Author Topic: Ask And Ye Shall Maybe Receive: 2006 Spring Training (Read 18057 times)

Jacksonian · « **on:** March 06, 2006, 11:01:22 am »

Now that the minor leaguers have reported to camp we'll open a new Ask thread. This thread will remain open until the first regular season minor league game.

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2006, 02:38:22 pm »

Justice's recent article about Patton implies that the Astros promote minor leaguer pitchers based on constinant ability to do certain skills, not just performance. In Patton's case it was consistant FB's for strikes, CB's for strikes and a good working change (if I remember right).

Does this hold true for hitters as well (I assume it does)? What are the skills do the Astros use as promotion criteria?

What mix of Skills/Results are used to move a player? You would expect skills to translate to results, but not always...

Duman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2006, 03:52:00 pm »

Quote:

Justice's recent article about Patton implies that the Astros promote minor leaguer pitchers based on constinant ability to do certain skills, not just performance. In Patton's case it was consistant FB's for strikes, CB's for strikes and a good working change (if I remember right).

Does this hold true for hitters as well (I assume it does)? What are the skills do the Astros use as promotion criteria?

What mix of Skills/Results are used to move a player? You would expect skills to translate to results, but not always...

I thought Justice understated Patton's development on his change. And there were parts that just didn't make sense at all (I think it had to do with going form AA to AAA). I also noticed the homerism of mentioning Patton, Pence & Towles all good Texas boys in the article. That might sell a few papers.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2006, 06:46:50 pm »

The Link

Froback · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2006, 12:22:19 pm »

Rumor has it (and it is still just Rumor, although Footer also made reference to it), that if Bagwell is healthy enough to play 1B, that Wilson will be the CFer and Taveras will go to AAA so he can play everyday.

IF that happends, who will take Taveras' spot on the 25th man roster? Any ideas? Luke Scott maybe?

Froback · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:59:03 am »

Ok, I would like some insight from those who have more "inside" info than I.

What is the reasoning for Chavez over Quintero... Is Chavez really better? To me they look about the same and Quintero is younger so you would think higher upside.

I am not a Chavez hater, just don't see where he adds that much and Quintero looks like he has a better gun behind the plate, and is about the same hitter if not more power. Am I missing something or is it just "Chavez has been doing it longer so we trust him more" kind of thing?

Duman · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2006, 11:03:16 am »

Did all the minor guys expected make it to camp by the deadline?

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2006, 02:14:13 pm »

What has anyone seen/heard of Eric Munson this spring?

His scouting reports & stats seem to make him out like another version of Jimerson at the plate (this is not a compliment).

Jacksonian · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2006, 03:48:04 pm »

Astros optioned pitchers Jimmy Barthmaier, Juan Gutierrez, Jason Hirsh and Mark McLemore to Round Rock. No surprises there. Though if McLemore is really going to be in RR then he should also be in their starting rotation. The Astros also assigned catchers J.R. House and Alan Zinter and pitcher Jared Gothreaux to minor league camp. I would guess House will be at CC and Zinter and Gothreaux will be sent to RR eventually.

Uncle Charlie · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2006, 06:53:57 pm »

Is there any real limit as to how much time a player has to spend with a minor league team he is optioned to WITHIN the minors? (I understand the recall to MLB rule, just don't know if there is a rule for within the minors as well).

Jacksonian · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2006, 12:01:04 pm »

We found Craig Herrforth. He's at Johnson Community College in Kansas.

Kelly and Herrforth appear to be pitching well. Darnell has stepped it up with the bat a bit lately.

33 round Reid Kelly at Chandler-Gilbert Community College
7 starts, 44IP, 27H, 5ER, 15BB, 42K, 1.02ERA, 8HBP, 1CG

35 round Andrew Darnell at Chabot College
19G, 68AB, 27H, .397AVG, 9 doubles, 1 homer, 11BB, 13K, .500OBP, .574SLG

39 round Zachary Williams
drafted out of Seminole State Community College. Not on their spring roster. Don't know current location.

