By Michael N
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on May 8, 2000.
The last couple of weeks in the minor league system have been successful on the field as the 4 teams combined for a record of 30-21 (.588), despite a miserable showing by Michigan (3-8). The success is tempered, though, by the loss of fast-starting Kissimmee RHP Brad Lidge to the DL and the ever-lengthening wait for LHP Wilfredo Rodriguez to return to action.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS – Overall team record, 13-14; last two weeks, 9-4. Last place, Eastern Division of Pacific Coast League.
It’s amazing what can happen for a team when, over a period of two weeks, the club’s ERA drops by nearly a full point (4.71 to 3.76) to come in second in the league and the team batting average climbs from .232 to .256. The Z’s proved this in the turnaround from their dismal first two weeks of the season. In seven of the last 13 starts by the New Orleans staff, they have allowed 3 or fewer runs and only once did they allow more than 5 runs. All five of the Zephyrs’ starters had at least one high quality outing punctuated by Bryan Wolff’s complete game shutout at home versus Omaha on 5/3.
Who’s Hot:
Wade Miller (RHP): 1-0 W-L, 14 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 13 K, 1.93 ERA
Low walk totals are so crucial. Miller allowed 10 free passes in his first 17 innings and had an ERA of 5.29. Notice anything different in the above totals? With the starting woes in Houston continuing, there may be mounting pressure to get this kid a chance in the bigs. But I hope it does not come to that.
Prospect Watch: Adam Everett
Last issue Everett was given praise for his high OBP despite his very low batting average. Since then his average has climbed slightly while his OBP has declined, which I don’t care for too much. His totals for the two week period were .245/.351/.286. That’s nothing to write home to Mama about but remember it took a couple of months for Everett to adjust to AA pitching before proving himself capable with the bat. I expect the pattern to be similar in AAA.
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS – Overall team record, 17-10; last two weeks, 9-4. Second place, West Division of Texas League.
The Express continue to show a very balanced attack, leading the league in hitting while placing third in team ERA. They are also building quite a reputation as a team that does not get spooked when they fall behind or play tight when the game is on the line. Six times in the Express’ last 13 games they have come from behind or scored in their last at-bat in order to take victories.
Oh, and that Keith Ginter guy… whotta slacker. Two weeks ago the Express second baseman was hitting .481/.597/.962. Now he’s down to .457/.560/.904. Clearly he’s on the fast-track back to Kissimmee as he leads the Texas League in virtually every offensive category (AVG, SLG, OBP, HR, RS, H, XBH). By the way, he’s second in RBI, third in 2B and fourth in SB.
Who’s Hot:
Aaron McNeal (1B): .396/.442/.729 in 48 ABs with 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR and 13 RBI.
Finally someone is stepping up and taking some of the spotlight from Keith Ginter. McNeal has stated that he did not feel comfortable at the plate to start the season and apparently he’s now found a comfort zone. Despite a well-earned reputation as an off-field hitter, McNeal turned on one pitch in Tulsa that went over the 50-foot scoreboard in LCF, flew the street beyond the stadium, bounced into a parking lot and disappeared.
Honestly, the most impressive thing about McNeal’s start is that he is not striking out at a much higher rate than he did last year at mid-A ball. Yes, the man is still a free-swinger, but perhaps the fears of a slow start by McNeal were unfounded.
Eric Ireland (RHP): 3 GS, 19.1 IP, 18 H, 7 ER, 11 BB, 15 K, 2-0 W-L, 3.26 ERA.
Two excellent starts sandwich a poor start by Ireland since the last report. Hopefully this last start is a sign that the mechanical flaw he and Burt Hooten noticed on the road in Wichita is being refined and better things are to come. After the flaw was detected in the bully prior to that start in Wichita, Ireland proceeded to then beat the highly touted Chris George of the Wranglers in his own yard with a 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K performance
Prospect Watch: Keith Ginter
OK, the man is just tearing the cover off the ball. You’ve all heard this and the man continues to shove his way into the minds of the Astros brass as a legitimate prospect.
But I wanna tell you a little about the man’s defense. On 5/4, in the first game back home after an 8-game road trip, Ginter ranged far to his right, fielded the ball from his knees, popped up and threw a strike to Aaron McNeal at first base. The crowd of 9,000 plus spontaneously rose to their collective feet and gave Ginter a standing ovation for the beautiful effort… prior to the umpire calling the runner safe as McNeal pulled his foot early from the bag. I’m telling you, the egomaniac Joe Morgan would have been proud of the play Ginter made.
