Ask and Ye Shall Maybe Receive: 2007-2008 Off Season

[Jacksonian]

This was too late in coming.  But new thread for the off-season.

[VirtualBob]

This was too late in coming.  But new thread for the off-season.

Just staking out my claim so the "new replies" feature will work for me.

[Towlie]

So, who are you guys looking forward to in the pending draft?

or

What positions should the Astros really consider addressing down on the farm? Let me guess all of them? I'd think pitching of course...you can never have enough pitching yet the stros never have a slew of position players that make you really happy.

and also

How much of a prospect is Mr. Einertson?


there, some questions...discuss, i'll sit back and listen.

[Duman]

So, who are you guys looking forward to in the pending draft?

or

What positions should the Astros really consider addressing down on the farm? Let me guess all of them? I'd think pitching of course...you can never have enough pitching yet the stros never have a slew of position players that make you really happy.

and also

How much of a prospect is Mr. Einertson?

there, some questions...discuss, i'll sit back and listen.

Forget the Draft, I have asked Santa for a couple of good young left handed pitchers for Greeneville next year.  We'll see if he comes through.  He has been about as successful as the draft the last few years.  Seriously, I don't try to predict (mock draft) the draft.  There are too many possibilities out there.  Don't forget the imports we have coming this year as well from Dominican, Ven. and Europe

Astros philosophy is best available player in the draft so they have priorities but best available trumps it.

Mitch has to find a position.  Best slot is RF but will have to compete with Iorg & Parraz.  Who have beater tools but haven't shown it yet.  Mitch was drafted to be a 2nd baseman but was unable to convert.  His defense has improved but right now he is 3rd on the RF prospects list defensively (IMHO).  Right now he is looking like a 4th outfielder prospect with a chance to play RF if he keeps improving on the field and can continue to show that he has put his past troubles off the field behind him.

[Noe]

How much of a prospect is Mr. Einertson?

With Einerston, the question marks on him have been centered on "makeup" (as in attitude, work ethic, et. al.).  Einerston is from San Diego, so he also has an aloof attitude and is laid back.  Sometimes that is mistaken as not caring.  All are things that point to a lack of maturity early in his career and maybe a little growing up has helped him in his climb through the minors.

As far as having natural ability on the field, he has an excellent eye and swings the bat really well.  He generates power well for a guy his size.  But on the field on defense, he's still a work in progress.  He is a left fielder at best, a DH at worse at this point in his career.  Think Jack Cust clone.

I would not be surprised that Einerston would somehow be included in a trade sometime in his career with Houston (AAA or AA) to an AL club looking for a young hitter.  Einerston has a ways to go to be the next Jack Cust, but that seems to be where he's headed.

[Duman]

As far as having natural ability on the field, he has an excellent eye and swings the bat really well.  He generates power well for a guy his size.  But on the field on defense, he's still a work in progress.  He is a left fielder at best, a DH at worse at this point in his career.  Think Jack Cust clone.

I would not be surprised that Einerston would somehow be included in a trade sometime in his career with Houston (AAA or AA) to an AL club looking for a young hitter.  Einerston has a ways to go to be the next Jack Cust, but that seems to be where he's headed.

I am surprised he wasn't included in the deals.  His stock has risen again and now is the time to sell.

[Jacksonian]

So, who are you guys looking forward to in the pending draft?



there, some questions...discuss, i'll sit back and listen.

Adding to what Duman said.

If Wade is feeling he needs to replenish the upper minors as quickly as possible look for a college heavy draft.  #1 and 1 supp especially.

[Jacksonian]

I am surprised he wasn't included in the deals.  His stock has risen again and now is the time to sell.

If he hits at AA this year I think you can count on it.  Being in A-ball may have hurt his value.

[Noe]

I am surprised he wasn't included in the deals.  His stock has risen again and now is the time to sell.

Same here, if he continues to show a good hitting ability, he'll be looked at as trade fodder for an AL club (at minimum).  I think that is his destiny.

[Duman]

Adding to what Duman said.

If Wade is feeling he needs to replenish the upper minors as quickly as possible look for a college heavy draft.  #1 and 1 supp especially.

