With independent leagues starting to get underway, I thought we would take a peak at their rosters and see if there are any former Greeneville Astros still playing unaffiliated ball. I found 10 that are on current rosters, one who has moved to coaching and one who has been naughty and is on the suspended list. I also located at least 12 other guys who played in the Astros farm system on the rosters. I might have missed one as there are a bunch of indy leagues and teams.
American Association:
Ole Sheldon (2004) - St. Paul Saints
Bubby Williams (2009/10) - Kansas City T-Bones
Beau Torbert (2004)- Hitting Coach - Lincoln Salt Dogs
Mitch Einertson (2004)- Wichita Wingnuts
Ryan Mitchell (2006)- Amarillo Sox
Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Jon Gaston - Fargo, Chris Salamida - Winnipeg, Matt Cusick - Winnipeg, and Lee Cruz - Kansas City
Atlantic League
Douglas Arguello (2004) - Somerset Patriots
Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Raymar Diaz - Blueport, Collin DeLome- Bridgeport, Lou Santangelo - Somerset, Ryan McKeller - Sugarland, Jimmy Van Ostrand - Sugarland, Drew Locke - Sugarland.
Canadian American League
Bryce Lane (2010) - Newark Bears
Kyle Greenwalt (2007/08)- New Jersey Jackals
Steve Brown (2006)- Qubec Capitals
Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Anthony Pluta - Newark
Frontier League:
Garrett Bullock (2009/10)- Evansville Otters
Marcus Nidiffer (2010)- Travers City Beach Bums
Josh Flores (2005) - On suspended list of Joliet Slammers
Other former Astros farm hands in this league: Justin Gill - River City Rascals
Showing posts with label arguello. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arguello. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
New Uni's for old G-Stros
As spring training approaches, it looks like most teams have wrapped up their signing of minor league free agents. Baseball America has a great database tool this year to help keep up with where players have signed. Here are players who used to be G-Stros and where they have signed for 2012.
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (re-signed)
Koby Clemens - Blue Jays
Victor Garate - Brewers
Juan Gutierrez - Royals
Jordan Parraz - Braves
Wlad Sutil - Diamondbacks
J.R. Towles - Twins
Still unsigned free agents:
Douglas Arguello
Sammy Gervacio
Brad James
Jhonny Medrano
Neil Sellers
Polin Trinidad
Of those left unsigned, Gervacio is the most surprising. He pitched in 11 games (6 2/3 IP) in the Dominican Winter League. His ERA was 6.43 in a very small sample size. He gave up eight of his 10 hits and all five runs in three outings (3 1/3 IP). He had no strike outs in those outings. In the other eight (3 1/3 IP), he gave up only two hits and struck out seven. I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up in camp somewhere.
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (re-signed)
Koby Clemens - Blue Jays
Victor Garate - Brewers
Juan Gutierrez - Royals
Jordan Parraz - Braves
Wlad Sutil - Diamondbacks
J.R. Towles - Twins
Still unsigned free agents:
Douglas Arguello
Sammy Gervacio
Brad James
Jhonny Medrano
Neil Sellers
Polin Trinidad
Of those left unsigned, Gervacio is the most surprising. He pitched in 11 games (6 2/3 IP) in the Dominican Winter League. His ERA was 6.43 in a very small sample size. He gave up eight of his 10 hits and all five runs in three outings (3 1/3 IP). He had no strike outs in those outings. In the other eight (3 1/3 IP), he gave up only two hits and struck out seven. I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up in camp somewhere.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Towles & Sutil Becoming Free Agents Removes All 2004 G-Stros from Houston Org
J. R. Towles, one of the most popular players to ever wear the GreenEville Astros uniform was removed from the Houston Astros 40 man roster yesterday. He will become a free agent as soon as the World Series ends. Towles could resign with the Astros as a non roster invitee to spring training but I would expect he would test other teams interest before that occurs.
That transaction means that, along with Wlad Sutil's pending minor league free agency, that no members for the 2004 GreenEville Astros remain in the Astros organization.
Here are the 2004 players who remained in affiliated ball this year:
Jordan Parraz - AAA for the NY Yankees - hit .289 with an OPS of .802.Left Astros organization via trade with the Royals for Tyler Lumsden.
Neil Sellers - AA for the Marlins - hit .176 in just 59 games for New Orleans. At age 29, his dream of making the big leagues might be about out. Left the Astros in the 2007 Rule 5 draft.
