David Martinez makes #16

David Martinez got the call up to the show yesterday.  He made his MLB debut tonight becoming the 16th former Greeneville Astro to put on a MLB uniform.  

Here is the list of former Greeneville Astros who have made it to the big leagues

#1 RHP J.C. Gutierrez
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/19/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Angels

#2 LHP Troy Patton
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/25/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Baltimore Orioles

#3 RHP Felipe Paulino
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently on KC Royals DL

#4 C J.R. Towles
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently in AAA in Dodgers system.

#5 RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 6/27/2008 with Pittsburgh Pirates
Out of Baseball

#6 RHP Sammy Gervacio
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 8/14/2009 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#7 LHP Victor Garate
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 9/5/2009 with Washington Nationals
Currently in Mexican League (AAA - Unaffiliated)

#8 LHP Fernando Abad
Greeneville Astros: 2007
MLB Debut: 7/28/2010 with Houston Astros
Currently with Washington Nationals

#9 RHP Henry Villar
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/10/2010 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#10 RHP Jordan Lyles
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 5/31/11 with Houston Astros
Currently with Houston Astros

#11 2B Jose Altuve
Greeneville Astros: 2008-09
MLB Debut: 7/20/11 with Houston Astros -Current

#12 LF J.D. Martinez
Greeneville Astros: 2009
MLB Debut: 7/30/11 with Houston Astros - Currently on the 15 day DL

#13 OF Brandon Barnes
Greeneville Astros: 2005-06
MLB Debut: 8/7/12 with Houston Astros- Current

#14 RHP Jose Cisnero
Greeneville Astros 2009
MLB Debut: 4/22/13
Currently in AAA- Oklahoma City

#15 RHP Jorge De Leon
Greeneville Astros 2008 (as a SS)
MLB Debut 8/9/13
Currently in AAA - Oklahoma City

#16 RHP David Martinez
Greeneville Astro 2009
MLB Debut 8/21/13

Jorge De Leon Becomes 15th Former G-Stro in the Big Leagues

Earlier this month, Jorge De Leon, who played shortstop in Greeneville,  got the call up to the big leagues as a pitcher.  He became the 15th former G-Stro to make it to the show.

Here is the list of former Greeneville Astros who have made it to the big leagues

#1 RHP J.C. Gutierrez
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/19/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Angels

#2 LHP Troy Patton
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/25/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Baltimore Orioles

#3 RHP Felipe Paulino
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently on KC Royals DL

#4 C J.R. Towles
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently in AAA in Dodgers system.

#5 RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 6/27/2008 with Pittsburgh Pirates
Out of Baseball

#6 RHP Sammy Gervacio
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 8/14/2009 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#7 LHP Victor Garate
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 9/5/2009 with Washington Nationals
Currently in Mexican League (AAA - Unaffiliated)

#8 LHP Fernando Abad
Greeneville Astros: 2007
MLB Debut: 7/28/2010 with Houston Astros
Currently with Washington Nationals

#9 RHP Henry Villar
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/10/2010 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#10 RHP Jordan Lyles
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 5/31/11 with Houston Astros
Currently with Houston Astros

#11 2B Jose Altuve
Greeneville Astros: 2008-09
MLB Debut: 7/20/11 with Houston Astros -Current

#12 LF J.D. Martinez
Greeneville Astros: 2009
MLB Debut: 7/30/11 with Houston Astros - Current

#13 OF Brandon Barnes
Greeneville Astros: 2005-06
MLB Debut: 8/7/12 with Houston Astros- Current

#14 RHP Jose Cisnero
Greeneville Astros 2009
MLB Debut: 4/22/13
Currently in AAA- Oklahoma City

#15 RHP Jorge De Leon
Greeneville Astros 2008 (as a SS)
MLB Debut 8/9/13
Currently in AAA - Oklahoma City

Brandon Barnes Gets The Call

Reports out of Houston today indicate that Brandon Barnes will be the 13th Greeneville Astro alumni to make his Major League debut.   Barnes was drafted in the sixth round of the 2005 draft.  He is the third signed player from that draft to make it to the bigs.  The other two are Brian Bogusevic and Tommy Manzella. 

Barnes spent 2005 and 2006 in Greeneville and was a raw ball player.  He had been primarily a football player in high school with dreams of playing in the NFL.  However that changed and after one year at Cypress College as a walk on, he was drafted. He improved during his two years in Greeneville but then really started growing as he moved up the ladder.  His progress was slow and steady.  In 2009 and 2010 both saw him appear in three levels of the system.  He did enough in the 2011 year to have the Astros re-sign him to a minor league free agent deal with an invite to spring training as a non roster invitee.  He appeared in 14 spring training games and hit .267 in 15 at bats.  He has played well at Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City this season. 

Personal Side:
It is always exciting when a former Greeneville Astro gets the call up to the major leagues but it is even more exciting when you have a personally connection with the player.  So excuse me as I share a personal story. 

Our family was fortunate enough to get to know Brandon during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.  He was very generous with his time and was great to my kids.  There is no way to make me a big fan than to treat my kids well. 

Here is my favorite Brandon Barnes story:

We were sitting around the table during lunch and my son, who 6 at the time was talking baseball with Brandon and Ralphie Henriquez.  The topic turned to Vlad Guerrero.  My son stated, "What I don't understand is he is there best player and they have him playing right field.  That is where you put your worst player."  Ralphie dies laughing because if you check Brandon's stats from his time in Greeneville, you will find he played 30 games in RF in 2006 for the G-Stros.  Brandon educated my son on why you need your best arm in right field and why that is an important position.  Ralphie just agreed with my son that the worst player plays in RF.  The irony is my son has spent a fair amount of time in RF as he has gotten older as well due to his arm.

