Since the full season minor league rosters for the Astros were released yesterday, I noticed there is no player in the Astros minor league organization who played for Greeneville in 2004-2007. There is only one player from that time frame with the big league Astros and that is Brandon Barnes. Not to bet a much beaten dead horse but it just goes to show how poorly run the system was a few years ago.
Let's take a look at the 11 players who are left in affiliated ball from those teams.
There are three players who are still in affiliated ball:
Fernando Abad (Nationals AAA), Arcenio Leon (Brewers AA), Albert
Cartwright (Phillies AA).
From the 2006 team, Brandon
Barnes is in Houston with the big club. Other than that, Ralph Henriquez is with AA Tulsa (Rockies) and Tom Vessella (AA Giants) are
the only players left in affiliated ball.
Barnes and Henriquez are the
only two players left in affiliated ball from the 2005 team.
The
2004 team still has a large number in affliated ball but none with the
Astros organization. Troy Patton (Baltimore) and J.C. Gutierrez
(Royals) were on opening day rosters. Felipe Paulino is on the Royals 60 day DL as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery. He should be back in the majors around the all star break. J.R. Towles (Cardinals) and Jordan Parraz (Braves) are both in AAA to start this season.
So basically out of the 11 players from those years, you have one player who is a home grown player who is a back up in the major leagues.
You have three players that were traded as a part of packages to obtain needed pieces:
Patton - key piece of the Tejada trade
Gutierrez - traded with Burke & Qualls for Valverde
Paulino - traded for Clint Barmes
And you have seven players who are currently organizational type players or AAAA type players in other systems.
Showing posts with label Tom Vessella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Vessella. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Former G-Stros in AA - 2012
Here are the former G-Stros who are in AA. We will first list those still in the Astros organization and then look at those outside the organization.
Those on the Corpus Christi Roster:
Jose Cisnero (Gville 2009)
Arcenio Leon (Gville 2007,08)
Ross Seaton (Gville 2008)
Henry Villar (Gville 2008)
Chris Wallace (Gville 2010)
Kody Hinze (Gville 2008)
Brandon Barnes (Gville 2005, 06)
Those in other organizations:
Koby Clemens (Gville 2005) - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
Ralph Henriquez (Gville 2005,06) - Jackson Generals (Mariners)
Vlad Sutil (Gville 2004) - Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks)
Tom Vessella (Gville 2006) - Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants)
Those on the Corpus Christi Roster:
Jose Cisnero (Gville 2009)
Arcenio Leon (Gville 2007,08)
Ross Seaton (Gville 2008)
Henry Villar (Gville 2008)
Chris Wallace (Gville 2010)
Kody Hinze (Gville 2008)
Brandon Barnes (Gville 2005, 06)
Those in other organizations:
Koby Clemens (Gville 2005) - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
Ralph Henriquez (Gville 2005,06) - Jackson Generals (Mariners)
Vlad Sutil (Gville 2004) - Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks)
Tom Vessella (Gville 2006) - Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
2006 & 2007 Greeneville Astros Progress Reports
Yesterday, we went back to 2005 to see who was still hanging around. Today we will cover two years. We are covering two years because, well..., there aren't many players left from these two teams.
2006
There were 31 players on the 2006 roster. Six of those players were still in affiliated ball during the 2011 season (19%). We have already covered half of these guys in the 2005 post (so click here to read about them). Those from the 2005 team who were also on the 2006 team include:
Brandon Barnes
Ralph Henriquez
Polin Trinidad
Other players who were active in 2011 were:
Tom Vessella - the 11th round pick in 2006 was released by the Astros after the 2008 season. He played two years in indy ball and was signed by the Giants this year. He started the season in AA, was sent down to the Sally League (A), was promoted to the Cal League (A+), before ending the year with one appearance in AAA Fresno. Over those four stops, he amassed 5.50 ERA in 38 games (72 IP). He started eight games and also finished 8 games. He will be 26 years old when spring training starts next year.
Armadeo Zazueta - the utility infielder from Mexico only appeared in 28 games and had just 57 plate appearances in Greeneville. He was released after that season. In 2008, he appeared back in the states playing indy ball. He was signed by the Braves in 2010 and played in Myrtle Beach (A+) and Mississippi (AA). He also suspended for PED use. Then late this season, he showed up with the Padres' AA team in San Antonio. In 15 games he hit .283 with his best games coming against the Corpus Christi Hooks. Over a three game series, Zazueta went six for 13 with three singles, a double, a triple and a HR. He will be 26 next season.
