Some guys just didn't quite make the MLB rosters of their teams. Some never had a shot. But all are just a phone call away from the show.
Victor Garate - Brewers (Greeneville 2005) - Will be working out of the pen in Nashville this season.
Jordan Lyles - Astros (Greeneville 2008) - Will be refining his art in Oklahoma City for a while this year. I would expect him to be the first pitcher up this season.
Jordan Parraz - Braves (Greeneville 2004) - Will be hoping to make the short drive to Atlanta from Gwinnett after just missing the 25 man roster.
J. R. Towles - Twins (Greeneville 2004) - Will be battling for a shot back in the majors in Rochester. They have three catchers on the roster with MLB experience.
Amedeo Zazueta - Padres (Greeneville 2006) - Still hanging in there after taking the wildest route to AAA.
Showing posts with label Zazueta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zazueta. Show all posts
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
What To Watch For In 2012 - Former G-Stros Third Basemen
In our trip around the diamond, we are over to the hot corner. Let's see what questions we will be watching for as the 2012 full season begins and I am sitting here waiting for short season ball in June.
Of the bat, let's not forget that two former G-Stros 3rd basemen are covered in other projections. Clemens was in the first base What to Watch For and Ebert Rosario will be covered in the pitchers.
Third Basemen
Jean Batista - (2011, 20, Rookie) - Signed in 2010 as a 17 year old switch hitting shortstop. He didn't play in 2010 but made his debut in the GCL as a 19 year old in 2011. Notice the ages there....something isn't adding up, which may indicate why he didn't play in the DSL in 2010. Regardless, Batista is listed as a shortstop but has played more games at 3B (15), 2B (15) than SS (12). I am including him here because I write the blog and I get to decide! You got a problem with that? Here is what I will be watching for in 2012. Which position will he spend the most time at? Can he keep the pop up as he moves up?
Jonathan Meyer (2009, 21, Hi A) - Showed significant progress defensively in Lancaster in 2011. He dropped his errors from 29 to 16 in more chances. He also showed an increase in power jumping from 2 HR in Lexington to 14 in Lancaster. He finished 2011 with a strong August & September. In his last 31 games, he hit .307 and walked (19) more times than he struck out (18). He also had seven of his 23 doubles and five of his 14 home runs during that stretch. Can he carry the end of 2011 into 2012? Will the power continue or be just another example of the Lancaster effect?
Darwin Rivera - (2011, 20, Rookie) - Rivera was signed in 2008 but had only appeared in 1
game prior to the 2011 season. He started 2011 in the DSL and earned the promotion to Greeneville and struggled. He set a G-Stros record for most errors in a season with 30. His errors tended to come in clusters. At the plate, he showed mixed reviews having good stretches and very cold stretches. He showed pop as the season ended with three home runs in August. Will he improve his fielding in 2012? Can he show improvement in the mental side of the game (handling mistakes in the field and at the plate)? Can he show some of the potential that was hoped for when he signed in 2008?
Amandeo Zazueta - (2006, 26, AA) - Zazueta's career has survived being released by the Astros (2007), and the Braves (2010); playing for four different indy ball teams, and a 50 game suspension for PEDs (2010). Yet he is still playing in the Padres organization. He has played 150 games in the minors & indy ball at shortstop. He played 0 for the Astros organization in two season. At Greeneville, he languished on the bench while Timmy Johnson made 20 errors in 27 games in his second year in Greeneville. He also put up solid numbers in the Mexican Winter League this off season hitting .278 and making nine errors. Will he continue to defy the odds and find a spot on a roster?
Projected placement of those still in the Astros system
Oklahoma (AAA)
Corpus Christi (AA)
Meyer
Lancaster (Hi A)
Lexington (Lo A)
Batista
Extended Spring Training
Rivera
Of the bat, let's not forget that two former G-Stros 3rd basemen are covered in other projections. Clemens was in the first base What to Watch For and Ebert Rosario will be covered in the pitchers.
Third Basemen
Jean Batista - (2011, 20, Rookie) - Signed in 2010 as a 17 year old switch hitting shortstop. He didn't play in 2010 but made his debut in the GCL as a 19 year old in 2011. Notice the ages there....something isn't adding up, which may indicate why he didn't play in the DSL in 2010. Regardless, Batista is listed as a shortstop but has played more games at 3B (15), 2B (15) than SS (12). I am including him here because I write the blog and I get to decide! You got a problem with that? Here is what I will be watching for in 2012. Which position will he spend the most time at? Can he keep the pop up as he moves up?
