Messages

1

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Arizona Fall League

« on: November 04, 2012, 08:26:32 pm »

Nice article on Singleton from MLB.com.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121104&content_id=40169684&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

2

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Instructional League Rosters

« on: September 19, 2012, 11:42:10 am »

Per @zacharylevine "RHP Ruben Alaniz, RHP Adrian Houser and OF Teoscar Hernandez have been added to Astros instructional league roster since first announced."

3

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Astros MiLB postseason - 2012

« on: September 06, 2012, 10:55:45 pm »

You think Asher (too hard to type his last name) might have an injury issue? He came out after five shutout innings in his last start against the Missions and he hadn't thrown many pitches.

4

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington - 2012

« on: September 01, 2012, 11:05:34 pm »

Fair assessment.

5

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington - 2012

« on: September 01, 2012, 09:48:15 pm »

Chris Devenski throws a 16 strike out no-hitter today.

6

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi - 2012

« on: August 30, 2012, 01:50:26 pm »

Springer is 3-4 so far today and he just hit one out of the stadium at Frisco. Left fielder didn't even move.

7

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Cavan Biggio video

« on: August 19, 2012, 12:15:02 pm »

The Under Armour All America game was yesterday and Kacy Clemens pitched a scoreless inning. I will say that it was no real indicator of how he actually pitches though.

I get to see him pitch on a regular basis. I saw him three times last year. He has fantastic stuff including an overhead hammer that is the best I saw all year. His hook was not working very well yesterday, so if you had the chance to watch the game, his curve is much better than that.

The best I can tell you about Clemens is that he has fantastic stuff, but like most 17 year olds, he has no idea where it is going yet. I saw him walk seven batters in three innings last year. Though it was against a team that always has good at bats and had three or four kids that are going to play division I ball.

But he does have a ton of potential once he figures out how to first control his pitches and eventually commands them. I hope he does go to UT because it would be great for him to learn there rather than at a Gulf Coast league or something like that.

8

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lancaster - 2012

« on: August 16, 2012, 11:02:10 am »

Yeah, man.  I expected him to have better control than he showed in that video.  A lot of the balls were low and could have been borderline (hard to tell from the angle), but I thought the reputation was that he threw strikes.  Not that he was terrible (or anywhere close), but I was more impressed with the quality of the stuff than his ability to pitch.  Could have just been that start, though.

I got to see his last start against San Jose, and he had fantastic command on all of his pitches. At least in that start he did. He could work his change-up to either side of the plate as well as his fastball. He really didn't need his slider at all. I was very impressed with him.

It should also be noted that in his two starts against San Jose he has allowed only one run in 13 innings pitched. In his second start where he only allowed one run, San Jose had just come off of a six game road trip that they scored 62 runs. His fastball sat 90-93 by the way.

9

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros - 2012

« on: August 01, 2012, 11:28:08 am »

I just noticed this and found it interesting.

After Houser's start yesterday, he has pitched 92.2 innings in two seasons in the Astros system.

He has only had 1 home run hit off of him.

10

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi - 2012

« on: July 30, 2012, 04:40:48 pm »

So the new guy Mark Krauss is labeled on the roster as on the Reserve List.

Anyone know why? Or what it means?

11

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Oklahoma City - 2012

« on: July 28, 2012, 02:02:38 am »

It looks like he left with a blister. He struck out a guy on a high fastball and immediately looked at his hand and called the trainer out.

They took him out after that.

12

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri-City ValleyCats - 2012

« on: July 06, 2012, 11:30:28 am »

Nice story on Aplin at MILB.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120705&content_id=34499094&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

Favorite stat: He has recorded three outfield assists in 15 professional games.

13

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: GCL Astros - 2012

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:00:25 pm »

According to McCullers' twitter account, his debut will be next Friday.

"Everyone knew before I did! My projected start date is Next Friday, July 13th..Excited & can't wait to get my first #prostart under my belt!"

Here is the link to his twitter account.

https://twitter.com/#!/LMcCullers_23

14

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: GCL Astros - 2012

« on: June 29, 2012, 02:43:45 pm »

Has anyone heard anything about when McCullers or Ruiz will be making their debuts?

15

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 Draftees and Status

« on: June 17, 2012, 08:24:36 pm »

So where does McCullers go if/when he signs? GCL?

