Woodbat Leagues… The New DFE

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

A few years ago, a kid could be drafted and if he attended a junior college/community college, he could be called a DFE. Draft, Follow, & Evaluate. He just had to sign before the next draft. Now the signing deadline is August 17th. MLB teams have two months to evaluate talent and reach an agreement to sign or else lose the right to those players. It now appears that the woodbat and summer college leagues are being used to be the place where further evaluation can take place before signing.

13th round pick Jake Goebbert is one example of how this strategy is being used. He had already committed to play in the Cape Cod League. He missed a fair amount of the season with a lacerated kidney. He sustained the injury hitting an outfield wall at a dead sprint in April at the Metrodome. He just was cleared to swing a bat three weeks ago. He will be followed by Astros’ scouts during his time playing for the Harwich (Ma.) Mariners. Then he will sign or can return to Northwestern for his senior season.

draft

DeLome Impressive in Avs Debut, CC Wins Late, Fairchild’s Journey, RR Ready to Rumble, Lex Loses Late, Draft Pick Loyalties

Posted on June 12, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Salem

Colin Delome had memorable debut in Salem. He homered in his first at bat in the Carolina league and then later doubled as well.

“I was teasing the guys on the bench, saying, ‘See it’s not that hard,’” Avalanche manager Jim Pankovits said.

The Avs won 7-4. The game featured a little hint of basebrawl as well.

Kinston’s manager had been thrown out for arguing a call at the plate in the fourth inning.

Salem reliever Chris Salamida hit Niuman Romero square in the back with a pitch to lead off the eighth inning, and drew a bench warning from the umpires.

In the bottom of the eighth, Pontius walked the leadoff batter and then threw behind the head of the next batter, Parraz, before striking him out. He also went high against Tim Torres before getting him to fly out, and eventually plunked Ori.

Pontius then walked toward Ori, who was walking toward first base. Players from both teams moved up the steps from the dugouts and out of the bullpens but didn’t get to the field. Pankovits stepped between Ori and Pontius, who were then ejected from the game.

“That’s baseball,” Pankovits said. “Hopefully it’s over with and we can get on with baseball.”

Delome, draft, Fairchild, Minor game recaps

Van Ostrand & DeLome Promoted, Bogusevic Can’t Get 1st Win, Runelvys Roughed Up, More Names on the Dotted Line

Posted on June 11, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Salem

Jimmy Van Ostrand went 1-4 in his last appearence as a Salem Avalanche for the time being. He was promoted to Corpus Christi after the Av’s 3-2 loss last night. He leaves the team hitting .304.Read More

Delome, draft, Minor game recaps, Van Ostrand

Lex & CC Both Defeated; Draft Day is Here! What the Heck are the Expectations?

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Round Rock had the night off and Salem was postponed due to weather, so only two games to recap tonight. Both of them had Astros Farm teams on the losing end of the stick.

Lexington

Legends batters struck out 12 times, Greensboro got 13 hits. That adds up to a 7-4 loss for the Legends.Read More

draft, Minor game recaps

2007 Draft Recap

Posted on June 18, 2007 by Jacksonian in Bus Ride

The Astros took a long time to get going in this draft. They were the last team to select a player; their first was the 111th player selected. They were without first and second round picks thanks to the free-agent signings of Carlos Lee and Woody Williams. Their first round selection was forfeited to the Texas Rangers for Lee. They took RHP Blake Beavan. The San Diego Padres received the Astros second round pick as compensation for Williams and took 2B Eric Sogard. Prior to the draft the Astros added two players. Chris Frye was added as a 5th year senior free agent from NAIA power LSU-Shreveport about a week and a half before the draft. He hit .325 with 16 doubles, 9 triples, and 7 homers. He stole 30 bases and was named first-team All- Conference. He should be assigned to Tri-City. The Astros also signed three 2006 DFE candidates, Andy Launier, Axel Gonzalez, and Rafeal Parks. Launier hit .288 with 11 doubles and 8 homers for Sierra Junior College. Gonzalez hit .353 with 14 doubles and 6 homers at Wabash Valley Junior College. Parks attended Georgia Military Junior College. Oddly they have no baseball program. We are not sure why he went there, but the Astros still wanted him to play baseball and signed him. All three will likely be assigned to Greeneville. They are the Astros last DFE candidates to sign.

As has been discussed in the Bus Ride Discussion Forum last year’s draft was the last that DFE’s are allowed thanks to the agreements in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. As such the approach to this draft was a little different in the later rounds with teams choosing players with intent to sign them rather than encouraging them to go the junior college, JUCO, route and follow their progress. We’ll see how that plays out with signing later round JUCO and high school draftees. The Astros now have until just August 15 to sign players or lose all rights to them.Read More

astros, Bus Ride, draft, recap