Baseball America released their Top 10 Astros prospects for 2011 today. While those prospects acquired in trades make up over half of the list, former G-Stros still appear on the list. They represent three of the four players on the list drafted by the Astros.
Number eight on the list is Delino DeShields Jr.. He was also mentioned as the fastest base runner in the system.
Number nine on the list is Mike Foltyenwicz.
Number 10 on the list is Telvin Nash.
The list of best tools in the system included former Greeneville catcher Roberto Pena as the best defensive catcher in the system.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Summary of Progress Reports
Here is the summary of the year by year account of the progress of the players still in affiliated ball with links to the year's write up. This numbers do not reflect any releases since the season ended.
Active Players in Affiliated Ball in 2011
2004 - 24% (9 out of 37)
2005 - 20% (7 out of 35) Tim Pupura's first draft as GM
2006 - 19% (6 out of 31)
2007 - 13% (5 out of 38)
2008 - 58% (22 out of 38) Ed Wade's first draft as GM (also Bobby Heck's first class)
2009 - 66% (22 out of 35) GCL Astros 1st season
2010 - 66% (26 out of 39)
Active Players in Affiliated Ball in 2011
2004 - 24% (9 out of 37)
2005 - 20% (7 out of 35) Tim Pupura's first draft as GM
2006 - 19% (6 out of 31)
2007 - 13% (5 out of 38)
2008 - 58% (22 out of 38) Ed Wade's first draft as GM (also Bobby Heck's first class)
2009 - 66% (22 out of 35) GCL Astros 1st season
2010 - 66% (26 out of 39)
2010 Greeneville Astros Progress Reports
This wraps up the progress reports of former G-Stros for this off season. It's only been a year but lets look at the progress made by the 2010 G-Stros. Thirty nine players spent time in Greeneville playing in 2010. Twenty six of those players were playing affiliated ball in 2011 for 66%.
Let's look at how high they climbed. They are listed by the highest level they appeared in and the percentage by each level is out of the full roster.
AA (1 - 3%)
Chris Wallace started the year in Low A Lexington but was double promoted to AA Corpus Christi to finish out the year. With him turning 23 years of age in April and him having solid success in Lexington, it was not surprising the Astros challenged him by putting him on a fast track. Wallace hit .244 in 36 games in AA. he also found out that base runners were better there. He only threw out 10% of attempted stolen bases. Wallace spent part of the fall in instructionals.
High A (2 - 5%)
Bryce Lane spent most of the season in Lexington but did appear in Lancaster for five games during the year. He was hit less during his stint in Lancaster and hit .222 in 67 games in Lexington. He will be 22 when spring training begins.
Hector Rodriguez bounced around three levels this year. He started in Lancaster, then was sent to Tri Cities and finished the year in Lexington. He never got much consistent playing time in those stops appearing in only 35 games through the year. He combined to hit just .163 on the season. He will be 22 when spring training rolls around.
Low A (13- 33%)
Ruben Alaniz had an inconsistent year in Lexington. He had a rough April, sporting a 8.78 ERA after the first month of the season. However in June, he sported a solid 2.28 ERA. Overall, he finished with a 4.44 ERA in 27 games (21 starts). He fanned 96 batters in 115 2/3 innings pitched. He gave up 11 home runs, with only four in the second half of the season. He earned an invite to instructionals. Alaniz will be 20 when he reports to spring training.
Garrett Bullock see 2009 write up.
Jeiler Castillo see 2008 write up.
Delino Deshields Jr. only appeared in 16 games in 2010 for Greeneville. However, he was impressive in those games as just a 17 year old. This year, as he continued to make the transition to becoming a second baseman, he struggled in the first half of the year hitting just .197 before the All Star break. DeShields had a great July (.320) and finished the second half of the season with a respectable .242 average. His power dropped in the second half but his on base percentage climbed. All promising signs for a young man who won't turn 20 until next August. He got a bit of extra work in this fall in instructionals.
