Minor League Depth

[barzilla]

I thought I would chronicle the Astros depth on the mound and in the field as we wonder what will come when this thing is over. More importantly, if Hunsicker wants Rhodes or Urbina then we need to see what we have left. Today we look at the positions. Players listed in order (NO, RR, Lex, Salem)

. . . . . . . . . . .AVG/OBP/SLG. . .BB/SO
C Hector Gimenez . . .258/303/374 . . .10/28
C Kevin Davidson . . .220/340/250 . . .16/24
C Mark Obradovich . . ..170/299/197 . . .27/33

Obviously we see how much trading Buck hurts when looking at these numbers. Gimenez looks like a young Ausmus in that he is very gifted defensively but lackluster offensively. The others aren't much of a threat.

1B Mike Coolbaugh. . . .239/311/509 . . .17/44
1B Todd Self . . . . ..349/457/506 . . .51/53
1B Scott Robinson. . . .239/297/330. . . .33/39
1B Mark Saccomanno. .285/342/496. . . .24/80

Todd Self is obviously the class of this group and could be a bargaining chip if you expect to move Berkman to first after Bagwell retires. Otherwise, I wouldn't move him.

2B Chris Burke . . . ..321/392/518. . . .29/32
2B Ivanon Coffie. . . .211/283/509. . . . 9/20
2B Edwin Maysonet. . .263/354/469. . . .30/48
2B Pat Peavey. . . . . .263/320/386. . . .20/29

Chris Burke looks as close to a sure thing as you can have. He also has twenty steals in addition to this. With numbers like these you can comfortably let Kent go after this season and inject some more speed into your lineup. The .518 slugging percentage means you won't lose too much power.

3B Royce Huffman. . . .325/403/474. . . .36/44
3B Junior Zamora. . . . .262/321/379. . . .14/26
3B Saul Torres. . . . . ..265/315/365. . . .19/51
3B Ryan Stegall. . . . . .252/304/302. . . .15/27

I love Royce Huffman because he is a Horned Frog alum, but he is too old to be a prospect. In truth, he figures to be a Bruntlett type since he has played second and some outfield in addition to third. The rest again looks pretty bleak.

SS Jason Alfaro. . . . .286/317/424. . . .10/24
SS Tommy Whiteman. . .336/381/473. . . .20/45
SS Osvaldo Fernando. . .253/298/348. . . .14/45
SS Wade Robinson. . . . .263/306/335. . . .17/49

Everyone knows that Whiteman is now in AAA while Round Rock has David Matranga as their shortstop but he has a longer track record in Round Rock. His numbers are nice, but it will be interesting to see what he does in New Orleans.

OF Willie Tavares. . . . . .356/420/401. . . .17/33 29 SB
OF Josh Anderson. . . . ..326/393/426. . . .33/47 48 SB
OF Edwin Alcantara. . . ..300/387/515. . . .33/56 18 SB
OF Luke Scott. . . . . . ..278/383/469. . . ..41/58

There outfield is their strength. Everyone knows about Tavares, but Josh Anderson might be the better speed prospect. Meanwhile, Alcantara might be the best power/speed outfield prospect the Astros have as he is in double digits in steals and home runs. Any one of those three could be traded. Luke Scott is a little old to be where he is, but he was called up to Round Rock recently. He also bears watching.

I also thought many of you would be interested to hear that Philip has been promoted to New Orleans. He hasn't pitched there yet, but he had a 3-1 record, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 innings, and a 26/14 strikeout to walk ratio.

Tommorrow we look at the pitchers.

[Toy Cannon]

Obviously we see how much trading Buck hurts when looking at these numbers. Gimenez looks like a young Ausmus in that he is very gifted defensively but lackluster offensively. The others aren't much of a threat.

Gimenez has a little pop and is highly thought of through out the orginization. I would hate to see him go anywhere right now.

Todd Self is obviously the class of this group and could be a bargaining chip if you expect to move Berkman to first after Bagwell retires. Otherwise, I wouldn't move him.

Self is a little old (25) to be entering AA. If you can get something for him, do it.


Chris Burke looks as close to a sure thing as you can have. He also has twenty steals in addition to this. With numbers like these you can comfortably let Kent go after this season and inject some more speed into your lineup. The .518 slugging percentage means you won't lose too much power.

Agreed, Burke is the starting 2B next year.

