Comments on: Minor Review, Astros

By: Travis

Travis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:16:46 +0000

Yeah, I saw that. They also already resigned Geoff Blum and Keppinger may play some 3rd too. I don’t think the Astros have much confidence in Johnson as an everyday player to be honest. The one positive indicator is his line from this August:

108 AB 0.340 AVG 0.384 OBP 0.631 SLG 1.015 OPS 52B and 7HR

Over the season (375 AB) he hit 13 HR w/OPS of .786. Struck out 88 times, walked 21.

All that said, the Astros aren’t going to be that good anyway, so they might as well stick Johnson in there and see what he can do. Whether or not Mills will do that is certainly another question.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:39:37 +0000

Via MLB Trade Rumors, Houston may give Chris Johnson a chance to start at third base and let Miguel Tejada leave.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:42:38 +0000

@Travis: Being a poor man's Matt Kemp isn't anything to be ashamed of. SAGNOFers need some defense if that is all they are good for. Either way, thanks for the additional coverage Travis. Much appreciated. 2010 will determine a lot of their farm's value. Like you said, if their prospect produce in 2010 and they don't trade them away. Things should look pretty good. Plus, they may be able to trade some of their veterans away for a few pieces to bolster their farm.

By: Travis

Travis — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:21:29 +0000

@Stephen : Thanks for the writeup. As an Astros fan, it’s been a tough few years but I think they have a good crop of players who will really be tested this year at the AA level. If they do well, their system will start to look pretty good. A couple of other names:

The Astros brass really seem to like T.J. Steele, who has battled some injuries. He only had about 200 AB this year but hit .934 OPS w/5HR and 8SB. Word is that if he can stay healthy, they think he can be in the majors in 2 years (he’s 23). Best case scenario may be that he’s a poor man’s Matt Kemp. But is health really an issue here.

The Astros also have a couple of SAGNOF candidates in Jack Shuck (22) and Jay Austin(18). Of course they’re stuck behind Bourn, but Shuck posted a .389 OBP at A+ ball this year and stole 18 bases. Austin doesn’t get on base as much (.320 OBP at A ball this year), but he’s only 18 and he still stole 23 bases this year. Both of these guys are still a ways out, but could break through at some point if things go well and they get traded.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:15:48 +0000

@generic: Oh, and Clemens OPS lead the California league and Gaston's 35 homers lead the league as well. Additionally, both Clemens and Gaston are younger then the average player in the Cal League.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:13:07 +0000

@generic: Yes, Gaston and Clemens played in the hitter friendly environment called the California league, and yes they need to replicate the 2009 season to be legit top prospects. However, those are exceptional numbers, and usually only steroids make people turn into a Brett Boone. And when talking about the Astros, any positive must be mentioned.

By: generic

generic — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:02:48 +0000

@Stephen: Nice post, look forward to more of these throughout the offseason. There's just no real excitement with this system. Sure Clemens & Gaston had good seasons, but I have a hard time seeing them even remotely replicate what they did this year. If they do, great, then they should be considered top prospects, but I think they (much like Alex Liddi & Joseph Dunigan), are products of their respective leagues. The Astros to me look like they're in a lot of trouble. Hit bottom, rebuild. Trade off all the pieces you have and restock that system. Could Tejada have had a better year to try to get something for him? I don't think so.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:57:41 +0000

@Quintero: The Oakland Raiders, or the Nationals.

By: Quintero

Quintero — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:55:01 +0000

Lo! My Boy! Only if Dave Duncan can come to Corpus Christi Hooks and fix Lo’s disturbing Walk rate… Who say coaching is overrated?

By: Grey

Grey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:23:00 +0000

@Mr Baseball: Ha!

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:50:55 +0000

did you see TBS has that BallTrax located in the bottom right of your tv screen – I think they are jumping the gun here – the only thing that counts is how the umpire sees the pitch – Now I can see of they use a Player’s Balls Scratching Trax in place of that Ball Trax
wow jeter had some itch !

