MAY 18th,
2013-A step up from Class A ball lies, of course, Class AA.
Double-A is the dividing
line for many minor-leaguers, the level at which an organization gets
a true feel for the future of any given prospect. Double-A seasons
are the same length as that at the Major League level, the pitching
gets exponentially tougher, the fielders are dramatically quicker and
the hitters sling some heavy lumber. The jump between Class A and AA
is much greater than that between AA and AAA, no matter which league
you're in.
This is where many players
truly stumble, experiencing their first real difficulties in pro
ball. Minor-league ball is natural selection at its finest: only the
strong survive.
For the Astros, AA ball
resides in the Sparkling City by the Sea: Corpus Christi, Texas. The
AA representative for Houston in the Texas League, a league which is
slightly skewed towards hitting (compared to the Eastern and Southern
Leagues), the Corpus Christi Hooks have only a few of 2012's
Legends on their current roster. Since Lexington is a step below
High-A, many of last year's Legends team are in Lancaster right now.
On the hitting side of
things:
Zach Johnson, 1B-DH
Stats (updated):
Lancaster-20 games, 95 PA,
12 R, 25 H, 10 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, .298 BA, .362 OBP, .897 OPS
Corpus Christi-13 games,
42 PA, 5 R, 6 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .162 BA, .487 OPS
Johnson, last year's RBI
machine, was picking up right where he left off in 2012 with
Lexington when he hit the California League. He had 20 ribbies in 20
games when he got the call to AA. Oh, and he had smacked 10 doubles
in the process, as well. Now, I know the Cali is a hitter's league,
and the JetHawks play in something of a launching pad, but
still...ten doubles in 20 games. Because he hates pitchers, that's
why.
Anyway, he's yet to have
much opportunity to punish the Texas League. But it won't be long.
Johnson has historically taken his fair share of walks, and he'll
have to continue to do so since his BA usually hovers around
.250-.260, but as long as he's a run producer like he's been the
walks won't be quite as important.
Somewhat overlooked at
this point, his defense is actually pretty strong now. He keeps a low
center of gravity in the field, and is quick to either side for low
grounders. He may even end up as one of the best defenders at his
position in the league; if not this one, then in the future.
Drew Muren, OF
Stats:
Lancaster-12 games, 49 PA,
12 R, 16 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .372 BA, 1.054 OPS
Corpus Christi-17 games,
61 PA, 4 R, 10 H, 3 2B, 3 RBI, .182 BA, .474 OPS
Muren is hitting the same
early speed bump that most players run into when they reach AA. He is
batting .238 for this month, however, so he's making progress in that
respect. Drew has a good arm and covers ample space in the outfield;
I'm hoping to see him get plenty of playing time in CC, to see what
he can do with it. While he carried a .321 BA in Lancaster during his
2012 call-up, then followed that up with a .291 average in 33 games
in Double-A, he will likely have a tough go of it to maintain an
average near those marks. He's got a very good swing with a slight
uppercut to it, but being 6'6” at the plate means you've got a lot
of strike zone to cover, and Muren could still stand to put on a bit
more weight. I'd really like to see what he could do with another 20
pounds on him; it could mean a lot for his power development. If it's
going to happen, now's the time.
On the mound, CC has a
considerable amount of talent by way of Lexington:
Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
Stats:
Lancaster-7 games, 5
starts, 1 game finished, 26 IP, 31 HA, 16 R, 11 ER, 4 HRA, 14 BB, 29
K, 3.81 ERA
Corpus Christi-3 games, 2
starts, 1 game finished, 1 SV, 13 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HRA, 4 BB, 14
K, 1.38 ERA
Folty has been used
primarily as a starter this year, though he has seen action as a
closer as well. Considering that in 10 total games in 2013 he's been
a starter in 7 of them, you'd think that Houston is still grooming
him as a starter. But then there's two appearances in which he closed
out games. With the talent he has, the Astros certainly have options.
As a starter with Lexington in 2012, Foltynewicz finished 14-4 with a
3.14 ERA and in the process solidified his prospect status. In
thirteen innings at AA he hasn't looked all that impressed by the
Texas League batters. Of course, that's 13 innings, a small sample
size. But I watched him pitch last year here in Lexington, and I'm
certain a lot of you would agree: this is one legit mound marksman.
Barring catastrophe, you're looking at a guy who'll be taking the
ball every 5th day in Houston, come 2015. Perhaps the
greatest area for improvement would be that he'll have to be careful
with the walks; in Single-A, they're not such a big thing. But in AA,
they can sink you.
It always seemed to me
that he normally didn't walk batters because of control issues. It
seemed more like he might have been too fine around the zone and the
batters just didn't bite. It wasn't often that he would come out with
less-than-excellent stuff.
Carlos Quevedo, RHP
Stats:
Corpus Christi- 1-3, 4.50
ERA, 10 games, 3 starts, 1 game finished, 28 IP, 32 HA, 17 R, 14 ER,
8 HRA, 9 BB, 21 K
Quevedo has, for the most
part, thrived in a relief role for the Hooks. Having allowed 8 homers
in 28 innings is a concern, though this is his first exposure to AA
hitters. At 23, he's exactly where he should be age-wise, and it
appears he may move faster if they keep him throwing out of the 'pen.
Quevedo is solidly built and has very simple, easily repeatable
mechanics, which also helps to keep his results fairly consistent.
His fastball sits in the low-90's and he throws a solid curve (though
it can get a little loopy, at times) and change, usually staying low
in the zone.
Nick Tropeano, RHP
Stats:
Corpus Christi- 0-2, 2.25
ERA, 10 games, 5 starts, 4 games finished, 4 SV, 40 IP, 37 HA, 13 R,
10 ER, 4 HRA, 11 BB, 38 K
Tropeano works magic with
his low-90's fastball, quality curve and outstanding changeup. It's
his feel and instinct for pitching that has made him more than
another face in the crowd. Tropeano always has an idea out on the
mound; he never seems shaken, and I don't think I ever saw him
overthrow (at least, not repeatedly). He's been able to get out of a
lot of spots with just his change; it's that good. He always seems to
keep it low, knows how to set the hitters up, and has a way of
controlling the game that implies instinct beyond his years. I'd say
he's a shoe-in to make The Show.
That's all, for now. Next
up I'll be posting the first of my scouting reports for the current
Legends on Kings of Kauffman. Stay tuned.
