What To Watch For In 2011 - Former G-Stros Shortstops

Working around the horn, we land at shortstop. Here we go.

Shortstop

Wlad Sutil - Wlad was with the G-Stros in 2004. He spent most of 2010 in Corpus Christi while spending part of the season level higher at Round Rock. In 2011, we are asking the following questions. Where will he break camp? AA or AAA? If he gets to AAA, can he hit better there than his .237 last year?

Jio Mier - Jio had a rough 2010 in Lexington. It is reported that he wore down as the season progressed and lost 15 pounds. He has reported to big league camp after gaining 20 pounds over the off season. In 2011, we are asking the following questions. Will his body able to stand up to the grind this year? Will his season resemble the first half of last season or the second half? I expect he will start the year back in Lexington.

Jonathan Merritt - The shortstop for the G-Stros in 2010 was a non drafted free agent from UAB. He performed adequately, but at 22, he was older than most of the competition. I expect he will be a back up in Tri Cities or Greeneville this season.

News From Spring Training: First & LIst

The big buzz coming out of big boy camp at Kissimmee yesterday was that J. R. Towles was taking some ground balls at first base.

Photo: Karen Warren/Chronicle

He will also be taking some reps at 3rd and in the outfield. This is an effort to increase his versatility and vie for a roster spot with the big club.

"I feel I'm athletic enough to play other positions than just catch," Towles said. "They're going to work with me for a while first and show me what to do, and what not to do. I like playing other positions."

G-Stros on Intersquad Game Rosters
The first game of the spring involves an inter-squad game between the 63 players in camp with the Astros. They have two coaches draft the players, and the big stars don't get picked. It is a chance for those in camp to show what they have. Here is the list of former G-stros picked for today's game.

On third base coach Dave Clark's roster: J. D. Martinez (09), Koby Clemens (05), Jordan Lyles (08), Pat Urkfitz (08), & Arcenio Leon (07, 08).

On first base coach Bobby Meachem's roster: J. R. Towles (04), Jio Mier (09), Fernando Abad (07), Jorge DeLeon (08), & Doug Arguello (04).

Minor League Mini Camp Roster:
Those involved in the Astros Minor League Mini Camp have reported.

Pitchers: (10 out of 20 invited)
Ruben Alaniz (10)
Jose Cisnero (09)
Brad Dydalewicz (08)
Mike Foltynewicz (10)
Kyle Greenewalt (07, 08)
Zachary Grimmett (08)
B. J. Hyatt (09)
Carlos Quevedo (09)
Rodney Quintero (10)
Ross Seaton (08)

Catchers: (2 out of 4)
Roberto Pena (10)
Chris Wallace (10)

Infielders: (3 out of 9)
Delino DeShields Jr. (10)
Jon Meyer (09)
Marcus Nidiffer (10)

Outfielders: (2 out of 6)
Jay Austin (08)
Telvin Nash (10)

That makes 17 out of 39 players in mini camp are former Greeneville Astros. Notice that most of the players played in the last three seasons in Greeneville. When you combine the big league spring training roster & the minor's mini camp roster, here is the number of players present from the last seven years of the Greeneville Astros.

2004 - 2
2005 - 1
2006 - 0
2007 - 3 (2 were also on the 08 roster)
2008 - 8
2009 - 6
2010 - 8

There are a few players on the list who are potential G-Stros this year. Ariel Ovando (OF) was signed for over 2 million dollars last summer and has yet to appear in a professional game for the Astros. He is 17 years old. Jose Fernandez is a 17 year old SS who played every day for the GCL Astros last year. Jose Perdome (P), will be 19 when the season starts. He dominated the GCL with a 1.67 ERA and 69 Ks in 59 1/3 IP. I hope we see at least one of these three in Greeneville this year.

What To Watch For In 2011 - Former G-Stros Secondbaseman

In our continuing series of what we will be looking for from former Greeneville Astros. Moving around the diamond to second, let's see what we will be watching for as the season begins. The year(s) they played in Greeneville and their age on opening day will be in parenthesis.

Second Base
Jose Altuve (2008,09 - 20) Can he build off his success in the Venezuelan Winter Leagues? Can he stay ahead of the throng of young second basement behind him? Can he improve his base stealing?

Delino DeShields (2010 - 18) How will his move from center to second work? How will he perform as the a teen in the Sally League? How will his body & mind hold up over the longer full season? Where will he wind up to end the season?

Albert Cartwright (2007, 08 - 22) - How will he do in AA with the Phillies farm system?

Towles Talks To McTaggart

Astros.com beat writer, Brian McTaggart, has posted an interview with J. R. Towles. Here are a few highlights but head over there and check out the video.

On dealing with the ups & downs of his journey:

"You always assess the situation, but then I try not to think about it too much," he said. "I try to stay upbeat and not get too down. It's hard when you see everybody else playing and doing well and you know you're capable of being out there with them and helping the team win, and you're not. It is a little discouraging at times. You have to keep a good attitude and keep your head up and be ready for whatever is next."

On his confidence he can play at the MLB level:

"It's not like I'm not going to be able to hit or catch," he said." I've always worked hard and done well and had success where I've been. I know I'm capable of playing up there. I just need to have a shot up there and take advantage of it."

What To Watch For In 2011 - Former G-Stros First Basemen

This is one of the thinnest positions in the Astros farm system. After seven seasons, there are only three former Greeneville Astros first basemen left in organized ball. Here is what I am watching for from them this year.

First Base
Koby Clemens - (2005 - 24- AA) - How does he handle the pitching in MLB Spring Training? Can he cut down on strike outs and bring up the batting average back above .250?

Kody Hinze - (2008 - 23 - A) - Can he get more hits than strike outs? How much will his power numbers jump in Lancaster?

Marcus Nidiffer - (2010 - 24 - SS A) How fast can he move through an unclogged system? Can he hit as he moves up?

Projected Placement

Oklahoma (AAA)
Clemens

Lancaster (HiA)
Hinze

Lexington (LoA)
Nidiffer