Wlad Sutil - AA/AAA for Houston - hit combined .269 for the year. His .284 average and solid glove in AA earned him a promotion to AAA where he hit just .222. Doubled his career HR total with two round trippers this year. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
J. R. Towles - AAA/MLB for Houston - hit .276 in 35 games in the minors, but just hit .184 in 54 games in the majors. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
Douglas Arguello - AAA for Houston and Texas - Arguello was released by Houston after amassing a 3.67 ERA in 31 games. Texas picked him up for two appearances in September.
Jimmy Barthmaier - AA for the Pirates - was 5-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 39 games. Had 69 strikeouts in 67 2/3 IP. Marked the first time he had more K's than IP in his pro career. Was signed by the Pirates after Houston released him following the 2007 season.
Juan Gutierrez - MLB for D-Backs - Missed most of the season with shoulder trouble. He was released yesterday by the D-Backs. He left the Houston organization as a part of the Valverde trade in 2007.
Troy Patton - AAA/MLB for Baltimore - bounced back and forth between AAA & the Baltimore pen. He had a 1.83 ERA in Norfolk and a 3.00 ERA in Baltimore. He was a part of the Miguel Tejada trade after the 2007 season.
Felipe Paulino - MLB for Colorado & Kansas City - He has a rough start to 2011 in Colorado. He was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA in his first 18 games. After a trade to Kansas City, he had a solid showing. For the Royals, he was 4-6 with a respectable 4.11 ERA. He was traded to Colorado prior to the 2011 season for Clint Barmes.
So nine players from the 2004 G-Stros were still playing affiliated baseball this year. Looking at the reason for leaving, most were a part of a trade to help the big club. This serves as a reminder that prospects can help the club in more ways than in making it to the big club.
That transaction means that, along with Wlad Sutil's pending minor league free agency, that no members for the 2004 GreenEville Astros remain in the Astros organization.
Here are the 2004 players who remained in affiliated ball this year:
Jordan Parraz - AAA for the NY Yankees - hit .289 with an OPS of .802.Left Astros organization via trade with the Royals for Tyler Lumsden.
Neil Sellers - AA for the Marlins - hit .176 in just 59 games for New Orleans. At age 29, his dream of making the big leagues might be about out. Left the Astros in the 2007 Rule 5 draft.
Wlad Sutil - AA/AAA for Houston - hit combined .269 for the year. His .284 average and solid glove in AA earned him a promotion to AAA where he hit just .222. Doubled his career HR total with two round trippers this year. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
J. R. Towles - AAA/MLB for Houston - hit .276 in 35 games in the minors, but just hit .184 in 54 games in the majors. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
Douglas Arguello - AAA for Houston and Texas - Arguello was released by Houston after amassing a 3.67 ERA in 31 games. Texas picked him up for two appearances in September.
Jimmy Barthmaier - AA for the Pirates - was 5-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 39 games. Had 69 strikeouts in 67 2/3 IP. Marked the first time he had more K's than IP in his pro career. Was signed by the Pirates after Houston released him following the 2007 season.
Juan Gutierrez - MLB for D-Backs - Missed most of the season with shoulder trouble. He was released yesterday by the D-Backs. He left the Houston organization as a part of the Valverde trade in 2007.
Troy Patton - AAA/MLB for Baltimore - bounced back and forth between AAA & the Baltimore pen. He had a 1.83 ERA in Norfolk and a 3.00 ERA in Baltimore. He was a part of the Miguel Tejada trade after the 2007 season.
Felipe Paulino - MLB for Colorado & Kansas City - He has a rough start to 2011 in Colorado. He was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA in his first 18 games. After a trade to Kansas City, he had a solid showing. For the Royals, he was 4-6 with a respectable 4.11 ERA. He was traded to Colorado prior to the 2011 season for Clint Barmes.
