Author Topic: Greeneville Astros (Read 9496 times)

Duman · « **on:** June 15, 2016, 01:52:47 pm »

Your place to talk about the G-Stros

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2016, 08:12:46 pm »

Hope I'm not stepping on Duman's toes but the opening day roster was released this afternoon and is here. Or here.

Duman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2016, 03:45:56 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 22, 2016, 08:12:46 pm

Hope I'm not stepping on Duman's toes but the opening day roster was released this afternoon and is here. Or here.

No toe stepping. I have moved this summer and won't be getting first hand accounts and reports anymore. Keep doing the great job you are doing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2016, 04:00:08 pm »

Some roster notes (other than 2016 draftees/NDFAs and players who have previously debuted this season):

RHP Diogenes Almengo--21-year old from the DR who threw up decent numbers (1.07 WHIP) in time split between the GCL and the G-Stros last season working out of the tandem. Probably out looking for an honest man when he's not pitching. Check last year's Greeneville thread for a bit more info on Mr. Almengo from Duman.
LHP Carlos Hiraldo--one of seven southpaws on the G-Stros roster to start the season. Signed as a 16-year old back in 2013, a decent enough showing in the GCL last season as a tandem starter before getting an end of year promotion to Greeneville where he logged a couple of appearances.
LHP Salvador Montano-repeating the Appy. Sparkled in the DSL in 2014 (87 whiffs in 64 IP) but control problems bit him when he tried to translate that stateside last season.
RHP Abdiel Saldana--20-year old Panamanian will try to work out the control problems that plagued him in the GCL last season.
RHP Carlos Sanabria--like Hiraldo, signed as a 16-year old back in 2013 and worked in the tandem in the GCL last season.
LHP Patrick Sandoval--certainly one of the key players to watch this year on the G-Stros. Overslot signee from 2015 ($900K in the 11th round). Made six starts after signing in the GCL last year (all coming in August).
RHP Angelo Serrano--at 24, oldest player on Greeneville roster. Pitched in the DSL last season.
C Ruben Castro--19th round pick in 2014 has shown little with the bat since being drafted.
SS Jonathan Arauz--another player to watch. Came over from the Phillies in the Giles trade. Just 17.
INF Wander Franco--the Astros paid $575K to sign him back in 2013 as a 16-year old. Hit .232/.291/.341 in the GCL last season before being sent up to QC for 7 games at the end of the year. Has primarily played 3B but has spent a bit of time at 1B as well.
1B/OF Justin Garcia-17th rounder last year out of Nova Southeastern. He's repeating the Appy.
1B Connor MacDonald--out of four Aussies signed several years ago, I believe he's the only one left. A decent season two years ago in the DSL but fell off dramatically in 2015 in the GCL.
SS Miguelangel Sierra--rated the 19th best int'l prospect of 2014 by BA when the Astros signed him for $1MM (along with pitcher Frankln Perez, the highest bonus the Astros have ever paid for a Venezuela player). Really good numbers in the DSL last year before dropping off significantly when brought over for the last month of the GCL season. Will be interesting to see how the playing time at SS will be divvied up between he and Arauz.
OF Bryan de la Cruz--signed for $170K out of the DR in 2013. Not good numbers as an 18-year old last year in the GCL, we'll see what an additional year of maturation brings.
OF Frankeny Fernandez--$200K was his signing bonus in 2013. Horrible numbers in the GCL last year after a decent debut season in 2014.
OF Vicente Sanchez--dollar sign on the muscle was $63K in 2014. Weak numbers in the GCL in 2015.

Although he's already debuted this season, note that OF Luis Payano was signed for a $500K bonus back in 2012.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2016, 04:01:12 pm »

Quote from: Duman on June 23, 2016, 03:45:56 am

I have moved this summer and won't be getting first hand accounts and reports anymore.

Gonna miss those.

Reuben · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2016, 07:37:52 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 23, 2016, 04:01:12 pm

Gonna miss those.