KISSIMMEE COBRAS – Overall record, 18-10; last two weeks, 9-5. Second place, East Division of Florida State League.
Streaky is perhaps the best way to describe the play of the Cobras in the last two weeks. First they take 8 games in a row, then drop 4 consecutive contests. Can’t complain too much about the W-L ratio, though, right?
Perhaps the most interesting game of the last two weeks was in one of the losses during the 4-game streak. Greg Miller, Gabe Garcia, Jacob Whitney and Travis Wade combined on a 5-hitter through 13 innings of play, allowing a total of 9 men to reach base, only to lose the game 1-0. Sounds like the FSL ran out of the new juiceballs and they had themselves a good old fashioned baseball game in Florida.
Who’s Hot:
Michael Rosamond (OF): .315/.393/.667 in 54 ABs with 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR and 12 RBI.
Well, shut my mouth for running smack last time on Mr. Rosamond. He had probably what amounts to his best two-weeks as a professional. On the other hand, maybe I should not reverse the mojo and start talking nice. So how’s about cutting down on the Ks, Mike? 17 in 54 ABs is not pretty. Be more selective, man.
Tim Redding (RHP): 2 GS, 12 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 13 K, 2-0 W-L, 2.25 ERA.
Redding’s blazing fastball has dominated FSL hitters this year. Tim seems to have made some adjustments that are making him much more effective as a starter than he has been in the past. I still think Redding will eventually be a middle reliever as a big leaguer, if he makes it at all, but it should be interesting to see what happens when he is allowed to go into the 7th, 8th or 9th innings in a start this year. In each of his 5 starts to date, Redding has gone exactly 6 innings.
Prospect Watch: Brad Lidge
Bummer, bummer, bummer. After such a wonderful start to the year, Lidge felt a little twinge in his elbow and is now on the disabled list for the Cobras. Word is that he will be out of game action for 3-4 weeks, but continuing to throw on the side as there was no sign of real damage to the elbow. What a shame to be shelved so early after giving a teasing glimpse of the promise his powerful right arm holds.
MICHIGAN BATTLE CATS – Overall record, 7-13; last two weeks, 3-8. Fourth place, Eastern Division of Midwest League.
“Not much is going to go all that well, though, if the team cannot learn to throw the dang ball and get some people out.”
This quote is brought to you from last week’s Minor Opinions. Unfortunately the Battle Cats did not heed the message and continued to serve up batting practice for Midwest League hitters. You may be saying to yourself, “hey, Nash, the guys cut their team ERA by a run and a half!” That is certainly true, I reply, they did cut their ERA by a chunk. But when the ERA was previously in the mid-7s, that’s kinda like saying you now only owe the bank $20,000 instead of $25,000 for that leaky boat in your garage.
The team continues to hit well and leads the Midwest League in batting average, but there is little power on the team and that is unfortunate as it looks like this team is gonna have to play yackball in order to win some games. If the pitching does not turn around, that is.
One other note, bonus baby Carlos Hernandez (LHP) has joined the team from extended spring training. He is someone to watch for as he was one of the very best starters in the Appalachian League last year, sporting a fantastic curve and a fastball that improves in MPH (89-91 currently) as the thin little lefty gains strength and physical maturity. In his one start, he threw 5 innings of 2-hit shutout baseball.
Who’s Hot:
Jon Helquist (3B): .400/.489/.675 in 40 ABs with 7 2B, 2 3B, 7 RS and 6 RBI.
Helquist is now first in slugging and third in batting average in the Midwest League.
Mike Nannini (RHP): 3 GS, 20 IP, 15 H, 8 ER, 7 BB, 17 K, 2-1 W-L, 3.60 ERA.
One of only 2 consistent starters for the Battle Cats over the last two weeks (Derek Stanford being the other), 19-year old Nannini cut his ERA from 7.00 to 4.66 while returning to his (near) strikeout an inning form.
Prospect Watch: Jon Helquist (3B)
Helquist is continuing to be the offensive leader of the Battle Cats despite being the youngest starter on the team and one of the younger players in the whole league. In his last 10 games, Helquist had 5 multiple-hit games including a 5-5 game (with a 2B and 3B) on 4/25. Jon apparently had a couple of difficult starts with the glove recently, but there is little concern about his defensive abilities.