Author Topic: Greeneville Astros (Read 16027 times)

Duman · « **on:** June 13, 2008, 05:25:16 pm »

Welcome to the Greeneville Astros 2008 thread. Here is where we will welcome your thoughts, questions, observations and especially your first hand accounts of the G-Stros this season.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2008, 07:43:24 pm »

First game out, it looks like the Gstros have some speed on the field tonight.

Duman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:30:05 pm »

I was at the game. Here are my observations:

Greenwalt looked very good tonight. Could have been out of rough inning in 4th if RF Almonte makes better break on ball. FB got as high as 90 but mostly in mid 80's (radar gun was erratic so not sure how accurate). Threw 73 pitches with 54 for strikes in 5 innings for the win.

Torrence looked much better at the plate to start the year. Showed speed in outfield and on bases. Did miss play one fly but had the speed to recover. 2-4 with a walk an NO STRIKEOUTS!!

Austin looks great in center will take some time to learn hitting. 1-5 with 3 K's tonight.

Almonte looked bad in field and at plate. Was pinch hit for after striking out 3 times in 4 AB. Either had cement feed or didn't hustle on several balls.

Hinze, who was signed last fall, took 4 walks and had a single that drove in two runs.

Overall they struck out 10 times but 6 of those were from 2 batters.

An outfield of Torrence and Austin will not let many balls drop between them.

Pitkin pitched well after he made a wardrobe adjustment during the 6th. With runners at 1st & 2nd with one out, pitching coach Driskell makes a visit to the mound. When he is half way there, Pitkin has his pants down ala Steve Lyons. Next thing you now he reaches in and pulls out his cup and hands it to Driskell who carries it back to the dug out. Pitkin strikes out the next batter and gets the final out on a fly ball to center. In the 7th, he had a 1,2,3 inning with 2 K's.

Wabick gave up a 3 run homer in the 9th but battled back for the save. Didn't look real sharp.

Old Astros player note: Terry Puhl's son Steve pitched for the K-Mets. He is transitioning from Catcher to pitcher in Kingsport this season.

I will see the G-stros again on Friday Night

Jacksonian · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2008, 08:11:21 am »

Quote from: Duman on June 17, 2008, 10:30:05 pm

Greenwalt looked very good tonight. Could have been out of rough inning in 4th if RF Almonte makes better break on ball. FB got as high as 90 but mostly in mid 80's (radar gun was erratic so not sure how accurate). Threw 73 pitches with 54 for strikes in 5 innings for the win.

Perspective on last year's high school draftees. This would have been their freshman year had they gone to college.

Quote

Torrence looked much better at the plate to start the year. Showed speed in outfield and on bases. Did miss play one fly but had the speed to recover. 2-4 with a walk an NO STRIKEOUTS!!

He has a decision to make pretty soon.

Quote

Almonte looked bad in field and at plate. Was pinch hit for after striking out 3 times in 4 AB. Either had cement feed or didn't hustle on several balls.

I wonder if Davidson would take Almonte's place in RF if he'd ink a contract.

jbm · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2008, 08:40:26 am »

Any idea on Davidson's signability? What school is he committed to?

Moose Marathon · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2008, 09:18:40 am »

Quote from: jbm on June 18, 2008, 08:40:26 am

What school is he committed to?

Georgia.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2008, 09:37:15 pm »

Quote from: Duman on June 17, 2008, 10:30:05 pm

Torrence looked much better at the plate to start the year. Showed speed in outfield and on bases. Did miss play one fly but had the speed to recover. 2-4 with a walk an NO STRIKEOUTS!!

Jinx. 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts tonight.

Duman · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2008, 04:28:13 am »

Quote from: Jacksonian on June 18, 2008, 09:37:15 pm

Jinx. 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts tonight.

That is still improvement over last year

Duman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2008, 10:11:31 pm »

Report from watching the game tonight:

Starter Jose Trinidad used a sharp slider along with a 90 MPH fastball to get the win for he G-stros. The threw under 70 pitches on the night.