So nine players from the 2004 G-Stros were still playing affiliated baseball this year. Looking at the reason for leaving, most were a part of a trade to help the big club. This serves as a reminder that prospects can help the club in more ways than in making it to the big club.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Arguello Not Done Yet
Douglas Arguello confirms that he still has the desire to pitch and that he wants to try to get to the majors. In an interview with the Spanish language newspaper LaPrensa.com.ni out of Managua, Nicarogua, Arguello gives the details of his last day as an Astros farm hand. Translation by Google Translator:
Arguello is planning to play winter ball and the article says he has had talks with Leones of the Dominican Republic and is hoping to play for his native Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic.The day he was discharged, he noticed that the left-hander did not appear on the active roster from the Red Eagles of Oklahoma City, but not given much importance and thought he had been placed on the disabled list or something. However, after practice was the surprise when the manager told him to call his office and informed him of the low.
"My teammates were amazed. Many believed he would go to the majors in September, but instead I was left out. Do not know what happened, I just said they had no space on your computer, but I do not give up and hope to keep in the minors with any organization that gives me the opportunity, "said the Nicaraguan.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Arguello Released
Releases are hard to read about. When you start following the start of a players career, as we are lucky to do in Greeneville, you expect that you will be reading about the end of those careers. Sometimes, you expect it to come quickly; other times you hope it will be years from their time with the G-Stros.
Today, I learned via Astros County that Douglas Arguello had been released. Arguello was a member of the 2004 Appy League Champ G-Stros. That year, he was 19 and was used exclusively out of the bullpen. Though it was the first year those of us in Greeneville had seen him pitch, it was his second year in the Appy League. He had pitched out of the Martinsville bullpen the year before. He dropped his ERA from 5.26 down t0 2.92 that season and then went on to be stretched out into a starter as he moved up the ladder.
Control has always been an issue for Arguello. This season, he was in AAA Oklahoma City. He started off the year in the rotation but struggled. They moved him to the pen and in the second half of the year, he was showing some promise. In July, after coming off the DL, he had a respectably solid 2.73 ERA in 12 outings. He was getting a good number of ground balls, and his 9 walks in 12 1/3 IP weren't hurting him. In August, he had 9 outings. In 5 of those, he didn't allow a single earned run. In the other 4, his line read this way: 1 2/3 IP, 6 H, 7 earned runs, 4 BB, 4 K. Three of those four outings ended with Arguello not getting anyone out.
But hey, he is left handed. He will likely go to winter ball and if he is successful there, maybe get a minor league invite to spring training from another organization. He will turn 27 in November. Best of luck to the Nicaragua native.
Here are who is left out of the 2004 G-Stros in affiliated ball as the 2011 season wraps up.
Juan Gutierrez - D'backs (MLB 60 day DL)
Felipe Paulino - Royals (MLB)
Troy Patton - Orioles (MLB)
J. R. Towles - Astros (AAA)
Jordan Parraz - Yankees (AAA)
Wlad Sutil - Astros (AA)
Brad James - Astros (AA)
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (AA)
Neil Sellers - Phillies (AA)
That is 9 out of the 36 players who saw playing time in 2004 for the G-Stros. Having 25% of the players off a team being active in affiliated ball 7 years later isn't too bad. Five of the nine have seen MLB action (Towles & Barthmaier in addition to the 3 who are currently on MLB rosters).
Today, I learned via Astros County that Douglas Arguello had been released. Arguello was a member of the 2004 Appy League Champ G-Stros. That year, he was 19 and was used exclusively out of the bullpen. Though it was the first year those of us in Greeneville had seen him pitch, it was his second year in the Appy League. He had pitched out of the Martinsville bullpen the year before. He dropped his ERA from 5.26 down t0 2.92 that season and then went on to be stretched out into a starter as he moved up the ladder.
Control has always been an issue for Arguello. This season, he was in AAA Oklahoma City. He started off the year in the rotation but struggled. They moved him to the pen and in the second half of the year, he was showing some promise. In July, after coming off the DL, he had a respectably solid 2.73 ERA in 12 outings. He was getting a good number of ground balls, and his 9 walks in 12 1/3 IP weren't hurting him. In August, he had 9 outings. In 5 of those, he didn't allow a single earned run. In the other 4, his line read this way: 1 2/3 IP, 6 H, 7 earned runs, 4 BB, 4 K. Three of those four outings ended with Arguello not getting anyone out.
But hey, he is left handed. He will likely go to winter ball and if he is successful there, maybe get a minor league invite to spring training from another organization. He will turn 27 in November. Best of luck to the Nicaragua native.
Here are who is left out of the 2004 G-Stros in affiliated ball as the 2011 season wraps up.
