Week 04/14 - 04/20: Ask And Ye Shall Maybe Receive vol. IX

[Jacksonian]

New week once more.  Please post away.

[VirtualBob]

Drew made his '05 debut at Salem last night -- DH batting leadoff.  Any idea what other roster move was involved in this?  With Robinson & Fernando splitting time at 2B, Peavey & Triplett at 3B and Maysonet starting regularly at SS, there does not seem to be much room for more infielders.

[Greg D]

Quote:
Drew made his '05 debut at Salem last night -- DH batting leadoff.  Any idea what other roster move was involved in this?  With Robinson & Fernando splitting time at 2B, Peavey & Triplett at 3B and Maysonet starting regularly at SS, there does not seem to be much room for more infielders.

Fernando was placed on the DL due to a jammed pinkie.

 The Link

[Greg D]

Per Mark Maloney in the Lexington Leader (apparently basing his info on a New York Times story):

"Juan De Leon, 23, apparently has lost his chance to pitch in the minors, let alone the bigs. He is among 10 minor-leaguers from the Dominican who have been permanently banned from receiving U.S. visas. The U.S. embassy in the Dominican said the players were caught in a marriage fraud. According to Baseball America, the scheme "involved players being paid $5,000-$7,000 to get married, with the new wife receiving a visa. The newlyweds do not know each other and divorce soon after arriving on U.S. soil."

 The Link

Had seen an earlier story about this scandal but didn't realize names of (some) of the players had been released until now. This in effect was a "second strike" for De Leon, who we all thought until 2 years ago was a 19-year old prospect known as Manuel Flores until it was discovered he had "borrowed" that identity. Wandy Rodriguez (the former Eny Cabreja) was unmasked at that time as well.

[Great Ajax]

AHA!  I was just wondering what had happened to Eny Cabreja!

Sounds like Ponce doesn't get a third strike.

[Jacksonian]

Quote:
Per Mark Maloney in the Lexington Leader (apparently basing his info on a New York Times story):

"Juan De Leon, 23, apparently has lost his chance to pitch in the minors, let alone the bigs. He is among 10 minor-leaguers from the Dominican who have been permanently banned from receiving U.S. visas. The U.S. embassy in the Dominican said the players were caught in a marriage fraud. According to Baseball America, the scheme "involved players being paid $5,000-$7,000 to get married, with the new wife receiving a visa. The newlyweds do not know each other and divorce soon after arriving on U.S. soil."

 The Link

Had seen an earlier story about this scandal but didn't realize names of (some) of the players had been released until now. This in effect was a "second strike" for De Leon, who we all thought until 2 years ago was a 19-year old prospect known as Manuel Flores until it was discovered he had "borrowed" that identity. Wandy Rodriguez (the former Eny Cabreja) was unmasked at that time as well.

What's funny to me is that pravata dug that one up one month ago today.  It's buried here in this long thread.

[Duman]

I heard on the Lexington game the other night that Patton was being kept to a pitch count (4 innings or 65 pitches which ever comes first)

Comment - that is going to skew his numbers as he will get no wins that way.

Questions - How slow are they going to take it with this young arm?  I would get frustrated pitching farely well and not getting to keep pitching.  Is this normal for Astros HS draftees?

[stubbyc]

Where is Beau Hearod this year? I just noticed that he isn't on a single one of our minor league rosters.

[Jacksonian]

Quote:
I heard on the Lexington game the other night that Patton was being kept to a pitch count (4 innings or 65 pitches which ever comes first)

Comment - that is going to skew his numbers as he will get no wins that way.

Questions - How slow are they going to take it with this young arm?  I would get frustrated pitching farely well and not getting to keep pitching.  Is this normal for Astros HS draftees?

The Astros really don't care much about wins and losses.  Their looking at his development.  To that end they institute pitch count controls on young pitchers.  Remember, kids like Patton haven't thrown that many innings per year.  The idea is to build his stamina.  If they let him pitch too much early they run the risk of wearing him out early and increasing the risk of injury.  No doubt the Astros have explained this to him.

[HOB]

Okay, after 11 games and 35 at bats Quintero is killing the ball based on his stats.  Any suspicion that he's going to displace Chavez as the backup catcher this season or is it going to take an injury to Ausmus or Chavez for that to happen?  

I realize it's his second season in AAA and the PCL is historically a hitters league but the number he's put up over limited at bats is impressive.  In his 35 at bats, he has 2HR, 3-2B, a .371 avg, and .629 slg%.  His OBP isn't available on BBA but I calculated it as approximately .450%.  Those are only stats so if anyone can provide a scouting report on how he's played so far, that would be much appreciated.

[jaklewein]

Quote:
Okay, after 11 games and 35 at bats Quintero is killing the ball based on his stats.  Any suspicion that he's going to displace Chavez as the backup catcher this season or is it going to take an injury to Ausmus or Chavez for that to happen?  

I realize it's his second season in AAA and the PCL is historically a hitters league but the number he's put up over limited at bats is impressive.  In his 35 at bats, he has 2HR, 3-2B, a .371 avg, and .629 slg%.  His OBP isn't available on BBA but I calculated it as approximately .450%.  Those are only stats so if anyone can provide a scouting report on how he's played so far, that would be much appreciated.

But it's just what you said, "over limited at bats"....he might be batting .235 by the middle of May for all you know.  Not saying he will, and obviously I'm rooting for the guy, but I think he's going to have to continue to produce.

