Farmstros

Hicks Interviews Keuchel, Bodie and Nelson

2012-01-30T21:12:00.002-06:00

The Hooks have posted footage from last week's Winter Banquet. Check out Matt Hicks interviewing Dallas Keuchel, Fred Nelson and new Hooks' manager Keith Bodie.

Astros Sign Brown, Release Six

2012-01-29T16:02:00.003-06:00

According to the latest transaction update from Baseball America, the Astros signed another outfielder with big league experience. Jordan Brown has been in the major leagues with Cleveland. He spent 2011 with Nashville and Columbus.

The Astros have also released six players:
Travis Blankenship, LHP
Federico Hernandez, C
Kellen Kiilsgaard, OF
Colton Pitkin, LHP
Hector Rodriguez, IF
Shane Wolf, LHP

Cosart, According to David Dalati

2012-01-28T22:41:00.001-06:00

David Dalati posted an article after interviewing Jarred Cosart. You can read that story here.

Thanks to the Village

2012-01-28T22:24:00.003-06:00

The Baseball America 2012 Prospect Handbook arrived in the Farmstros mailbox Friday. The funds for the purchase of the book came directly from Google AdSense, so I thank my readers for making the purchase possible. I am confident that this resource will allow me to provide better information for you as you Follow the Astros of the Future.
Thanks.

Speaking of Baseball America, with the start of college and high school baseball upon us, I am scheduled to interview Jim Callis, who is an editor with that publication Wednesday morning. We will be focusing on a few #1 draft picks to keep an eye on this season.

Looking to the Past, to Look to the Future

2012-01-27T11:28:00.003-06:00

I just made a post at Chron.com "Sometimes Listening to your fans is Overrated."

This is the first of what I intend to be numerous posts that draw on my past experiences as a sports fan, mostly in Houston, and relate them to the future of the Astros. Please join me at Chron.com while I look to the Past, to Look to the Future.

Shuck is On His Way to Texas

2012-01-27T08:41:00.002-06:00

Astros' outfielder J.B. Shuck took some time while traveling from Ohio to Texas to talk to the Farmstros Village(listen above). Shuck is on his way to Houston, from where he will take part in next month's Astros CAREavan. Among other stops on his trip, Shuck is scheduled to be at the Astros CAREavan Luncheon on February 3 in Corpus Christi. Shuck will be joined at the luncheon by Astros' new owner Jim Crane.

Shuck talked to the Farmstros Village on the ALUMINUM CAN MUSIC MAN hotline.

Pitchers/Catchers-3/3; Position Players-3/7

2012-01-26T09:03:00.003-06:00

Word on the street is that minor league pitchers and catchers will report on March 3 this season. Position players are scheduled to arrive in Floriday on March 7. Some players will reportedly be arriving February 24 for a minor league mini-camp.

Astros sign Jordan Kreke

2012-01-26T09:01:00.001-06:00

Astros County has the scoop on the Astros signing Jordan Kreke an infielder who was most recently in the Atlanta system.

Three Astros Prospects on Baseball America's 32nd Team

2012-01-26T08:34:00.005-06:00

Two Astros prospects are definitley not in the Baseball America Prospect Handbook, which should be arriving in mailboxes this week. Jacob Goebbert, OF, and David Martinez, RHP, are included in the publications 32nd team. The 32nd team highlights a handful of players(this year 15) who just missed the cut for the handbook. The Prospect Handbook(along with its supplement) highlights the top 31 prospects in each organization.

Goebbert started 2011 with Lancaster, but had advanced to Oklahoma City by Labor Day. Martinez pitched for Lexington last season.

NOTE: WHOOPS! Thanks to the reader who pointed out that RHP Josh Zeid is also on the 32nd team.

Astros have three Prospects in the top 100

2012-01-25T22:11:00.006-06:00

Picture of Jarred Cosart from Corpus Christi Hooks. Used with permission.

Three Astros prospects are listed in Jonathan Mayo's Top 100 list, which was released on MLB.com tonight.