16

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lancaster - 2012

« on: June 13, 2012, 06:53:56 pm »

Bobby Doran and George Springer named California League All-Stars. Springer is in the starting line-up.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120611&content_id=33128604&vkey=news_t580&fext=.jsp&sid=t580

17

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 Draftees and Status

« on: June 12, 2012, 02:47:26 pm »

So who would you prefer to get? Virant or Hinojosa? And does anyone think there is any shot of signing Traver (39th round)?

18

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 Draftees and Status

« on: June 09, 2012, 05:31:40 pm »

Per Astros.com press release, they sign eight more players--

Minor-9th round
Gulbransen-16th
West-17th
Elkins-19th
Ibanez-28th
Garcia-29th
Jankowski-34th
Dimock-37th

Here's the link:

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120609&content_id=33042604&vkey=pr_hou&c_id=hou

19

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 Draftees and Status

« on: June 07, 2012, 10:45:23 pm »

It is confirmed. According to astros.com, they have signed Correa for $4.8 mil.

20

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: June 03, 2012, 11:23:05 pm »

Here's one that'll blow you away (or did me anyway...).  Remember that 'coveted 100 mph arm' (Steson Allie) from the 2010 draft.  Pirates are now converting him from pitching to hitting...  LINK  WOW!

Funny thing about that, Allie was either first or second to Nick Castellanos in the Under Armour All-American Home Run Derby. Castellanos is hitting over .400 at the FSL this year.

And just to throw my two cents on Appel, a big reason he isn't all that dominant is the way the coaching staff has their guys pitch. They want them to pitch to contact, so you see a lot of pitching backwards (throwing sliders, breaking balls early in counts etc.) so that is a reason he may not seem entirely dominant. And one other random stat from Appel's year from Friday's broadcast--He has only given up three home runs this year and two of those were to one guy from Fresno State. I don't care who you are, if you only give up three home runs going through the Pac-12, you are doing pretty well for yourself.

But what am I saying anyway? I kind of want Correa with 1-1. I may be stupid, but when you get ARod comps, I think that sounds pretty good.

21

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington - 2012

« on: June 03, 2012, 03:08:27 pm »

Folty goes 8 innings and only gives up one hit and two walks. The hit was a home run. He is now 7-1 on the season.

22

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: June 02, 2012, 04:45:59 pm »

Since Mike S. brought up the question of who the Astros might take with their 2nd pick (supp. round, #41 overall), here's #'s 30-50 from BA's Top 500 list:

30    Shane Watson ...     RHP    HS    Lakewood (Calif.) HS    Calif.
31    Zach Eflin ...            RHP    HS    Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla.    Fla.
32    Pierce Johnson ...    RHP    4YR    Missouri State    Mo.
33    Joey Gallo ...         3B/RHP HS    Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas    Nev.
34    Tanner Rahier ...    SS    HS    Palm Desert (Calif.) HS    Calif.
35    Daniel Robertson ...    3B    HS    Upland (Calif.) HS    Calif.
36    Anthony Alford ...    OF    HS    Petal (Miss.) HS    Miss.
37    Walker Weickel ...    RHP    HS    Olympia HS, Orlando    Fla.
38    Ty Buttrey ...            RHP    HS    Providence HS, Charlotte    N.C.
39    Brian Johnson ...    LHP/1B 4YR Florida    Fla.
40    Nick Travieso ...     RHP    HS    Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.    Fla.
41    Barrett Barnes ...    OF    4YR    Texas Tech    Texas
42    Mitch Haniger ...    OF    4YR    Cal Poly    Calif.
43    Carson Kelly ...      3B/RHP HS Westview HS, Portland, Ore.    Ore.
44    Mitch Brown ...      RHP    HS    Century HS, Rochester, Minn.    Minn.
45    Tyler Gonzales ...    RHP    HS    Madison HS, San Antonio    Texas
46    Nolan Fontana ...    SS    4YR    Florida    Fla.
47    Wyatt Mathisen ...    C    HS    Calallen HS, Corpus Christi, Texas    Texas
48    Clint Coulter ...      C    HS    Union HS, Camas, Wash.    Wash.
49    J.O. Berrios ...       RHP    HS    Papa Juan XXIII HS, Bayamon, P.R.    P.R.
50    Walker Buehler ...    RHP    HS    Clay HS, Lexington, Ky.    Ky.

