I think that pic just about sums up the feeling.




Greg Rajan tweeted out the Corpus Christi Hooks roster. This is the group I am so fired up about. Last year I made a post about the "waves of talent" headed to the Astros.

Last years AA team kind of a stars and scrubs team. This team has true prospects at every position. Here's the roster with my comments.


C Heineman, Garcia, Cokinos

This is a stud group.

Heineman is a really good receiver who brings a great bat to the table also. Very good catching prospect.

Cokinos is not a very good defensive catcher at all, but he flat rakes at the plate. His ultimate destination if 1B/DH.

Garcia is a fine defensive catcher who can hit a little.

These guys all have great walk to strikeout ratios.



IF Hernandez, Mier, Fontana, Duffy, Sclafani

Weakest Group in my opinion.

Hernandez is organizational depth.

Mier is repeating the level, he's sadly becoming org depth also. Time is running out.

Duffy is old for the level but he was the 2nd best offensive player in the Cal League last year. He's intriguing.

Sclafani is a very intriguing prospect. Plays multiple IF positions and did nothing but produce at the plate. I'm worried he was helped extremely Lancaster's ballpark. He's an Ivy League graduate.


OF Aplin, DDJ, Heras, Tucker, Epps

This is another stud group.

Aplin is considered one of the best defensive CFers in the organization. He's no slouch at the plate. Has a great K:BB ratio.

DDJ CAN be one of the best defensive CFers in the organization also. He has the tools to be a very productive hitter and steal as many bases as just about anyone in the game.

With Aplin and DDJ in 2 of the outfield spots, I don't see many balls hitting the ground.

Tucker is one of my favorite "under the radar" prospects. He's done nothing but hit the ball, and his outfield defense isn't horrible either. I suspect he'll play LF and some DH/1B with DDJ and Aplin in CF and RF.

Heras is one of the Mexican players signed last year. Intriguing prospect that there isn't much out there about.

Epps is organizational depth.

RHP West, Rodgers, Seaton, Heidenreich, Robinson, De Leon, Jankowski, Ballew

LHP Cruz, Rollins, Shirley, Cain, Geith,Sogard

West is one of the most underrated pitchers in the system.

Rodgers has back of the rotation MLB potential written all over him.

Cruz is interesting. One of the better performers in the system last year.

Rollins is another that is intriguing. He's a Carthage boy.



This roster is awesome.







I plan to catch a game when they come to Frisco.









Lancaster should also be stacked. Appel, Correa, Velasquez, Ruiz, Thurman, McCullers Jr, Feliz

Lancaster Roster

That's a solid pitching rotation in Lancaster. Hopefully some of our big prospects dont get discouraged with the highly inflated ERA's that Lancaster brings

Good stuff from Richard Justice. http://www.sports790.com/media/podcast-exclusive-790-interviews-790interviews/mlbcoms-richard-justice-on-pgs-40114-24562444/

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Rodgers has back of the rotation MLB potential written all over him.

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Rodgers is also a local boy. My brother-in-law and sister were some of his teachers at Lamar Consolidated HS in Rosenberg

MLB.com lists the Astros top 10 prospects as follows.

1. Carlos Correa
2. Mark Appel
3. George Springer
4. Jon Singleton
5. Lance McCullers
6. Mike Foltynewicz
7. Delino DeShields
8. Domingo Santana
9. Vincent Velasquez
10 Michael Feliz

That is a pretty solid list. As of Opening Day my biggest concerns in that list are Singleton, Santana and Velasquez.

Singleton needs to prove himself this year. The ? around him continue to grow and he needs to silence those moving forward.

Santana is young and raw and he swings and misses alot. He can continue to advance with terrible plate discipline but his ceiling won't move until he cuts down somewhat on the K's.

Velasquez is an extremely talented pitcher but he needs to string together a couple of healthy years. Lets hope that starts this year. He came back strong last year but needs to do it again.

Isn't George Springer getting pretty close to retirement?

ASTROS SET MINOR LEAGUE ROSTERS
Top four affiliates begin regular season play this Thursday

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have set their preliminary 2014 minor league rosters for four of their affiliates, Triple A Oklahoma City, Double A Corpus Christi, Class A Advanced Lancaster and Class A Quad Cities. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Player Development Quinton McCracken.

These rosters are subject to change and will not be officially finalized until the minor league Opening Day. Rosters do not include Disabled List players.

