
Murilo Gouvea (2009, Lo A, 23) - The Brazilian right hander, who was acquired from the White Sox for cash in 2009, put up solid numbers in Lexington in 2011 out of the pen. How will he fair in Lancaster? Can he have more K's than IP for the third straight year?
B. J. Hyatt (2009, Rookie, 23) - He hasn't pitched in two seasons due to an injury. Will he make a comeback in 2012?
David Martinez (2009, Lo A, 25) - Had a descent season in Lex and then pitched in the LVBP in his home country of Venezuela. How will he fair in Lancaster? Can this be a two level year for him?
Steve Martin (2011, Rookie, 24) - A Tale of two months. July (1.38 ERA ) and August (11.45 ERA). Had less than 20 innings pitched at Texas A&M. Will we see a jump in the learning curve in 2012?
Jeremiah Meiners (2011, Hi A, 23) - Meiners showed significant growth from 2010 to 2011 and earned a late season promotion to Lancaster from Greeneville. Will he be back in Lancaster to start 2012 or will he be in Lexington?
Juan Mojica (2011, Rookie, 23) - Only made one appearance in G'ville. He has only pitched 30 2/3 IP since missing all of 2009 with injury. Will he be ready for full season ball in 2012?
Nathan Pettus (2008,09, Lo A, 23) - Pettus missed most of 2010 and 2011 with injuries. Will he be healthy enough to make a roster? Will injuries have claimed his career?
James Propst (2011, Rookie, 22) - Descent season in Greeneville in 2011. Will he show progress against advanced hitters in higher levels?
Rodney Quintero (2010, 11, Rookie, 22) - Quintero repeated Greeneville in 2011 and was not that impressive. Will he be on a roster in 2012?
Paris Shewey (2011, Rookie, 23) - Really struggled at the end of the year in Greeneville. Will he make it out of spring training?
Matson Smith (2011, Rookie, 23) - Smith was one of the older members of the G-Stros in 2011. He has put up solid numbers in two season of short season ball. Will he get a chance a full season ball this year?
Brian Streilein (2010, Lo A, 23) - Was great in June (2.12 ERA) and July (1.35 ERA). Not as much in May (7.71 ERA) and August (7.80 ERA). Will he have a consistent 2012?
Pat Urckfitz (2008, AAA, 23) - Urckfitz had a great 2010 and then struggled in 2011. I think he needs to ditch the contacts and go back to the rec specs! Can he recover the 2010 stuff? AA or AAA this year?
Scott Zuloaga (2011, Rookie, 22) - This sidewinder finished strong with a 2.45 ERA in August for Greeneville. He is a specialist with a 1.00 ERA verses right handed batters and a 14.29 ERA verses lefties. Will he be in Lexington in 2012? Will he get the chance to improve his numbers against righties?
Projected placement of those still in the Astros organization:
MLB:
Abad
Oklahoma City (AAA)
Urckfitz
Corpus Christi (AA)
Alvino
Lancaster (Hi A)
Gouvea
Martinez
Lexington (Lo A)
Cole
Cotton
Meiners
Mojica
Pettus
Quintero
Streilein
Zuloaga
Extended Spring Training
Dando
Hyatt
Martin
Propst
Shewey
Showing posts with label Alvino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alvino. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
2008 Greeneville Astros Progress Report
What a difference a year makes. The 2008 Greeneville Astros finished
the year 30-36. While not quite at .500, they were 13 games better
than the previous year's team. This was a young team with 18 of the 38
players still in the teen years when the season began. Three of them
were still 17 (Jay Austin, Jordan Lyles & Luis Cruz). In 2011, 58%
(22 out of 38) of the 2008 roster were still playing affiliated
baseball. In fact 12 of the 18 teenagers were still active.
Let's look at this group based on the highest level they played at this year. The percentage is of the 2008 full roster.
MLB 2 (5%)
Jose Altuve - Started in Lancaster and hit .408 prior to being moved to Corpus Christ where he hit .361. Then he was promoted to Houston. In the big leagues, he hit a respectable .276 in 221 at bats in 57 games. He appears to have locked down the starting 2nd base position for 2012 at the ripe age of 22.
Jordan Lyles - While Altuve's sudden climb was a bit of a surprise to some, Lyles ascendance was expected. He was sent to AAA to start the year after a solid spring training but was called up to the quickly to the majors and spent most of the season there. He started 15 games before being moved to the pen to keep his inning count down. He finished with a 2-8 record and a 5. 36 ERA. He has locked up a rotation position for 2012 at age 21.
AAA 2 (5%)
Patrick Urckfitz - Urckfitz bounced around earning frequent flier miles this year. He was in AA to start the season. Then got some brief time in at AAA before heading back to AA. Next came a short time in hi A before return to AA to wrap up the season. In four games at AAA he amassed a 17.47 ERA. In AA 5.08 in 31 games. In hi A, he appeared in 10 games with a 2.02 ERA. Gotta love a NDFA reaching this level. he will be 23 at the start of next season.
