Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

J.D. Martinez

Lexington Legends outfielder J.D. Martinez is among 10 players selected to the Topps Class A All-Star team. Topps, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, honors the top performances in all minor-league classifications.

J.D. Martinez

Class A includes the South Atlantic, Midwest, California and Florida State leagues — 52 teams in all.

Martinez, MVP of the South Atlantic League and Minor League Player of the Year in the Houston Astros organization, is the only SAL player named to the Topps All-Star team.

Martinez, 23, led all of Class A with a 1.030 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages). He also led the SAL in batting (.362), slugging (.598) and on-base percentage (.433). At the time of his promotion from Lexington to Double-A Corpus Christi on July 15, he led the league in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, runs and total bases. He hit 15 home runs and drove in 64 runs over 88 games with the Legends.

Topps Class A All-Stars

Pos.  Player                  Team/League    MLB affiliate  Avg.-HR-RBI
1B   Paul Goldschmidt     Visalia/California      Arizona        .314-35-108
2B   Kyle Seager             High Desert/Calif.    Seattle         .345-14-74
3B   Stephen Parker       Stockton/California   Oakland      .296-21-98
SS   Grant Green            Stockton/California   Oakland       .318-20-87
OF   Johermyn Chavez   High Desert/California  Seattle     .315-32-96
OF   J.D. Martinez           Lexington/SAL           Houston      .362-15-64
OF   Mike Trout              Cedar Rapids/Midwest L.A.Angels .341-10-58
                                      Rancho Cucamonga/California
C    Jason Hagerty          Fort Wayne/Midwest   San Diego  .302-14-74
DH   Rich Poythress       High Desert/California  Seattle     .315-31-130
                                                                                           W-L    ERA
P    Matthew Moore      Charlotte/Fla. State     Tampa Bay  6-11    3.36

Jarvis moves from Diamondbacks to Padres

Kevin Jarvis

Kevin Jarvis, 41, is switching organizations as a major league scout, moving from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the San Diego Padres.

Jarvis, a former Tates Creek High School and Wake Forest standout, pitched for the D-backs and Padres, among others, over a 12-year big-league career.

During his time with the Padres (2001-03), the right-hander was 18-23 with a 5.06 ERA over 55 starts. For his career, Jarvis was 34-49 with a 6.03 ERA.

The Padres also named former catcher Brad Ausmus as special assistant to baseball operations, and former Arizona State University head coach Pat Murphy as manager of the short-season A Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds.

Lawless, Clapp, Montague assigned to Hooks

Tom Lawless

Stubby Clapp

The Astros have stocked the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks staff with multiple connections from the Legends.

Named as manager is Tom Lawless, who held the same post with Lexington in 2009 and High-A Lancaster last season.

His staff includes former Legends hitting coach Stubby Clapp and trainer Eric Montague. Also on Lawless’ staff is pitching coach Don Alexander.

From the Houston Astros media relations department … former Legends Jordan Lyles and J.D. Martinez are honored.

The Houston Astros Player Development Department announced their 2010 Minor League Players of the Year Tuesday, naming right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles as Pitcher of the Year and outfielder J.D. Martinez as Player of the Year. The club also named Omar Lopez, manager of the Astros Gulf Coast League affiliate, as Player Development Man of the Year. All three will be recognized at a special pre-game ceremony at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, October 2, prior to the Astros 6:05 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs.

“Jordan and J.D. have both moved through the system at a rapid pace and seem destined to reach the big leagues in the not-too-distant future. Not only are they talented players, but they’re solid-makeup, exceptionally dedicated kids,” said Astros General Manager Ed Wade. “Omar has impressed everyone with the work he’s done for us in player development. He’s had an impact everywhere he’s gone and is focused on making our kids better.”