Mike Foltynewicz appeared to run out of gas as the long Sally League season of bus trips ground to an end. After keeping his ERA in the upper three and low four range for May, June & July; it jumped to the seven and eight range for August and September. He was on the instructional league roster. He is still seen as a top prospect and will just be 20 when next season begins.
Gabriel Garcia pitched out of the pen in 31 games for the Legends. Garcia struck out 68 batters in 69 1/3 innings pitched. His ERA was 3.76 on the season. He is pitching in his home country for Winter Ball and through his first 11 appearances in the Dominican League, he is sporting a 2.84 ERA. He will still be 22 when next season rolls around.
Emilio King had a break out year in Lexington. In Greeneville, he showed good defense with a great arm but very little with the bat. In 2011, he hit .293 and 34 of his 106 hits went for extra bases. He also had 14 outfield assist on the year. King will be 22 at the start of spring training.
Ryan McCurdy appeared in just one game for Lexington. He spent most of his season in TriCities. There he hit .324 which is an impressive jump from the .148 combined between Greeneville & TriCities in 2010. He will turn 24 in December.
Jhonny Medrano hit .203 in 60 games for the Legends this season. He is a minor league free agent and will likely not be playing affiliated ball next season. Injuries limited his potential.
Telvin Nash got his 2011 season of to a bang with an impressive April where he hit .310 with an OPS of .997 but then broke the hamate bone in his hand and missed all of May and almost but three games of June. In the second half, Nash was okay but not as spectacular as his April. He finished the year with a .269 average and a .858 OPS in Lexington. It is expected that recovery from a hamate fracture can take some time to recover hand strength so we have to take that into account. Nash has very good power. Of his 72 hits this season in Lexington, 30 of them were for extra bases. Here is a video of his power stroke. He will need to cut down on the strike outs as he continues to climb up the ladder. He also was learning a new position this year, playing 37 games at 1st base. He got some extra work in at instructionals. Nash will turn 21 just before spring training begins.
Marcus Nidiffer was released by the Astros and subsequently signed by the Angels organization. They moved him back to catcher and he hit .230 for Cedar Rapids this year. He threw out 29% of potential base stealers. He will be 25 when spring training opens.
Roberto Pena was impressive behind the plate in Lexington this season. He threw out 39% of the potential base burglars. He wasn't as impressive at the plate, hitting just .217 but showed improvement over his numbers in Greeneville last year. He is seen as a solid catching prospect by the Astros as evidenced by them sending him for a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League. He was also in instructionals. Pena won't turn 20 until June of next year.
Brian Streinlein appeared in 40 games for the Legends and amassed a 3.99 ERA. Streinlein will be 24 when spring training begins.
Tri Cities (6 - 15%)
Ryan Cole finished 22 of the 26 games he appeared in for the ValleyCats. He was credited with 10 saves. He will be 24 when pitchers report to spring training.
Jermaine Cotton started 2011 in Greeneville in the bullpen. However, he was moved into the starting rotation and was solid there. He was promoted to Tri Cities and finished the year with a 3.68 ERA in five starts for the ValleyCats. He earned an invitation to fall instructional league. He will be 21 when next season begins.
Euris Quezada is a big righty who when he has his control is fun to watch. for the ValleyCats this year, sometime he had it, some times he didn't. He was shut down after just one start in August. He finished the year with a 6.95 ERA with 24 Ks and 24 BB in 33 2/3 IP. He will turn 23 next April.
Travis Smink appeared in 23 games for the ValleyCats this season. He amassed a 4.37 ERA in 45 1/3 IP. He will turn 25 shortly after the 2012 season begins.
Rafael Valenzuela continues to show he can hit. After being injured for much of the first half of the season, he reported to Tri Cities and hit .316 in 31 games for the ValleyCats. The non drafted free agent will be 24 when spring training begins.
Bubby Williams see 2009 write up.