Definitely some intriguing guys based on what I've read...

I know the Astros keep saying they are going to go best player available with 1-1, but do you think that is the case for the supplemental pick. Or do they go with a guy like Gallo who is pretty much all power and projection, or a guy like Johnson who could be to the bigs pretty quick and be a decent starter?

And just to throw another name into that pot--Chris Wood of Georgia is a 6-5 lefty who sits about 90-93 but is a long way off on his second and third pitches. You just don't see big lefties that throw that hard consistently very often.

23

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: June 01, 2012, 11:57:38 am »

Hell man, look at Folty. This is his third year in the system, and he is making huge progress this year in almost every category.

I do want to say this though, Buxton scares me because of one player--Tim Beckham. He goes 1-1 to Tampa Bay and has never lived up to the hype. He had very similar draft questions to Buxton--playing against lower level Georgia competition, he only had budding power rather than actual power, and would he be able to make enough contact etc. Also see Jay Austin, but that is a lot different and seemed to be more of an attitude problem. He also did improve from year one to year two.

Buxton seems to have all the talent in the world, but is it all potential, or will it turn into something more?

24

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: May 31, 2012, 01:44:21 pm »

Keith Law throws out a surprising name in a chat. Could be crazy talk:

Chances of Gausman going 1-1 as of now?

Zero, or very close to it. I think Houston's mix is Appel, Buxton, Correa, Giolito. There could be others but I get the sense that's the decision set.

Law is worthless, but Gausman definitely does not belong 1-1. He has no breaking pitch to speak of. I know a big issue with Lyles has been the inconsistency of the curve ball, and I don't think this regime wants to mess with a guy that doesn't have a true breaking ball out-pitch again.

25

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lancaster - 2012

« on: April 24, 2012, 12:08:13 am »

So it was an odd night for the Jethawks. You have your number nine hitter in Rene Garcia going 4-4 with a double and two runs scored and you have your number three hitter in George Springer go 0-5 with 5 strikeouts.

What is worse than the golden sombrero? Is platinum next on the list?

26

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington - 2012

« on: April 20, 2012, 08:41:24 pm »

Delino Deshields Jr. with two more steals tonight. That makes him a perfect 10-10 on the season, much better than his 30-41 last year.

27

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington - 2012

« on: April 17, 2012, 12:14:19 am »

Another solid start for Folty tonight--7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BBs, 6 Ks.

Worth Noting--Thru three starts last year 17 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 5 BBs, 8 Ks
                    Thru three starts this year 15.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 5 BBs, 18 Ks

He seems to be missing a lot more bats this year, and getting less ground balls--3.42 (2011), 2.00 (2012). I cannot confirm this because I have not been at the games, but the lower ground ball rate could be a very good thing. It most likely means he is using his four-seamer up in the zone a lot more often.
He is clearly getting a lot more swings and misses with the 18/5 K/BB ratio.

IMO this is a good sign for him.

28

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi - 2012

« on: April 14, 2012, 11:03:22 pm »

Does anyone know why Cosart hasn't pitched since the 5th?

29

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: March 26, 2012, 04:57:28 pm »

Wacha's fastball is very straight, it is on a very good downward plane though. He does flash a very good change-up. He doesn't change his motion or arm speed at all and it has good movement to his arm side.

With Appel, his fastball has very good movement. He throws a lot of two-seamers and brings the ball off the outside corner and back very well. This is when I watched him last year, but what I would say is that he actually throws too few four seamers. He could use that rising fastball to his advantage to get more K's.

His K/9 has improved a lot this year so he may be doing that, but he does have very good movement on his two-seamer.

30

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: March 23, 2012, 11:05:26 pm »

Wacha carries perfect game bid into the eighth in 4-0 win over Pepperdine.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2012/03/game-report-michael-wacha-dominates-for-texas-am/

31

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2012 draft

« on: February 18, 2012, 10:30:32 pm »

Maybe's he's potentially #40 (or whenever the 2nd round starts) special?

No, he's at least a top 20 pick. Big bodied right-hander (6'6", 225) from Texas A&M. He's a got a good arm and I think he still has room to grow. He sits around 91-94 with a decent breaking ball but has a lot of room to improve. He doesn't really know where the ball is going. He throws strikes but possesses very little command.