2007 Off Season Transactions

Posted on February 22, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

Your Clearing House for Minors Comings & Goings This Off Season:

Erick Abreu – signed a minor league contract (Feb.)
Josh Appell – acquired in trade for Ralph Henriquez (Nov.)
Miguel Asencio – granted free agency (Oct.), Signed by Red Sox to minor league deal (Jan.)
Jimmy Barthmaier – claimed off waivers by Pirates (Nov.)
Phillip Barzilla – Signed by Mariners as a minor league free agent. (Nov.)
Frankie Caraballo – Signed to minor league contract (Dec.)
Alberto Castillo – signed to minor league contract (Feb.)Read More

Minor News, Transactions

Jack Cassel reports on what he did during super bowl week

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

In today’s MILB show and tell, Jack Cassel talks about hanging out with his brother super bowl week.

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From there, we caravanned out to the Playboy party. We enjoyed ourselves immensely among a plethora of A-listers: from Nick Cannon DJing and rapper Common emceeing to the cast of “Entourage” to the man, the myth, the legend himself … Hugh Hefner.

The party was unforgettable, though we paid for it the next morning.

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They still had a postgame party, though there were not too many smiles.

Earth, Wind and Fire, Lionel Richie and Alicia Keys performed live in front of roughly a thousand team members, family and guests. Although the Patriots lost, we did celebrate their amazing 18-1 season.

Jack Cassel, Minor News, Super Bowl

Fairchild Rehab and a visit to the Clemens’ training table

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

From the Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel :

Tip Fairchild visited Houston last week for a doctors visit, a few bullpen sessions at the elite camp and dinner at Koby’s.

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Fairchild said he threw fastballs at about 85 miles an hour in the 10-minute, 50-pitch sessions. He said he could probably throw harder, but he tries to pitch pain-free.

“To the naked eye you wouldn’t know I was hurt,” Fairchild said. “But I know I’m still rehabbing a little longer.”
On Clemens:

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“I went over to his house Tuesday and had dinner with him,” Fairchild said….”I can’t say anything bad about him,” he said. “He’s been good to me and I’ve seen how he works out. Everybody down here is on his side.”

Minor News, Roger Clemens, Tip Fairchild

Raving about the next crop of pitchers

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

Jose gets the low down from Ryan, Cooper & Bennett about the up and coming pitchers:
Read More

Brad James, Gervacio, Minor News, Paulino, Perez

Astros DR Academy overview

Posted on February 2, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

Here is a story that takes place at the Astro’s Dominican Academy. It gives you a taste of what the academy is:

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The four scouts allow a 12-year-old boy riding a donkey while pulling three horses behind him to cross their path and pull up to the stadium that houses the Astros’ Dominican Summer League team—which is more the norm for what clubs typically have in the D.R. currently.

It’s a cinderblock façade painted black on the outside, with hand-painted block letters spelling out “HOUSTON ASTROS” next to the club’s trademark star. Inside, it’s much like many minor league facilities in the States were built in the 1930s or 1940s.

Dominican Academy, Minor News

State of the 1st Round Draft Picks – Sapp & Bogusevic

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Duman in Bus Ride Archive

McTaggart got a run down on the last two top picks at the elite camp this week:

On Bogusevic:

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“Last year was a big year for him,” Astros assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said. “For the first time, he started to show that consistency. He’s a little older and only pitching full time for about two years now.

Bogusevic is working on his slider & change up during the off season.

On Sapp:

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“He’s really made some strides thus far, but we’d like to see some more consistency,” Bennett said. “He’s at a point now and he’s been in the organization a couple of years, this is normally the time a few of them start to make that jump and show more consistency.”

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The Astros have been monitoring Sapp’s big-body physique in an effort to keep him in better shape. He has been doing pilates and recently started doing hot yoga, which is yoga in room heated to 95-100 degrees.

Bogusevic, Minor News, Sapp