http://www.spikesnstars.com Houston Astros news, commentary, and minor league coverage Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:13:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en (Alyson Footer) "My opinion isn't a popular one, but when it comes to Sheets, I say pass."  Link (This will be even less popular) Towers on the Jake Peavy trade talks: “It's really come down to one club now – the Cubs,” he said. “It's going to take awhile. They have ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/18/unpopular-opinions-the-minors-a-major-tejada-2010-and-beyond/ Puerto Rico Lobos de Arecibo Raymar Diaz, RHP - had a rough week. In 2 1/3 innings, he gave up 8 hits, 5 earned runs, no walks and one K. His season ERA is a whopping 10.50. Edwin Maysonet, SS - he had a solid week, going 7 for 19. ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/17/caribbean-update-3/ The fall/winter leagues in the states are wrapping up.  The Hawaiian Winter League wrapped up today.  Here is how the Astros farm hands faired. Jason Castro - tied for 5th in the league in average (.333), 7th in the league in slugging (.487), 4th in the league in OBP (.438), and ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/16/final-hwl-update-next-to-last-afl-update/ Trade for Peavy? "We talked early on, and (Padres GM Kevin Towers) was candid in looking at our situation and our system that we probably don't have the pieces to make it work," Wade said. Before Wade shot down the Peavy rumors for perhaps the final time later Friday afternoon, club ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/10/the-search-for-pitching-the-situation-so-far/ Let's get things started in Puerto Rico who just started their winter league on Thursday night. Here are the Astros' connections to the league and how they have fared so far. Lobos de Arecibo Raymar Diaz, RHP - in his first two outings went a combined 3 2/3 innings giving up ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/10/caribean-update-bourn-carrying-obp-of-472-through-first-7-games/ The HWL enters it's last week of play.  Jason Castro continues to lead the team with his .329 average.  He has played in 21 games so far and has had 14 of this 20 strike outs in his last 10 games.  He has had 5 multi strike out games in ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/10/afl-hwl-updates/ Astros.com has a feature on Mark Ori who is on the Taxi Squad during the Arizona Fall League. Here is what he says he learned during his repeat year in Salem. "I was not the happiest guy coming out of Spring Training," said Ori.... "I thought I had a chance ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/04/ori-2nd-year-in-salem-worth-it/ As rosters change in the U.S. (Polin Trinidad being put on the 40 man roster), rosters also change in the Caribbean (Bourn, Trinidad, Florentino now on rosters in DWL and Jeiller Castillo showing up in the VWL). The Puerto Rican league is also about to get under way. ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/04/caribbean-update-bourn-in-the-dominican/ Here is your Monday morning update of the prospects in Hawaii and Arizona. Down in Hawaii, Jason Castro still leads the team with his .328 average and is among the league leaders in several categories. He had a hitting streak snapped this weekend but another streak is continuing. ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/11/03/hwlafl-update-sutton-slumping-castro-k-ing/ 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 ... http://www.spikesnstars.com/2008/10/30/milbcom-names-sutton-trinidad-player-and-pitcher-of-the-year/