Local TV report about Jimmy V preparing for camp:

Quote

“I’ve managed to put on 10-15 pounds during the first couple of months. And then I’ve been doing a lot of speed work, conditioning lately, dropping the weight down and getting ready to play. And it’s been good. And it’s a fun environment too. It’s fun coming in here,” said Jimmy Van O’Strand, an 8th round pick by Houston in the 2006 MLB Draft.

Astros.com gives a minor league update on Manzella, Iorg, Delome and others.
(more…)

The Chron talks to and about Brad James:

Brad on his experience in big boy spring training

Quote

“Just getting to play with the older guys that are more experienced, it’s good to get in here now and get more used to it,” James said. “I don’t want to go back to the minor league side. Trust me. This is 15 times better than the minor league side.”

(more…)

The son of former Astros scout, Dan Buchanan, talks to his hometown paper about life in the minors:

On the difference between playing at Rice & playing in the minors:

Quote

In college, he got a lot of coaching, with special emphasis on being a team player. Winning games was the most important part of playing college ball. A college season consists of 56 games.

“You play for your teammates, your managers and the fans,” he said.

Not so in the pros.

“Everyone is trying to move up in his separate careers,” he explained. “If you have a good day, you are not as upset if you lost.”

The mission of the coaches is to develop players, not win games. Greg worked out all during January at Minute Maid Park with members of the Astros team.

Your Clearing House for Minors Comings & Goings This Off Season:

Erick Abreu - signed a minor league contract (Feb.)
Josh Appell - acquired in trade for Ralph Henriquez (Nov.)
Miguel Asencio - granted free agency (Oct.), Signed by Red Sox to minor league deal (Jan.)
Jimmy Barthmaier - claimed off waivers by Pirates (Nov.)
Phillip Barzilla - Signed by Mariners as a minor league free agent. (Nov.)
Frankie Caraballo - Signed to minor league contract (Dec.)
Alberto Castillo - signed to minor league contract (Feb.) (more…)

J R House talks about still playing baseball and signing with the Astros to his hometown paper.

Quote

“I’m making a lot of money playing baseball and I’m having fun,” House, 28, said. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. I’ll play until they tear the uniform off my back.”

Quote

“I know them (Astros),” House said. “I’ve been with them before and I felt comfortable with it.”

House also liked the fact that Dave Clark, his manager at Corpus Christi in 2006, is set to manage AAA Round Rock this season.
If House makes the team as the 3rd catcher.  That means two of the three catchers would go by J. R..  James Rogers House & Justin Richard Towles.

In today’s MILB show and tell, Jack Cassel talks about hanging out with his brother super bowl week.

Quote

From there, we caravanned out to the Playboy party. We enjoyed ourselves immensely among a plethora of A-listers: from Nick Cannon DJing and rapper Common emceeing to the cast of “Entourage” to the man, the myth, the legend himself … Hugh Hefner.

The party was unforgettable, though we paid for it the next morning.

Quote

They still had a postgame party, though there were not too many smiles.

Earth, Wind and Fire, Lionel Richie and Alicia Keys performed live in front of roughly a thousand team members, family and guests. Although the Patriots lost, we did celebrate their amazing 18-1 season.

From the Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel :

Tip Fairchild visited Houston last week for a doctors visit, a few bullpen sessions at the elite camp and dinner at Koby’s.

Quote

Fairchild said he threw fastballs at about 85 miles an hour in the 10-minute, 50-pitch sessions. He said he could probably throw harder, but he tries to pitch pain-free.

“To the naked eye you wouldn’t know I was hurt,” Fairchild said. “But I know I’m still rehabbing a little longer.”
On Clemens:

Quote

“I went over to his house Tuesday and had dinner with him,” Fairchild said….”I can’t say anything bad about him,” he said. “He’s been good to me and I’ve seen how he works out. Everybody down here is on his side.”

Jose gets the low down from Ryan, Cooper & Bennett about the up and coming pitchers:
(more…)

Here is a story that takes place at the Astro’s Dominican Academy.  It gives you a taste of what the academy is:

Quote

The four scouts allow a 12-year-old boy riding a donkey while pulling three horses behind him to cross their path and pull up to the stadium that houses the Astros’ Dominican Summer League team—which is more the norm for what clubs typically have in the D.R. currently.

It’s a cinderblock façade painted black on the outside, with hand-painted block letters spelling out “HOUSTON ASTROS” next to the club’s trademark star. Inside, it’s much like many minor league facilities in the States were built in the 1930s or 1940s.