#44 Jonathan Singleton
#61 Jarred Cosart
#84 George Springer
Also, according to Adrian Houser's Twitter Feed, Minor League Pitchers and Catcher will be reporting to Florida on March 3(in 38 days)

Top 100 Prospects to be Unveiled Tonight

2012-01-25T10:51:00.004-06:00

MLB.com will be revealing their list of the top 100 prospects tonight at 9 p.m.(Minute Maid Park time). Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has already ranked Jonathan Singleton as the #3 1B and Delino DeShields, Jr. as the #6 2B. Where will those two and other future Astros fit in the top 100?

Coming Soon to Minute Maid Park!

2012-01-25T09:14:00.001-06:00

What the Heck, Bobby Interviews Houser

2012-01-24T08:39:00.002-06:00

What the Heck, Bobby officially has a pipeline to the Astros' prospects. Today? An interview with Adrian Houser. The Astros drafted Houser last summer out of high school in Oklahoma.

Long Before there was Farmstros, there were the Ex-Stros

2012-01-23T22:07:00.005-06:00

I'm usually not one to give in to peer pressure, but seeing that all the cool bloggers and tweeters and Houston media people in general are fishing for clicks and listeners with a take on the possible Astros' name change, I figured I'd get in on the feeding frenzy.

I have always been a fan of words and more specifically the sound of words. My auditory leanings have been a large part of my baseball experience. There's no better way to "watch" a game than on the radio. With all due respect to Milo Hamilton, Dave Raymond and Bret Dolan, I still miss Gene Elston, who will always be the voice of the Astros in my ears.

I have no doubt that this love of sounds has led me to form an emotional bond with the name Astros. Why else would I affectionatley call them the 'strosies? Why else would I name this blog Farmstros? Why else did I play imaginary games in my backyard as a boy between the Astros and the Ex-Stros?

Yes, you read right, the Ex-stros. Many a summer day was passed in my backyard pretending to be Jose Cruz or Joe Niekro- I still have a pretty sweet knuckleball. Yet, as the Houston heat increased, in the summer of 1978, I started to vary my games to keep myself interested.

Underneath the chinaberry tree that stood right next to the pitcher's mound, Joe Niekro and Joe Sambito stared down Milt May (Tigers) and Joe Morgan(Reds). Prince my pet dog was amazed to watch Jose Cruz and Art Howe take their hacks against Tom Griffin(Angels) and Dave Roberts(Cubs). In my mind, Gene Elston made the call and the Ex-stros played in Houston again.

As Houston's Major League baseball team moves forward into a hopefully improving era, calling that team anything but the "Astros" just won't sound right to me.

These Three Skeeters used to be Farmstros

2012-01-23T13:42:00.002-06:00

Three of the seven players the Sugarland Skeeters acquired in today's Atlantic League expansion draft have experience in the Astros organization.

Houston liked Ryan McKeller so much that they drafted him twice in 2001 and 2002. The right-handed pitcher started his professional career in Martinsville in 2003. McKeller, now 28, peaked in the Astros' organization in 2009, which he spent at AAA Round Rock. He was on the staff of the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League in 2010 and 2011.

Josh Banks spent all of 2010 in the Round Rock rotation. The 29-year old right-hander made one start with the Astros that season filling in for an injured Bud Norris in Arlington. Express fans may remember Banks taking a line drive off of his face at Dell Diamond on the night of July 24, 2010. He split 2011 between Fresno and the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks.

Ryan Houston, 32, spent 2008 in the Round Rock bullpen. He was with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League for all of 2011 and part of 2010.

Great Scott! What a Finish

2012-01-23T11:47:00.003-06:00

Alyson Footer has a nice write up(with numerous pictures) of the 1986 Astros reunion held over the weekend.

Seeing pictures of Terry Puhl, Alan Ashby, Jose Cruz, and the rest sent me digging in the closet for the above poster. I was a senior in high school in the fall of 1986. Attending the Scott no-hitter is my #1 Astrodome sports memory.

February and Farmstros voting are Around the Corner

2012-01-23T11:04:00.003-06:00

February is less than 10 days away, which means that it is almost time for the Farsmtros Village to vote for the Pre-Season Player and Pitcher of the Year.