Jordan Lyles

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles was named the Astros 2010 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 7-12 record and a 3.57 ERA (63ER/158.2IP) in 27 games, 26 starts, between the Double A and Triple A levels. Lyles spent the majority of his season with Double A Corpus Christi, posting a 7-9 record and a 3.12 ERA (44ER/127IP) in 21 games, 20 starts. His success with Corpus Christi earned him mid-season and post-season Texas League All-Star honors, as well as a selection to the 2010 MLB Futures Game. Lyles was promoted to Triple A in early August but still managed to finish tied for fourth in the Texas League with 115 strikeouts and ranked fifth in ERA. At the time of his promotion, he became the first 19-year-old to pitch at the Triple A level in 2010. Lyles was selected by Houston in the supplemental first round, as the 38th overall selection, in the 2008 June draft.

                Jordan Lyles – Right-Handed Pitcher (combined 2A and 3A stats)

W   L   ERA   G   GS   CG   SHO   SV    IP      H   R   ER   HR   BB   SO

7   12   3.57   27   26   2       0     0  158.2   181   75   63   12   46   137

Outfielder J.D. Martinez earned Minor League Player of the Year after hitting a combined .341 (183×537) with 40 doubles, 18 homers and 89 RBI with Class A Lexington and Double A Corpus Christi. Before being promoted to Corpus Christi on July 16, Martinez posted a .362 (126×348) average with 15 homers and 64 RBI in 88 games for Lexington. His performance, in a little over half the season with Lexington, earned him the South Atlantic League’s Most Valuable Player Award and mid-season and post-season All-Star nominations. In his two years in the Astros system, Martinez has played at four different levels, hitting above .300 at each stop and placing his career minor league batting average at .343 (275×801). He was drafted by Houston in the 20th round of the June 2009 draft.

 

                J.D. Martinez – Outfielder (combined Class A and 2A stats)

AVG   AB     H      R     2B   3B   HR    RBI   SB

.341   537   183   107   40    4    18     89      5

Omar Lopez, who serves at the manager of the Astros Gulf Coast League affiliate, was named as the organization’s Player Development Man of the Year after completing his second full season at the helm of the GCL Astros. In addition to his managerial duties, Lopez, who is bilingual, is given the task of guiding the organization’s Spanish-speaking prospects through their first year of professional baseball in the United States. The 2010 season was his third as a manager in the Astros organization.

Jose Cisnero, Jake Goebbert and Jonathan Meyer have been named the Lexington Legends’ final Players of the Month for the 2010 season.

Jose Cisnero

The Houston Astros Player Development Department announced the monthly winners from each of its minor-league affiliates. Awards were chosen by the field staffs of each team.

Cisnero, Pitcher of the Month for the Legends, finished August with a 2-1 record and 3.31 ERA. The right-hander made six starts, giving up 13 earned runs over 35 1/3 innings.

Jake Goebbert

Goebbert, a corner outfielder, took Offensive Player of the Month honors by going 39-for-100 (.390). He had a .453 on-base percentage and 27 RBI over 27 games. He finished the season with team records for doubles and RBI.

Jonathan Meyer

Meyer is the Defensive Player of the Month. The third baseman finished the season with a .914 fielding percentage over 119 games.

Award winners at other Astros affiliates, listed in order of Pitcher, Offensive and Defensive (former Legends in CAPS):

Triple-A Round Rock — Roy Corcoran, Drew Locke, EDWIN MAYSONET.

Double-A Corpus Christi — Erick Abreu, J.D. MARTINEZ, Michael Affronti.

High-A Lancaster — Kyle Godfrey, BRIAN PELLEGRINI, ANDY SIMUNIC.

Short-season A Tri-City — David Martinez, Ben Orloff, Daniel Adamson.

Rookie Greeneville — Garrett Bullock, Telvin Nash, Hector Rodriguez.

Rookie Gulf Coast League — Matison Smith, Jordan Scott, Joshua Magee.

Rookie Dominican League — Luis Alayon, Luis De La Rosa, Mario Gonzalez.

J.D. Martinez did just about everything he could for the Lexington Legends during his half-season-plus with the team.

J.D. Martinez

He did so well enough that he has been named Most Valuable Player in the South Atlantic League.

Martinez is joined on the SAL post-season all-star team by another since-promoted Legend, second baseman Jose Altuve.

Martinez, a right fielder and designated hitter during his time with the Legends, hit .362 over 88 games, with 15 homers, 31 doubles and three triples among his 126 hits. He drove in 64 runs and scored 83. He finished with a .433 on-base percentage, .598 slugging and 1.030 OPS.