Altuve has yet to get a hit but his glove was sharp tonight. The error he was charged with was a tough play and could have easily gone down as a hit.

Jay Austin can track balls down in the out field. The arm will need some work.

Franke Alemonte had 3 hits but two balls never made it out of the infield.

Wabick looked sharp tonight. Fastball only 87-88 but with effective curve & change, it seemed much faster.

This was Danville's first lose of the year. A reminder that all teams in the Appy aren't created equal. G'ville has 13 players under 20. Danville has just 5.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2008, 08:26:06 am »

Quote from: Duman on June 20, 2008, 10:11:31 pm

Jay Austin ... The arm will need some work.

Can you be more specific? Arm strength should not be a problem.

Duman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2008, 10:11:13 pm »

He made one throw and it was way off line from 2nd. It had the stuff to get their, it was just not accurate. Granted, small sample size.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2008, 10:57:08 pm »

Quote from: Duman on June 21, 2008, 10:11:13 pm

He made one throw and it was way off line from 2nd. It had the stuff to get their, it was just not accurate. Granted, small sample size.

Control issues I can believe completely.

Duman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2008, 10:24:15 pm »

Observations from the game tonight:

Trinidad pitched well with the exception of his curve. Hit 3 batters with breaking balls.
Austin had his best game at the plate going 3 for 5
Almonte & Hinze hit bombs for the G-stros first games of the year.
Greeneville struck out 10 times but walked 9. Not sure what to make of that.
Torrence had 3 of the walks and one of the K's

For those into torture, you can check out my debut as the drop in color guy on the G'stros internet broadcast over at greenevilleastros.com.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2008, 10:51:25 pm »

Quote from: Duman on June 25, 2008, 10:24:15 pm

Observations from the game tonight:

Trinidad pitched well with the exception of his curve. Hit 3 batters with breaking balls.
Austin had his best game at the plate going 3 for 5
Almonte & Hinze hit bombs for the G-stros first games of the year.
Greeneville struck out 10 times but walked 9. Not sure what to make of that.
Torrence had 3 of the walks and one of the K's

For those into torture, you can check out my debut as the drop in color guy on the G'stros internet broadcast over at greenevilleastros.com.

Where is your fellow broadcaster from? His accent is pretty Southern.

Duman · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2008, 10:55:00 pm »

He is a native east Tennesseean

jbm · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:44:06 pm »

I take it you didn't get a first-hand look at Lyles, but is there any buzz from his performance the other night? Seven Ks in three innings!!!!

Duman · « **Reply #16 on:** June 26, 2008, 07:04:21 pm »

Quote from: jbm on June 26, 2008, 04:44:06 pm

I take it you didn't get a first-hand look at Lyles, but is there any buzz from his performance the other night? Seven Ks in three innings!!!!

I didn't get a look at him but there was a great deal of buzz about his performance.

Duman · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2008, 06:04:14 am »

Listened to most of the game last night. A few observations:

Greenwalt struck out 8 batters in 5 innings to give him 18 in 15 innings. He bounced back from a rough outing against Danville on Sunday to turn in 5 effective innings against them last night.

Infante had a rough game in center with two errors and was also picked off on the bases. His two errors led to 3 unearned runs in one inning.

Ebert Rosario was sent down from Tri Cities and responded by going 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored. Committed an error on a tough play.

Frederico Hernandez, who is emerging as the #1 catcher, hit a two run homer.

Colton Pitkin gave up his first run of the year to raise his ERA to 0.90.

Duman · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2008, 10:30:53 pm »

Was at game tonight:

Jordan Lyles looked sharp. Went 4 innings, striking out 4. Only gave up one run on 2 hits but one hit was a solid shot that just barely stayed in the park. However, if Jay Austin plays the carom off the wall better, the batter gets a double and not a triple. If he is held to a double, the run doesn't score.

Lyles' fastball stayed between 88-90.

Leon has now given up 10 runs but only 1 has been earned. Tonight for the second outing, he had 3 unearned runs. He struck out 7 batters but was eratic.