The schedule:

February 1-6: Pre-Season Player of the Year Voting
February 6- Player of the Year announced
February 8-13: Pre-Season Pitcher of the Year Voting
February 13- Pitcher of the Year announced

I will make every effort to interview the two winners before the end of the month

No Dinner for Farmstros

2012-01-23T10:43:00.004-06:00

NOTE: Shortly, after posting this, I received a comment from Brandon that changed my day. Please read it. My heart goes out to Brandon.

Back in early December, I put out a request for support to send Farmstros to the Houston Baseball Dinner. I was very excited when the $100 was pledged(this included $25 from the Farmstros coffers) and I started the process of purchasing a ticket to the event.

However, the biggest pledger, Brandon in New Braunfels, has disappeared and his money has never materialized. I appreciate the support of the Tri-City Valley Cats and one other anonymous donor who came through with their committment. However, Brandon's disappearance and to smaller extent a less than customer-friendly experience with the dinner's Ticket Chairman have convinced me to abandon my attempt to attend the event.

DeShields is #6

2012-01-22T12:45:00.001-06:00

According to MLB.com Delino DeShields, Jr. is the #6 rated 2B prospect in baseball. The Astros drafted DeShields in the first round of the 2010 draft. He spent 2011 with Lexington.

New RedHawk Coach is a Birthday Boy

2012-01-22T08:26:00.004-06:00

Thanks to What the Heck, Bobby , we know that the new Oklahoma City hitting coach, Leon Roberts is turning 61 today. Roberts played for the Astros in 1976-77. He was traded to Seattle for Jimmy Sexton after the 1977 season. He has been coaching since his playing career ended in the mid 1980s.

Singleton is #3

2012-01-21T10:52:00.002-06:00

According to MLB.com, Jonathon Singleton is the #3 1B prospect in baseball at the moment. The Astros acquired Singleton from the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade.

Whitaker Bank Ballpark Sports some new Artwork

2012-01-19T16:14:00.004-06:00

Fans in Lexington going to see the Legends play at Whitaker Bank Ballpark will see some new artwork this season. The painting you see at the previous link is part of the Lexington Mural Project

Are Quintero and Corporan Going to Catch Everyone?

2012-01-19T09:16:00.006-06:00

Okay, I'll admit it: I didn't have any idea that Craig Tatum would be designated for assignment to make room for Jack Cust. That transaction leaves the Astros with only three catchers headed for Spring Training at the moment. One of those three is Jason Castro, who is still recovering from his injuries. Needless to say, a few more catchers(or some sturdy pitchbacks?) will be need to added to the Astros lineup before the pitchers start building arm strength in Florida.

NOTE: Since I posted this, Chris Snyder was added to the roster. Also, Craig Tatum was claimed off of waivers by Arizona.

Assuming Craig Tatum stays around and receives a non-roster invite to camp and a veteran free agent catcher may be added, here is a list of five other possibles to catch a lot of pitches in February.

Emerson Frostad(He can impress everyone with his Pan Am Games Gold Medal)
Rene Garcia(He was in big league camp last year)
Ben Heath(Spent most of 2011 in Lancaster)
Federico Hernandez(Topped out a Corpus in 2011)-Hernandez released from organization 1/2012
Chris Wallace(University of Houston product)

Interview with Larry Dierker

2012-01-18T13:57:00.003-06:00

I had the opportunity to talk some baseball with Larry Dierker today, so I figured I'd let the Farmstros Village listen to the conversation above.

Among other things, we discussed the future of the Astros, scouting, Greg Maddux and Larry's favorite charity, Literacy Advance of Houston. My favorite comment from the conversation came when I asked about the new focus on sabremetrics in the Astros' front office. Larry told me, "I was into that part of the game while he(Luhnow) was just a little boy."

You can access more information about the Larry Dierker Celebrity Golf Tournament at this link.

Cust in, Leon Gone?

2012-01-17T23:17:00.003-06:00

The Astros have reportedly reached an agreement with outfielder Jack Cust. Unless a trade is made between now and when the Cust signing is announced, room will need to be made on the 40-man roster for Cust. I'm guessing Arecenio Leon is next in line to be designated for assignment. Leon, 25, pitched in 47 games for the Hooks in 2011, posting a 4.59 ERA in 64 2/3 IP.