TRADER JEFFS - A HOUSTON ASTROS BLOG by Jared Sarabia > WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE ASTROS

The Astros Latest Moves

 

By Jared Sarabia Twitter: @Jared Sarabia on Aug 21 2013, 2:45p

Copyright 2013 - Houston 5A Baseball

 

Astros promote Max Stassi and David Martinez

 

The day after the Astros were embarrassed by the Texas Rangers losing 16-5, they made a couple of roster moves. Tuesday, the Astros placed backup catcher Carlos Corporan on the 7-Day DL with a concussion and purchased the contract of catcher Max Stassi from Double-A Corpus Christi. They also have designated left handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc for assignment and purchased the contract of right handed pitcher David Martinez from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

 

Stassi was included in the package that was acquired from the A’s back in February for shortstop Jed Lowrie. Stassi, age 22, was hitting .277/.333/.529 (batting average, on base percentage, and slugging) with 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 20 doubles in 289 at-bats for Double-A Corpus Christi. He is a former 4th round pick back in 2009 by the Athletics signing for $1,500,000. Injuries have slowed his progression in years past, but when healthy, he is considered to be one of the better catching prospects in the minor leagues. He is considered to be above average behind the plate and his bat coming along with some power, which has been outstanding thus far this season. He is one of the many prospects the Astros are giving a chance this year to show what they have to offer.

 

Astros Manager, Bo Porter plugged Stassi in right away inserting him into Tuesday night's lineup as the team’s designated hitter batting in the 7 hole. Stassi went 2-for-3 with a couple of singles. With All-Star catcher Jason Castro behind the plate, Stassi should serve as the team’s DH for now and will give Jason Castro a couple days off a week behind the plate.

 

New Astros RHP David Martinez went 14-3 with a 2.20 ERA and 96 K’s in 139.1 innings pitched between AA and AAA. Martinez turned 26 back on August 5th and is now the longest tenured Astros currently on the roster dating back to 2005. He is considered to be an organizational arm when it comes to prospect status, but the Astros are hoping they have something in Martinez. Martinez doesn’t throw hard and sits in the low 90’s, but he throws strikes and only has allowed 29 walks in his 139.1 innings pitched. He will serve as the team’s long relief pitcher coming out of the bullpen.

 

 

What to expect in September?

 

On September 1st, the major league clubs will be able to expand their rosters beyond the allotted 25. For teams like the Astros, this will give them a chance to take a look at a couple more of their prospects in preparation for next year. With the 6 man starting rotation the Astros already have in place, they are able to limit the innings of their young pitchers. 

 

The one question all Astros fans have been asking is, “when will George Springer be called up?” Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow said last week that he sees Springer staying with Triple-A Oklahoma City throughout their playoff run. Springer is the Astros #3 prospect, according to MLB.com, and has been on a tear all year posting a terrific .302/.410/.611 slash line with 36 home runs and 102 RBI in 453 at-bats between AA and AAA. He has struck out 151 times which is the reason why some of the experts have kept him out of the top prospect conversation, but he is definitively having a monster season at the plate and is in the running for MiLB player of the year. Springer currently has 39 steals to go with his 36 home runs as he is chasing that magical 40 home run and 40 stolen base season.

 

Along with Springer at Triple-A, there is Jonathan Singleton, the Astros 2nd best prospect according to MLB.com. The first basemen was suspended the first 50 games of this season for failing MLB’s drug policy, which I believe is the cause to Singleton’s slow start to Triple-A pitching. Yet, I will not be surprised to see Singleton up in September along with Springer to gain major league experience in preparation for next year. Jeff Luhnow may have Singleton wait and just come into Spring Training next year with a fresh start and a chance to compete for the Astros Opening Day 1st base position. Though, it will be great to see Springer and Singleton up in September gaining valuable experience along with other Astros rookies in Grossman, Villar, and Hoes.

 

The Astros currently have 4 rookies getting regular at bats right now and could be up to 7 with the addition of Stassi and maybe Springer, and Singleton in September. This will give management and the coaching staff an opportunity to see what they have in these young players and what spots they need to fill in the offseason via trades or free agency.

 

With David Martinez’s recent promotion, the Astros may want to take a look at a couple of other pitchers in September. One name that comes to mind is Asher Wojciechowski. He was acquired last season from the Blue Jays in a deal for J.A. Happ, David Carpenter, and Brandon Lyon. Wojciechowski was one of the 7 players the Astros acquired in that deal and he is currently the Astros 14th best prospect according to MLB.com. He currently has a 3.27 ERA in between AA and AAA, but has pitched in 122.2 of his total 148.2 innings at the Triple-A level. He has 121 K’s with 41 BB’s to go with his low .218 batting average against him. The 6’4” RHP can top out in the mid 90’s but will sit in the low 90’s with some sink to his fastball and has been considered to be a work horse and someone who competes with the best of them.

 

With the Astros bullpen struggling so bad this season, Wojciechowski may see some valuable major league experience in the bullpen in September. Along with Wojciechowski, we may see Paul Clemens and Jose Cisnero up again after their stint back with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Other pitchers that may see some time in the Astros bullpen in September include organizational players like Jake Buchanan and Jason Stoffel.