Author Topic: Former Bus Rider News (Read 10923 times)

Nate Colbert · « **on:** January 08, 2015, 02:12:56 pm »

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2015, 07:31:02 pm »

Austin Wates will be an NRI in Marlins camp.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2015, 08:46:24 pm »

Remember Fehlandt Lentini? Oh sure you do--I mean how could you forget that name. An OF who signed with the Astros as a NDFA back in 2001 and managed to hang around in the organization for three years and even reached Round Rock before being released. Well he's still plugging away. He's been playing indy ball for the last 11 years, everywhere from Maui to Winnipeg to Tijuana to Long Island. He's still going strong at age 37 playing winter ball with Mayaguez of the Puerto Rican League (one of his teammates is ex-Astro Edwin Maysonet).

He also posesses what must be the longest Wikipedia page ever for a minor league player.

Congrats to Feh for continuing the dream.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2015, 08:30:51 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on January 08, 2015, 08:46:24 pm

Remember Fehlandt Lentini? Oh sure you do--I mean how could you forget that name. An OF who signed with the Astros as a NDFA back in 2001 and managed to hang around in the organization for three years and even reached Round Rock before being released. Well he's still plugging away. He's been playing indy ball for the last 11 years, everywhere from Maui to Winnipeg to Tijuana to Long Island. He's still going strong at age 37 playing winter ball with Mayaguez of the Puerto Rican League (one of his teammates is ex-Astro Edwin Maysonet).

He also posesses what must be the longest Wikipedia page ever for a minor league player.

Congrats to Feh for continuing the dream.

I do, and thanks for the update.

Duman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2015, 03:52:14 pm »

Terrell Joyce will have to sit out 50 games if anyone signs him.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2015, 05:30:00 pm »

Quote from: Duman on January 16, 2015, 03:52:14 pm

Terrell Joyce will have to sit out 50 games if anyone signs him.

This seems to be the first indication that Mr. Joyce had been released*. I hadn't seen that noted elsewhere before (i.e., BA transactions page). Added him to the above transactions thread.

*ETA: I now see from the NYP transactions page he was released on Jan. 13th.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2015, 02:14:07 am »

Pat Christiansen assigned to Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers Hi A)

Duman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2015, 10:06:36 am »

Astros announced that former bus rider Jhon Florentino has passed away. He was 31. He played in the astros org from 05 - 10.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2015, 08:25:35 am »

Catcher Ralphie Henriquez, a 2nd round pick by the Astros in 2005 who lasted 3 years in the organization, signs as a MLFA with the Dodgers.

Duman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:50:25 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on February 23, 2015, 08:25:35 am

Catcher Ralphie Henriquez, a 2nd round pick by the Astros in 2005 who lasted 3 years in the organization, signs as a MLFA with the Dodgers.

I am surprised he is still playing. Based on his usage last year in the Pirates org, he looks like a bullpen coach. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get into the coaching side soon. His dad used to work for the Braves org., so there is some family history of working in baseball.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2015, 09:56:43 am »

J.R. House and his life as a manager in the D-Backs organization. House of course spent a couple of seasons in the minors with the Astros (and a handful of games with the big club).

BUWebguy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2015, 02:53:41 pm »

Looks like Rojo Johnson has resurfaced.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2015, 08:05:26 pm »

Rio Ruiz was 1-3 with 2 walks in Braves big league camp before being sent down today.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2015, 08:41:42 pm »

Mike Kvasnicka, 33rd overall pick by the Astros back in 2010, has been released by the Twins. Was traded for Gonzalo Sanudo two years ago.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2015, 07:10:09 pm »

Ex-Coogs catcher and former Astros 16th-round pick (2010) Chris Wallace was released by the Indians.

Reuben · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:33:38 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on March 31, 2015, 08:41:42 pm

Mike Kvasnicka, 33rd overall pick by the Astros back in 2010, has been released by the Twins. Was traded for Gonzalo Sanudo two years ago.

And collided with Byron Buxton in the OF last year, KO'ing the BPIB for the rest of the season.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2015, 10:23:00 am »

Quote from: Reuben on April 13, 2015, 10:33:38 pm

And collided with Byron Buxton in the OF last year, KO'ing the BPIB for the rest of the season.

Second coming of Carlos?

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2015, 06:41:48 am »

Quote

Matt Eddy ‏@MattEddyBA
#Padres sign former #Astros prospect Jonathan Meyer (supp 3rd rd, 2009) as catcher, which he last played in HS. Played 3B in Houston system.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:01:49 pm »

Francisco "Frankie" Caraballo, who last played in the system in 2007, has since carved out a career primarily in the independent leagues (both here and in Japan) but is back in the NPB this season with the Orix Buffaloes and is enjoying some early success. He played 40 games with Orix previously in 2010-2011.

Duman · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:37:03 am »

What The Heck Bobby, has a list of former busriders who are playing indy ball this year.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:39:05 am »

Quote from: Duman on April 29, 2015, 08:37:03 am

What The Heck Bobby, has a list of former busriders who are playing indy ball this year.

So does Cabrera

Quote from: Navin R Johnson on April 28, 2015, 12:35:47 pm

Some former players who are playing independent league ball.... Including 1 D.WARD.

http://whattheheckbobby.blogspot.com/2015/04/former-astros-playing-in-independent.html

pots · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2015, 11:47:42 am »

DDSJr with a whole 15 plate appearances so far this year, Rangers should just suck it up and trade for him.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2015, 04:16:10 pm »

Quote

JJ Cooper ‏@jjcoop36 50 minutes ago
Braves put 3/5 of their Carolina rotation on the DL after this week's bus crash: Lucas Sims, Andrew Thurman and Tyler Brosius.