Everyone knows that Whiteman is now in AAA while Round Rock has David Matranga as their shortstop but he has a longer track record in Round Rock. His numbers are nice, but it will be interesting to see what he does in New Orleans.

Whiteman is one of those guys that grow on you. He got some clutch hits in RR. He a big SS, if he puts on some weight and develops a little more power, I can see him moving to 3rd. He could be a sleeper.

There outfield is their strength. Everyone knows about Tavares, but Josh Anderson might be the better speed prospect. Meanwhile, Alcantara might be the best power/speed outfield prospect the Astros have as he is in double digits in steals and home runs. Any one of those three could be traded. Luke Scott is a little old to be where he is, but he was called up to Round Rock recently. He also bears watching.

You know how I feel about Tavares, I love a CF with speed. The only way I trade him is if a miracle happens and Beltran re-signs with the Astros (yeah right). I don't know anything about Alcantara but Anderson is definately someone to watch. Luke Scott's career was slowed by injury if not mistaken (Special K might know more about him). There could be interest in him.

I also thought many of you would be interested to hear that Philip has been promoted to New Orleans. He hasn't pitched there yet, but he had a 3-1 record, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 innings, and a 26/14 strikeout to walk ratio.

Cool :thumbsup: I never got to see him pitch, just unlucky timing.

[barzilla]

I wouldn't deal Gimenez on a bet right now because he is the only thing between Ausmus and picking up something off the garbage heap. He does have more pop than Ausmus (although I could throw a rock and hit anyone in the Houston area with more pop than Ausmus) but his numbers don't impress me that much.

[PopTop]

Good stuff, Scott :thumbsup: I think Alfaro has moved to 3B now with Whiteman's promotion to Triple-A ... I wonder about Alfaro maybe in Vizcaino's role next year.

I also like Saccomano, big swinger with lots of K's, but he's just now developing ... I also have it from a pertty good source that Lane is Baggy's 1B replacement with Berkman staying in the outfield ... Very iffy projection right now since we really don't know when Bagwell will retire.

[bagger]

i just have a couple of thoughts…

first, i would love to see some home and away splits for burke this year. overall, he's been dominating. he has definitely earned the right to play 2b for us next year. his plate patience has endured his minor league career, his speed hasn't slumped in favor of any other talent, and he's finally tapping into some power. the pacific coast league is one of the most offense-friendly in the league, but nahleans is the third most pitcher-friendly in all of the minor leagues. i'd really like to see how he's handled that split.

next, i disagree on self's age being a major factor in deciding his fate. he's had an outstanding concept of the strikezone that is finally paying off in some boosted power numbers. he has matured into a very fine hitter at round rock this year, and i refuse to discount that because of his age. if he can duplicate in aaa next season, there may be room for him at the end of the bagwell era. he'd be older than most prospects, but he'd still be hitting his prime in the bigs. it looks to me that he's only about a year behind his classmates (qualls, whiteman, bruntlett). he's older, but he hasn't been spending the extra years as a minor league lifer.

[Toy Cannon]

25 is a little old to just be reaching the AA level. It does not mean however, that he won't have a productive big league career. I don't know if injuries slowed him down or if he just was a little slow to blossom.

[PopTop]

i would love to see some home and away splits for burke this year.

First, welcome to Addicts Bagger :wave1: And good question about Burke's splits. I don't know where you can find that info easily, don't see it at any of the few minor league sites I visit. Maybe someone can help out with a good site for detailed minor league stats.

Tell you what, I searched for some more info on him, and I never knew what a popular name Chris Burke was! :eek: You can find Chris Burke's as popular actors, singing competition finalists, Glasgow Rangers footballers, font designers, there's one in Manhasset (New York) who was recently named one of the top 100 Irish Americans, and not only does Chris Burke play a mean 2B in New Orleans, Chris Burke also puts out some fine jazz in the same city. :cool:

[barzilla]

I promised to do something on pitchers so here it goes:

Starters

1. Carlos Hernandez- Carlos has a 4.99 ERA and his velocity is not up yet, but he is still young enough to come back. He is a long range prospect again at this point.

2. Taylor Buchholz- He got off to a horrible start but he has won five of his last six decisions. His ERA is still at 6.19 but his K/BB ratio is back to 53/27 after a horrible start. Like Hernandez, he will finish the season in New Orleans but he has a shot at next season.

3. Jeremy Griffiths- He has put up good numbers in Tidewater and is off to a decent start in New Orleans. With the fifth starting spot open next year and possibly the fourth he is a good guy to have around.