Reid Kelly - Kelly was the 33 round pick in 2005 but didn't sign until 2006. He pitched in Greeneville in 2006. He spent 07 & 08 in Lexington before finishing his time with the Astros organization in 2009 in Lancaster. He was out of baseball for 2010 but was signed in 2011 by the White Sox. He appeared in 18 games for Kannapolis of the Sally League (A) but was released in August. In his time in the Sally, he put together a 3.72 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 19 1/3 IP.
2007
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." - Thumper (Bambi 1942)
This is going to be very, very short. Of the 38 players that appeared on the roster in 2007, only five players are still active in affiliated ball (13%). Sixty three percent (24) of the players were out of affiliated baseball at the start of the 2009 season. Let those awful stats sink in for a moment and then let's say the nice things about the survivors.
Fernando Abad - The big righty made it to the bigs in 2010 appearing in 22 games out of the Houston bullpen. He had a solid 2.84 ERA and looked primed to be an important part of the 2011 pen. However, he wasn't effective in 29 games (19 2/3 IP) and was sent down to the minors in early July. He made two rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League before heading to AAA. There he got 30 innings of work in with a 4.50 ERA. Abad is currently on the 40 man roster, so he should be competing for a bullpen slot again this coming spring at age 26.
Albert Cartwright - Cartwright was drafted in the 36rd round of the 2007 draft. He didn't get much playing time in 2007 due to some paperwork related issues but returned to Greeneville in 2008 where he shared time at 2B with Jose Altuve. He then climbed the ladder all the way to AA in 2010 before he was traded last off season. He was traded to the Phillies for Sergio Escalona. Cartwight injured his Achilles during spring training and missed the whole season. He reported on his twitter feed that he was able to return to the field for instructional league games.
Kyle Greenwalt- He was drafted in the 20th round of the 2007 draft. He repeated Greeneville in 2008 and was the MVP that season. After stops in Lexington (09) and Lancaster (10), he spent the fall of 2010 in the Arizona Fall League. He started 2011 in Corpus Christi and struggled. After nine starts, he was moved to the bull pen and then in late July, he was sent back to Lancaster. In Lancaster, the notorious hitters park, Greenwalt was extremely effective. He pitched in 12 games (24 1/3 IP) amassing a 1.85 ERA. Greenwalkt will be 23 at the start of next season where I expect he will take another shot at AA.
Arcenio Leon - The hard throwing Venezuelan spent the first of his two seasons in Greeneville during the 2007 campaign. After a solid but unspectacular 2009 in Lexington, he returned there and was outstanding. In 26 games (54 IP) he struck out 60 batters and had a 2.33 ERA. He was moved all the way up to AA Corpus Christi to finish that year and predictably he didn't fare as well. His strike out numbers stayed good at 23 in 23 IP but he also walked 22 batters. He returned to Corpus Christi in 2011 and struck out 73 batters in 64 2/3 IP. But he still walked too many batters (48). He did get moved up to Oklahoma City at the season for one brief appearance. He will be 25 when next spring rolls around. I look for him to be at AAA next season. He is on the 40 man roster and has some promise if he can learn the control to match his velocity.
Colton Pitkin - Pitkin was drafted in the 41st round of the 2007 draft. He came with a tired shoulder so he was eased in to pro ball in 2007 only pitching 7 2/3 innings. He returned to Greeneville in 2008 and struck out 45 batters in 44 innings out of the bullpen. After a stint in 2009 as a starter for Tri Cities, he moved back to the pen in Lexington in 2010. He stayed in the pen in Lancaster in 2011 where he got off to a great start with a 3.82 ERA in the first half. However, after the all star break, he struggled and finished with a 6.45 ERA overall. Pitkin will be 22 when he heads to Florida this spring, he will likely be in Lancaster but he might be in Corpus Christi.
So there you have it. 2008 can only look better since we know there will be at least four of these players returning to the roster. We will look at their outcomes soon.
2006
There were 31 players on the 2006 roster. Six of those players were still in affiliated ball during the 2011 season (19%). We have already covered half of these guys in the 2005 post (so click here to read about them). Those from the 2005 team who were also on the 2006 team include:
Brandon Barnes
Ralph Henriquez
Polin Trinidad
Other players who were active in 2011 were:
Tom Vessella - the 11th round pick in 2006 was released by the Astros after the 2008 season. He played two years in indy ball and was signed by the Giants this year. He started the season in AA, was sent down to the Sally League (A), was promoted to the Cal League (A+), before ending the year with one appearance in AAA Fresno. Over those four stops, he amassed 5.50 ERA in 38 games (72 IP). He started eight games and also finished 8 games. He will be 26 years old when spring training starts next year.
