GCL Astros

[Duman]

Talk about the complexities of the complex team here.

[Nate Colbert]

Based on the Milb transactions page, looks like 5 players who had started the year in the DSL will be getting bumps stateside to the GCL:

• INF Juan Pineda--Panamanian who signed for $100K bonus two years ago, hit .293/.406/.345 last year in the DSL and was off to a .314/.341/.371 start this year.
• RHP Leovanny Rodriguez--the 20-year old pitcher was off to a nice start in this his 2nd season in the DSL with 15 Ks in 14.1 IP with just 2 Ws and 8 hits allowed. Listed at 6'0" 160 lbs.
• RHP Hansel Paulino--another 20-year old Dominican pitcher, had struggled in two previous DSL seasons but was off to a better start this year with 10 Ks vs 4 Ws and 5 hits allowed in 12 IP. Listed at 6'2" 170 lbs.
• RHP Jose Ramos--the 19-year old Panamanian hurler was already in his 3rd season in the DSL. Really good numbers last year (0.95 WHIP in 65 innings) and off to a decent start this year (13 whiffs in 11 IP but 6 walks). Listed at 6'1" 160 lbs.
• RHP Cesar Rosardo--a third 20-year old Dominican pitcher, 2016 was his 2nd DSL year. 11 Ks and 5 Ws in 11 IP to kick off this season. Listed at 6'1" 170 lbs.

[roadrunner]

Apparently this is where Forest is starting.

[Reuben]

Based on the Milb transactions page, looks like 5 players who had started the year in the DSL will be getting bumps stateside to the GCL:

• INF Juan Pineda--Panamanian who signed for $100K bonus two years ago, hit .293/.406/.345 last year in the DSL and was off to a .314/.341/.371 start this year.
• RHP Leovanny Rodriguez--the 20-year old pitcher was off to a nice start in this his 2nd season in the DSL with 15 Ks in 14.1 IP with just 2 Ws and 8 hits allowed. Listed at 6'0" 160 lbs.
• RHP Hansel Paulino--another 20-year old Dominican pitcher, had struggled in two previous DSL seasons but was off to a better start this year with 10 Ks vs 4 Ws and 5 hits allowed in 12 IP. Listed at 6'2" 170 lbs.
• RHP Jose Ramos--the 19-year old Panamanian hurler was already in his 3rd season in the DSL. Really good numbers last year (0.95 WHIP in 65 innings) and off to a decent start this year (13 whiffs in 11 IP but 6 walks). Listed at 6'1" 160 lbs.
• RHP Cesar Rosardo--a third 20-year old Dominican pitcher, 2016 was his 2nd DSL year. 11 Ks and 5 Ws in 11 IP to kick off this season. Listed at 6'1" 170 lbs.

I play softball with a Venezuelan named Jose Ramos. He's a lot shorter than 6'1" though.

[Nate Colbert]

Some roster notes (again other than 2016 draftees/NDFAs and folks who've already made their debuts):