Oklahoma City:

PITCHERS
Jake Buchanan
Jose Cisnero
Paul Clemens
Bobby Doran
Darin Downs*
Mike Foltynewicz
Chia-Jen Lo
David Martinez
Collin McHugh
Rudy Owens*
Jason Stoffel
Nick Tropeano
Pat Urckfitz*
Josh Zeid

CATCHERS
Ryan McCurdy
Carlos Perez
Max Stassi

INFIELDERS
Japhet Amador
Erik Castro*
Jonathan Meyer
Gregorio Petit
Jon Singleton*
Ruben Sosa#
Ronald Torreyes

OUTFIELDERS
Adron Chambers
Domingo Santana
George Springer
Austin Wates

* - denotes left-hander
# - denotes switch-hitter

Corpus Christi:

PITCHERS
Travis Ballew
Colton Cain*
Luis Cruz*
Jorge De Leon
T.J. Geith*
Matt Heidenreich
Jordan Jankowski
Andrew Robinson
Brady Rodgers
David Rollins*
Ross Seaton
Tommy Shirley*
Alex Sogard*
Aaron West

CATCHERS
Rene Garcia
Tyler Heineman#

INFIELDERS
M.P. Cokinos
Matt Duffy
Nolan Fontana*
Enrique Hernandez
Jio Mier
Joe Sclafani#

OUTFIELDERS
Andrew Aplin*
Delino DeShields
Chris Epps*
Leo Heras*
Preston Tucker*

Lancaster:

PITCHERS
Mark Appel
Jamaine Cotton
Chris Devenski
Michael Dimock
Josh Hader*
Mike Hauschild
Mitchell Lambson*
Lance McCullers
Juan Minaya
Daniel Minor
J.D. Osborne*
Tyson Perez
Kyle Smith
Vincent Velasquez
Kyle Westwood

CATCHERS
Roberto Pena
Jake Rodriguez

INFIELDERS
Carlos Correa
Tony Kemp*
Brandon Meredith
Carlos Perdomo
Rio Ruiz*

OUTFIELDERS
Justin Gominsky
Dan Gulbransen*
Teoscar Hernandez
Jordan Scott*
Danry Vasquez*

Quad Cities:

PITCHERS
Tyler Brunnemann
Patrick Christensen
Chris Cotton*
Kent Emanuel*
Michael Feliz
Evan Grills*
Jandel Gustave
Adrian Houser
Chris Lee*
Albert Minnis*
Zach Morton
Gonzalo Sanudo
Andrew Thurman
Andrew Walter

CATCHERS
Brett Booth
Brian Holberton*
Jobduan Morales#

INFIELDERS
Austin Elkins#
Conrad Gregor*
Jack Mayfield
Chase McDonald
Chan Moon*
Tyler White

OUTFIELDERS
Jon Kemmer*
Tanner Mathis*
Brett Phillips*
James Ramsay*

CLIMBING THE CHARTS:
Over the past two seasons, the combined record of the Astros minor league system has been the best in baseball (915-754, .548)...Houston set a franchise record when their top six minor league affiliates all qualified for the playoffs in 2013, and two clubs ended up winning championships (Class A Quad Cities, Class A Short Season Tri-City)...the Astros became the first organization to have six domestic affiliates qualify for the postseason since the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003...along with the Royals and Mariners, the Astros were one of three organizations to have multiple championship teams in 2013.

THE RANKINGS:
This Spring, the Astros minor league system was rated as the best in baseball by both ESPN.com and The Sporting News...Baseball America, who ranked the Astros system as the worst in baseball in both 2009 and 2010, tabbed Houston’s system as the fifth-best in the Majors...seven Houston prospects made the 2014 MLB.com Top 100 Prospects list, which ranked tied for second among all 30 clubs...of the top 100 prospect lists put out by ESPN.com, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America and MLB.com, the following Astros prospects made at least one of those lists: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Mark Appel,CF George Springer, 1B Jon Singleton, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Lance McCullers, OF Delino DeShields, RHP Vincent Velasquez.

THE ACCOLADES:
There were 25 Astros prospects who were named All-Stars in their respective leagues across all eight levels of the minors in 2013...CF George Springer hit 37 home runs and stole 45 bases, becoming the first minor leaguer to reach the 30-30 plateau since Oakland’s Grant Desme in 2009...Springer was named Minor League Baseball’s 2013 Offensive Player of the Year and was named the Double A Texas League Player of the Year...at 18 years old, SS Carlos Correa was the second-youngest player in the Class A Midwest League but still led the league in OPS (.872) while finishing second in OBP (.405) and third in batting average (.320)...Correa led all Midwest League shortstops in fielding percentage.