Juan Gutierrez - D'backs (MLB 60 day DL)
Felipe Paulino - Royals (MLB)
Troy Patton - Orioles (MLB)
J. R. Towles - Astros (AAA)
Jordan Parraz - Yankees (AAA)
Wlad Sutil - Astros (AA)
Brad James - Astros (AA)
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (AA)
Neil Sellers - Phillies (AA)
That is 9 out of the 36 players who saw playing time in 2004 for the G-Stros. Having 25% of the players off a team being active in affiliated ball 7 years later isn't too bad. Five of the nine have seen MLB action (Towles & Barthmaier in addition to the 3 who are currently on MLB rosters).
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Another Top 10, Scouting Jordan Lyles, Going to Camp, & More
A great deal has been going on with former Greeneville Astros over the past week or so. I have not been able to keep up with getting it up here. Let's do some catching up.
The Hardball Times Top 10
Top 10 list continue to come out. The most recent one is from the folks at The Hardball Times. With six former G-Stros, their top 10 contains the most former G-Stros of any list so far. Here is their list:
1. Jordan Lyles ('08)
2. Jio Mier ('09)
3. Delino Deshields ('10)
4. Mike Foltynewicz ('10)
5. Tanner Bushue
6. Jonathon Villar
7. Jimmy Parades
8. Austin Wates
9. J. D. Martinez ('09)
10. Jay Austin ('08)
Don't forget the combined top 10 list spreed sheet I have compiled here.
What folks are saying about Jordan Lyles
Jordan Lyles is the clear #1 prospect in the Astros organization. He is regularly seen as one of the top 50 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball. One list even had him as high as #3. AstroAndy over at The Crawfish Boxes, has compiled a compilation of all the scouting reports on Jordan Lyles. So if you have any questions about what he throws, that is a great one stop place to check.
Spring Training Invites
While getting the call up to the big leagues is the ultimate call up, getting to go to big league spring training is an honor as well. This year, several former Greeneville Astros will be in big league camp in Kissimmee in a few weeks. Last week, 10 minor leaguers were invited to spend camp with the big boys. Six of those minor league players are former G-Stros. They are:
Koby Clemens (05)
Rene Garcia (08)
Jordan Lyles (08)
Jio Mier (09)
J. D. Martinez (09)
Patrick Urckfitz (08)
The only one that was a total surprise was Jio Mier since he is possibly going to repeat low A ball in Lexington this year. It was explained that his inclusion was due to a contractual agreement.
The rational behind these young guys going to big league camp was explained by Astros General Manager Ed Wade:
Fernando Abad (07)
Jorge De Leon (08)
Arcenio Leon (07-08)
Henry Villar (08)
J.R. Towles (04)
That makes 13 of the 62 players on the spring roster are former G-Stros.
Last Link - Jermaine Cotton is keeping fit playing winter ball in his native St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The paper thinks he played last year in South Carolina and not Tennessee. I would be willing to go set them straight on the geography, if someone would finance a trip for me to the Virgin Islands. Tough job but someone needs to do it. Jermaine did capture the small town feel of Greeneville well.
The Hardball Times Top 10
Top 10 list continue to come out. The most recent one is from the folks at The Hardball Times. With six former G-Stros, their top 10 contains the most former G-Stros of any list so far. Here is their list:
1. Jordan Lyles ('08)
2. Jio Mier ('09)
3. Delino Deshields ('10)
4. Mike Foltynewicz ('10)
5. Tanner Bushue
6. Jonathon Villar
7. Jimmy Parades
8. Austin Wates
9. J. D. Martinez ('09)
10. Jay Austin ('08)
Don't forget the combined top 10 list spreed sheet I have compiled here.
What folks are saying about Jordan Lyles
Jordan Lyles is the clear #1 prospect in the Astros organization. He is regularly seen as one of the top 50 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball. One list even had him as high as #3. AstroAndy over at The Crawfish Boxes, has compiled a compilation of all the scouting reports on Jordan Lyles. So if you have any questions about what he throws, that is a great one stop place to check.
Spring Training Invites
While getting the call up to the big leagues is the ultimate call up, getting to go to big league spring training is an honor as well. This year, several former Greeneville Astros will be in big league camp in Kissimmee in a few weeks. Last week, 10 minor leaguers were invited to spend camp with the big boys. Six of those minor league players are former G-Stros. They are:
Koby Clemens (05)
Rene Garcia (08)
Jordan Lyles (08)
Jio Mier (09)
J. D. Martinez (09)
Patrick Urckfitz (08)
The only one that was a total surprise was Jio Mier since he is possibly going to repeat low A ball in Lexington this year. It was explained that his inclusion was due to a contractual agreement.