RHP Bryan Abreu--19-year old from the Dominican who's had severe control problems (56 walks in 73 IP) in his previous two seasons in the DSL.
RHP Jorge Alcala--turns 21 shortly, had control problems as well in his one and only pro season in 2015 in the DSL.
RHP Dariel Aquino--bumpy ride in his limited work last season in the GCL following some decent innings in the DSL.
RHP Junior Garcia--repeating the GCL after putting up a 1.40 WHIP last year.
RHP Jorge Guzman--20-year old pitcher from the DR with control issues. Rinse. Repeat.
RHP Cristian Javier--signed in 2014, notched 50 Ks and just 9 Ws in 42 innings in his 2015 debut in the DSL. We'll see how that translates stateside.
RHP Enoli Paredes--signed last year for just $10K, he'll be making his pro debut in the GCL and not the DSL. BA had previously reported him to be reaching 94 on his FB. Turns 21 in Sept so one he'll have to develop quickly.
RHP Moreno Polanco--turning 22, he's back in the GCL after finishing up in Greeneville last season.
RHP Juan Robles--from Mexico, he put up decent numbers (1.11 WHIP, 54 Ks in 51 IP) as a 17-year old in time split last season between the DSL/GCL.
LHP Christhopher Santamaria--the sole southpaw on the roster, the 20-year old from Panama is actually moving down a level after pitching last year at Greeneville.
RHP Gabriel Valdez--another Panamian, he jumps stateside after 2 years of not particularly impressive results in the DSL.
RHP Luis Vasquez--second oldest player on the roster, he's suffered from control issues in limited action in the DSL.
C Brandon Benavente--18-year old who signed for $263K in 2014, he hit .214/.362/.277 last year in the DSL.
C Oscar Campos--19-year old Venezuelan who hit .279/.348/.335 in 2015 in the DSL.
C Jorge Martinez--25th rounder in 2015 out of Puerto Rico, he's repeating the league.
C Oliver Toribio--three years in the system all spent in the DSL, his hitting numbers have declined every year.
C Randy Vasquez--20 year old who hit .309/.405/.448 last season in the DSL which was his first year in pro ball.
3B Reiny Beltre--struggled in 17 games in the GCL last year after a mid-season promotion from the Dominican. Turns 20 in a couple of weeks.
1B Cristopher Luciano--put up a .266/.409/.402 line in the DSL last year as a 19-year old. 54 walks vs 51 strikeouts.
2B Jonathan Matute--$245K bonus back in 2013 as a 16-year old. Repeating the GCL after a .203/.311/.234 line last year.
SS Joan Mauricio--received $600K in 2013. This will be the 3rd year he's spent all or part of the season in the GCL. Just .181/.246/.238 in 2015.
OF Wilson Amador--24th ranked intl prospect in 2013, his original $875K deal was reduced to $400K after an elbow injury showed up in the physical. Hit just .173/.262/.262 in a repeat season in the DSL last year.
OF Edgar Lorenzo--19-year old who played three games early in the year last season in the GCL before getting sent to the DSL and playing in a limited number of games.
OF Carlos Machado--one of the youngest players on the team, he put up solid numbers (.344/.410/.383) in his debut season in the DSL in 2015.
OF Nestor Muriel--even though he's repeating the GCL, still one of the youngest players on the club. 6th round pick last year out of Puerto Rico. Hit just .127/.242/.190 in 2015.
OF Andy Pineda--signed for a $30K bonus in 2014, hit .293/.417/.378 in his 2nd season in the DSL in 2015.

Full roster here.

[Nate Colbert]

OF Carlos Machado--one of the youngest players on the team, he put up solid numbers (.344/.410/.383) in his debut season in the DSL in 2015.

Batting cleanup, goes 4-5 in US debut as the junior Stros blitzed the Nats 10-0 in today's opener.

[Nate Colbert]

Oz handing out scouting reports on twitter:

Oz Ocampo ‏@OzOcampoHouston  3 hours ago
Congrats to RHP Jorge Alcala on his 1st U.S. start (5IP-0R-1BB-8K). Starter profile with 2 pot plus pitches, FB 95 t98, SL 83-88 for strikes.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Manuel Gonzalez signed by Houston and assigned to the GCL squad. The 6'4" 195-lb Dominican was recently released by the Padres after being signed by them back in 2012 for a $65K bonus. Split time between the DSL and the Arizona League last year where he had 45 Ks in 41 innings but also allowed 24 BBs.

Made his debut in this morning's game.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Reggie Johnson bumped to Greeneville.

[Nate Colbert]

Oz handing out scouting reports on twitter:

Oz Ocampo ‏@OzOcampoHouston  3 hours ago
Congrats to RHP Jorge Alcala on his 1st U.S. start (5IP-0R-1BB-8K). Starter profile with 2 pot plus pitches, FB 95 t98, SL 83-88 for strikes.

2nd outing today: 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 W 8 K.

[Reuben]

2nd outing today: 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 W 8 K.

So, 0 R, 1 BB and 18 K in his first 9 innings in the U.S.? Not bad.

[Nate Colbert]

BTW, in response to this tweet:

Daren Willman ‏@darenw
Only 4 pitchers have thrown a fastball recorded at 103 MPH+

Chapman 75 times
Mauricio Cabrera 3
Neftali Feliz 1
Henry Alberto Rodriguez 1

Ocampo tweeted out this today:

Oz Ocampo ‏@OzOcampoHouston  5 hours ago

+1 Minor League Astros pitcher here in the GCL...

[pots]

So, 0 R, 1 BB and 18 K in his first 9 innings in the U.S.? Not bad.

16 Ks.  in 9.  Last year he only had 20 in 32.1 innings dramatic improvement

[Reuben]

16 Ks.  in 9.  Last year he only had 20 in 32.1 innings dramatic improvement

I used to be good at math. Dammit.

[Nate Colbert]

LHP Alex Winkelman, who went to the DL at Lancaster back on June 1, sent to the GCL on rehab assignment.

[Nate Colbert]

Well Jorge Alcala certainly knows how to dominate the Nationals, again pitching well this afternoon (4 1 0 0 2 5) in his third outing against them. In those 3 outings, 21 Nats whiffed vs 3 walked in 13 IP.