Initial word I am hearing here in G'ville also says that they are expecting a great many repeats from last year's very young team.  Which indicates an older draft as well.

[VirtualBob]

Initial word I am hearing here in G'ville also says that they are expecting a great many repeats from last year's very young team.  Which indicates an older draft as well.

And speaking of Greenville ... any insider info on who will move up to Tri City?  Anyone at all likely to make the jump to full season?

[Duman]

And speaking of Greenville ... any insider info on who will move up to Tri City?  Anyone at all likely to make the jump to full season?

No insider info, but here is my personal projections of those who were in Gville last year:

Return:
Pitchers:
Bono
Greenwalt
Pitkin
Pedro Gonzalez (c)
Albert Cartwright (inf)
Outfielders:
Parks
Torrence
Turner

Tri Cities:
1b
Miller
Launier

2b
Saylor

3b
Rosario

OF:
Andrew Darnell (even though he got a taste of Lex at the end of last season, Barnes, Brown and Delome will go ahead of him)
Travis Sweet
Chris Frye
Jarred Pitts

P
Ciriaco
Leon
Duran
Noguera
Powell
Wabick

Lex:
Bryan Brown (ss)
Brett Robinson (P)
Axel Gonzalez (Of)
David Denilli (P) (could be Tri Cities depends on EST)
Renaldo Pestana (C)
Fernando Abad (P)
Leandro Cespedes (P)

Again just my thoughts based on what I saw last year.  Several could go either way depending upon the draft, injuries and their performance at Spring Training

[VirtualBob]

And according to BA ... http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=697

Tim Johnson & Kevin Fox have been released (along with Eric King).

[Jacksonian]

And according to BA ... http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=697

Tim Johnson & Kevin Fox have been released (along with Eric King).

And releases could continue until the start of the short seasons.

[Froback]

And according to BA ... http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=697

Tim Johnson & Kevin Fox have been released (along with Eric King).

Can't say I am shocked.  And with as poor as the SS clubs did last year, I would not be surprised if (as Jacksonian said) we see alot more prior to them starting up again.

[Duman]

Here are other players from Greeneville, I would not be surprised to be released:

Carlos Lazu - a 50 game suspension doesn't bode well for a kid who got lit up in rookie ball.
Augustin Pinales
Mason Roberts
Drew Anderson
Phillip Stringer

The O5 Draft is looking worse everyday:
2nd round pick traded for a roster filler arm
7th round pick released
10th round pick released last year
11th round pick released last year
13th round pick released

Who is left of first 20 picks of the draft 2 1/2 years later
Bogusevic
Iorg
Manzella
Flores
Hart
Barnes
Clemens
Fairchild
Ori

With only about 3 or 4 others drafted lower still in the system.  Ugly

[jbm]

For most players, is the purpose of these different winter leagues purely instructional?  I mean, it's common to see players with very few IPs or ABs.  Is it safe to assume they are there to work on something specific, and not just to stay in shape or hang out at the pool. 

Also, what is the financial comepensation like.  Do they earn something beyond their salary to participate?  I'm just wondering if some of the lower level guys might need the income from the winter leagues to get by.

[Duman]

For most players, is the purpose of these different winter leagues purely instructional?  I mean, it's common to see players with very few IPs or ABs.  Is it safe to assume they are there to work on something specific, and not just to stay in shape or hang out at the pool. 

Also, what is the financial comepensation like.  Do they earn something beyond their salary to participate?  I'm just wondering if some of the lower level guys might need the income from the winter leagues to get by.

For some guys yes, it is instructional.  They are told to work on certain areas of their game and for some it is done to keep in shape.  I am not sure on the compensation piece.