Henry Villar - Started the season in AAA but was moved to AA in June. In AAA, he made 7 starts but that experiment ended and he spent the rest of the year in the pen. Pitched just 76 innings worth of ball between the two for a combined 5.45 ERA. Villar had a brief appearance in the big leagues in 2010. He will be 24 at the start of next season.
AA 5 (13%)
Kody Hinze - Had a break out year. He started in Lancaster, where he hit .323 with 22 HR. He was promoted to CC where he hit 281 with 7 HR. He is getting extra at bats in the Arizona Fall League right now. Another solid Non Drafted Free Agent (NDFA) signing. He will be 24 in spring training.
Federico Hernandez - It was a rough year for Freddy. He struggled at the plate both at AA and at High A after he was sent down to Lancaster. In both stops he hit less than .200. He will turn 24 just before pitchers and catchers report.
Ross Seaton - Spent the year in Corpus Christi, 4-9 with a 5.23 in 28 starts. He continues to climb a level a year even thought the results aren't spectacular. He will just be 22 when spring training starts.
Kyle Greenwalt & Arcenio Leon see the 2007 write up.
Hi A 7 (18%)
Jay Austin - The former 2nd round draft pick repeated Lancaster to start the season. After not showing much progress over last season, he was sent to Lexington to finish the year and he continued to struggle. He is getting more at bats int the Arizona Fall League right now. He will be just 21 when the 2012 minor league players report to camp.
Rene Garcia - The 35th round pick from 2008 spent this season in the California league where he hit hit .242 with only 41 K in 326 AB. He threw out 30% of base stealers. He will turn 22 during spring training next year.
Luis Cruz - The 9th round pick in 2008 made 4 starts in Lancaster where he got shelled (ERA over 14). But found moderate success back in Lexington where he went 5-4 with a 4.45 era. He had 92 strike outs in 91 IP in Lex but gave up 15 HR. He will still be 21 when next season ends!
Colton Pitkin - see the 2007 write up
Zachary Grimmett - He split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen this year in Lancaster. As a starter 7.35 ERA in 18 games (85 2/3 IP) as a reliever 5.34 in 12 games (32 IP). He will turn 22 before he reports to spring training.
Jose Trinidad - Season shorted to just 10 games due to an injury. He will start the season on the DL at age 24.
Wander Alvino - Had 73 K in 73 IP (46 games). His 4.19 ERA isn't bad when you consider the location. His walks per 9 jumped from 2.8 in Lex in 10 to 6.3 in Lancaster. Alvino will turn 25 before he reports this spring.
Low A 3 (8%)
Jorge De Leon - The former shortstop now converted to pitcher went 6-4 with a 3.42 ERA in 43 games (55 1/3 IP). He struck out 51 to just 13 walks while giving up 5 long balls. He will be 24 next season.
Brad Dydalewicz - The 8th round pick of the 2008 draft had a rough season. In only 29 2/3 innings pitched between GCL & Lexington, he amassed a 10.86 ERA. He will turn 22 during spring training next season.
Jeiler Castillo - After being drafted by the A's in the rule 5 draft; Castillo started in the Midwest league (Low A) but was sent back to Vermont (SS A) for his 4th season in short season ball. He was released after the season.
Short Season 1 (3%)
Wilton Infante - The former outfielder tried to make the move to pitcher. After six outings in the GCL, he was released
DL/Rehab 2 (5%)
Albert Cartwright - see the 2007 write up.
Nathan Pettus - The former 27th round pick of the 2008 draft spent most of 2011 on the DL. He appeared in 5 games at the GCL Astros rehabbing his way back from an injury. He will be 23 when the new season starts.
We would expect the number of active players to continue to rise while we look at more recent teams but the jump from five to 22 in one year tells us that something changed in the Astros farm system in 2008. Oh yeah, Bobby Heck joined the Astros staff in October of 2007. You think that change made a difference?
Let's look at this group based on the highest level they played at this year. The percentage is of the 2008 full roster.
MLB 2 (5%)
Jose Altuve - Started in Lancaster and hit .408 prior to being moved to Corpus Christ where he hit .361. Then he was promoted to Houston. In the big leagues, he hit a respectable .276 in 221 at bats in 57 games. He appears to have locked down the starting 2nd base position for 2012 at the ripe age of 22.
Jordan Lyles - While Altuve's sudden climb was a bit of a surprise to some, Lyles ascendance was expected. He was sent to AAA to start the year after a solid spring training but was called up to the quickly to the majors and spent most of the season there. He started 15 games before being moved to the pen to keep his inning count down. He finished with a 2-8 record and a 5. 36 ERA. He has locked up a rotation position for 2012 at age 21.
AAA 2 (5%)
Patrick Urckfitz - Urckfitz bounced around earning frequent flier miles this year. He was in AA to start the season. Then got some brief time in at AAA before heading back to AA. Next came a short time in hi A before return to AA to wrap up the season. In four games at AAA he amassed a 17.47 ERA. In AA 5.08 in 31 games. In hi A, he appeared in 10 games with a 2.02 ERA. Gotta love a NDFA reaching this level. he will be 23 at the start of next season.