Just a footnote, the GCL stros only play 4 different opponents during their 56-game season--the Cardinals, Nats, Mets and Marlins. All teams are in the East Division. Last year the stros were in the Northeast Division (along with the Braves, Yankees and Tigers). However, last year's 60-game schedule involved playing teams both inside and outside the division. The spring training complexes for the East clubs are isolated enough geographically that apparently to minimize travel costs play is restricted to intra-division foes only. Moving of the Astros GCL team to the East Division effectively is mirroring (albeit prematurely*) the move to the West Palm Beach ST facilities.

*I suspect the GCL team is already using temporary facilities in West Palm Beach or operating out of one of the nearby complexes.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Agapito Barrios, who had yet to pitch this season, on rehab assignment from QC.

Threw 2 scoreless innings in today's game.

[Nate Colbert]

20th-rounder INF L.P. Pelletier gets activated and sees his first professional action in today's game.

[Nate Colbert]

3B Reiny Beltre--struggled in 17 games in the GCL last year after a mid-season promotion from the Dominican. Turns 20 in a couple of weeks.

.526/.591/.658 in the early, early going. Hits in 10 straight.

[Nate Colbert]

1st round pick RHP Forrest Whitley officially assigned to the club today.

Also, RHP Jorge Guzman (14 K's in 8.1 IP but also 7 walks) gets bumped up to Greeneville.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Christian Powell assigned to the GCL on rehab from the JetHawks. Yet to pitch this year, he was an 8th-rounder of the Twins back in 2012 who was subsequently released and picked up by the Astros before last season.

[Nate Colbert]

• RHP Jose Ramos--the 19-year old Panamanian hurler was already in his 3rd season in the DSL. Really good numbers last year (0.95 WHIP in 65 innings) and off to a decent start this year (13 whiffs in 11 IP but 6 walks). Listed at 6'1" 160 lbs.

Was released on Saturday.

[Nate Colbert]

RHP Yeyfry Del Rosario on rehab assignment from Lancaster.

LHP Yhoan Acosta was activated over the weekend and pitched in a game, his first outing of the year.

[Nate Colbert]

LHP Brian Holmes, out since June 13, on rehab from the Hooks and tossed a couple of scoreless frames today.

[Nate Colbert]

1st round pick RHP Forrest Whitley officially assigned to the club today.

And will make his debut today.

ETA:
 
Walk and a hit allowed in 1 IP, whiffing 2.

[Nate Colbert]

Also, RHP Jorge Guzman (14 K's in 8.1 IP but also 7 walks) gets bumped up to Greeneville.

Back down to the GCL along with fellow righty Josue Uribe.

Other moves today: 14th-rounder RHP Carson LaRue assigned here, LHP Christhopher Santamaria was released and catchers Orlando Marquez and Brandon Benavente swap places (Benavente moves down to the DSL while Marquez moves up).

[Nate Colbert]

Other moves today: 14th-rounder RHP Carson LaRue assigned here,

Struggled a bit in today's debut, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in 2 innings while whiffing 3.

1st-rounder Forrest Whitley retired all 6 batters he faced (K'ing 2) in his 2nd professional outing.

[Jacksonian]

Struggled a bit in today's debut, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in 2 innings while whiffing 3.

1st-rounder Forrest Whitley retired all 6 batters he faced (K'ing 2) in his 2nd professional outing.

They have 3 or 4 pitchers down there that could end up being studs.

[Nate Colbert]

More DSL appropriate but it happens occasionally in the GCL as well: 8 errors by the Astros today (and just 1 hit) in the 11-0 blowout loss to the Marlins.

Not sure whether it's a good thing or a bad thing but at least they spread the miscues around: 8 different players committed the errors.

Botch Score

(One bright spot in the mess: 18-year old Mexican pitcher Juan Robles tossed 3 hitless innings while whiffing 6.)

[La Verdad]

David Paulino's first rehab outing: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K
 

[pots]

Gurriel's first outing.  0-1 with a K so far

[Reuben]

Gurriel's first outing.  0-1 with a K so far

He's facing a rehabbing Mat Latos, oddly enough.

[pots]

And now Forrest is pitching

[La Verdad]

I've been scouring the MiLB.com transactions pages, and it looks like Gilberto Celestino and Enmanuel Valdez will finish their debut seasons in the United States. They've just been moved up to the GCL.

[Navin R Johnson]

And now Forrest is pitching

1.1 IP 4 ER. 

[Navin R Johnson]

Gurriel now 0-3 with 2 Ks. 

[austro]

Gurriel now 0-3 with 2 Ks. 

Thanks, Luhnow.

[Nate Colbert]

I've been scouring the MiLB.com transactions pages, and it looks like Gilberto Celestino and Enmanuel Valdez will finish their debut seasons in the United States. They've just been moved up to the GCL.

