Lyles and JD head the list of BusRiders with Spring Training Invites

[OregonStrosFan]

Martinez, Lyles lead group of 10 invited to camp (McTaggart)

Lyles, the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2010, and outfielder J.D. Martinez, the Minor League Player of the Year, will be among 22 non-roster players in camp when Spring Training begins next month. Pitchers and catchers work out for the first time on Feb. 16 and position players on Feb. 20.

In addition to Lyles and Martinez, general manager Ed Wade announced left-handed pitcher Patrick Urckfitz, catcher Rene Garcia, infielders Koby Clemens and Jiovanni Mier and outfielders Jon Gaston, Drew Locke, J.B. Shuck and T.J. Steele had also been invited to Major League camp.

ETA: Per Levine Tweet: Jiovanni Mier's invitation to Astros spring training was a stipulation of his signing terms. The rest were chosen. -Z

[Jacksonian]

Martinez, Lyles lead group of 10 invited to camp (McTaggart)

Lyles, the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2010, and outfielder J.D. Martinez, the Minor League Player of the Year, will be among 22 non-roster players in camp when Spring Training begins next month. Pitchers and catchers work out for the first time on Feb. 16 and position players on Feb. 20.

In addition to Lyles and Martinez, general manager Ed Wade announced left-handed pitcher Patrick Urckfitz, catcher Rene Garcia, infielders Koby Clemens and Jiovanni Mier and outfielders Jon Gaston, Drew Locke, J.B. Shuck and T.J. Steele had also been invited to Major League camp.

ETA: Per Levine Tweet: Jiovanni Mier's invitation to Astros spring training was a stipulation of his signing terms. The rest were chosen. -Z

I am interested to see if they still try to squeeze a full season out of Steele in centerfield.  If ever there was a guy whose body screams to be put in a less demanding position (nttawwt), it's him.

[Reuben]

I am interested to see if they still try to squeeze a full season out of Steele in centerfield.  If ever there was a guy whose body screams to be put in a less demanding position (nttawwt), it's him.

This is what I love about the Astros' system. Plenty of underdogs to root for, whether due to a lack of respect from the pundits (ie. any player not named Lyles), being slow to live up to expectations (Mier, Austin, Seaton, Meyer, Gaston, etc.), or injury issues (Steele, many others) or all three (again, many choices).

Does Steele have the arm and bat to be a full-time RF?

[MusicMan]

This is what I love about the Astros' system. Plenty of underdogs to root for, whether due to a lack of respect from the pundits (ie. any player not named Lyles), being slow to live up to expectations (Mier, Austin, Seaton, Meyer, Gaston, etc.), or injury issues (Steele, many others) or all three (again, many choices).

Does Steele have the arm and bat to be a full-time RF?

Don't forget the little people (Altuve).

[Noe]

Drew Locke is an interesting player to watch this spring.  Quite old for AA, no room for him in AAA, has a good bat but it's upproven in the majors, looks to be a candidate for AAAA status and really is getting perhaps his last chance or near his last chance to stick on a major league team.  We've seen the type before, Jason Alfaro, et. al.  With Bogesevic, Wallace fighting for a chance to play in the majors, Locke has a harder road ahead of him to stick.

All one can ask for is a chance and Drew may be looking at a sliver of a door cracked open and not so much a full chance to make it.  His performance early on will dictate to Mills and Co. how much of a real chance he'll get for the entire spring training experience.

[Jacksonian]

Does Steele have the arm and bat to be a full-time RF?

The Astros insist he has all 5 tools.  So they would say yes.  I haven't personally seen his arm tested.  When he's healthy he can hit for power and average.  He's never logged more than 381 at-bats (2008, year he was drafted) in a single year beginning his freshman year of college in 2006.  Second most at-bats? 241 in 2010.

[Reuben]

Drew Locke is an interesting player to watch this spring.  Quite old for AA, no room for him in AAA, has a good bat but it's upproven in the majors, looks to be a candidate for AAAA status and really is getting perhaps his last chance or near his last chance to stick on a major league team.  We've seen the type before, Jason Alfaro, et. al.  With Bogesevic, Wallace fighting for a chance to play in the majors, Locke has a harder road ahead of him to stick.

All one can ask for is a chance and Drew may be looking at a sliver of a door cracked open and not so much a full chance to make it.  His performance early on will dictate to Mills and Co. how much of a real chance he'll get for the entire spring training experience.

He bats RH, correct? So I'm guessing he would only make the team if a) Jason Michaels gets injured and Bourgeois has a bad Spring, or b) he has a ST like the 2nd coming of Luke Scott and Hunter Pence rolled into one (or at least Babe Ruth). Otherwise it seems Bogusevic has the inside track.

[Reuben]

Don't forget the little people (Altuve).

If there were an Altuve fan club, I would be the Vice President, at least.

[jbm]

Any word on Meszaros?  I know he was suspended.  Can't remember if it was PED or other stuff.

Is he still in the org?  If so, I wonder why he isn't in spring training.  When I saw him throw, he looked better than a few of the guys I saw yesterday. 

[OregonStrosFan]

Any word on Meszaros?

He was at Astros minor leaguers minicamp in January. LINK

[jbm]

Thanks.  My brain isn't working too good.  At first, I just assumed that any of the minor leaguers who would play in ST would have to be from the group of 10 referenced in the original post.  Now, after seeing Austin, Kvasnicka, Leon, Arguello, Villar, etc., it is apparent that many more minor leaguers (I assume all) are eligible to play in ST. 

[JimR]

Thanks.  My brain isn't working too good.  At first, I just assumed that any of the minor leaguers who would play in ST would have to be from the group of 10 referenced in the original post.  Now, after seeing Austin, Kvasnicka, Leon, Arguello, Villar, etc., it is apparent that many more minor leaguers (I assume all) are eligible to play in ST. 

all are.