Wabick suffered a rough loss with a bad call leading to the winning run and to the ejection of Rodney Linares, Greeneville's manager.

I continue to be impressed by Richard Bonfante at the plate. He had a pinch hit single in the 9th that plated the tying run.

Devon Torrence is having shoulder issues and is only DH'ing now.

Frederico Hernandez is banged up from some action at catcher, Rene Garcia may get some action in his place this week.

Duman · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:50:13 pm »

Outstanding game tonight in Greeneville.

Greenwalt - pitched 6 shutout innings. Using fastball, change up, with occasional curve. Only gave up one fly ball which was an out. The two hits were ground balls that made it through the infield. Threw unofficially 66 pitches in 6 innings. 40 of them for strikes. Two of the hits were bunt hits, another went off the glove of a pulled in 3rd baseman.

Play of the game: In the 6th, the first two batters reached on bunt hits. They are bunted over on a sac bunt. The next batter grounds to SS. The runner from 3rd breaks for home, Bonfonte throws home and the runner heads back to 3rd. The Catcher Gonzalez tags the runner just before he reaches third. He then rounds 3rd chasing the runner back to second. He almost throws the ball to the 2nd baseman covering but holds the ball and allows the runner to reach 2nd but Gonzalez rounds second and tags the batter who had attempted to go to second during the run down. That play is scored 6-2U DP. Wildest play I have ever seen. Watching the catcher round the bases in reverse was wonderful and it preserved the shut out.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #20 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:18:29 am »

Quote from: Duman on July 08, 2008, 10:50:13 pm

Play of the game: In the 6th, the first two batters reached on bunt hits. They are bunted over on a sac bunt. The next batter grounds to SS. The runner from 3rd breaks for home, Bonfonte throws home and the runner heads back to 3rd. The Catcher Gonzalez tags the runner just before he reaches third. He then rounds 3rd chasing the runner back to second. He almost throws the ball to the 2nd baseman covering but holds the ball and allows the runner to reach 2nd but Gonzalez rounds second and tags the batter who had attempted to go to second during the run down. That play is scored 6-2U DP. Wildest play I have ever seen. Watching the catcher round the bases in reverse was wonderful and it preserved the shut out.

Ain't rookie ball fun?

jbm · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2008, 07:45:19 am »

Duman, have you seen Villar throw? If so, please describe. 150 lbs!!!!

And is Rosario really 6' 3" and 165 lbs.

Those are some skinny players.

Hornstros · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2008, 09:38:53 am »

Quote from: jbm on July 10, 2008, 07:45:19 am

Duman, have you seen Villar throw? If so, please describe. 150 lbs!!!!

And is Rosario really 6' 3" and 165 lbs.

Those are some skinny players.

As long as we're on the subject, what about Bonfante? According to MiLB he's listed at 5'9'' and 140 lbs. I was hoping those #'s are from when he initially entered the organization

Duman · « **Reply #23 on:** July 10, 2008, 01:18:44 pm »

Quote from: jbm on July 10, 2008, 07:45:19 am

Duman, have you seen Villar throw? If so, please describe. 150 lbs!!!!

And is Rosario really 6' 3" and 165 lbs.

Those are some skinny players.

Saw Villar throw last night and he was impressive. 8 K's against the worst hitting team in the league.

He is small but has good pop in his fast ball and changes speeds well.

Rosario is that tall but may be slightly heavier. He is lean. Has looked much better in the field this year.

Duman · « **Reply #24 on:** July 10, 2008, 01:23:01 pm »

Quote from: Hornstros on July 10, 2008, 09:38:53 am

As long as we're on the subject, what about Bonfante? According to MiLB he's listed at 5'9'' and 140 lbs. I was hoping those #'s are from when he initially entered the organization

He looks taller and heavier than that. I would have said 5'11 & 160. He is impressive in the field. The ERA of the pitching staff has a lot to do with the solid defense of Bonfonte and Altuve. Yes Altuve is really 5' 5" he is fun to watch play second. I hope his bat improves.

