And the Cuts Begin

[Nate Colbert]

Astros start to release guys who are no longer in their 2016 plans (from the Apply League and MWL transactions pages):

LHP Zach Davis--25th round pick in 2014 out of Central Missouri State (Jim Crane's school, which I'm sure didn't hurt his chances any of getting drafted by the Astros). Topped out at QC last season.

RHP Jorge Perez-30th rounder in 2013 out of Seminole JC. Struggled with his control all 3 seasons in the organization, even more so at QC last season.

LHP Lachlan Madden-one of three Aussie guys signed several years ago. Bonus wasn't reported at the time (IIRC) so presumably nominal dollars were involved.

LHP Starlyng Sanchez--signed back in 2012 out of the DR, spent all or parts of 3 seasons in the DSL (also spending some time stateside).

RHP Joselo Pinales--another Dominican signee in 2012, topping out in the NYP last season. Signed for $70K.

LHP Alejandro Solarte--came from the Blue Jays in the Adron Chambers trade back in 2014. Struggled at Greeneville last season.

[VirtualBob]

RHP Joselo Pinales--another Dominican signee in 2012, topping out in the NYP last season. Signed for $70K.

Actually he started the season at Tri-City and was sent back to Greeneville pretty early.

[Nate Colbert]

Some more releases from the BA transactions page:

INF Jared Cruz--another Aussie, came from the Braves in the Andrew Robinson trade back in 2014.

RHP Adonis Pena--like Cruz, played in the GCL last season.

LHP Edwin Villarroel--never made it out of the DSL despite four years in the system.

[Nate Colbert]

Another release per the BA Transations Page:

RHP Samil de los Santos--pitched at Greeneville last season. Originally signed to a $150K bonus out of the DR back in 2011.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Troy Scribner (NDFA, 2013)--traded to LAA for cash. Had a rough go of it at Lancaster last year. Brother of Mariners (formerly A's) reliever Evan.

[Nate Colbert]

More releases per the various league transaction pages:

RHP Kyle Westwood--13th round pick (2013) who spent most of 2015 starting for the Hooks.

RHP Tyler Brunemann--a 40th rounder (2013) out of Hardin Simmons who it's fair to say exceeded expectations, making it to AA last season but spent most of the year pitching effectively out of the Lancaster bullpen.

OF Sean McMullen--30th rounder (2014) out of LSU who put up undistinguished offensive numbers in his 2 years (other than during a 25 game stint last year at Lancaster).

RHP Austin Chrismon--another 2015 JetHawk who was taken in the 26th round in 2013.

LHP Jordan Mills--28th rounder from 2013 who racked up a lot of walks in his 3 years in the system.

LHP Steve Naemark--40th rounder from last year out of Angelo State who spent time at 4 clubs in his first and only season in the organization. Sorry to see him go as his incredible journey was well documented.

C Brian Holberton--the 9th round pick in 2013 out of UNC spent time behind the plate at Lancaster last season.

RHP Jose Montero--longtime pitcher in the organization who was signed for $350K out of the Dominican back in 2010 (and was described in 2011 by BA as the "better prospect" when comparing him to Michael Feliz). Never managed to reign in his control in his 6 years in the system.

OF Ryan Bottger--12th rounder in 2014 out of UTA who put up fairly ineffective offensive numbers in his 2 years with the Astros.

Certainly no real surprises in the above group.

[Nate Colbert]

And a couple of more today:

INF Joe Sclafani--with a surfeit of utility types at Fresno (Nolan Fontana, Tony Kemp, presumably Danny Worth), no room at the inn for the former 14th round pick out of Dartmouth.

RHP Travis Ballew--the former Texas State Bobcat and 23rd rounder (2012) I would think catches on quickly with another organization with that wipeout slider of his.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Octavio Acosta--he's been "loaned" to the Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League. The Astros got him from the Mets back in December in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft.

[Uncle Charlie]

When are minor league rosters announced?

[Nate Colbert]

Two more releases showed up on the league transactions pages:

RHP Zac Grotz--last year's 28th rounder pitched at Tri-City and Greeneville after being drafted.

1B Michael Martinez--36th rounder in 2012 who hadn't played the last two seasons.

[Reuben]

I'm still scratching my head about Naemark getting released. Did he come up with a major injury in ST or something?

[Nate Colbert]

When are minor league rosters announced?

Lancaster JetHawks ‏@JetHawks  10 minutes ago
Rosters will be released Tuesday morning...the suspense is killing us all!

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Troy Scribner (NDFA, 2013)--traded to LAA for cash. Had a rough go of it at Lancaster last year. Brother of Mariners (formerly A's) reliever Evan.

The Angels, trying to replenish a weak farm system, also signed recent cuts Samil de los Santos and Tyler Brunemann.

[VirtualBob]

Lancaster JetHawks ‏@JetHawks  10 minutes ago
Rosters will be released Tuesday morning...the suspense is killing us all!

Did this happen?  The suspense is killing me, too, and I have not seen anything.  MiLB.com still has leftovers.

[Nate Colbert]

The following players who had all been in EST were released this past week: 3B Cesar Carrasco, OF Alexander Melendez, INF Ford Stainback and RHP Devonte German.

The most notable player on that list is German. He was an overslot signing at $300K as an 11th round pick in the 2013 draft. Stainback was a NDFA out of Rice last year. He and German both played at Greeneville last season. Carrasco and Melendez were both at TRC last year. Carrasco came to the Astros from the D-Backs in exchange for Alex Sogard in 2014. Melendez was a NDFA back in 2013.

[Nate Colbert]

Another group who had been in EST were released:

OF Edwin Medina--33rd rounder in 2014 whose high-water mark (in terms of level) was 19 games at Lancaster last season.

C Brian Pena--signed back in 2012 out of the DR (couldn't find a signing bonus). Spent the majority of his time in the organization in the DSL, though he did play a handful of games at Greeneville and the GCL.

C Jake Bowey--one of that group of Australian blokes signed back in 2013. Signing bonus reported at $40K. Only made it as far as the GCL.