Me too. Bummer, dude.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2016, 11:12:56 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 23, 2016, 04:00:08 pm

SS Jonathan Arauz--another player to watch. Came over from the Phillies in the Giles trade. Just 17.

Made his first appearance of the year (playing SS, with Sierra sliding over to 2B) and hit a HR.

Reuben · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2016, 08:48:35 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 25, 2016, 11:12:56 pm

Made his first appearance of the year (playing SS, with Sierra sliding over to 2B) and hit a HR.

See? Giles was just a throw-in.
#snaptradejudgements

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2016, 05:16:10 pm »

RHP Bryan Abreu moved up from the GCL to the G-stros yesterday.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2016, 11:18:18 am »

Perhaps some nostalgia for Duman.

Duman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2016, 12:41:39 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on June 28, 2016, 11:18:18 am

Perhaps some nostalgia for Duman.

Those sisters are a hoot. They are never shy about letting their dissatisfaction be known with umpire calls and player errors. They also keep the scoreboard operator straight too.

I am actually going back there this weekend and hope to take in Sunday night's game.

Duman · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2016, 12:51:05 pm »

Greeneville has the early league lead in HR's with 8. Each by a different player.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2016, 08:38:04 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 23, 2016, 04:00:08 pm

1B Connor MacDonald--out of four Aussies signed several years ago, I believe he's the only one left. A decent season two years ago in the DSL but fell off dramatically in 2015 in the GCL.

Hit for the cycle tonight vs. the Princeton Rays.

Duman · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2016, 09:59:43 pm »

I went to my only G=Stros game last night. It was ugly early with the G-Stros down 9-0 after two innings. There were few bright spots.

1. Carols Sanabria - 19 year old RHP, Pitched 5 1/3 innings in relief. Most of the hits off of him were flairs that fell in front of fielders. Very few hard hit balls. Lot's of ground balls and weak fly balls. Velo was about 87-88 but his off speed stuff was very good. Worth keeping an eye on. Only has one walk in 13 2/3 innings.

2. Ruben Castro - 19 yr old catcher. Solid behind the plate. Very good arm. Blocked well. Bat needs some work but solid defensively. Made several good snap throws to first. All of his throws to second were right on target.

3. Connor McDonald - Maybe having a hangover from the cycle. All of his hit balls were popped up. Lots of uppercut to his swing. Didn't look very flexible at 1st.

4. Miguelangel Sierra was horrible at 2nd. Made three errors before being removed from the game. He made two errors on one play. He is only 18 so there is time. May have just been a very bad game.

5. Spencer Johnson & Tyler Wolfe made very nice defensive plays and looked solid at the plate. They are both 22 so probably just roster fillers who may already near their ceilings.

6. Carlos Hiraldo didn't make it out of the first inning. He has been hit hard every outing this year. ERA at 18.00 now. Arm slot was very inconsistent.

David in Jackson · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2016, 03:38:44 pm »

I'll be at the GAstros game on Thursday, July 14. Anybody there? Players to watch?

Duman · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2016, 03:56:14 pm »

A couple of names for your radar that I didn't get to see Sunday night:

Frankeny Fernandez
J. Arauz

Also Luis Payano is one to watch. He is repeating Gville but got a pretty good bonus when he signed. Looks good in CF.

Message me and I can give you tips on the Gville area if you like.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2016, 04:35:42 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 27, 2016, 05:16:10 pm

RHP Bryan Abreu moved up from the GCL to the G-stros yesterday.

And back down today.

Other moves:

5th-rounder INF Abraham Toro-Hernandez gets his visa issues sorted out (I assume) and gets assigned to the G-stros.
LHP Ben Smith moves down from the V-Cats.
Another lefty, Framber Valdez, takes Smith's spot at TRC.
RHP Josue Uribe also moves down from Tri-City.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2016, 09:01:16 pm »

Miguelangel Sierra with 5th homer in 11 games.