Promoted to Class Double-A Corpus Christi on July 16, Martinez is batting .302 with three homers, 25 RBI and 24 runs scored over 47 games.

Jose Altuve

Altuve stayed with the Legends through July 30, batting .308 with 11 homers, 45 RBI, 75 runs, 39 stolen bases and an .809 OPS.

Since being promoted to High-A Lancaster, Altuve is batting .272 with three homers, 18 RBI, 15 runs and three stolen bases.

The SAL post-season awards were determined by a vote of league field managers, general managers, sportswriters and broadcasters.

Most Outstanding Pitcher honors went to James Fuller (8-3, 1.93 ERA, 19 games) of the Savannah Sand Gnats.

Lakewood BlueClaws first baseman Jonathan Singleton is the Most Outstanding Major League Prospect, hitting .297 with 107 hits and 14 homers over 98 games.

Lakewood’s Mark Parent is Manager of the Year and Marc Valdes of Savannah is Coach of the Year.

All-star selections included Augusta GreenJackets third baseman Chris Dominguez, out of the University of Louisville.

2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Team

Manager – Mark Parent (Lakewood BlueClaws)
Coach — Marc Valdez (Savvanah Sand Gnats)
Right-handed pitcher — Jorge Bucardo (Augusta GreenJackets)
Left-handed pitcher — James Fuller (Savannah)
Catcher — Sebastian Valle (Lakewood)
First baseman — Jared Clark (Asheville Tourists)
Second baseman — Jose Altuve (Lexington Legends)
Shortstop — Jonathan Villar (Lakewood)
Third baseman — Chris Dominguez (Augusta GreenJackets)
Utility infielder — Robert Lyerly (Charleston RiverDogs)
Outfielder — J.D. Martinez (Lexington Legends)
Outfielder — Eliezer Mesa (Asheville)
Outfielder — Jeremy Hazelbaker (Greenville Drive)
Utility outfielder — Destin Hood (Hagerstown Suns)
Designated hitter — Justin Bloxom (Hagerstown)

Most Valuable Player – J.D. Martinez (Lexington Legends)
Most Outstanding Pitcher — James Fuller (Savannah)
Most Outstanding MLB Prospect — Jonathan Singleton (Lakewood)

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Rome Braves

What: Four-game series

Where: State Mutual Stadium (Rome, Ga.)

When: Tuesday through Friday (7 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights; 1 Wednesday afternoon)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Atlanta Braves

Tanner Bushue

Juan Minaya

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Tanner Bushue (4-5, 4.95) vs. RH Cory Rasmus (6-5, 3.16); Wednesday, RH Juan Minaya (4-8, 5.35) vs. LH Brett DeVall (5-6, 4.23); Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (4-5, 4.14) vs. RH Caleb Brewer (3-1, 4.30); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (4-2, 3.04) vs. LH Chris Masters (1-5, 3.27).

Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg

Brave to watch: 1B/DH Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg (6-foot-2, 235 pounds, from Pretoria, South Africa) was a 16th round draft pick last year out of Nova Southeastern in Florida, the same alma mater as Legends recent callup J.D. Martinez. He went 2-for-7 in two games with the Gulf Coast League Braves this season and is 32-for-109 (.294) with 10 RBI and 14 runs over 29 games with Rome. Spanjer-Furstenburg came into this season ranked by Baseball America as the 29th-best prospect in the Atlanta Braves’ system. At Coral Glades (Fla.) High School, he also played football. Last season, Spanjer-Furstenburg was Player of the Year and battinig champion in the Appalachian League, hitting .359 with eight homers 53 RBI and 36 runs over 62 games for Danville. He was on his native South Africa’s provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic.