Greeneville (2 - 5%)
Richardo Batista the lefty returned to Greeneville for the 2011 season and showed improvement. He finished the season strong with a 3.57 ERA for the month of August. During that month, opponents hit just .192 off of him. During August he also struck out 20 batters in 22 1/2 innings but he also walked 18. He was invited to instructionals. He will still be 20 when next season begins.
Rodney Quintero returned to Greeneville for the 2011 season. He struck out 32 batters in 28 2/3 IP out of the pen. Even though the numbers aren't great, he was invited to fall instructional league. He will turn 22 before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
Injury/DL (2- 5%)
Vincent Velasquez and Jonathon Merritt both spent their year rehabbing from injuries. Velasquez was on the instructional league roster.
I expect the number of active players to drop pretty heavily next year with the large number of guys already in the 24 to 25 range in this group.
Let's look at how high they climbed. They are listed by the highest level they appeared in and the percentage by each level is out of the full roster.
AA (1 - 3%)
Chris Wallace started the year in Low A Lexington but was double promoted to AA Corpus Christi to finish out the year. With him turning 23 years of age in April and him having solid success in Lexington, it was not surprising the Astros challenged him by putting him on a fast track. Wallace hit .244 in 36 games in AA. he also found out that base runners were better there. He only threw out 10% of attempted stolen bases. Wallace spent part of the fall in instructionals.
High A (2 - 5%)
Bryce Lane spent most of the season in Lexington but did appear in Lancaster for five games during the year. He was hit less during his stint in Lancaster and hit .222 in 67 games in Lexington. He will be 22 when spring training begins.
Hector Rodriguez bounced around three levels this year. He started in Lancaster, then was sent to Tri Cities and finished the year in Lexington. He never got much consistent playing time in those stops appearing in only 35 games through the year. He combined to hit just .163 on the season. He will be 22 when spring training rolls around.
Low A (13- 33%)
Ruben Alaniz had an inconsistent year in Lexington. He had a rough April, sporting a 8.78 ERA after the first month of the season. However in June, he sported a solid 2.28 ERA. Overall, he finished with a 4.44 ERA in 27 games (21 starts). He fanned 96 batters in 115 2/3 innings pitched. He gave up 11 home runs, with only four in the second half of the season. He earned an invite to instructionals. Alaniz will be 20 when he reports to spring training.
Garrett Bullock see 2009 write up.
Jeiler Castillo see 2008 write up.
Delino Deshields Jr. only appeared in 16 games in 2010 for Greeneville. However, he was impressive in those games as just a 17 year old. This year, as he continued to make the transition to becoming a second baseman, he struggled in the first half of the year hitting just .197 before the All Star break. DeShields had a great July (.320) and finished the second half of the season with a respectable .242 average. His power dropped in the second half but his on base percentage climbed. All promising signs for a young man who won't turn 20 until next August. He got a bit of extra work in this fall in instructionals.
Mike Foltynewicz appeared to run out of gas as the long Sally League season of bus trips ground to an end. After keeping his ERA in the upper three and low four range for May, June & July; it jumped to the seven and eight range for August and September. He was on the instructional league roster. He is still seen as a top prospect and will just be 20 when next season begins.
Gabriel Garcia pitched out of the pen in 31 games for the Legends. Garcia struck out 68 batters in 69 1/3 innings pitched. His ERA was 3.76 on the season. He is pitching in his home country for Winter Ball and through his first 11 appearances in the Dominican League, he is sporting a 2.84 ERA. He will still be 22 when next season rolls around.
Emilio King had a break out year in Lexington. In Greeneville, he showed good defense with a great arm but very little with the bat. In 2011, he hit .293 and 34 of his 106 hits went for extra bases. He also had 14 outfield assist on the year. King will be 22 at the start of spring training.
Ryan McCurdy appeared in just one game for Lexington. He spent most of his season in TriCities. There he hit .324 which is an impressive jump from the .148 combined between Greeneville & TriCities in 2010. He will turn 24 in December.
Jhonny Medrano hit .203 in 60 games for the Legends this season. He is a minor league free agent and will likely not be playing affiliated ball next season. Injuries limited his potential.