Armadeo Zazueta - the utility infielder from Mexico only appeared in 28 games and had just 57 plate appearances in Greeneville. He was released after that season. In 2008, he appeared back in the states playing indy ball. He was signed by the Braves in 2010 and played in Myrtle Beach (A+) and Mississippi (AA). He also suspended for PED use. Then late this season, he showed up with the Padres' AA team in San Antonio. In 15 games he hit .283 with his best games coming against the Corpus Christi Hooks. Over a three game series, Zazueta went six for 13 with three singles, a double, a triple and a HR. He will be 26 next season.
Reid Kelly - Kelly was the 33 round pick in 2005 but didn't sign until 2006. He pitched in Greeneville in 2006. He spent 07 & 08 in Lexington before finishing his time with the Astros organization in 2009 in Lancaster. He was out of baseball for 2010 but was signed in 2011 by the White Sox. He appeared in 18 games for Kannapolis of the Sally League (A) but was released in August. In his time in the Sally, he put together a 3.72 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 19 1/3 IP.
2007
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." - Thumper (Bambi 1942)
This is going to be very, very short. Of the 38 players that appeared on the roster in 2007, only five players are still active in affiliated ball (13%). Sixty three percent (24) of the players were out of affiliated baseball at the start of the 2009 season. Let those awful stats sink in for a moment and then let's say the nice things about the survivors.
Fernando Abad - The big righty made it to the bigs in 2010 appearing in 22 games out of the Houston bullpen. He had a solid 2.84 ERA and looked primed to be an important part of the 2011 pen. However, he wasn't effective in 29 games (19 2/3 IP) and was sent down to the minors in early July. He made two rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League before heading to AAA. There he got 30 innings of work in with a 4.50 ERA. Abad is currently on the 40 man roster, so he should be competing for a bullpen slot again this coming spring at age 26.
Albert Cartwright - Cartwright was drafted in the 36rd round of the 2007 draft. He didn't get much playing time in 2007 due to some paperwork related issues but returned to Greeneville in 2008 where he shared time at 2B with Jose Altuve. He then climbed the ladder all the way to AA in 2010 before he was traded last off season. He was traded to the Phillies for Sergio Escalona. Cartwight injured his Achilles during spring training and missed the whole season. He reported on his twitter feed that he was able to return to the field for instructional league games.
Kyle Greenwalt- He was drafted in the 20th round of the 2007 draft. He repeated Greeneville in 2008 and was the MVP that season. After stops in Lexington (09) and Lancaster (10), he spent the fall of 2010 in the Arizona Fall League. He started 2011 in Corpus Christi and struggled. After nine starts, he was moved to the bull pen and then in late July, he was sent back to Lancaster. In Lancaster, the notorious hitters park, Greenwalt was extremely effective. He pitched in 12 games (24 1/3 IP) amassing a 1.85 ERA. Greenwalkt will be 23 at the start of next season where I expect he will take another shot at AA.
Arcenio Leon - The hard throwing Venezuelan spent the first of his two seasons in Greeneville during the 2007 campaign. After a solid but unspectacular 2009 in Lexington, he returned there and was outstanding. In 26 games (54 IP) he struck out 60 batters and had a 2.33 ERA. He was moved all the way up to AA Corpus Christi to finish that year and predictably he didn't fare as well. His strike out numbers stayed good at 23 in 23 IP but he also walked 22 batters. He returned to Corpus Christi in 2011 and struck out 73 batters in 64 2/3 IP. But he still walked too many batters (48). He did get moved up to Oklahoma City at the season for one brief appearance. He will be 25 when next spring rolls around. I look for him to be at AAA next season. He is on the 40 man roster and has some promise if he can learn the control to match his velocity.
Colton Pitkin - Pitkin was drafted in the 41st round of the 2007 draft. He came with a tired shoulder so he was eased in to pro ball in 2007 only pitching 7 2/3 innings. He returned to Greeneville in 2008 and struck out 45 batters in 44 innings out of the bullpen. After a stint in 2009 as a starter for Tri Cities, he moved back to the pen in Lexington in 2010. He stayed in the pen in Lancaster in 2011 where he got off to a great start with a 3.82 ERA in the first half. However, after the all star break, he struggled and finished with a 6.45 ERA overall. Pitkin will be 22 when he heads to Florida this spring, he will likely be in Lancaster but he might be in Corpus Christi.
So there you have it. 2008 can only look better since we know there will be at least four of these players returning to the roster. We will look at their outcomes soon.
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