Are you sure about Valdez, Verdad? The only thing I've seen is that he is still in the DSL but moved from the Orange squad to the Blue squad.

Other players moving stateside from the DSL: 18 year old Dominican righty Felipe Tejada and 20 year old Dominican righty Edwin Fidel plus catcher Bernardo Heras.

RHP Moreno Polanco DL'd.

[pots]

1.1 IP 4 ER.

Runs Forrest runs

[La Verdad]

Are you sure about Valdez, Verdad? The only thing I've seen is that he is still in the DSL but moved from the Orange squad to the Blue squad.

Other players moving stateside from the DSL: 18 year old Dominican righty Felipe Tejada and 20 year old Dominican righty Edwin Fidel plus catcher Bernardo Heras.

RHP Moreno Polanco DL'd.

Upon further review, you're right

[Nate Colbert]

LHP Yhoan Acosta to DL while 34th round pick INF Stijn Van der Meer gets assigned to the roster.

[Nate Colbert]

Gurriel gets a GB single (off TCU-ex Preston Guillory) in a 1-4 day.

17-year old Gilberto Celestino goes 0-3 in stateside debut.

[pots]

Gurriel gets a GB single (off TCU-ex Preston Guillory) in a 1-4 day.

17-year old Gilberto Celestino goes 0-3 in stateside debut.

Tags is claiming he went 2 for 4 with a double.  He even rewteeted a pic of the double earlier. Could be the box score gave the double to the wrong player?

[Nate Colbert]

Tags is claiming he went 2 for 4 with a double.  He even rewteeted a pic of the double earlier.  Could be the box score gave the double to the wrong player?

Possibly-we'll see if they fix it shortly.

[pots]

Actually, it probably is this play:

Yulieski Gurriel reaches on a fielding error by right fielder Sleyter Soto. Yulieski Gurriel to 2nd.

[Nate Colbert]

Actually, it probably is this play:

Yulieski Gurriel reaches on a fielding error by right fielder Sleyter Soto. Yulieski Gurriel to 2nd.

Scoring was changed to a double per corrected box score.

[Nate Colbert]

David Paulino's first rehab outing: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K

And his second today would suggest he's pretty much good to go: 4 IP 3 H 0 ER 0 W 6 K.

[juliogotay]

And his second today would suggest he's pretty much good to go: 4 IP 3 H 0 ER 0 W 6 K.

On pre-game Sunday Luhnow said he was ready for the MLs next season, possibly even this season.
Now he has said that about Rodgers and Musgrove is here.

[Nate Colbert]

Newly-acquired Lupe Chavez makes the lateral move from the GCL Blue Jays.

[Nate Colbert]

Oz Ocampo ‏@OzOcampoHouston  1 hour ago
GCL #Astros DR RHP Jorge Guzman: 96-100 MPH, 5 no-hit innings, 17 batters faced, 10 GB outs, 6 Ks.


Also pitching today was Forrest Whitley, who went 3 innings and struck out 7.

[La Verdad]

Oz Ocampo ‏@OzOcampoHouston  1 hour ago
GCL #Astros DR RHP Jorge Guzman: 96-100 MPH, 5 no-hit innings, 17 batters faced, 10 GB outs, 6 Ks.


Also pitching today was Forrest Whitley, who went 3 innings and struck out 7.

Whitley pitched in the first game, which was a continuation of a game that started on July 21 and was suspended due to rain.

[Navin R Johnson]

Whitley pitched in the first game, which was a continuation of a game that started on July 21 and was suspended due to rain.

Whitley is no stranger to the rain....

[MikeyBoy]

Whitley is no stranger to the rain....

Very nice.

[Navin R Johnson]

I figured someone would get that.

[Jacksonian]

Guadalupe Chavez gets his first work for the Astros after the Feldman trade and goes 2IP with 3K's and 0ER.

[La Verdad]

Guadalupe Chavez gets his first work for the Astros after the Feldman trade and goes 2IP with 3K's and 0ER.

He allowed 3 hits and struck out 2 over 4 scoreless today.

[Nate Colbert]

OF Andy Pineda moves up to TRC while OF Wilson Amador and pitchers Lupe Chavez and Dariel Aquino advance to Greeneville.

[Nate Colbert]

With about a week left in the GCL season, RHPs Yohan Ramirez and Ronel Blanco and SS Ronny Jimenez were all promoted from the DSL

[Nate Colbert]

Tyson Perez makes his first appearance of 2016, tossing a scoreless frame in a rehab start today.

[Nate Colbert]

Today's game cancelled, season over.