4. Ezequiel Astacio- the other half of the Wagner trade is putting up good numbers again in Round Rock. He is a bit old for a AA prospect, but his 77/21 K to BB ratio is very good at any level.

5. Wandy Rodriguez- I like him as a likely trade candidate. I don't know that you will entice Billy Beane with his 7-1 record, but if they HAVE to get rid of Rhodes he could be a principal to facilitate the deal. He has a 4.48 ERA and 60/36 K/BB ratio so his record is a little inflated. Another GM may fall for the 7-1 record and give us a decent reliever for Rodriguez and another young player.

6. DJ Houlton- Another Round Rock pitcher with a pedestrian ERA, but he makes this list because he has a three to one K to walk ratio and more Ks than innings pitched. Astacio and Rodriguez can't say that.

7. Derrek Grigsby- the former top pick is tough to hit and has more Ks than innings pitched in Lexington, but his 62 walks (69 innings) are scaring the Astros brass.

8. Jason Hirsh- Another high pick is struggling in Salem. His strikeout to walk ratio is less than two to one and he has a high ERA (4.52)

9. Fernando Nieve- Here is another possible trade candidate. He is 7-3 with a 3.17 ERA. That is more than enough to attract suitors but his 85/23 ratio in 82 innings should seal the deal.

10. Mitch Albers- He is also a decent trade candidate with a 5-1 record and 89 Ks in 77 innings.

Relievers

1. Philip Barzilla- Who else do y'all think I'd put first? In all seriousness, he has two scoreless innings in New Orleans on top of his solid performance in Round Rock. Take that TC ("no good relievers in the Astros system.")

2. Brandon Backe- I liked him when he was up. He has a live arm and he will be a key part of the bullpen next year if this team is going to be able to afford to re-up Lance Berkman and/or Carlos Beltran.

3. Mike Burns- A 1.29 ERA will attract anyone. He also has an 8-1 record. He just might be another prime trade candidate.

4. Santiago Ramirez- the Round Rock closer has a 2.63 ERA at this point.

5. Mark? Mansfield- I didn't bother to get his first name, but he is 7-1 with a 2.17 ERA. He just might be another trade candidate.

6. Mark? McLemore- Another initial candidate. He also has a low ERA at 2.47 in Salem.

7. Jonathan Beltre- His 2.55 ERA is the best part of his resume.

8. Joey DeLeon- He has decent numbers so he needs to be in there.

[PopTop]

Santiago Ramirez- the Round Rock closer has a 2.63 ERA at this point.

I'm disappointed this guy stalled out a little last year. Still rooting for him to be a big part of our bullpen one day (soon).

[Toy Cannon]

1. Philip Barzilla- Who else do y'all think I'd put first? In all seriousness, he has two scoreless innings in New Orleans on top of his solid performance in Round Rock. Take that TC ("no good relievers in the Astros system.")



:notme: Huh? When did I say that?

[barzilla]

Geez, I thought I remembered you saying something like "we don't have any good relief pitchers in the minors" but I couldn't find it when I looked again. I know the guys on 610 AM said it so maybe I'm being overly sensitive.

[PopTop]

Wow! Confusing our little Toy with those mental midgets on the radio! :eek: That's pretty bad to be as young as you are, Scott, and already losing your mind ;)





:bball:

[barzilla]

I spend a few weeks away from work and my mind starts getting numb :)

[Sandy]

Anyone notice the stellar performance one Kirk Saarloos put down on the Angels?

5.0 innings; 5-Hit, 1-BB, 1-K, 0-ER - Win

There's a fun trivia question for a few days - who has the lowest ERA on the Oakland staff? (Saarloo - 1.35)

On the "wouldn't it be nice" front - considering all the trials and tribulations of the Houston staff - Saarloos was the first "spot starter" ALL YEAR for Oakland.

Once again, I see a pattern of WHIP for a team that makes me think defense plays a lot more into pitching than most think. While Mulder and Hudson have remarkably good WHIPs (1.14 and 1.24). The other 3 starters go:

Zito - 1.47
Redman - 1.47
Harden - 1.46

Just some random thoughts.

[Astro Annie]

Oh, I noticed. He's one of my "propects" that i've been followinig. I'm kinda annoyed that he did it against a guy on my fantasy team, but that's life. I shoulda trusted my instincts and benched him (except that when I bench guys, they invariably turn in excellent performances).