[VirtualBob]

The O5 Draft is looking worse everyday:
2nd round pick traded for a roster filler arm
7th round pick released
10th round pick released last year
11th round pick released last year
13th round pick released

Who is left of first 20 picks of the draft 2 1/2 years later
Bogusevic
Iorg
Manzella
Flores
Hart
Barnes
Clemens
Fairchild
Ori

With only about 3 or 4 others drafted lower still in the system.  Ugly

Got me to thinking about the '03 draft.  There are only six active players left:
#2 Hirsh (to COL in the jennings trade)
#4 Anderson (to ATL for Villareal)
#5 Muecke (@ AA)
#13 Barthmaier (AA; Claimed by PIT off waivers)
#19 Maysonet (@ AA)
#23 Saccomanno (@ AAA)

From positions 1-20, we got
no pick at #1
5 not signed
9 released
2 reached MLB w/Hou and were traded
3 have reached AA so far (one claimed off waivers when removed from the 40 man roster)

Talk about ugly ...

[Jacksonian]

Got me to thinking about the '03 draft.  There are only six active players left:
#2 Hirsh (to COL in the jennings trade)
#4 Anderson (to ATL for Villareal)
#5 Muecke (@ AA)
#13 Barthmaier (AA; Claimed by PIT off waivers)
#19 Maysonet (@ AA)
#23 Saccomanno (@ AAA)

From positions 1-20, we got
no pick at #1
5 not signed
9 released
2 reached MLB w/Hou and were traded
3 have reached AA so far (one claimed off waivers when removed from the 40 man roster)

Talk about ugly ...

I was going to do an 03 draft revisit.  But after looking at it lost all interest.  In sum, suck.

[Froback]

For some guys yes, it is instructional.  They are told to work on certain areas of their game and for some it is done to keep in shape.  I am not sure on the compensation piece.

I guess I have more questions about these winter leagues.  If a guy is only getting a couple of innings (if that) a week, how much work are they really getting in?  Is there much side instructional work going on?  If so, who is doing the instructing?  If not, how are they getting in any more work there then they could if they stayed in Houston and worked with the staff there.  I can't imagine where the coaches wouldn't stay around to help if asked...

I really have little to no idea what these players do in the offseason to "improve".  I can fully understand those that work-out or have trainers and such or even those who take it easy.  But those that are still young and working on things... I guess i get a little lost with what they do.  Does each player have a trainer that helps them with stuff like "how to throw a change" or " how to recognize pitches better", or do they just have trainers that help them keep in shape.

Having never played sports at any high levels, I have no idea what a person might do on their own to make themselves better.  I know when I am trying to improve myself, there is only so much I can do on my own and I typically need someone else to help me along, sometimes just because it is a different opinion/perspective than my own.

[Jacksonian]

I guess I have more questions about these winter leagues.  If a guy is only getting a couple of innings (if that) a week, how much work are they really getting in?  Is there much side instructional work going on?  If so, who is doing the instructing?  If not, how are they getting in any more work there then they could if they stayed in Houston and worked with the staff there.  I can't imagine where the coaches wouldn't stay around to help if asked...

I really have little to no idea what these players do in the offseason to "improve".  I can fully understand those that work-out or have trainers and such or even those who take it easy.  But those that are still young and working on things... I guess i get a little lost with what they do.  Does each player have a trainer that helps them with stuff like "how to throw a change" or " how to recognize pitches better", or do they just have trainers that help them keep in shape.

Having never played sports at any high levels, I have no idea what a person might do on their own to make themselves better.  I know when I am trying to improve myself, there is only so much I can do on my own and I typically need someone else to help me along, sometimes just because it is a different opinion/perspective than my own.

Those winter leagues in the Domincan and Venezuela are extremely important to the locals.  They love baseball and make it a pressure filled event.  Baseball is the national sport of Venezuela.  The young players get more exposure to in game situations in front of crowds larger than in the minors in the States.  It can be a great experiential event.  When not pitching, pitchers will work on the side on things they are trying to develop.  A lot of the Carribbean league coaches are also mlb coached.  Cheo used to coach winter ball for example.  So it's not like the kids get no competent instruction.

[Froback]

Those winter leagues in the Domincan and Venezuela are extremely important to the locals.  They love baseball and make it a pressure filled event.  Baseball is the national sport of Venezuela.  The young players get more exposure to in game situations in front of crowds larger than in the minors in the States.  It can be a great experiential event.  When not pitching, pitchers will work on the side on things they are trying to develop.  A lot of the Carribbean league coaches are also mlb coached.  Cheo used to coach winter ball for example.  So it's not like the kids get no competent instruction.