[VirtualBob]

Quote:
Okay, after 11 games and 35 at bats Quintero is killing the ball based on his stats.  Any suspicion that he's going to displace Chavez as the backup catcher this season or is it going to take an injury to Ausmus or Chavez for that to happen?  

I realize it's his second season in AAA and the PCL is historically a hitters league but the number he's put up over limited at bats is impressive.  In his 35 at bats, he has 2HR, 3-2B, a .371 avg, and .629 slg%.  His OBP isn't available on BBA but I calculated it as approximately .450%.  Those are only stats so if anyone can provide a scouting report on how he's played so far, that would be much appreciated.

I've seen him twice and he looks pretty good at the plate to me.

[HOB]

Quote:

Quote:
Okay, after 11 games and 35 at bats Quintero is killing the ball based on his stats.  Any suspicion that he's going to displace Chavez as the backup catcher this season or is it going to take an injury to Ausmus or Chavez for that to happen?  

I realize it's his second season in AAA and the PCL is historically a hitters league but the number he's put up over limited at bats is impressive.  In his 35 at bats, he has 2HR, 3-2B, a .371 avg, and .629 slg%.  His OBP isn't available on BBA but I calculated it as approximately .450%.  Those are only stats so if anyone can provide a scouting report on how he's played so far, that would be much appreciated.

But it's just what you said, "over limited at bats"....he might be batting .235 by the middle of May for all you know.  Not saying he will, and obviously I'm rooting for the guy, but I think he's going to have to continue to produce.

Hey Jak,
It's been a while since we crossed paths on a thread.  Yeah, I know it's a limited number of plate appearances.  However, he put up comparable numbers last season in the same league playing for SD's affiliate.  

I guess what I'm fishing for is some of the expert opinions on this board as to just how legitimate those numbers are.  Given what I've learned about Burke and his production last season (in the PCL league as well) and the common opinion that his continuing that prodction into the majors is unlikely, I'm interested to read some first hand assessments of this kid's talent.  

I've been tracking Quintero in the scoreboxes since last season and by all reports, the kid can play.  I really liked the Redding trade.  I think Redding will do better in SD but I think Houston will have a steal on their hands in 2-3 yrs.  I just want to learn if that optimism is well founded or not.

[Greg D]

Quote:
Where is Beau Hearod this year? I just noticed that he isn't on a single one of our minor league rosters.

Retired during the offseason.

[jaklewein]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
Okay, after 11 games and 35 at bats Quintero is killing the ball based on his stats.  Any suspicion that he's going to displace Chavez as the backup catcher this season or is it going to take an injury to Ausmus or Chavez for that to happen?  

I realize it's his second season in AAA and the PCL is historically a hitters league but the number he's put up over limited at bats is impressive.  In his 35 at bats, he has 2HR, 3-2B, a .371 avg, and .629 slg%.  His OBP isn't available on BBA but I calculated it as approximately .450%.  Those are only stats so if anyone can provide a scouting report on how he's played so far, that would be much appreciated.

But it's just what you said, "over limited at bats"....he might be batting .235 by the middle of May for all you know.  Not saying he will, and obviously I'm rooting for the guy, but I think he's going to have to continue to produce.

Hey Jak,
It's been a while since we crossed paths on a thread.  Yeah, I know it's a limited number of plate appearances.  However, he put up comparable numbers last season in the same league playing for SD's affiliate.  

I guess what I'm fishing for is some of the expert opinions on this board as to just how legitimate those numbers are.  Given what I've learned about Burke and his production last season (in the PCL league as well) and the common opinion that his continuing that prodction into the majors is unlikely, I'm interested to read some first hand assessments of this kid's talent.  

I've been tracking Quintero in the scoreboxes since last season and by all reports, the kid can play.  I really liked the Redding trade.  I think Redding will do better in SD but I think Houston will have a steal on their hands in 2-3 yrs.  I just want to learn if that optimism is well founded or not.

You make a good point by comparing Quintero to Burke...I would have to think that the catching position is set for the year, unless either Ausmus or Chaves struggle for a very extended period of time.  If that happens then I could see Quintero being called up due to his defensive capabilities and the chance of an upside at the plate.  So while I think that Pupura would like Quintero to gain another year of experience, and also save another year of MLB time in terms of $$$, his utimate goal is to put the best team on the field.  So if Chaves and Ausmus forces his hand then yeah I think there's slim chance that he gets called up later in the year.

[Duman]

The Legends are playing West Va (Brewers) right now.  You can hear the game on the net here The Link

Patton is on the bump for the Legends and Lou just went yard.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
The Legends are playing West Va (Brewers) right now.  You can hear the game on the net here The Link

Patton is on the bump for the Legends and Lou just went yard.

Santangelo has a triple too.  Half way to a cycle.  Legends up 3-0.

[rifraft]

day game my ass, its a freaking breakfast game.  what's up with a the 11 am start time?

[Duman]

I think it was a promotion so that school kids could come and still get the busses back to take the little kiddies home.

[Duman]

Patton just wrapped up 5 innings of work.  His line

5 hits, 2 runs both earned, no walks, 1 hit batter, NINE K's

Based on the fact that West Va is 2-10 on the season it may not say much but still another strong outing.

[Jacksonian]

Thanks for the pickmeup.  Having to actually work for money puts a crimp in the OWA job description.

[Jacksonian]

Go to the Avs mainpage and click the live link in the upper left corner.

[Duman]

I can only get away with listening to one game at a time at work