Thurman of course one of the players going to ATL in the Gattis deal.

That bus crash happened a couple of days ago. No one seriously injured when the bus flipped over but guys were scraped, bashed and bruised enough for the Mudcats' series at Myrtle Beach to get cancelled and now for some guys to go on the DL.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2015, 04:23:31 pm »

Speaking of the Gattis deal, what kind of start is Rio Ruiz off to at AA Mississippi? Not too good: .173/.268/.214.

juliogotay · « **Reply #24 on:** May 14, 2015, 05:47:54 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on May 14, 2015, 04:16:10 pm

Thurman of course one of the players going to ATL in the Gattis deal.

That bus crash happened a couple of days ago. No one seriously injured when the bus flipped over but guys were scraped, bashed and bruised enough for the Mudcats' series at Myrtle Beach to get cancelled and now for some guys to go on the DL.

This truly is Bus Rider News.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #25 on:** May 14, 2015, 10:37:38 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on May 14, 2015, 05:47:54 pm

This truly is Bus Rider News.

I thought it was just a poor metaphor for a crappy team.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #26 on:** May 15, 2015, 07:45:55 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on April 13, 2015, 07:10:09 pm

Ex-Coogs catcher and former Astros 16th-round pick (2010) Chris Wallace was released by the Indians.

Just noticed that he signed and is now playing with the Skeeters.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2015, 10:25:54 pm »

37 year-old Mike Hessman, who spent 2012 in the Astros organization at OKC, hit his 423rd career minor league home run tonight for the Mud Hens.

Yes, he is the active leader in minor league longballs. Hector Espino hit 484 home runs in the Mexican League and apparently holds the all-time record.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #28 on:** June 17, 2015, 10:29:22 am »

Quote

JJ Cooper ‏@jjcoop36 45 seconds ago
Small world. My dad just had hip replacement surgery. His physical therapist is 2010 Indy POY Beau Torbert.

17th round pick of Astros in 2004. Last played in system in 2007 at Corpus and RR.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #29 on:** July 14, 2015, 05:00:18 pm »

WTHB with an update on ex-Astros playing in the Atlantic League.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #30 on:** July 14, 2015, 05:16:11 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on May 14, 2015, 04:23:31 pm

Speaking of the Gattis deal, what kind of start is Rio Ruiz off to at AA Mississippi? Not too good: .173/.268/.214.

Two months later, doing better but still little pop: .227/.336/.287.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #31 on:** July 14, 2015, 05:25:02 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on May 14, 2015, 04:16:10 pm

Thurman of course one of the players going to ATL in the Gattis deal.

That bus crash happened a couple of days ago. No one seriously injured when the bus flipped over but guys were scraped, bashed and bruised enough for the Mudcats' series at Myrtle Beach to get cancelled and now for some guys to go on the DL.

After missing over 7 weeks, Thurman just recently returned to action and has made a couple of rehab appearances in the GCL.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #32 on:** July 16, 2015, 02:48:46 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 14, 2015, 05:00:18 pm

WTHB with an update on ex-Astros playing in the Atlantic League.

WTHB does the same regarding players in the remaining independent leagues.

Duman · « **Reply #33 on:** July 17, 2015, 09:53:09 am »

Last night my son and I went over to Hickory NC for a game. Turns out former busrider Jonathon Meyer was in the line up at 1st base. He hit like a guy who has played at a higher level. He went 2 -4 with 4 RBI. Played an okay first but didn't have many plays to make. He has been splitting time between 1st, catcher & DH since he was signed by the Rangers.

Duman · « **Reply #34 on:** July 17, 2015, 11:55:02 am »

The cubs are trying to turn Ariel Ovando in to a pitcher. It looks like it might be working. His working out of the bullpen in the Arizona Rookie League. He has appeared in 6 games (7 IP). He has allowed 5 hits, one walk and one run and has fanned 13!

NeilT · « **Reply #35 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:35:58 pm »

Quote from: Duman on July 17, 2015, 11:55:02 am

The cubs are trying to turn Ariel Ovando in to a pitcher.

Hey! The Astros are trying to do the same thing with Appel!

juliogotay · « **Reply #36 on:** July 17, 2015, 01:42:32 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on July 17, 2015, 12:35:58 pm

Hey! The Astros are trying to do the same thing with Appel!

Zing!

Duman · « **Reply #37 on:** August 10, 2015, 03:05:36 pm »

Former Bus rider Andrew Robinson was released by the Braves last month and was picked up by the O's and is in Bowie (AA).

O's are liking them some Astros pitchers. He joins Richard Rodriguez and Chris Lee in the Baltimore org.

Duman · « **Reply #38 on:** September 08, 2015, 09:24:26 am »

Quote from: Duman on July 17, 2015, 11:55:02 am

The cubs are trying to turn Ariel Ovando in to a pitcher. It looks like it might be working. His working out of the bullpen in the Arizona Rookie League. He has appeared in 6 games (7 IP). He has allowed 5 hits, one walk and one run and has fanned 13!

end of the season update:

15 games/ 21 IP/ 10 hits/ 10 BB/ 33 K/ 0.43 ERA

Only one wild pitch. He is still just 21.

Reuben · « **Reply #39 on:** September 08, 2015, 11:41:17 am »

Quote from: Duman on September 08, 2015, 09:24:26 am

end of the season update:

15 games/ 21 IP/ 10 hits/ 10 BB/ 33 K/ 0.43 ERA

Only one wild pitch. He is still just 21.

If I recall correctly, he has kind of a Dontrelle Willis physique. Was his throwing arm supposed to be a plus tool? He must be either bringing heat or some crazy deception to rack up that many Ks.