THE TALENT INFUSION:
Since Jeff Luhnow was appointed Astros General Manager in November of 2011, the Astros have acquired talent through the draft, trades and international signings...when looking at Baseball America’s top 30 Astros prospects, 17 were acquired during Luhnow’s current tenure with the club:
Through the Draft: SS Carlos Correa (#1), RHP Mark Appel (#3), RHP Lance McCullers (#5), 3B Rio Ruiz (#11), RHP Andrew Thurman (#15), OF Andrew Aplin (#19), SS Nolan Fontana (#20), LHP Kent Emanuel (#23), OF Brett Phillips (#30)
Via Trade: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (#10), C Max Stassi (#12), LHP Josh Hader (#14), LHP Kevin Chapman (#17), RHP Kyle Smith (#22), RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (#26), OF Danry Vasquez (#29)
International Signings: OF Leo Heras (#25)

THE SYSTEM BY THE NUMBERS:
Last year, the Astros minor league system led all 30 organizations in OPS (.731) and on-base percentage (.342) while finishing second in walks (3208), homers (611) and runs (4101)...on the pitching side, Houston’s minor league system ranked second among all 30 organizations in walks per 9.0 innings (3.1) and strikeout to walk ratio (2.53)...led by Domingo Santana (25 HR), George Springer(19 HR) and Max Stassi (17 HR), Double A Corpus Christi finished third in the minors with 158 homers...Class A Advanced Lancaster led all of the minors in runs, walks, OBP and OPS in 2013.

2014 BREAKDOWN - MLB.COM ASTROS TOP 20 PROSPECTS BY TEAM:
- Triple A Oklahoma City (6): Jon Singleton (#2), George Springer (#3), Mike Foltynewicz (#6),Domingo Santana (#9), Nick Tropeano (#17), Max Stassi (#18)

- Double A Corpus Christi (2): Delino DeShields (#7), Nolan Fontana (#18)

- Class A Advanced Lancaster (9): Carlos Correa (#1), Mark Appel (#2), Lance McCullers (#5), Vincent Velasquez (#9), Rio Ruiz (#11), Teoscar Hernandez (#13), Josh Hader (#15), Kyle Smith (#19), Danry Vasquez (#20)

-Class A Quad Cities (2): Michael Feliz (#10), Andrew Thurman (#16)

Correa is tearing the cover off the ball so far. 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBI today.

Hopefully he gets to AA quickly this year. I make it to a few Hooks games a year. I would love to see him in person.

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Hopefully he gets to AA quickly this year. I make it to a few Hooks games a year. I would love to see him in person.

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Luhnow has said time and time that he likes for people to have success at all levels.

Many folks are starting to push for Correa to be on the MLB team next year. I would bet he's in Corpus at mid-season.

I agree that he will be in Corpus by mid-season. I wouldn't mind him getting a September call up just to get a taste of the bigs before going to AAA next season.

That trade for Bud is looking alright right now...


LJ Hoes is a nice piece showing some immediate return.

Here's Josh Hader's debut to the season in Lancaster:
4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K's


And the kicker, don't forget we have the 37 or 38th over pick that we got in the trade also. This can end up being a great haul.

Its hard to go all in on a low level prospect but Correa by all accounts is the real deal. Talent and mental makeup seem to be off the charts. Absolutely can't wait to see this kid in Houston.

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I wouldn't mind him getting a September call up just to get a taste of the bigs before going to AAA next season.

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I would absolutely be ok with this, but if this were to happen it would only make me more frustrated with the way we have handled Springer's call up. I still don't understand why he's not up here. Arbitration clock be damned. We need a reason for excitment/optimism and he would bring that

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I wouldn't mind him getting a September call up just to get a taste of the bigs before going to AAA next season.

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I would absolutely be ok with this, but if this were to happen it would only make me more frustrated with the way we have handled Springer's call up. I still don't understand why he's not up here. Arbitration clock be damned. We need a reason for excitment/optimism and he would bring that

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I think the Astros are very high on Springer. Hence the contract extension offer. I seriously think they are delaying Springer so that he and Correa can play the max amount of years together.