Juan Minaya

Legend to watch: Wednesday starter Juan Minaya (6-4, 192, from Maimon, Dominican Republic) lost his first seven decisions of the season but is 4-1 over his last seven starts. Over 17 starts this season, Minaya has 62 strikeouts, 47 walks and 17 hit batsmen, but has surrendered only three home runs. Over his last seven starts, he has struck out 29 and beaned six, with an ERA of 4.06. Throw out his one bad showing during that stretch — six runs and three walks over two-third of an inning — and Minaya’s recent ERA drops to 2.37. However, that one bad start came against Rome. By month this season, Minaya’s ERA has dropped from 6.75 in April to 5.93 in May, 5.40 in June and 2.51 thus far in July. Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in September of 2008, Minaya made 12 starts for the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2009. Over 52 2/3 innings, he was 3-3 with a 4.27 ERA, issuing 18 walks while striking out 30.  

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
    League

 * * * *

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Five-game series

When: Wednesday through Sunday (7:05 each night except Sunday, 2:05 p.m.)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers (Crawdads)

Juan Minaya

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Brad Dydalewicz

Robby Donovan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Wednesday, RH Juan Minaya (3-8, 5.72) vs. RH Matt Thompson (6-6, 4.06); Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-5, 4.46) vs. RH Neil Ramirez (7-5, 5.24); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (4-1, 2.88) vs. RH Braden Tullis (3-0, 2.18); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-2, 8.06) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (4-2, 1.63); Sunday, RH Robby Donovan (7-5, 3.65) vs. RH Jake Brigham (1-1, 2.00).

Jared Bolden

Crawdad to watch: CF/1B Jared Bolden (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, from Lynchburg, Va.) is 16-for-43 (.372) in 11 games since being demoted from Bakersfield of the California League. He has multiple hits in four of his last five games. Bolden went 1-for-4 against the Legends on July 3. Selected by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2008 draft, out of Virginia Commonwealth, Bolden hit .263 with three homers and 28 RBI for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League in 2008. Last year, playing 107 games for the Crawdads and six contests for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bolden hit a combined .244 with two homers and 35 RBI. This season, over 62 games with Bakersfield, Bolden hit .219 with a homer and 15 RBI.

Renzo Tello

Legend to watch: CF Renzo Tello (6-1, 210, from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) joined the Legends on Sunday, promoted from Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. Over his first two games, he is 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. With Tri-City, Tello went 10-for-47 (.213) with a homer, five RBI and five runs. Signed at 17 by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent after the 2004 season, Renzo hit .264 with 15 homers, 82 RBI and 88 runs scored over three seasons with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros. He came to the United States in 2008, compiling a .288 average with three homers and 25 RBI over 44 games with Greeneville of the Appalachian League. Last year, Tello dropped to .197 with a homer and 13 RBI over 45 games with Tri-City.

J.D. Martinez (Mark Maloney photo)

Another Legend to watch: RF J.D. Martinez (6-3, 215, from Pembroke PInes, Fla.) is the SAL Player of the Week. For the period of July 5-11, Martinez went 10-for-20 (.500) with four homers, two doubles, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Through Monday, he led the league in batting (.358), hits (122), doubles (31), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.589), extra-base hits (58), runs (80) and totals bases (201). He ranked second to teammate Kody Hinze in RBI (68-62) and third in the league in homers (14).

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Homestand highlights

Wednesday — Ladies Night. Sun Tan City club members, with presentation of pass, can buy one ticket and get one free.

Thursday — “Thirsty Thursday” beer and Pepsi, $1 each through the seventh inning.

Friday — Bluegrass State Games “Celebration of Athletes Night,” Fritos Family Friday and ADI post-game fireworks.

Saturday — Marine Night, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps and featuring the Legends in camouflage jerseys. Fans presenting military identification can buy one ticket, get one free. Entertainment throughout the game provided by the Zooperstars, sponsored by LBX. ADI post-game fireworks.

Sunday — Jewish Heritage Day and JIF Kids Club Sunday.

Zach Grimmett

J.D. Martinez

Lexington Legends teammates Zach Grimmett, J.D. Martinez and Jake Goebbert are among 15 players named by the Houston Astros Player Development Department on Wednesday as Players of the Month for June. Monthly winners are chosen by the field staff of each team.

Former Legends honored include Jordan Lyles, Jhon Florentino, Patrick Urckfitz and Brandon Barnes.

A team-by-team breakdown follows.