Henry Villar - Started the season in AAA but was moved to AA in June. In AAA, he made 7 starts but that experiment ended and he spent the rest of the year in the pen. Pitched just 76 innings worth of ball between the two for a combined 5.45 ERA. Villar had a brief appearance in the big leagues in 2010. He will be 24 at the start of next season.
AA 5 (13%)
Kody Hinze - Had a break out year. He started in Lancaster, where he hit .323 with 22 HR. He was promoted to CC where he hit 281 with 7 HR. He is getting extra at bats in the Arizona Fall League right now. Another solid Non Drafted Free Agent (NDFA) signing. He will be 24 in spring training.
Federico Hernandez - It was a rough year for Freddy. He struggled at the plate both at AA and at High A after he was sent down to Lancaster. In both stops he hit less than .200. He will turn 24 just before pitchers and catchers report.
Ross Seaton - Spent the year in Corpus Christi, 4-9 with a 5.23 in 28 starts. He continues to climb a level a year even thought the results aren't spectacular. He will just be 22 when spring training starts.
Kyle Greenwalt & Arcenio Leon see the 2007 write up.
Hi A 7 (18%)
Jay Austin - The former 2nd round draft pick repeated Lancaster to start the season. After not showing much progress over last season, he was sent to Lexington to finish the year and he continued to struggle. He is getting more at bats int the Arizona Fall League right now. He will be just 21 when the 2012 minor league players report to camp.
Rene Garcia - The 35th round pick from 2008 spent this season in the California league where he hit hit .242 with only 41 K in 326 AB. He threw out 30% of base stealers. He will turn 22 during spring training next year.
Luis Cruz - The 9th round pick in 2008 made 4 starts in Lancaster where he got shelled (ERA over 14). But found moderate success back in Lexington where he went 5-4 with a 4.45 era. He had 92 strike outs in 91 IP in Lex but gave up 15 HR. He will still be 21 when next season ends!
Colton Pitkin - see the 2007 write up
Zachary Grimmett - He split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen this year in Lancaster. As a starter 7.35 ERA in 18 games (85 2/3 IP) as a reliever 5.34 in 12 games (32 IP). He will turn 22 before he reports to spring training.
Jose Trinidad - Season shorted to just 10 games due to an injury. He will start the season on the DL at age 24.
Wander Alvino - Had 73 K in 73 IP (46 games). His 4.19 ERA isn't bad when you consider the location. His walks per 9 jumped from 2.8 in Lex in 10 to 6.3 in Lancaster. Alvino will turn 25 before he reports this spring.
Low A 3 (8%)
Jorge De Leon - The former shortstop now converted to pitcher went 6-4 with a 3.42 ERA in 43 games (55 1/3 IP). He struck out 51 to just 13 walks while giving up 5 long balls. He will be 24 next season.
Brad Dydalewicz - The 8th round pick of the 2008 draft had a rough season. In only 29 2/3 innings pitched between GCL & Lexington, he amassed a 10.86 ERA. He will turn 22 during spring training next season.
Jeiler Castillo - After being drafted by the A's in the rule 5 draft; Castillo started in the Midwest league (Low A) but was sent back to Vermont (SS A) for his 4th season in short season ball. He was released after the season.
Short Season 1 (3%)
Wilton Infante - The former outfielder tried to make the move to pitcher. After six outings in the GCL, he was released
DL/Rehab 2 (5%)
Albert Cartwright - see the 2007 write up.
Nathan Pettus - The former 27th round pick of the 2008 draft spent most of 2011 on the DL. He appeared in 5 games at the GCL Astros rehabbing his way back from an injury. He will be 23 when the new season starts.
We would expect the number of active players to continue to rise while we look at more recent teams but the jump from five to 22 in one year tells us that something changed in the Astros farm system in 2008. Oh yeah, Bobby Heck joined the Astros staff in October of 2007. You think that change made a difference?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Dominican Winter League Draft
The Dominican Winter League rookie draft has taken place. Here are the former Greeneville Astros and other players from the Houston minors who were drafted and what team they will be on next month when the DWL begins.
Jonathon Villar - taken in the 1st round by Aguilas Cibaenas (2nd overall)
Jimmy Paredes - taken in the 2nd round by Gigantes del Cibao
Wander Alvino - (G-Stro 2008) taken in the 8th round by Estrella de Oriente.
Juan Minaya - taken in the 8th round by Tigres del Licey
Miguel Arrendell (G-Stro 2009) taken in the 12th round by Estrella de Oriente.
Jose Cisneros - (G-Stro 2009) taken in the 6th round by Gigantes del Cibao
Jonathon Villar - taken in the 1st round by Aguilas Cibaenas (2nd overall)
Jimmy Paredes - taken in the 2nd round by Gigantes del Cibao
Wander Alvino - (G-Stro 2008) taken in the 8th round by Estrella de Oriente.
Juan Minaya - taken in the 8th round by Tigres del Licey
Miguel Arrendell (G-Stro 2009) taken in the 12th round by Estrella de Oriente.
Jose Cisneros - (G-Stro 2009) taken in the 6th round by Gigantes del Cibao
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)