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Arbitration clock be damned. We need a reason for excitment/optimism and he would bring that

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This staff is worried about winning in the long term and it's in the best interest of the team to keep him under control for as long as possible. He and Correa and Appel are the core of this team in the future and they've got to make sure to keep them together for as long as possible.

He's just a young pup. He'll be nice and ripe and ready to call up to the major's in May of the year he turns 28.

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I seriously think they are delaying Springer so that he and Correa can play the max amount of years together.

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Pallilo put it correctly yesterday on his show. He's being delayed because of money. If not, then because of stupidity. Take your pick.

There is no baseball reason why Springer should not be up. He is wasting his time in AAA.

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I seriously think they are delaying Springer so that he and Correa can play the max amount of years together.

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Pallilo put it correctly yesterday on his show. He's being delayed because of money. If not, then because of stupidity. Take your pick.

There is no baseball reason why Springer should not be up. He is wasting his time in AAA.

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He's exactly right. And you are fooling yourself to think that the money difference is not a big deal. This team may be in the 4th largest city in the USA, but with no TV carriage and abysmal attendance, they are having to operate like a small market team right now. The Tampa Bay Rays do this crap all the time. Just look at Wil Myers last year. He will be fine.

No matter how bad Palillo wants us to be the Yankees or Red Sox... or even the Rangers... we are not... yet.

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He's just a young pup. He'll be nice and ripe and ready to call up to the major's in May of the year he turns 28.

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Riiiiiiiiight.

I wonder if the MLB player's association would ever step up and institute some kind of rule in regards to teams delaying a player's eligibility. I know Springer isn't part of the MLBPA until he reaches the big leagues, but you have to wonder if they may not try and put a stop to this. I do think the Astros have kind of abused the situation, and it could defintately mean that Springer loses out on millions of dollars in delayed contracts.

Not sure what type of rule would work; maybe a team has 6 years to promote a player from the minor leagues to the majors or the player can elect to become a minor league free agent.

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The Tampa Bay Rays do this crap all the time. Just look at Wil Myers last year. He will be fine.

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Will Myers was 22 when he broke through. Not 24.

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The Tampa Bay Rays do this crap all the time. Just look at Wil Myers last year. He will be fine.

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Will Myers was 22 when he broke through. Not 24.

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Yes, but he spent waaaay more time than Springer has and ever will at AAA.

He spent nearly his entire 2012 season there where he had a .932 OPS in 99 games. He then played 64 games there in the 2013 season before being called up.




The Astros are doing what the system makes them do to save $. I think the system is flawed and needs to be changed to discourage teams from doing this, but I don't blame the FO one bit for doing it right now with the way the system works.

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Not sure what type of rule would work; maybe a team has 6 years to promote a player from the minor leagues to the majors or the player can elect to become a minor league free agent.

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There is already a mechanism for this. Rule 5.

Plus on top of that your 6 season and you can become a free agent rule also already exists exactly as you describe it.

[This message has been edited by JJxvi (edited 4/8/2014 10:11a).]

Pretty fun night down on the farm. Correa and Hernandez both drew walks before the Rio Ruiz walkoff.

Austin Wates may be getting a call if Grossman or Hoes struggles.

What happened to Asher Woj? Don't see him on any of those rosters?

If Wates gets a call before Springer I'll drive downtown and ***** slap every freaking member of the front office.

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What happened to Asher Woj? Don't see him on any of those rosters?

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15 Day DL I believe

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If Wates gets a call before Springer I'll drive downtown and ***** slap every freaking member of the front office.

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I'll be there for backup if you need me

Can we start a petition or something to try and get Springer called up? Maybe we can all chip in 30 cents to help offset the cost.

If every Astros fan chipped in to offset the cost I think our club would only be able to raise about $6.

Astros went 5-0 as an organization last night. That doesn't happen to often when your big league team sucks as bad as ours does.

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Can we start a petition or something to try and get Springer called up? Maybe we can all chip in 30 cents to help offset the cost.

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I think it's only 9 or 10 more days to delay his free agency a year, unless they're trying to avoid the extra arbitration year, which means he won't be called up until around June 1

We've already had 3 organizational sweeps in only 9 games of playing.


Tony Kemp (the little Vanderbilt 2nd baseman drafted last year) is starting off reminiscent of Jose Altuve in Lancaster 3 seasons ago.