40 round Collin Fanning at Clarendon Junior College
On the team. No stats available.

41 round Casey McCleskey at Temple Junior College
On the team. No stats available.

43 round Jacob Hower at American River Junior College
9G, 2GS, 17.1IP, 13H, 6ER, 8BB, 17K, 3.12ERA, 3 saves

44 round Nicholas Cobler
Drafted out of Northeast Texas Community College. Now with San Jacinto Community College. No stats available.

45 round Craig Herrforth at Johnson County Community College
5G, 4GS, 14.1IP, 14H, 5ER, 11BB, 19K, 2.44ERA

Froback · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2006, 05:01:54 pm »

At this point what are the odds of us signing Darnell and Kelly before the draft?

Duman · « **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2006, 08:22:06 am »

Greg D pointed us to the Greeneville press release The Link

It listed the following guys as reporting to extended spring. I found this list rather interesting. Here are some of my thoughts about a few of those guys.

RHP Edgar Babilonia - trying to convert from infielder to pitcher. Wasn't very successful last year. Last chance before release.
RHP Matt Hirsh - Jason's younger brother, late round college boy. Looks like tri cities for him.
RHP Ryan Mitchell - Suprised to see him on the list. I was expecting him to be in camp. Stud young pitcher, but young. May do two years at Greeneville.
RHP Brad James- Suprise #2 - already spent two years in Greeneville. Good in club house, okay on the mound.
LHP Sergio Severino - Suprise #3 - Was the best pitcher on Greeneville's staff last year. Thought he'd have a shot at Lex.
Jhon Florentino - I really began to like this kid as the season went along. Looks like a 2nd baseman but can play short too. Very raw.

Duman · « **Reply #27 on:** March 19, 2006, 06:39:55 pm »

Okay, lets see some predictions. Give a pitcher and a position player you expect to have a break out year.

Duman · « **Reply #30 on:** March 20, 2006, 06:11:19 am »

Here are the guys I will be watching:

Pitcher - Chris Campos - long shot here- NDFA LHP who didn't pitch much at Oregon State. Had a bunch of strike outs and only one bad outing that balloned his ERA last year.

Position - Ralphie Henriquez - I look for him to have the kind of growth J.R. Towles had this year. He has a boatload of potential but struggled with the bat at Greeneville. He seemed to be putting it together at the end of last season.

Greg D · « **Reply #32 on:** March 20, 2006, 08:44:18 pm »

The second installment of Jason's journal is up.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #33 on:** March 23, 2006, 06:25:10 pm »

Kelly had another very good outing in the last week.

Darnell had a monster week with 3 homers and 3 doubles.

It appears neither Hower nor Herrforth pitched last week.

33 round Reid Kelly at Chandler-Gilbert Community College
8 starts, 50IP, 32H, 6ER, 17BB, 50K, 1.08ERA, 8HBP, 1CG

35 round Andrew Darnell at Chabot College
23G, 82AB, 33H, .402AVG, 12 doubles, 3 homer, 14BB, 16K, .515OBP, .695SLG

39 round Zachary Williams
drafted out of Seminole State Community College. Not on their spring roster. Don't know current location.

40 round Collin Fanning at Clarendon Junior College
On the team. No stats available.

41 round Casey McCleskey at Temple Junior College
On the team. No stats available.

43 round Jacob Hower at American River Junior College
9G, 2GS, 17.1IP, 13H, 6ER, 8BB, 17K, 3.12ERA, 3 saves

44 round Nicholas Cobler
Drafted out of Northeast Texas Community College. Now with San Jacinto Community College. No stats available.

45 round Craig Herrforth at Johnson County Community College
5G, 4GS, 14.1IP, 14H, 5ER, 11BB, 19K, 2.44ERA

Froback · « **Reply #36 on:** March 31, 2006, 03:29:27 pm »

We just traded Cash for a 30-yr old minor leaguer named Ransom from Seat. Anyone know why?!?!

