The roster is updated. The draftees listed on the roster are Barber, Guerrero, McDonald, Cody, Casey, Dickey, and Drennan, so there's a number of players still missing who have signed, including Juco standouts Dexter Jordan, Ryan Gusto (though he just signed the other day) and Kevin Holcomb. Johangel Ramirez, one of the top J2 pitchers from last year, had been listed on the roster, but is now not listed on any roster. Jose Alvarez, who hit well in a repeat of the DSL, got placed back on the DSL roster, as did Danny Subero, the other notable pitcher the Astros signed last July. Jherson Pereira, a 22 year old pitching well in a repeat of the DSL was moved to the GCL. Other than Johangel Ramirez, the following players played last year, but aren't showing up on any rosters or been listed as released: Freylin Garcia Antonio Placencia Flaer Gonzalez Rhandall Sanchez Jeury Castillo Juan Ramirez (ptbnl in Velander trade) Kyle Serrano Alex house Notably, no one is listed on the IL for the GCL roster, so it's possible some of those players are hurt and not showing up on a roster for some reason. Players to watch: P Heitor Tokar P Jairo Lopez P Elian Rodriguez P Brayan de Paula C Nerio Rodriguez 1B Victor Mascai 2B Yorbin Ceuta OF Colin Barber OF Luis Guerrero OF Adonis Giron
Others MIA: Bryan Solano Gerardo Bojorquez Roilan Machandy (just signed) Bryan Arias Tyler Krabbe Blair Henley Bryan Martinez Alex Palmer Also it looks like Jose Alvarez is back on the GCL roster.
So there are 3 open spots on the TC roster, with Brewer, Henley, and Plumlee likely ticketed there. Only 1 open spot on the GCL roster, with a good handful of guys left to be placed, so there’s likely another round of cuts coming soon. The cuts this week were pretty predictable, a couple guys from the DSL plus OF Hector Martinez, a corner OF who played across multiple levels the last 4 years but never got off the ground. He was a 2nd tier bonus guy.
At some point we're gonna have to do something with all those boys in AAA. Fisher, Reed, Mayfield and Tucker have already appeared in the majors. Rojas, Jones and Ferguson are all playing well enough to deserve a call up. I'm still surprised the sorry ass Giants gave up on Ferguson so quickly. I know Luhnow hates giving away any talent, but we're near capacity and some choices have to be made.
This team is so stacked. I originally thought they could use the glut of AAA guys to upgrade the bullpen. But how are they going to make room? McHugh, Smith, Rondon, Harris, Pressly, and Osuna are locked in. That leaves at most 2 spots, with Devenski and James neither deserving to be demoted. I assume if they make a move it’ll be for an established dominant arm (Iglesias, Hand, etc.) and James will be included in the deal. Rojas is projecting plus across the board. He’s been playing SS more frequently as well. I could see a slightly lesser version of Zobrist from him. The whole roster is just sick: Stubbs: profiles as a plus backup C with upside to be half of a star level platoon. Reed: star has faded but still has 30+ HR upside. Rojas: Zobrist-like versatility and balanced skills. Mayfield: probably AAAA guy, but can play anywhere and won’t embarrass himself. Tanielu: doesn’t strike out, can handle 2B and 3B, could be a bench bat for a lot of teams right now. Tucker: Yelich/Betts upside, Reddick downside Ferguson: Gets on base like crazy and can handle all 3 OF spots. Fisher: Springer-lite; power, speed, k’s McCormick: needs time but another guy who never strikes out. Jones: showing huge power (13 hr in 286 pa), I don’t think much of him but his slash line says he deserves s shot. De Goti and Ritchie are the only 2 guys not on track to reach the majors, and even they have something to like (both play up the middle, De Goti brings a balanced bat, Ritchie brings plus on base skills).
A freaking 26th round pick two years ago that has almost as many walks as strike outs and is stealing bases .... with emerging power.... a 400 OBP and can play every position in the infield.
I'll be rooting for him to make it, just like Jankowski, Mayfield, and the dozen other AAAA guys. Take into account the AAA offensive explosion this year.
I'm early on him but Yohander Martinez is going to be one to watch in the next few years once he gets stateside. http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=682695#/career/R/hitting/2019/ALL
Yohander Martinez went 2-3 today to raise his slash line to .362/.507/.431. In Baseball America's Astros International Review, he was described as "an athletic middle infielder who has a chance to stick at shortstop" with the versatility to handle a utility role. Offensively, he has a "high contact bat." Tomás Ramirez hit his first career home run. He signed for $250K last July 2 and has a line-drive swing, but he has the frame to grow into more power. Ramirez has a chance to stick in center, but the majority of his appearances so far have been in left field, so there's probably some early pressure on his bat. His power development is going to be crucial as he progresses through the system.
He was hitting ball well in AA as well. Rojas rarely swings and misses and doesn't have a high GB%. He's got the makings of a pesky gnat that opposing fan bases hate.
Thanks, I was excluding draftees as their contracts might now be approved yet, I did miss Solano and Bojoquez (and Roilan Machandy hasn't shown up on the transaction page yet). We both managed to miss Alfredi Jimenez, who was pretty dominant last year. I would assume he's injured, which is a bummer cause I was hoping to get eyes on both him and Jacquez after the seasons they put up last year.
Looks like Corbin Martin might be getting Tommy John. Huge blow since he was probably Houston’s best fit as a trade chip, and otherwise was likely to be counted on as pitching depth.
My condolences, if he does indeed need TJS. Such a great guy, although I don't know him in person we have a few mutual friends due to our Aggie ties. Pray that he will recover from whatever he is experiencing and come back strong.