Duman · « **Reply #25 on:** July 10, 2008, 01:26:26 pm »

Lyles will be on the bump tonight. Facing a stud for Burlington (Kelvin Herrera) who is 18 and has a 1.23 ERA through 4 starts (22 IP). He has 20 K's and only 3 bb & 11 hits.

Yours truly will be on the internet broadcast doing color. Greeneville has the chance to sweep the series tonight.

Duman · « **Reply #26 on:** July 10, 2008, 09:55:38 pm »

Quote from: Duman on July 10, 2008, 01:26:26 pm

Lyles will be on the bump tonight. Facing a stud for Burlington (Kelvin Herrera) who is 18 and has a 1.23 ERA through 4 starts (22 IP). He has 20 K's and only 3 bb & 11 hits.

Yours truly will be on the internet broadcast doing color. Greeneville has the chance to sweep the series tonight.

Lyles out pitched Herrera tonight.

Lyles went 4 2/3 innings, gave up 4 hits, 1 run (solo homer), 2 walks and 5 Ks.
Herrera went 5 innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 runs, no walks and 3 Ks.

When those two left the game, it was 2-1 Astros. Greeneville hung on to win 7-6.

Arcenio Leon got the win in relief. He went 3 innings giving up 4 runs but only one was earned. That brings his ERA on the year to 1.40. He has given up 18 runs in 19 1/3 innings but only 3 have been earned. That has to be a record of some kind.

Ebert Rosario is playing out of his head. 3 for 4 at the plate. Made an amazing stop with the bases loaded and threw out a runner to keep Greeneville only down one in the top of the 5th. He then led off the bottom of the 5th with a singe and came around to score. The only thing lacking from his game right now is power.

The G'stros have now won 3 in a row and 6 of their last 10. Their team ERA is climbing up the charts. Let's hope they can keep it up as Bristol comes in this weekend.

Towlie · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2008, 02:44:12 am »

who is Patrick Urckfitz?

Duman · « **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2008, 06:32:10 am »

Quote from: Towlie on July 11, 2008, 02:44:12 am

who is Patrick Urckfitz?

Non Drafted Free Agent who signed in late June and joined the Astros last week. Here is what his local paper said about him:

Quote

The left-hander won seven games in his two years with MCC and struck out 91 batters in 64 1/3 innings. During the recent NJCAA Division II World Series, he allowed just one run in 11 1/3 innings of relief and struck out 15.

The 6-foot-3 Urckfitz has been pitching for the Webster Yankees of the New York Collegiate Baseball League this summer. In seven appearances, he had two saves and 25 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings.

Urckfitz throws a 91 mph fastball and a slider and is working on a changeup.

Duman · « **Reply #29 on:** July 13, 2008, 04:56:26 pm »

Break up the G'Stros. They have won 5 in a row and 7 of their last 10. They win tonight and they move up to .500 on the season. Their bats are catching up the their pitching. A fun team to watch. Much, much better than last years team.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #30 on:** July 16, 2008, 07:34:17 pm »

Duman has mentioned before how young Greeneville is compared to the rest of the league. That's no more evident than against tonight's opponent the Elizabethton Twins. G'ville sports 15 teenagers on their roster. E'twins just 5. G'ville's kids are up against former college junior and 1s draft pick Shooter Hunt tonight and doing well so far.

Duman · « **Reply #31 on:** July 16, 2008, 09:21:05 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on July 16, 2008, 07:34:17 pm

Duman has mentioned before how young Greeneville is compared to the rest of the league. That's no more evident than against tonight's opponent the Elizabethton Twins. G'ville sports 15 teenagers on their roster. E'twins just 5. G'ville's kids are up against former college junior and 1s draft pick Shooter Hunt tonight and doing well so far.

They pulled out a 6-4 victory. This is a pretty good team. Elizabethton has only lost 8 games on the season, Greeneville is 3 - 2 against them so far. This win pulls Greeneville to 15-14 on the season and puts them 4.5 games back of Eliz.