Round Rock Express (Triple-A)

Pitcher: RH Josh Banks (3-1, 1.50 ERA, 30 innings pitched, four starts).
Offensive Player: OF Drew Locke (32-for-101, .317, 14 extra-base hits, 15 RBI, 28 games).
Defensive Player: C Jason Castro (15 June games before being promoted to Houston on June 22; season .994 fielding percentage, with 13 of 34 runners caught stealing).

Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A)

Jordan Lyles

Pitcher: RH Jordan Lyles (1-2, 2.10 ERA, 30 innings, five games, four starts; also named to Texas League All-Star Game and All-Star Futures Game).
Offensive: OF J.B. Shuck (35-for-101, .347 batting, .426 on-base percentage, 7 RBI).
Defensive: 3B Jhon Florentino (season totals of 70 games, .936 fielding percentage).

Lancaster JetHawks (High-A)

Patrick Urckfitz

Brandon Barnes

Pitcher: LH Patrick Urckfitz (1-0, 2.08, 21 2/3 innings, six games, one start, 25 strikeouts, three walks).
Offensive: OF Lee Cruz (32-for-80, .400, 11 doubles, 3 homers, 21 RBI).
Defensive: OF Brandon Barnes (season totals of 15 assists and .969 fielding percentage, playing primarily in right field).

Lexington Legends (Low-A)

Jake Goebbert

Pitcher: RH Zach Grimmett (1-0, 1.80, 20 innings, seven games, 0.85 WHIP).
Offensive: J.D. Martinez (36-for-101, .356, 14 extra-base hits, .420 on-base percentage, 13 RBI, 25 games).
Defensive: LF Jake Goebbert (season fielding percentage of .985).

Dominican Summer League Astros (Rookie)

Pitcher: LH Francisco Baso (3-3, 1 save, 2.93, 15 1/3 innings, 6 games).
Offensive: 2B Yonathan Mejia (26-for-84, .310, 7 RBI).
Defensive: OF Ydarqui Marte (season totals: .983 fielding percentage, 4 assists, 31 games).

After beginning the season with an eight-game road trip, the Lexington Legends will play their 2010 home opener Friday night at Applebee’s Park. The Legends will take on the Greenville Drive at 7:05 p.m.

Here’s a Who’s Who of the home team.

COACHING STAFF

Rick Aponte

Stubby Clapp

Rodney Linares

Rodney Linares, 32, becomes the eighth manager in the Legends’ 10th season, succeeding Tom Lawless. Linares, a Dominican native, spent the last three seasons as manager of the Greeneville Astros in the Appalachian League, going 74-127. He served as hitting coach for the Legends in 2005 and 2006. Before coming to Lexington, Linares spent six seasons with the Astros’ Dominican Republic operations, serving as a scout and hitting coach. Before joining the Astros coaching staff in 1999, he played three seasons of minor-league ball as an infielder in the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros organizations. His father, Julio, has been in the Astros organization since 1973 and is in his sixth season as special assistant to the general manager, for Dominican scouting and development. … Stubby Clapp, 37, returns to the Legends after spending one season on Linares’ staff at Greeneville. In 2008, his stay with the Legends was cut short so that he could play second base for Team Canada in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. He also played for Canada in the 2004 Athens Olympics. From Windsor, Ontario, Clapp played for Texas Tech University. As a pro, he played from 1996 through 2004, reaching the big leagues in 2001 for 23 games with the St. Louis Cardinals. His No. 10 was retired in 2007 by the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. … Rick Aponte, 54, joins the staff after serving one season as pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Astros. The previous two seasons, he was pitching coach for the Washington Nationals. Before going to Washington, he spent 32 years with in the Astros organization as a player, coach or scout, including 10 seasons as a minor-league pitching coach.  