Telvin Nash got his 2011 season of to a bang with an impressive April where he hit .310 with an OPS of .997 but then broke the hamate bone in his hand and missed all of May and almost but three games of June. In the second half, Nash was okay but not as spectacular as his April. He finished the year with a .269 average and a .858 OPS in Lexington. It is expected that recovery from a hamate fracture can take some time to recover hand strength so we have to take that into account. Nash has very good power. Of his 72 hits this season in Lexington, 30 of them were for extra bases. Here is a video of his power stroke. He will need to cut down on the strike outs as he continues to climb up the ladder. He also was learning a new position this year, playing 37 games at 1st base. He got some extra work in at instructionals. Nash will turn 21 just before spring training begins.
Marcus Nidiffer was released by the Astros and subsequently signed by the Angels organization. They moved him back to catcher and he hit .230 for Cedar Rapids this year. He threw out 29% of potential base stealers. He will be 25 when spring training opens.
Roberto Pena was impressive behind the plate in Lexington this season. He threw out 39% of the potential base burglars. He wasn't as impressive at the plate, hitting just .217 but showed improvement over his numbers in Greeneville last year. He is seen as a solid catching prospect by the Astros as evidenced by them sending him for a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League. He was also in instructionals. Pena won't turn 20 until June of next year.
Brian Streinlein appeared in 40 games for the Legends and amassed a 3.99 ERA. Streinlein will be 24 when spring training begins.
Tri Cities (6 - 15%)
Ryan Cole finished 22 of the 26 games he appeared in for the ValleyCats. He was credited with 10 saves. He will be 24 when pitchers report to spring training.
Jermaine Cotton started 2011 in Greeneville in the bullpen. However, he was moved into the starting rotation and was solid there. He was promoted to Tri Cities and finished the year with a 3.68 ERA in five starts for the ValleyCats. He earned an invitation to fall instructional league. He will be 21 when next season begins.
Euris Quezada is a big righty who when he has his control is fun to watch. for the ValleyCats this year, sometime he had it, some times he didn't. He was shut down after just one start in August. He finished the year with a 6.95 ERA with 24 Ks and 24 BB in 33 2/3 IP. He will turn 23 next April.
Travis Smink appeared in 23 games for the ValleyCats this season. He amassed a 4.37 ERA in 45 1/3 IP. He will turn 25 shortly after the 2012 season begins.
Rafael Valenzuela continues to show he can hit. After being injured for much of the first half of the season, he reported to Tri Cities and hit .316 in 31 games for the ValleyCats. The non drafted free agent will be 24 when spring training begins.
Bubby Williams see 2009 write up.
Greeneville (2 - 5%)
Richardo Batista the lefty returned to Greeneville for the 2011 season and showed improvement. He finished the season strong with a 3.57 ERA for the month of August. During that month, opponents hit just .192 off of him. During August he also struck out 20 batters in 22 1/2 innings but he also walked 18. He was invited to instructionals. He will still be 20 when next season begins.
Rodney Quintero returned to Greeneville for the 2011 season. He struck out 32 batters in 28 2/3 IP out of the pen. Even though the numbers aren't great, he was invited to fall instructional league. He will turn 22 before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
Injury/DL (2- 5%)
Vincent Velasquez and Jonathon Merritt both spent their year rehabbing from injuries. Velasquez was on the instructional league roster.
I expect the number of active players to drop pretty heavily next year with the large number of guys already in the 24 to 25 range in this group.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Both Rookies of the Year have Appy Ties
Both Jeremy Hellickson and Craig Kimbrell started their pro careers in the Appy League.
Hellickson, appeared in four games for the Princeton Devil Rays in 2005 as an 18 year old. He never came to Greeneville or faced the G-Stros.
Kimbrell, appeared in 12 games for the Danville Braves in 2008. He faced Greeneville twice both securing saves in one run wins. Back on June 21st, 2008, he came into the game in the 8th inning. This is from the game log on MILB.