(And his 7th error.)

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2016, 05:20:25 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 07, 2016, 09:01:16 pm

Miguelangel Sierra with 5th homer in 11 games.

~~Leadoff homer~~ Two big flies today, now ~~7 homers~~ 8 homers in 14 games played and has gone deep in 4 of last 5 contests.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2016, 05:56:15 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 09, 2016, 05:20:25 pm

Leadoff homer today, now 7 homers in 14 games played and has gone deep in 4 of last 5 contests.

Trade Correa and Bregman and bring this guy up now.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #20 on:** July 09, 2016, 06:17:29 pm »

1B Troy Sieber up from the GCL to replace Justin Garcia (17th round, 2015) who was released today.

Duman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 09, 2016, 08:18:51 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 09, 2016, 05:20:25 pm

~~Leadoff homer~~ Two big flies today, now ~~7 homers~~ 8 homers in 14 games played and has gone deep in 4 of last 5 contests.

wonder if he will wind up with more errors or HR this year. The HR just took the lead 8-7.

Duman · « **Reply #22 on:** July 09, 2016, 08:32:52 pm »

brief video of HR #8 swing by Sierra

Reuben · « **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2016, 08:58:05 pm »

It's kind of funny how BA's scouting report on Sierra from two years ago is almost completely opposite what he's shown thus far:

Quote

Sierra might not light up the tools chart on an evaluation, but scouts across the league are confident he can stick at shortstop and rave about how his instincts and feel are among the most advanced in the class. The wiry, thin-boned Sierra is one of the most fundamentally sound players available, especially in the field. He positions himself well, gets good reads off the bat and has fluid actions with his hands and footwork. He’s an average runner who isn’t flashy in the field, but he’s a smart player who plays under control and slows the game down. His arm is fringy, but scouts think he’ll have more carry on his throws with physical maturity and once he learns to stay on top of the ball.

As a savvy player whose steady tools play up because of a high baseball IQ, Sierra has some similarities to Venezuelan shortstop Yeltsin Gudino, who signed with the Blue Jays last year for $1.29 million, but Gudino is ahead of Sierra at the plate. Some scouts see a comfortable swing and a player who takes good at-bats with contact skills, while others think Sierra’s stroke tends to get uphill and believe the bat will need time to catch up to his defense. He performed well at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, going 4-for-8 with a double, two walks and two strikeouts. Sierra just has fair bat speed and he doesn’t have the strength projection of Wilkerman Garcia or Kenny Hernandez, so his game will have to be more about line drives and getting on base than power. The Astros have been tied to Sierra, who trains with Gustavo Salazar.

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-july-2/#mUkrg66ZreMilB8i.99

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2016, 03:24:53 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on June 23, 2016, 04:00:08 pm

INF Wander Franco--the Astros paid $575K to sign him back in 2013 as a 16-year old. Hit .232/.291/.341 in the GCL last season before being sent up to QC for 7 games at the end of the year. Has primarily played 3B but has spent a bit of time at 1B as well.

Demoted back to the GCL after the mediocre .200/.224/.291 start.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:01:55 pm »

3B Reiny Beltre promoted from the GCL club after his hot start and went 0-3 on Sunday.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:46:35 pm »

The G-stros win the 20-inning affair over Bluefield notable for the buttload of strikeouts between the two sides--a combined 56 whiffs. The lowlight for Greeneville was Miguelangel Sierra who went 0-8 with 5 Ks.

A couple of position players saw action on the mound and actually did well--OF Chaz Pal and INF Tyler Wolfe combined for four scoreless frames.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #27 on:** July 18, 2016, 12:55:36 pm »

Gabriel Bracamonte caught all 20 innings of last night's game. He extended his hit streak to 8 games and has hits in 9 of the 10 games he's played this season.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #28 on:** July 23, 2016, 02:58:42 pm »

RHP Jorge Alcala, with 32 Ks and 6 BBs in 20.1 IP in the GCL, gets the bump to Greeneville.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #29 on:** July 27, 2016, 04:45:22 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 23, 2016, 02:58:42 pm

RHP Jorge Alcala, with 32 Ks and 6 BBs in 20.1 IP in the GCL, gets the bump to Greeneville.