I have enjoyed following Brandon's career not just because of his growth as a baseball player but his growth as a man, a husband and father.  I have also enjoyed watching the growth of his faith as well. 

Good luck Brandon.  We are still pulling for you!

More Than Stats: 
There is something else in this promotion story for those of us who follow minor league baseball.  Don't get too caught up in short season stats.  Brandon hit .200 his first year and .220 his second year.  He was a work in progress.  He is a reminder to show some patience with these young men who are developing.  Those who make personnel decisions in pro ball look at more than a stat line. They call it player development for a reason. 

Martinez Makes 12

#1 RHP Juan Gutierrez
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/19/2007 with Houston Astros

#2 LHP Troy Patton
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/25/2007 with Houston Astros

#3 RHP Felipe Paulino
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros

#4 C J.R. Towles
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros

#5 RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 6/27/2008 with Pittsburgh Pirates

#6 RHP Sammy Gervacio
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 8/14/2009 with Houston Astros

#7 LHP Victor Garate
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 9/5/2009 with Washington Nationals

#8 LHP Fernando Abad
Greeneville Astros: 2007
MLB Debut: 7/28/2010 with Houston Astros

#9 RHP Henry Villar
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/10/2010 with Houston Astros

#10 RHP Jordan Lyles
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 5/31/11 with Houston Astros

#11 2nd Jose Altuve
Greeneville Astros: 2008-09
MLB Debut: 7/20/11 with Houston Astros

#12 LF J. D. Martinez
Greeneville Astros: 2009
MLB Debut: 7/30/11 with Houston Astros

J. D. Martinez Get's 1st Big League Hit & A Look Back

When I arrived home after the G-Stros game, I pulled up twitter to see what I had missed and saw that J. D. Martinez had been called on to pitch hit in Milwaukee. His first big league plate appearance resulted in a long double to deep center field. I love the look on his face in the video at MLB.com as he is chatting with Prince Fielder. It looks like he is trying to be nonchalant about the hit but the joy starts to leak out a little.

A Look Back
J. D. Martinez wasn't the focus of attention when he arrived in Greeneville for the 2009 season. The attention was focused on the infield. Altuve at 2nd, Mier at SS & Meyer at 3rd were to focus. A fan favorite, and two high draft picks. Yet, J. D. Martinez was the difference maker. He was only here for 19 games. During that time, he hit .403, slugged five HR and knocked in 23 RBI. His RBI total was still 3rd on the team when the season ended. His HR total was tied for second.

When Martinez went to Tri Cities after the July 11th game, the Astros offense went away. The G-Stros were 10 - 9 with Martinez and 17 - 31 without him. It came as no surprise when he was promoted. It was clear, he didn't belong in the Appy League, just like a year later, it was clear he was ready for AA after just half a season in Lexington.

It has been well documented that Martinez took exception to his late selection in the 2009 draft. However, he is the second 20th round draft pick to make it to the majors who also played in Greeneville. The other is J.R. Towles (20th round 2004).

Altuve Cast A Big Shadow

Last night, the family and I were out having fun when I got a text that said "What about your boy Altuve?" I figured he had just hit another home run in AA. When I got home and checked twitter and it was a buzz with Altuve talk. He had been called up to Houston.

I experience different feelings when I learn of promotions. Sometimes it is surprise, sometimes it is excitement, and sometimes there is "what took so long" feeling. Last night, I couldn't stop smiling. I showed my wife...she started smiling. I showed my kids...they started smiling. I spent the next several minutes reading clever tweats and neat articles about the news. You see, when you follow a minor league team, you develop relationships with players. Altuve is a gifted ball player, but he is a good person too. That matters. That makes him easy to root for.

Jose Altuve came to Greeneville in 2008 as an 18 year old kid. He played hard, had success, smiled for pictures and signed plenty of balls, tickets, shirts and programs. The fans loved him. We were a little surprised when he showed up again in 2009 but the Greeneville fans enjoyed watching him play and fell deeper in love with him. He left suddenly due to a promotion to Tri Cities.

For the 2010 season, Altuve was in Lexington but his presence was still in Greeneville. The Greeneville Astros used a picture of him on their billboards advertising the 2010 tickets, so you saw him when you drove around town. Then this year, the buzz of his success in Lancaster and Corpus Christi was the topic of conversations at Pioneer Park. "Have you heard what Altuve is doing this year?" Just this weekend, I was talking to some folks about how well he did in the Futures Game during All Star Weekend. He may be gone, but he is not forgotten.

Every where Jose Altuve goes, he makes a strong impression. The way he plays the game, the way he carries himself and the way interacts with the fans makes him a fan favorite. I was thrilled to see the Lancaster JetHawks honor his promotion with $2 tickets for tonight's game because Altuve wore #2 with the JetHawks.

I am going to try to find away to watch the game this afternoon. I want to see Jose Altuve walk out to 2nd in his #27 uniform and show everyone in the baseball world that he belongs on the diamond.

I wish him success. I hope he does well. If he doesn't, I will still be a Jose Altuve fan. He is more than just a good ball player.

Notes on the call up:

Jose is the 11th Greeneville Astro to receive the call to the MLB.

He is the 2nd position player of the 11 to be called up (Towles).

He is the 3rd member of the 2008 team (Lyles & Villar) to make it to Houston but the 1st member of the 2009 team.

He passes Henry Villar (748 days) for the shortest time from G-Stro to Astro (708 days).