By: Grey

Grey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:39:06 +0000

@Mr Baseball: That's the best picture in the history of baseball.

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:36:56 +0000

here comes joba – nice weapon to have in pen for yanks

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:36:14 +0000

LeBron James claims Braylon Edwards beat up his 5 foot 5 friend

what does this have to do with baseball

Brayon Edwards is now looking to punch out Pedro’s Midget next

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/3966514_c4578cb097.jpg?v=0

By: Grey

Grey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:31:07 +0000

@Mr Baseball: Ha!

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:30:09 +0000

if first picture does not work – try this one

http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u91/caveman.jpg

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:12:30 +0000

is this strong enough for you Sage

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IbFo_Apr1nA/SPU9B0w6SeI/AAAAAAAAEjg/T2-ZRrf3HzI/s400/strong+man+2.JPG

By: Mr Baseball

Mr Baseball — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:07:32 +0000

Should be even better with a couple of strong replacements

By: AL KOHOLIC

AL KOHOLIC — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:24:07 +0000

@Sage: sounds great but ill stay loyall to our group and hopefully we can overtake you guys next year

By: lifeontheside

lifeontheside — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:51:56 +0000

@ sage: I would be interested in taking over a team.
hit me at lifeontheside at gmail.

By: Sage

Sage — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:21:05 +0000

@Sage: As a follow-up, our league was the highest rated of the RCLs. Should be even better with a couple of strong replacements. Thanks again.

By: Grey

Grey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:15:06 +0000

@AL KOHOLIC: Cool, glad you had fun.

By: AL KOHOLIC

AL KOHOLIC — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:52:42 +0000

grey,i had a great year in my 1st RCL league,finished 3rd in the A latin 9 league and 19th in the overall master standings,we had 5 in the top 30 from our league and for the most part everyone except a couple played till the end,great fun and very competitive,next year hurry up and get here,thanks for everything,need improvement in sp next year,it killed me in both my 3rd place finishes,

By: Sage

Sage — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:36:47 +0000

Anyone interested in taking over a team in an RCL commenters league (5-keepers) post a note here with your e-mail and I’ll send you some information. There is a $25 entry fee. Two teams are available.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:49 +0000

@lifeontheside: Meant to say Received Beltran for trading Dotel to Oakland, and Oakland sent Teahan and Wood to KC and the Astros sent John Buck (their top prospect) to KC. Here is the link not embedded on a word:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1828880

I definitely think the Royals could have gotten WAY more for that trade.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:51:55 +0000

@SaltyBiscuits: Yeah, I didn't write about him because I didn't ever see his age on baseball-reference.com, but he had an awesome year. Jordan Lyles | SP | A | 19 | Throws Right 10.4 K/9 | 2.4 BB/9 | 144 2/3 IP | 3.24 ERA | 1.189 WHIP | .3 HR/9 He and fellow rotation mate Ross Seaton are Houston's next best pitcher. However, Seaton had a marginal year while Lyles had a great year. He should be the next hyped pitching prospect coming out of Houston like Norris was. Except he has much better control. He threw a lot of innings this year and should be able to push about 165 innings next year. He may be up in middle of July if he plays really well at AA next year. Otherwise a September call up and then a battle for a rotation spot in 2011. @lifeontheside: Beltran and Octavio Dotel to KC and Oakland in 2004 for Mark Teahan and Mike Wood (of the A's) and John Buck (of the Astros) to KC and Dotel to Oakland. Then in 2007 (for the 2008 season) Houston trade for Tejada by giving up Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and prospect Michael Costanzo. That same off season was when they traded Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn Geoff Geary and Michael Contanzo

By: lifeontheside

lifeontheside — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:11:28 +0000

When you say Beltran you really mean Tejada, right?

By: SaltyBiscuits

SaltyBiscuits — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:49:58 +0000

Jordan Lyles is the most appealing Astro prospect in fantasy terms by far, yet I see no mention here! He won’t arrive in 2010, though.

Just throwing it out there.

Great information though on the other prospects.