Froback · « **Reply #38 on:** March 31, 2006, 05:51:24 pm »

Oh, I understand how AAA can work. I was just wondering why we needed to TRADE for someone like that. We couldn't find one for free?

JimR · « **Reply #39 on:** March 31, 2006, 05:57:07 pm »

VirtualBob · « **Reply #41 on:** April 02, 2006, 09:46:57 pm »

I notice that Whiteman was released to make room for Ransom. That was bound to happen. I'm really surprised, though, to find Wade Robinson missing from both the CC & RR rosters. They sent him to AFL last fall, and I expected him at RR this year. Does anyone know the story? (and yes, I know the knock on his fielding ... I'm fishing for news.)

Fletch · « **Reply #43 on:** April 03, 2006, 12:20:46 pm »

The Link

9 Ben Diggins
R R 6'7 230 Leota, Ks.

12 Rory Shortell
R R 6'3 205 Portland , Ore.

15 Troy Patton
L L 6'1 185 Magnolia, Tx.

16 Evan Englebrook
R R 6'8 225 Mechanicsburg, Pa.

22 Jimmy Barthmaier
R R 6'4 210 Roswell, Ga.

25 Soo Enyelbert
L L 6'1 190 Maracaibo, Vz.

26 Ryan Thompson
R R 6'4 220 Lakeland, Fl.

27 Rodrigo Escobar
L R 5'11 175 Cartagena, Col.

28 Robert Stiehl
R R 6'3 205 Torrence, Ca.

29 Felipe Paulino
R R 6'2 180 Los Teques, Vz.

30 Ronnie Martinez
R R 5'0 205 Cotui, DR

34 Chad Reineke
R R 6'6 210 Defiance, Oh.

No. Catchers DL B T HT WT Residence
5 Lou Santangelo
R R 6'1 200 Colts Neck, N.J.

18 Jeffrey Mackor
R R 6'1 215 Salem, N.H.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #45 on:** April 03, 2006, 01:46:38 pm »

Saw the complete roster in STNN. Santangelo at Salem means Towles will start the season at Lex.

Duman · « **Reply #50 on:** April 03, 2006, 06:34:31 pm »

From a news release on their site The Link

2006 LEXINGTON LEGENDS OPENING DAY ROSTER

Pitchers (12) ? Douglas Arguello, Chris Blazek, Brian Bogusevic, Raymer Diaz, Tip Fairchild, Jamie Gant, Sammy Gervacio, Ryan McKeller, Garrett Murdy, Levin Romero, Brandon Stricklin, Sean Walker.

Catchers (3) ? Eric Cavers, David Kady, J.R. Towles

Infield (7) - Koby Clemens, Eric King, Tommy Manzella, Mark Ori, Ole Sheldon, Wladimir Sutil, Mike Thompson

Outfield (4) ? Mitch Einertson, Josh Flores, Eli Iorg, Ryan Reed

cutter · « **Reply #56 on:** April 04, 2006, 08:22:38 pm »

I think it's sad to see Towles repeating Lexington. He out performed Santegelio and repeating Lex is a slap in the face. One could even make an arguement that you would want your best catching prospect catching your top pitching prospects. I think it was Tim P that said in his interview that the chemistry we have in the majors started several years back when these players were together in the minors. I guess that hasn't filters down to the troops yet or we have some kind of horrible politics going on at the expense of good ball players..... Would really value your insite and inpute.

TxRunner2003 · « **Reply #60 on:** April 05, 2006, 01:02:51 am »

Hey this is my first post on the board but im wondering where Brandon (Luke) Barganier will be playing this season I couldnt find him on any of the Astros minor league teams does anyone have any info?

TxRunner2003 · « **Reply #65 on:** April 05, 2006, 05:46:06 pm »

thanks for the update

bigred · « **Reply #66 on:** April 05, 2006, 06:07:46 pm »

from the minor league group that was recently released, i understand that tony pluta was pick-ed by the devilrays.