FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Orangewhoopass.com has ceased operations effective immediately.

Of course, since you’re reading this, you know that. The loyal members of this community are nothing if not observant. Throw a new banner at you, a few new colors, and we’re betting more than 3% of you have figured out something is up. Some of you have even noticed by now the new URL. (more…)

This weekend, the Hooks and the Express played two games to wrap up the spring training schedule. Saturday night, the Hooks forgot to unpack their bats in a 2-0 loss to the Express. The Hooks only got 3 hits and struck out 15 times.

“It’s a long spring and a long drive,” Pujols said. “Everybody took off about a day ago from (Kissimmee, Fla.). Some of the guys pretty much drove straight for 19 hours, and we came here and didn’t have a chance to hit on the field (before the game).

Brad James had what he called an “average day” after staying in the game following a batted ball to his right leg. He still managed to go 4 innings (71 pitches/51 strikes).

“He got out of trouble and that’s what you call pitching,” Pujols said. “I believe he threw the ball very well.”

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Setting Sail

Astros (0-0) at Padres (0-0)

Petco Park 
100 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA  92101

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I am overly fond of nautical metaphors anyway, and we are directing our attention presently – those of us able to stay up late enough, that is – to San Diego, after all; what with the hometown Houston Astros opening the 2008 campaign with a four-game set at the home of the San Diego Padres, there in SoCal, fish tacos and all, down by the sea. (more…)

The Roanoke paper has released the Avs Roster.

Of course Koby Clemens is highlighted because he sells tickets and papers. Other new players of note are:

Jordan Parraz
Jimmy Van Ostrand
Jhon Florentino (article notes had 27 errors last year, most on team but has played an errorless spring)
Jason Dominguez makes the jump from Tri Cities
David Qualben
Josh Appell - acquired in the trade for Ralphie Henriquez and pitched in the NYPL last year.
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The Corpus Christi Caller is reporting the following cuts from Minor League Camp today:

Beau Torbert
Michael Johnson
Andrew Darnell
Jarred Ball
Mike Just
Nick Cavanaugh
Kyle DeYoung
Aaron Raker
Guiseppe Norrito (selected in the rule 5 minor draft from the Dodgers, the paper says acquired in a trade but I haven’t seen anything about that so he may just be being sent back to the Dodgers)
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BClocalnews.com gives us this info from Jimmy V about playing with his fellow Canadians in Taiwan.

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“Going in (to the tournament) I knew we had a team that could get the job done,” said VanOstrand, a prospect of the Houston Astros. “It’s a good mix of veteran leadership and young upcoming players so I liked our chances. (But) I still don’t think it has really sunk in what we’ve accomplished and what it means for me personally, but I do know this has been a really special week.”

VanOstrand, 23, was nothing short of spectacular during the final Olympic qualifying tournament which was played in Taiwan. Playing first base for Team Canada, the 6-4, 220-pounder was 3-for-5 and scored five times in a 15-10 win over Mexico; went 2-for-3, homered, and scored twice in a 10-5 loss to Australia; and was 3-for-5 with an RBI in a 6-5 victory over host Taiwan.

KRIS out of Corpus went to spring training for this report with video of Iorg:

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Astros Director of Player Development, Ricky Bennett, said, “Very athletic, can play all three outfield positions. He can play some left and some right, and he is gonna play right in the middle of our lineup. But, he is a guy who can swing the bat, run the bases well, good speed. He’s a good all around player that we’re excited about where he is in his development.”

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Iorg said, “Right now, I am at 90%, but two weeks ago I was 80%, so you know I am getting there.”

Astros.com provides us with updates on Brad James (he was okay with being sent down), Josh Muecke is likely headed for RR and the decision on whether Neive will break camp with RR or stay for Extended Spring.

Biggest news was that Russell Dixon, who was drafted as a second baseman will go into the outfield in Lexington this spring.

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“In our Elite Camp and our [Spring Training] minicamp, he took a lot of ground balls, but we made a decision the other day to put him in the outfield exclusively,” Bennett said.

The Chronicle highlights up and coming pitcher Sammy Gervacio:

On his side arm delivery:

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“When I was little, I started throwing like that,” Gervacio said. “When I throw over the top, my arm hurts, so I like it more down.”

Ricky Bennett’s take:

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“He’s got a good arm and two good off-speed pitches he can throw for strikes. They’re average-to-plus pitches. He’s got a good slider, a real good changeup, and one thing we’ve worked on with him is trying to get him to use his fastball.”

This little blurb from Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch tells us the conflicted nature of Devon Torrence’s spring:

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Devon Torrence remains interested in playing baseball for a Houston Astros farm team and football for Ohio State, but he might be getting concerned that he’s missing a lot of baseball without seeing a lot of playing time as an OSU receiver. (more…)

We’re glad to be able to put the Glossary back into use.  As you can see, it’s been updated and amended since it was last in use.

If you think there are terms that we might have missed, (or anything you see that needs to be updated — who knew that Cletus was still in the league?) please feel free to suggest them in the TZ or by e-mailing admin@spikesnstars.com .

Keep in mind the following…

1) Suggested terms should be in common usage to the conversations in the TZ.
2) Suggested terms should be TZ or Astros specific, i.e., difficult to impossible to translate a talk zone post without this term.
3) Additional terms and defintions will be added at the discretion of the administration.  In other words, you might have an idea. We reserve the right to think it sucks. (more…)

Astros.com gives us these updates:

On Koby’s progress moving from 3rd to behind the plate:

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“He’s gaining every day,” Wiedenbauer said. “There are many challenges with that position. I would imagine the biggest challenge is the patience that it’s going to take, because it’s such an intricate position. It’s not going to happen overnight.

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Stubby Clapp, Lexington Legends hitting coach, and Jimmy VanOstrand, who played for the Legends last year are on the Canadian Olympic Team that is currently playing in Asia in an exhibition series with Australia to prepare for the Olympic Qualifier. The Qualifier is in Taipei March 7 - 15th.
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