Author Topic: Ask And Ye Shall Maybe Receive: Season 2, Vol 7. (Read 23227 times)

Jacksonian · « **on:** July 11, 2006, 11:32:52 am »

Past due for a new thread. The MLB All-Star Break seems like as good a time as any.

It would appear that many of you have forgotten that Greg has been doing a yeoman's job of updating the Astros minor league transactions. I wanted to give kudos to him and a reminder to all that you need to check the By the Numbers forum daily to see if there has been an update to the transactions thread. Greg puts the latest date of update in the Transaction thread title line.

matadorph · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2006, 05:35:47 pm »

Where can I find information about which current Astros have options remaining? Also, which Astros prospects do you expect the team to protect on the 40-man roster later this year and which do you see them exposing to the Rule V draft? Barthmeier? Paulino? Jimerson?

Jacksonian · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2006, 06:19:21 pm »

Quote:

Where can I find information about which current Astros have options remaining? Also, which Astros prospects do you expect the team to protect on the 40-man roster later this year and which do you see them exposing to the Rule V draft? Barthmeier? Paulino? Jimerson?

That is difficult as the Astros could deal anyone this year to get help for the big club. Also, there are a lot of players on the 40-man this year who could be off it this winter due to expired contracts or generally crappy play.

matadorph · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2006, 06:29:51 pm »

Yeah I guess that's an impossible question to answer at this point.

How about this one: for the purposes of roster moves and Rule 5 protection, what constitutes a year of pro ball? Is it a season of minor-league ball or a full calendar year from the time the player signs his first pro contract?

matadorph · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2006, 07:58:39 pm »

so by virtue of his September 1985 birthday the Astros don't have to worry about putting Patton on the 40-man until November 2007?

Duman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2006, 04:46:13 pm »

Today, James followed up his almost no hitter with 6 innings of shutout ball allowing 3h & 3BB's while striking out 4, while the Legends smashed Delmarva 13 - 0.

Quite honestly, this suprises me. Brad pitched in Greeneville for two seasons and had ERA's well over 4 (4.44 & 4.97). Any ideas on what he has worked on that has helped him step up to this level? I hope it is more than a hot streak.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2006, 04:57:21 pm »

I wanted to weigh in here on the Huff deal from the minors side.

It was obvious that the Astros did not value Zobrist the way some of the fans did. He is an average defender which IMO isn't good enough for the Astros. He can hit, but he's still too advanced for AA ball. If he can hit major league pitching, he looks like a utility player in the future. He might get a shot at second base depending on the team's need.

Talbot has good stuff. His changeup is stunning. He's got a low-90's fastball and an ok breaking pitch. He can pitch very well, but he has not been consistent enough to be considered a top level pitching prospect. It's that lack of consistency that will keep him from a major league starting rotation. If nothing changes, I'd expect him to be a bullpen member. At very best he'd be a 3 or 4 starter similar to Backe. Today, I'd say #5/middle reliever is the safest bet.

The Astros get 1/2 year of Huff right now. If he hits in the second half, the Astros already have won this deal. They get first crack at a new contract for him. If he doesn't sign and the Astros offer him arb, I'd expect him to get an A rating as a free-agent. That would mean the Astros would get a first or supplemental first rounder and second or third rounder from the team signing him.

All that for Zobrist and Talbot. If Huff hits, this deal looks like a real winner for the Astros.

jbm · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2006, 05:41:39 pm »

Regarding Talbot, this season, his K/9 rate jumped to over 9.0 in 90 IP, an improvement from the approx 6.0 he had the last two years at Salem and Lexington. Meanwhile, his BB/9 rate remained virtually the same at around 3.0.

Needless to say, his year so far at a higher level was a nice improvement. Any thoughts on why. Is it just perfecting the changeup you mentioned?

pravata · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2006, 06:36:15 pm »

Zobrist said he was assigned to the Durham (N.C.) Bulls of the Class AAA International League, while Talbot is headed to the Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits, Tampa Bay?s Class AA affiliate in the Southern League.
Link

VirtualBob · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2006, 06:36:25 pm »

So what other moves are likely? RR appears to now have an extra outfielder (Lane replacing McEwing) and CC needs an IF too ... Does Wade Robinson get the bump to CC, or will Ozzie get the regular job there? And do we expect Gordon to get the boot from AAA? Possibly with McEwing being resinged to a minor-league deal if he clears waivers and is released?? Just a few options that occur immediately.

JimR · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2006, 08:04:43 pm »

a good source with the Express told me that McEwing is "the heart and soul of the team." he thinks he is a great guy and a tremendous asset in the clubhouse.

i really enjoyed watching him play. he has kid-like enthusiasm in everything he does. i hope there is some way for him to stay in the organization.

Greg D · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2006, 11:05:13 pm »

The box score may get corrected soon after I write this, but that was Mike Thompson (not Ole Sheldon) who pinch-hit for Ryan Reed in Sunday's game for Lex.

Nothing's happened with Ole--he's still with Salem.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2006, 12:35:12 pm »

As you can read at BTN #14 Greg described the good outings for Cory Lapinski and went on to explain a little about why Cory had some difficulties last year.

Here is one other note about Cory this season:

"Cory got his mechanics straightened out," Langbehn said of his second-year reliever, whose ERA is now 1.47. "He's consistent. His fastball is good and his command has been excellent."

The Link

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #23 on:** July 18, 2006, 11:03:38 am »

Hirsh's line looked damn good last night, as did all of the SPs the Houston organization put on the mound last night. Paulino, James & Hirsh appeared to be very effective.

