October 30th, 2008

MILB.com Names Sutton & Trinidad Player and Pitcher of the Year

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

MILB.com has given their recap of the Astros’ minor league system after the season. They highlight the promise of the recent draft class calling Jason Castro

Castro represents one of the best Draft picks Houston has made in years. He was a no-brainer when the Astros expended the 10th overall pick on him, and will provide the club with a legitimate star quality catcher for the better part of the next decade.

They named Drew Sutton the player of the year and Polin Trinidad the pitcher of the year.  Be sure to check out the photo gallery of Astro’s prospects on the page. (more…)

October 28th, 2008

Footer notices it too.

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

From the Mailbag

“The Peavy story could get interesting, especially if all of the other teams who Peavy has said he’d approve a trade to don’t make any viable offers to the Padres.”

Link  Avoid scrolling down to the comments section.

October 27th, 2008

Caribbean Update

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Here is the weekly update from the Caribbean leagues. We hope to know the rosters of the Puerto Rico teams by next week to see if any Astros farm hands land there.

VENEZUELA
Leones del Caracas
Jose Lopez, C - has not played
Cesar Quintero, OF - is hitting .300 through is first 7 games. Has 6 runs already. Also has 7 K’s in 20 AB.

Caribes del Anzotegul
Josh Miller, RHP - had his second start of the season this week. He scattered 3 hits over 4 innings allowing no runs, or walks. He dropped his ERA to 2.19.
Paul Estrada, RHP - has not played
Fernando Nieve, RHP - has not played
(more…)

October 27th, 2008

AFL & HWL Updates: Bogusevic Playing Well, Interesting Splits for Perez

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

AFL
Drew Sutton continues to rake. He is leading the league with his average (.529), runs scored (17), total bases (T-36), walks (13), On Base Percentage (.633) and On Base Plus Slugging (1.691). Sutton has made 5 errors in the field.

Brian Bogusevic is healthy and playing well. He has now played in 6 games (13 AB) and is hitting .385. He has no extra base hits but has only struck out once. He has played no error baseball in the field. He also made an appearance in the AFL showcase game as the DH. He went 1 for 4. (more…)

October 22nd, 2008

Astros need a new bench coach

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

Jackie Moore moves north.
Link

October 20th, 2008

Caribbean Update

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Here is your Monday update from the first week of games in the DWL & VWL.

VENEZUELA
Leones del Caracas
Jose Lopez, C - has not played
Cesar Quintero, OF - has not played

Caribes del Anzotegul
Josh Miller, RHP - has had one outing as a reliever (1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 hits, 1 BB) and one as a starter (7 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K).
Paul Estrada, RHP - has not played
Fernando Nieve, RHP - has not played (more…)

October 20th, 2008

HWL & AFL Update - Castro and Sutton are hot

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Here is your brief update from the HWL & AFL.

HWL

Jason Castro remains hot, hitting in his last 6 games and in 8 of his last 9. He is hitting .349 through 13 games. He is striking out about one every five at bats (9/43) and he has taken 9 walks so his discipline at the plate is looking pretty good. (more…)

October 16th, 2008

Moore poaching by the Rangers

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

Astros bench coach Jackie Moore will interview with the Rangers early Thursday afternoon for the job of bench coach.

(more…)

October 15th, 2008

Fallball/Winterball Update

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Only those in Arizona call it Fall ball.  Everywhere else calls it Winterball.  I don’ t know why?  I know it is fall now and all the leagues are playing now (except Puerto Rico who starts Nov. 6th).  So let’s reward those who can read the calendar and start with a brief recap of how Astros connected players are doing in Arizona first. (more…)

October 15th, 2008

Rupert? Robert? Clemon?

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

Astros general manager Ed Wade said utilizing Clemens right now as part of the team’s training process is not on his radar.

(more…)

October 14th, 2008

“Players.”

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

“If we add a few players, we can contend,” ace Roy Oswalt said. “I think we’re about three players away from being real good. I’d say baseball players. Pitching is a spot to start at, for sure. Players.”
Link

October 13th, 2008

Took them 3 years to figure this out?

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

Turns out, Pujols had nothing to do with it.

Figuring that he should develop more pitches as his major-league career deepened, Lidge fiddled around with a split-finger fastball and a cut-fastball in ‘06.

(more…)

October 9th, 2008

Roster fiddling

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

The Astros cleared some space on their 40-man roster Wednesday, outrighting four players to Triple-A Round Rock. …Dave Borkowski, Jack Cassel, Ryan Houston and Jose Castillo … The Astros’ roster now stands at 36.

(more…)

October 7th, 2008

Footer questions Brocail move, McTaggart assumes the worst.

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

“I figured once it was determined Sampson needed surgery, that it was a given the Astros would pick up Brocail’s option. I was wrong.

(more…)

October 6th, 2008

Sutton Closer To Bigs, HWL Update

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

The Arizona Falll League kicks off tomorrow.  One of the Astors’ farm hands who will be playing there is Drew Sutton.  He got some local publicity from his hometown paper. He gives some insight in what he is being told heading to Arizona for the AFL and what to expect in spring training. (more…)

October 4th, 2008

Footer outlines roster issues for 2009

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

On the issue of spending “Wade acknowledged the club will have “payroll flexibility,” as has been the case for several offseasons. The Astros’ payroll was somewhere between $88-92 million, and there are no indications owner Drayton McLane is going to slash the budget for ‘09.”

(more…)

October 2nd, 2008

First HWL Update, Fairchild On Rehab & Season, Another Hint At One Year Stint In Cali.

Posted by Duman in From the Bus Stop

In the Hawaiian Winter League, the three Astro farm hands are off to a hum drum start.  High profile 1st round pick, Jason Castro is 2 of 8 so far with no extra base hits, two walks and one K.  He has also made an error.  Jordan Parraz is 2 of 11 with two walks and three K’s.  Chris Hicks has pitched 3 innings so far with a 6.00 ERA.  He has surrendered 3 hits and 2 runs.   He has K’d 2 and walked 2. (more…)

October 2nd, 2008

Ben Sheets?

Posted by pravata in News You Can Use

Ben Sheets underwent another MRI scan on Monday in Milwaukee that revealed further tearing of the flexor mass, a muscle that helps stabilize the elbow. The tear was originally revealed in an MRI in late August or early September, after Sheets first felt pain in an Aug. 26 start against the Cardinals.

(more…)