The rational behind these young guys going to big league camp was explained by Astros General Manager Ed Wade:
These six will be joining former G-Stros Douglas Arguello (04) & Sammy Gervacio (05) who had already received invites after signing new minor league contracts. Those who will be there as a part of the Astros 40 man roster include:“It gives these kids the chance to come in and see what the atmosphere is like on the big league side,” Wade said. “And it gives Millsie and the coaches the chance to see some of the guys we talk about a lot.
“And frankly, it allows us to show that we’re making progress in player development.”
Fernando Abad (07)
Jorge De Leon (08)
Arcenio Leon (07-08)
Henry Villar (08)
J.R. Towles (04)
That makes 13 of the 62 players on the spring roster are former G-Stros.
Last Link - Jermaine Cotton is keeping fit playing winter ball in his native St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The paper thinks he played last year in South Carolina and not Tennessee. I would be willing to go set them straight on the geography, if someone would finance a trip for me to the Virgin Islands. Tough job but someone needs to do it. Jermaine did capture the small town feel of Greeneville well.
"Basically, there's not a whole lot else to do in Greeneville," Cotton said this week. "It's sleep, eat and baseball."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
1st Appearances
Two former Greeneville Astros made their winter league debuts over the Thanksgiving weekend. Douglas Arguello made his first start of the year for Aguilas del Zulia in Venezuela. He went three innings, giving up no runs, hits or walks. He struck out one batter.
In Puerto Rico, Rene Garcia got his first at bat as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning of the game on the 26th. He grounded out to the pitcher. He was then removed before he got the chance to play defense.
In Puerto Rico, Rene Garcia got his first at bat as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning of the game on the 26th. He grounded out to the pitcher. He was then removed before he got the chance to play defense.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Signings, Free Agents, Another Beau Story & Milt Thompson Coming to G'ville?
Baseball America just released their list of the Minor League Free Agents. Here are the former Greeneville Astros on the list.
Houston Astros: Polin Trinidad (05-06), Jhon Florintino (05)
Baltimore Orioles: Jose Duran (07)
Philadelphia Phillies: Neil Sellers (04)
Washington Nationals: Jimmy Barthmaier (04), Victor Garate (05)
These players are free to sign with any other team. We have already heard some news that Garate has already been to a try out in Japan.
In other transactions released by Baseball America, the following former G-Stros were signed or re-signed by teams:
Atlanta Braves: Beau Torbert (04) (signed)
Houston Astros: Douglas Arguello(04)(re-signed)
Seattle Mariners: Raphie Henriquez (05-06)(re-signed)
Torbert's signing with the Braves got him some press in the big city Atlanta paper. Dave O'Brien's story has much of the same material others have had with the exception of this quote from the Braves' GM.
Milt Thompson who patrolled the outfield in Kingsport back in 1979 will return to the Appy this season as the Minor League Outfield/Base Running Coordinator for the Astros.
Houston Astros: Polin Trinidad (05-06), Jhon Florintino (05)
Baltimore Orioles: Jose Duran (07)
Philadelphia Phillies: Neil Sellers (04)
Washington Nationals: Jimmy Barthmaier (04), Victor Garate (05)
These players are free to sign with any other team. We have already heard some news that Garate has already been to a try out in Japan.
In other transactions released by Baseball America, the following former G-Stros were signed or re-signed by teams:
Atlanta Braves: Beau Torbert (04) (signed)
Houston Astros: Douglas Arguello(04)(re-signed)
Seattle Mariners: Raphie Henriquez (05-06)(re-signed)
Torbert's signing with the Braves got him some press in the big city Atlanta paper. Dave O'Brien's story has much of the same material others have had with the exception of this quote from the Braves' GM.
“He’s put up good numbers in the independent leagues,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “The numbers have improved each of the past three years. When you look at those kind of players that continue to improve and put up numbers, I think it’s worth taking a look.”
Milt Thompson who patrolled the outfield in Kingsport back in 1979 will return to the Appy this season as the Minor League Outfield/Base Running Coordinator for the Astros.
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