Duman · « **Reply #32 on:** July 17, 2008, 03:34:47 am »

Greeneville has added another teenager to the roster. Italian pitching prospect Andrea Lucati has been activated. He is listed as 6' 3" 247 lbs. That's 112.27 KG for those folks back home in Treviso.

Towlie · « **Reply #33 on:** July 17, 2008, 10:25:53 pm »

I was wondering where the europeans we signed were.

Duman · « **Reply #34 on:** July 17, 2008, 10:46:00 pm »

Quote from: Towlie on July 17, 2008, 10:25:53 pm

I was wondering where the europeans we signed were.

The other, Jan Baldee is struggling in the VSL.

Duman · « **Reply #35 on:** July 17, 2008, 11:12:34 pm »

Frank Almonte is Appy League Player of the Week.

jbm · « **Reply #36 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:58:23 pm »

Any news on the nature or severity of Cruz' "injured arm"?

Duman · « **Reply #37 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:15:18 pm »

Quote from: jbm on July 28, 2008, 02:58:23 pm

Any news on the nature or severity of Cruz' "injured arm"?

Heard tonight it is a problem with the sholder/ rotator cuff. They had him evaluated today but no results.

Tonights game was the last for the season and possible the career of Devon Torrence. He showed no progress this season. In his last game before reporting to Ohio State, he went 0-4 with 2 K, and two errors (dropped catch and bad throw). The dropped catch cost G'ville the lead and they went on to lose in 10.

His final stat line for the season: 51 Ks in 115 AB, .157 Avg
Last year his final stats were 48 K's in 84 AB .147 Avg.

I don't call that improvement.

Towlie · « **Reply #38 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:27:45 pm »

How has Jay Austin looked?

Duman · « **Reply #39 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:41:23 pm »

Quote from: Towlie on July 28, 2008, 10:27:45 pm

How has Jay Austin looked?

Very good in center (Torrence has played Left when both were in the game). Get's good jumps and is very fast at closing on the ball.

At the plate, still learning to hit with the wood bat. But improving. Expect he may repeat G'ville unless he makes strides during the off season.

Duman · « **Reply #40 on:** August 11, 2008, 10:02:44 pm »

Saw Seaton make his first appearance tonight. 4 pitches to complete only inning.

Batter 1: strike, 5-3
Batter 2: 1-3 bunt attempt
Batter 3: long drive to center caught by Austin just short of the track.

In other news: Jay Austin looks over matched at the plate and tired in general. The G-stros appear to be playing out the string with very little life and emotion. Just 14 games left.

Towlie · « **Reply #41 on:** August 11, 2008, 10:46:47 pm »

Quote from: Duman on August 11, 2008, 10:02:44 pm

Saw Seaton make his first appearance tonight. 4 pitches to complete only inning.

Batter 1: strike, 5-3
Batter 2: 1-3 bunt attempt
Batter 3: long drive to center caught by Austin just short of the track.

In other news: Jay Austin looks over matched at the plate and tired in general. The G-stros appear to be playing out the string with very little life and emotion. Just 14 games left.

Thats a little disappointing, have you seen anything like that happen before? Is it just because they are young and have had long years from going from highschool, JUCO, or extended spring to playing rookie ball?

Duman · « **Reply #42 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:17:57 am »

It is not uncommon for the the new draftees to wear out. They have played more ball in two months than they normally do in a season. This is the first time it is their job. They show up at the park at 1:00 or 2:00 have assigned duties/task/workouts and then don't leave the park till after 10:30.

You also have new experiences for many of being on their own for the first time. How many of us handled that well and didn't wear out after a few months?

Than factor in road trips on a bus.

JimR · « **Reply #43 on:** August 12, 2008, 09:33:44 am »

Quote from: Duman on August 12, 2008, 08:17:57 am

It is not uncommon for the the new draftees to wear out. They have played more ball in two months than they normally do in a season. This is the first time it is their job. They show up at the park at 1:00 or 2:00 have assigned duties/task/workouts and then don't leave the park till after 10:30.