Greeneville Top of the 8th
Based on his minor league stats, Kimbrell was one of those rare pitchers who never started a game on his climb to the majors.
Hellickson, appeared in four games for the Princeton Devil Rays in 2005 as an 18 year old. He never came to Greeneville or faced the G-Stros.
Kimbrell, appeared in 12 games for the Danville Braves in 2008. He faced Greeneville twice both securing saves in one run wins. Back on June 21st, 2008, he came into the game in the 8th inning. This is from the game log on MILB.
Greeneville Bottom of the 8th
- Pitcher Change: Craig Kimbrel replaces Junior Rojas.
- Frank Almonte pops out to second baseman Chais Fuller.
- Kody Hinze grounds out, third baseman Jon Gilmore to first baseman Gerardo Rodriguez.
- Dionel Montas strikes out swinging.
Greeneville Bottom of the 9th
- Carlos Mojica called out on strikes.
- Ricardo Bonfante doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Mike Elkerson.
- Albert Cartwright grounds out, shortstop Shayne Moody to first baseman Gerardo Rodriguez. Ricardo Bonfante to 3rd.
- Renzo Tello reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jon Gilmore. Ricardo Bonfante scores.
- Devon Torrence walks. Renzo Tello to 2nd.
- Jay Austin grounds out, second baseman Chais Fuller to first baseman Gerardo Rodriguez.
Greeneville Top of the 8th
- Pitcher Change: Craig Kimbrel replaces Matt Timms.
- Jose Altuve walks.
- Frank Almonte grounds out, pitcher Craig Kimbrel to first baseman Chais Fuller.
Greeneville Top of the 9th
- Kody Hinze walks.
- Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Federico Hernandez replaces Dionel Montas.
- Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Albert Cartwright replaces Kody Hinze.
- With Federico Hernandez batting, wild pitch by Craig Kimbrel, Albert Cartwright to 2nd.
- Federico Hernandez flies out to right fielder Chris Shehan. Albert Cartwright to 3rd.
- Renzo Tello lines into unassisted double play, third baseman Jon Gilmore. Albert Cartwright doubled off 3rd.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Liga Paralela - The Minor Leagues in Venezuela
In Venezuela, there isn’t just the LVBP season going on . There is also the Liga Paralela, the
Venezuelan minor leagues. Here is an
update on the former G-Stros who are playing minor league winter ball.
MAGALLANES
Frederico Hernandez – Has started five games and is hitting
.227 in 22 at bats. He has played 1st
base in most of his games.
Ernesto Genoves – Has played in four games but started just
three. In 12 at bats, he has three hits
for a .250 batting average. One of those
hit was a home run. He has put in an
appearance at 3rd base in one game.
David Martinez – Has pitched in four games, three of them as
a starter. In 14 innings pitched, he has
yet to allow an earned run. He has
allowed just five hits and two walks for a 0.500 WHIP. He has fanned 8 of the 44 batters he has
faced.
Carlos Quevedo – Has pitched in relief in six games. He has given up five runs in nine innings
pitched but only one of those runs was earned.
So he is sporting a snazzy 1.00 ERA.
He has given up seven hits and fanned three batters.
CARACAS
Yuri (Juri) Perez – Has pitched in five games, three of them
as the starter. In 21 innings, he has given
up 20 hits and eight walks. He has
struck out 16 batters. His ERA is 3.86
NAVEGANTES
Luis Alvarez – Is hitting .282 in 12 games. He has three doubles and a home run. He has walked three times and has struck out
only three times in 39 at bats. He has
caught four out of six base thieves.
This is all that I can locate on the rosters. Just last year, Jose Altuve started winter ball in this league and he finished Winterball in the Venezuelan big leagues. Maybe the same will happen for a few of these guys this year.
This is all that I can locate on the rosters. Just last year, Jose Altuve started winter ball in this league and he finished Winterball in the Venezuelan big leagues. Maybe the same will happen for a few of these guys this year.
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