Jonathan Meyer (2009, 21, Hi A) - Showed significant progress defensively in Lancaster in 2011. He dropped his errors from 29 to 16 in more chances. He also showed an increase in power jumping from 2 HR in Lexington to 14 in Lancaster. He finished 2011 with a strong August & September. In his last 31 games, he hit .307 and walked (19) more times than he struck out (18). He also had seven of his 23 doubles and five of his 14 home runs during that stretch. Can he carry the end of 2011 into 2012? Will the power continue or be just another example of the Lancaster effect?
Darwin Rivera - (2011, 20, Rookie) - Rivera was signed in 2008 but had only appeared in 1
game prior to the 2011 season. He started 2011 in the DSL and earned the promotion to Greeneville and struggled. He set a G-Stros record for most errors in a season with 30. His errors tended to come in clusters. At the plate, he showed mixed reviews having good stretches and very cold stretches. He showed pop as the season ended with three home runs in August. Will he improve his fielding in 2012? Can he show improvement in the mental side of the game (handling mistakes in the field and at the plate)? Can he show some of the potential that was hoped for when he signed in 2008?
Amandeo Zazueta - (2006, 26, AA) - Zazueta's career has survived being released by the Astros (2007), and the Braves (2010); playing for four different indy ball teams, and a 50 game suspension for PEDs (2010). Yet he is still playing in the Padres organization. He has played 150 games in the minors & indy ball at shortstop. He played 0 for the Astros organization in two season. At Greeneville, he languished on the bench while Timmy Johnson made 20 errors in 27 games in his second year in Greeneville. He also put up solid numbers in the Mexican Winter League this off season hitting .278 and making nine errors. Will he continue to defy the odds and find a spot on a roster?
Projected placement of those still in the Astros system
Oklahoma (AAA)
Corpus Christi (AA)
Meyer
Lancaster (Hi A)
Lexington (Lo A)
Batista
Extended Spring Training
Rivera
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.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Indy Ball Alumni Update
Occationally I will get a question from someone out and about about a former player. The question builds my curiosity and I google the players name and find they are playing independent baseball. Indy ball is professional ball but it is not affiliated with a MLB team. The talent level is all over the map when it comes to indy ball and you can often find interesting connections on rosters. Here are some former G-Stros who are playing indy ball this season. If you know of more, let me know.
North American Baseball League
Mitch Einertson - Mitch made a big splash on the G-Ville scene in 2004 when he tied the Appy League home run record as a 18 year old. Off field issues kept derailing him and he was released after he had climbed as far as AA and was suspended for drugs. This year he is playing for the Mighty Warriors of Maui (Na Koa Ikaika Maui) in the North American Baseball League. Mitch is hitting .322 with 6 home runs in 43 games. His manager there is former MLB star shortstop Garry Templeton.
David Dinelli - is actually on the roster with Einertson in Maui. David was the 6th round pick of the Astros in 2007. He never advanced any higher than Greeneville and was playing indy ball starting in 2009. He has a 3.10 ERA in 20 appearances (29 IP) with Maui.
While playing in the NABL, they run across former Astro farmhands Justin Tellem, Rory Shortell, and Lou Santagello who are all still playing in the league.
American Association
Ole Shelton - Ole hit the first home run in the history of the Greeneville Astros. He is still playing ball for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. Through 39 games, he is hitting .293 and has six home runs.
Jack Frawley - He pitched in Greeneville just last year. He is 2-4 with a 6.10 ERA in 13 starts for the Gary SouthShores.
Santo Luis - the big righty continues to try to make the big leagues after his release by the Red Sox earlier this season. He is yet to allow an earned run since he joined the Lincoln SaltDogs (3 appearances).
Corey Bass - Bass spent two seasons with the G-Stros (05-06). He is in his third season of indy ball and his 6th indy ball team. This year, he is with the Amarillo Sox. He is 3-2 with 3 saves in 22 appearances (31.1 IP).
Ryan Mitchell - Mitchell & Bass are teammates for the second time in Amarillo. Both were on the 2005 & 2006 G-Stros prior to his release in 2007. He has been in indy ball since then. This season, the 23 year old Mitchell is 3-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 13 games (12 starts).
Griffen Bailey - is the 4th member, along with Bass, Mitchell & Luis, of the 2006 pitching staff to be slinging the rock in the American Association . He is 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA through 20 games this season. He started the year with Fargo but is currently with Fort Worth.