One question about Hirsh. Is there any thought of calling up Hirsh for the bullpen? IIRC Oswalt was used initially in the bullpen. Other big-time starter types (Zambrano, Liriano, Santana) were initially used that way as well. I'm not sure what the corresponding move would be though. I think Wandy will be sent down when Backe returns. So that really only leaves Lidge, Qualls, Nieve and Wheeler with options. Astris would have to DFA Springer, Miller or Borkowski.

Fletch · « **Reply #27 on:** July 18, 2006, 11:27:06 pm »

Not 100% but I believe during the game tonight they said Hirsh has a tender shoulder. So I would not expect him to be called up anytime soon.

Link confirms it
The Link

VirtualBob · « **Reply #28 on:** July 18, 2006, 11:47:36 pm »

Tonights game is interesting. Mike Thompson came in to relieve Pedro Espinoza for the 9th after Espinoza had given up 3 runs in a WV blow-out. Espinoza replaced Thompson at 2B. Thompson proved the better hurler on this night giving up only 1 hit and no runs. In fact, if the Legends rally, he could picj up the win. :-)

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #31 on:** July 19, 2006, 07:28:02 pm »

John Sickels view midway through 2006

The Link

Duman · « **Reply #32 on:** July 20, 2006, 01:38:50 pm »

Troy Patton now has an ERA of .72 for the month of July. What makes it more impressive is a note he made in a McTaggert Article the other day - The Link

"I've pitched to two different teams five times, so I see the same hitters all the time," he said. "They're learning what I do and I'm learning what they do."

Maybe counting isn't his strong suit because he has pitched against 3 teams 4 times (Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, & Kinston), Lynchburg 3 times & Fredrick & Potomac 2 times each. He has not pitched to Winston Salem yet this year.

Counting aside, pitching the way he is against batters who have seen him several times makes his current performance very impressive.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #38 on:** July 21, 2006, 01:28:31 am »

So, with Albers getting his shot I'm left wondering what's going to happen with CC rotation again. I don't expect to get a response before a move is made, if one is coming. Will Muecke take Albers' place? Or, will the Astros excite the fans and bring up Patton? I believe he and Albers are on the same starting schedule.

Duman · « **Reply #41 on:** July 22, 2006, 07:38:03 am »

Polin Trinidad pitched 5 innings of shut out, one hit ball and lowered his ERA to 0.25 last night in Greeneville. He now has given up on 17 hits & 4 walks in 36 innings in Greeneville and has 34 K's in 36 innings pitched.

StargateSG1 · « **Reply #44 on:** July 23, 2006, 10:55:22 am »

That infectious enthusiasm is a good example for the other players, especially guys like Hirsh, Gimenez, Nieve, etc.. and very engaging as a baseball citizen.

I hope that the Astros find room for him in the organizational coaching chart after his career is done ala Sean Berry.

chuckd · « **Reply #45 on:** July 24, 2006, 01:57:02 pm »

WHAT has happened to Serigo Perez? WHAT is the latest on Karns? thxs

StargateSG1 · « **Reply #46 on:** July 24, 2006, 04:22:53 pm »

Sergio Perez will be activated today. Not sure about Karns. I believe he's headed to college.

Link

StargateSG1 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 24, 2006, 07:52:56 pm »

It looks like the Astros 10th round pick, RHP Nathan Karns, is headed to UT. Got give the Longhorns some credit. They seem to be doing very good as far as not losing recruits to the minors. Astros still have time to sign Nathan but I don't think it's likely.

Florida, Florida State and Miami lost three picks a piece that were drafted in the top three rounds. If you are a Longhorn you have to be encouraged.

Link

Astros inked 18 of their first 20 picks which is pretty good. Florida seems to be doing the best with 21 of 22 picks signed (the lone holdout is Boras client - as of June 30th). Jacksonian does a jam up job of keeping the draft recap updated.

jaklewein · « **Reply #49 on:** July 25, 2006, 10:40:42 am »

FYI: Hirsh and Patton listed #'s 1 and 2 on BBA's Prospect Hotsheet. They say its the first time teammates have held down the first two spots.

jbm · « **Reply #51 on:** July 26, 2006, 11:36:09 am »

I noticed Sergio Perez made his first appearance in mid-inning relief last night. Given the lack of urgency in pitching him so far, I assume the Astros are just letting his arm rest, but that is merely an assumption. Any information on why he has not pitched much yet; and, do you know if the Astros foresee him as a reliever, or as a starter?

matadorph · « **Reply #54 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:50:35 am »

Speaking of Hunter P, he went deep again tonight in the Hooks' 5-2 win over Frisco.

Duman · « **Reply #55 on:** July 28, 2006, 07:24:21 am »

Ralph Henriquez was benched in the 6th inning of last nights game. According to the radio, it was due to not running out a missed 3rd strike in the dirt.

On a more positive note, Andrew Darnell hit 2 home runs, a solo shot in the 7th and a 2 run shot in the top of 9th to give the G-Stros the win.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #58 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:09:03 pm »

Greg will have this in the transaction area soon, but House was sent to Round Rock. No word yet as to what move may be made at RR.

Froback · « **Reply #59 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:12:29 pm »

Precursor to a trade already done but not announced?

stubbyc · « **Reply #64 on:** July 30, 2006, 11:20:00 pm »

I may have a misunderstanding on how the options clock works, but by my understanding Gimenez, Jimerson, Nieve, and Buchholz will all be out of options.

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #67 on:** July 31, 2006, 11:24:56 pm »

For those who didn't notice, TB recalled Zobrist today following the Lugo deal. Good luck to him!

Author Topic: Ask And Ye Shall Maybe Receive: Season 2, Vol 7. (Read 23227 times)

pravata