You also have new experiences for many of being on their own for the first time. How many of us handled that well and didn't wear out after a few months?

Than factor in road trips on a bus.

just the playing every day would get them, even if they did not have the workouts and the killer travel.

Towlie · « **Reply #44 on:** August 13, 2008, 12:49:53 am »

You are definitely right about that Duman...10 errors in this game.

Duman · « **Reply #45 on:** August 13, 2008, 06:35:02 am »

Quote from: Towlie on August 13, 2008, 12:49:53 am

You are definitely right about that Duman...10 errors in this game.

4 by Jay Austin in center. All fielding errors.

Towlie · « **Reply #46 on:** August 14, 2008, 07:45:00 pm »

Hmm, Cartwright intrigues me. I'm not sure as to why but it seems that recently, hes been getting on base a lot for the Gstros.

Duman · « **Reply #47 on:** August 14, 2008, 10:02:12 pm »

Quote from: Towlie on August 14, 2008, 07:45:00 pm

Hmm, Cartwright intrigues me. I'm not sure as to why but it seems that recently, hes been getting on base a lot for the Gstros.

He has made huge improvement from last year to this in both defensive and offensive areas. Keep an eye on him.

Towlie · « **Reply #48 on:** August 18, 2008, 09:58:28 pm »

Quote from: Duman on August 14, 2008, 10:02:12 pm

He has made huge improvement from last year to this in both defensive and offensive areas. Keep an eye on him.

Seems like Greenville had a field day tonight, including Cartwright.

Seaton got hit but of course i dont think its anything to worry about.

Duman · « **Reply #49 on:** August 19, 2008, 09:30:13 pm »

Jordan Lyles went 5 innings tonight. Surrendered a lead off walk and then faced only 15 batters. He K'd 8 of the 15 he faced. On man reached on an error but was erased by a ground ball double play. So his outs were 8 Ks, 6 ground outs, 1 fly out. Solid outing.

Jiller Castillo & Andrea Lucati combined for 4 innings of no hit relief (they did walk 4 combined).

G'ville wins 10-0.

Towlie · « **Reply #50 on:** August 25, 2008, 11:28:50 pm »

Quote from: Duman on August 19, 2008, 09:30:13 pm

Jordan Lyles went 5 innings tonight. Surrendered a lead off walk and then faced only 15 batters. He K'd 8 of the 15 he faced. On man reached on an error but was erased by a ground ball double play. So his outs were 8 Ks, 6 ground outs, 1 fly out. Solid outing.

Jiller Castillo & Andrea Lucati combined for 4 innings of no hit relief (they did walk 4 combined).

G'ville wins 10-0.

Lyles is really pitching well

. have you been able to see his last few starts? It seems as if hes really bouncing back from that time where he wasn't pitching as good.

Duman · « **Reply #51 on:** August 26, 2008, 12:02:06 am »

Haven't seen him since the 19th. But I expect with BA puts out their top 20 prospects for the Appy league, he will be on the list.

kevwun · « **Reply #52 on:** August 26, 2008, 09:50:14 am »

I thought he was getting worn out when he went through that rough stretch of outings. Even then he really didn't have 2 bad starts in a row. Impressive to see him bounce back this season.

Towlie · « **Reply #53 on:** August 28, 2008, 11:41:11 pm »

Hmm, It seems like Lyles and Greenwalt aren't done pitching for the year. They've been moved up to Tri City, Greenwalt pitched an inning tonight as well.

Duman · « **Reply #54 on:** August 29, 2008, 05:47:53 am »

Quote from: Towlie on August 28, 2008, 11:41:11 pm

Hmm, It seems like Lyles and Greenwalt aren't done pitching for the year. They've been moved up to Tri City, Greenwalt pitched an inning tonight as well.

I think Greenwalt was scheduled to pitch the last day in G'ville that got rained out. Also joining them on the trip to Tri Cities was Pedro Gonzalez.

Greenwalt was named MVP of G'ville and Gonzalez was presented with the Oscar Pedron Leadership award.