I am aware that these leagues are a big deal to the local areas they are in.  And I did know that some of the coaches either have been or are MLB experienced.  I guess I just have a hard time seeing how someone doing much development in an environment where sometimes they go 2 weeks between appearances (at least according to the reports we receive here).  I guess I keep looking for something more along the lines of what they receive during their minor league seasons, as far as playing time goes.  I figure not everyone goes out to these leagues and plays, and there are many teams to fill, so it shouldn't be like a person who was a starter in Greeneville would be looking at 2-6 IP over 2 weeks down there.

I guess that is where my disconnect is.  I am sure that every player in the minors who has aspirations to making it to the Majors works hard in the off-season.  Sometimes I see them in these leagues down there and question what kind of development are they really doing when they get such limited game time.  I know they can work on the side, but I don't recall ever hearing anyone really address what they do when in these leagues.... Hmm, sounds like a good idea for a book...

[Duman]

... Hmm, sounds like a good idea for a book...

Or at least an article for baseball america or similar mag.

[Froback]

Comments about the article Duman linked about some of the Pitchers being sent to the minor league camp:

The quotes about getting the "potential" starters up to 4 or 5 inngs as far as stamina I found a little disconcerting.  This is from the perspective that I often wonder why they are not trying to at least focus on getting them used to pitching 7 innings at least.  I know they don't want to cause arm issues before they can get use out of them at the ML level and all.  I just am frustrated when I am seeing half of the AA starting pitchers not averaging 6 IP or more.  I understand at lower levels, but I would figure you do something like try to get them to 5-6IP at Low A, 6-7 at high A and then see if you can get them used to at least being ready to go 8-9 at AA and AAA.  So that when they make the club as a starter you aren't worried about them taxing the BP unless they just get hammer.  This is not an Astros only issue, as I think almost all of Baseball seems to have the same issue.

And on the topic of the Russ Dixon, I found the comment that he was taking mostly ground balls during ST and THEN they chose to put him in the OF exclusively... ouch how bad must he have been doing fielding? 

[Duman]

Comments about the article Duman linked about some of the Pitchers being sent to the minor league camp:

The quotes about getting the "potential" starters up to 4 or 5 inngs as far as stamina I found a little disconcerting.  This is from the perspective that I often wonder why they are not trying to at least focus on getting them used to pitching 7 innings at least.  I know they don't want to cause arm issues before they can get use out of them at the ML level and all.  I just am frustrated when I am seeing half of the AA starting pitchers not averaging 6 IP or more.  I understand at lower levels, but I would figure you do something like try to get them to 5-6IP at Low A, 6-7 at high A and then see if you can get them used to at least being ready to go 8-9 at AA and AAA.  So that when they make the club as a starter you aren't worried about them taxing the BP unless they just get hammer.  This is not an Astros only issue, as I think almost all of Baseball seems to have the same issue.

And on the topic of the Russ Dixon, I found the comment that he was taking mostly ground balls during ST and THEN they chose to put him in the OF exclusively... ouch how bad must he have been doing fielding? 

I know when pitchers report to teams out of spring training in A ball, they are still on strict pitch counts.  If memory serves me right it is 40 initially going up 10 each week.  The higher levels are starting at a higher count.

Dixon struggled at 2nd base last year.  It is beginning to look like the vast majority of our position player prospects at AA and below are outfielders.  That maybe something to be looking at as trades are talked about (Loretta, or Q). 

[jhiller]

Duman or Jacksonian,

Was it ever revealed who the ptbnl were from San Diego on Ensberg and Lane.  Did they just send cash later, maybe?

Thanks

[Duman]

Duman or Jacksonian,

Was it ever revealed who the ptbnl were from San Diego on Ensberg and Lane.  Did they just send cash later, maybe?

Thanks

I haven't seen or heard anything about a player so I assume it was cash in both cases.

[I'm Richies Dad]

I am almost certain that was the case, and was answered previously, but I have no link.