As does 18-year old OF Carlos Machado who was hitting .313/.333/.365 in the GCL.

Duman · « **Reply #30 on:** July 28, 2016, 12:12:02 pm »

Adam Everett has filled in for Josh Bonifay as manager. Bonifay's wife delivered their second child, a girl, earlier this week.

La Verdad · « **Reply #31 on:** July 28, 2016, 12:57:34 pm »

RHP Cristian Javier is moving up from the GCL. 3-1 with a save and a 2.84 ERA in 6 appearances (2 starts). In 25.1 innings, he had a 37:8 K:BB ratio; 5 of those walks came in his first appearance of the year, and the 37 Ks are 2nd in the GCL.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #32 on:** July 28, 2016, 12:59:10 pm »

Welcome back, La Verdad.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #33 on:** July 28, 2016, 01:00:49 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 28, 2016, 12:59:10 pm

Welcome back, La Verdad.

Indeed! La Verdad was one of the best Clark posters we've had. Stick around!

La Verdad · « **Reply #34 on:** July 28, 2016, 01:35:44 pm »

I'll try. Life likes to get in your way sometimes, so I'll do the best I can.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #35 on:** July 30, 2016, 01:18:27 am »

Quote from: La Verdad on July 28, 2016, 12:57:34 pm

RHP Cristian Javier is moving up from the GCL. 3-1 with a save and a 2.84 ERA in 6 appearances (2 starts). In 25.1 innings, he had a 37:8 K:BB ratio; 5 of those walks came in his first appearance of the year, and the 37 Ks are 2nd in the GCL.

4 IP with 7 whiffs and 0 walks in his Appy debut.

La Verdad · « **Reply #36 on:** July 30, 2016, 08:55:11 am »

Probably getting way, way ahead of myself, but I think Javier's going to be one to watch in the future.

Also, Miguelangel Sierra now has 10 home runs for the Appy Astros.

Reuben · « **Reply #37 on:** July 30, 2016, 09:35:00 am »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on July 28, 2016, 01:00:49 pm

Indeed! La Verdad was one of the best Clark posters we've had. Stick around!

I echo this. Stop being a stranger every August-June.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #38 on:** July 31, 2016, 09:40:54 pm »

INF Jonathan Matute moves up from the GCL squad.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #39 on:** August 04, 2016, 06:24:32 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on July 31, 2016, 09:40:54 pm

INF Jonathan Matute moves up from the GCL squad.

As did INF Stijn van der Meer and C Oscar Campos today.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #40 on:** August 05, 2016, 09:54:44 pm »

Arauz batting .369 (24-65) over his last 14 games.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #41 on:** August 06, 2016, 02:36:47 pm »

Pitchers Forrest Whitley, Jorge Guzman and Carson LaRue all moved up from the GCL.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #42 on:** August 06, 2016, 06:44:15 pm »

Lefty Patrick Sandoval with the best outing of his young career: 5 scoreless IP, 7 Ks and 0 Ws.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #43 on:** August 22, 2016, 07:10:03 pm »

Pitchers Jorge Alcala and Carlos Sanabria are now V-Cats.

La Verdad · « **Reply #44 on:** August 23, 2016, 11:01:34 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on August 22, 2016, 07:10:03 pm

Pitchers Jorge Alcala and Carlos Sanabria are now V-Cats.

Alcala's made himself one to watch, IMO.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #45 on:** August 26, 2016, 11:11:20 am »

RHP Juan Robles moves up from the GCL.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #46 on:** September 01, 2016, 04:05:27 pm »

Like the GCL club, today's game cancellation means the G-stros season is at an end.