Other former Astros farmhands playing in the American Association include Chris Salamida, Jeff Hulett and Matt Nevarez.
Atlantic League
Amadeo Zazueta - is yet another member of the 06 team to be playing indy ball. The Atlantic League is one of the top indy ball leagues. Their rosters are chock full of former big leaguers. Zazueta is back in indy ball after a brief stint last year with the Braves organization. Through 59 games this year, Zazueta is hitting .309 with six home runs.
Some of the other former Astros farmhands hanging out in the Atlantic League include Ryan McKeller, J. R. House and Val Majewski.
Can Am League (Canada American Association of Professional Baseball)
Robert Bono - Bono is 3-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 9 games (7 starts) for the Brockton Rox. He plays for manager Bill Buckner. Bono played for Greeneville in 2007 and was traded to the Marlins in 2009.
Frontier League
Anthony Bello - Yet another member of the 06 team to be playing indy ball. He is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA in six starts for the Florence (KY) Freedom.
Other former Astros minor leaguers in the Frontier League include Freddy Parejo and Ryan Ditthardt.
That makes 11 former G-Stros playing indy ball, still having fun and chasing the dream.
North American Baseball League
Mitch Einertson - Mitch made a big splash on the G-Ville scene in 2004 when he tied the Appy League home run record as a 18 year old. Off field issues kept derailing him and he was released after he had climbed as far as AA and was suspended for drugs. This year he is playing for the Mighty Warriors of Maui (Na Koa Ikaika Maui) in the North American Baseball League. Mitch is hitting .322 with 6 home runs in 43 games. His manager there is former MLB star shortstop Garry Templeton.
David Dinelli - is actually on the roster with Einertson in Maui. David was the 6th round pick of the Astros in 2007. He never advanced any higher than Greeneville and was playing indy ball starting in 2009. He has a 3.10 ERA in 20 appearances (29 IP) with Maui.
While playing in the NABL, they run across former Astro farmhands Justin Tellem, Rory Shortell, and Lou Santagello who are all still playing in the league.
American Association
Ole Shelton - Ole hit the first home run in the history of the Greeneville Astros. He is still playing ball for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. Through 39 games, he is hitting .293 and has six home runs.
Jack Frawley - He pitched in Greeneville just last year. He is 2-4 with a 6.10 ERA in 13 starts for the Gary SouthShores.
Santo Luis - the big righty continues to try to make the big leagues after his release by the Red Sox earlier this season. He is yet to allow an earned run since he joined the Lincoln SaltDogs (3 appearances).
Corey Bass - Bass spent two seasons with the G-Stros (05-06). He is in his third season of indy ball and his 6th indy ball team. This year, he is with the Amarillo Sox. He is 3-2 with 3 saves in 22 appearances (31.1 IP).
Ryan Mitchell - Mitchell & Bass are teammates for the second time in Amarillo. Both were on the 2005 & 2006 G-Stros prior to his release in 2007. He has been in indy ball since then. This season, the 23 year old Mitchell is 3-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 13 games (12 starts).
Griffen Bailey - is the 4th member, along with Bass, Mitchell & Luis, of the 2006 pitching staff to be slinging the rock in the American Association . He is 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA through 20 games this season. He started the year with Fargo but is currently with Fort Worth.
Other former Astros farmhands playing in the American Association include Chris Salamida, Jeff Hulett and Matt Nevarez.
Atlantic League
Amadeo Zazueta - is yet another member of the 06 team to be playing indy ball. The Atlantic League is one of the top indy ball leagues. Their rosters are chock full of former big leaguers. Zazueta is back in indy ball after a brief stint last year with the Braves organization. Through 59 games this year, Zazueta is hitting .309 with six home runs.
Some of the other former Astros farmhands hanging out in the Atlantic League include Ryan McKeller, J. R. House and Val Majewski.
Can Am League (Canada American Association of Professional Baseball)
Robert Bono - Bono is 3-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 9 games (7 starts) for the Brockton Rox. He plays for manager Bill Buckner. Bono played for Greeneville in 2007 and was traded to the Marlins in 2009.
Frontier League
Anthony Bello - Yet another member of the 06 team to be playing indy ball. He is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA in six starts for the Florence (KY) Freedom.
Other former Astros minor leaguers in the Frontier League include Freddy Parejo and Ryan Ditthardt.
That makes 11 former G-Stros playing indy ball, still having fun and chasing the dream.
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