Outfielders (Ht., wt., bats/throws, age, hometown, acquired)

Jake Goebbert

Grant Hogue

Jake Goebbert (6-0, 200, L/L, 22, Hampshire, Ill., 13th round June 2009 draft) hit .238 with 18 RBI over 59 games for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League last season. Played for Northwestern University. … Grant Hogue (6-1, 190, S/R, 23, Hattiesburg, Miss., 35th round June 2009 draft) is familiar to University of Kentucky fans. He patrolled center field for Mississippi State before turning pro. Hogue hit .284 with a homer, 14 RBI and 17 SB over 53 games with the Greeneville Astros last season. He was the team’s Defensive Player of the Month in July and August …

J.D. Martinez

Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp (5-9, 180, R/R, 21, East Rockaway, N.Y., 19th round June 2009 draft), out of St. John’s University, earned New York-Penn League all-star honors last year. In 66 games with Tri-City, he hit .259 with 11 RBI, 35 runs and 16 SB. He was Tri-City’s Offensive Player of the Month for July. … J.D. Martinez (6-3, 215, R/R, 22, Pembroke Pines, Fla., 20th round June 2009 draft) led the New York-Penn League in batting (.326) and OPS (.920 combined on-base and slugging percentages). Out of Nova Southeastern University, he earned NYPL all-star honors, with seven HR and 33 RBI over 53 games with Tri-City. He began the season at Greeneville, hitting .403 with five homers and 23 RBI in 19 games.

Infielders (Ht., wt., bats/throws, age, hometown, acquired)

Jose Altuve

Miguel Arrendell

Jose Altuve (5-5, 148, R/R, 19, Maracay, Venezuela, non-drafted free agent September 2006) was an Appalachian League all-star and MVP of the Greeneville Astros last season. He batted .324 with three HR, 18 RBI and 21 SB over 45 games. He had more walks (26) than strikeouts (16), and 25 of his 58 hits were for extra bases. He also played 21 games with Tri-City, batting .250 with seven RBI and seven SB. Overall, he led all Astros minor-leaguers with 28 SB. … Miguel Arrendell (6-0, 165, L/R, 22, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, non-drafted free agent July 2006) hails from his manager’s hometown. In 2008, Arrendell was MVP of the Dominican Summer League, hitting .284 with 14 RBI, 37 runs and 20 SB over 57 games. He drew nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts (57-30). Last year, he hit .235 with three HR, 14 RBI, 24 runs and four SB for Greeneville. His .394 on-base percentage ranked No. 5 among Astros minor leaguers. …

Kody Hinze

Aaron Bray

Aaron Bray (6-0, 187, L/R, 22, Charlotte, N.C., 27th round June 2009 draft), out of N.C.-Charlotte, was Greeneville’s Offensive Player of the Month last August. Over 48 games with the team, he hit .278 with 20 RBI and 28 walks. … Kody Hinze (6-0, 225, R/R, 22, Houston, non-drafted free agent October 2007), out of Angelina College (Texas), split last season between the Gulf Coast League Astros and the Legends. In 32 GCL games, Hinze hit .262 with a homer and 14 RBI. In 27 games with the Legends, he .175 with four HR and 14 RBI. Including 2008 at Greeneville, Hinze’s career totals: .247, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 114 games. …

Jonathan Meyer

Andy Simunic

Jiovanni Mier

Jonathan Meyer (6-1, 195, S/R, 19, Simi Valley, Calif., supplemental third round June 2009 draft), in his first season beyond high school ball, hit .190 with three HR and 27 RBI over 62 games with Greene-ville. Yet, he led the Appalachian League with 36 walks. Baseball America likes his potential, rating him the 18th-best prospect in the Astros system. … Jiovanni Mier (6-2, 175, R/R, 19, Pomona, Calif., first round (21st overall) June 2009 draft) signed out of Bonita (Calif.) High School for a $1.358 million bonus. He played 51 games for Greeneville last season, batting .276 with seven HR, 32 RBI and 10 SB. While earning Appalachian League Player of the Year and all-star honors from Baseball America, he led the league in triples (6). Baseball America also tagged Mier as the second-best prospect in the Houston organization, best defensive player and best pro debut by a high school draft pick. … Andy Simunic (6-0, 170, R/R, 24, Collierville, Tenn., 17th round June 2008 draft) played 1B, 2B, 3B, LF and RF for the Legends last season. He hit .287 with six RBI and eight SB. He finished the year with Lancaster of the High-A California League, playing 21 games, hitting .286, with four RBI and two SB. His combined on-base percentage of .398 ranked fourth among Astros minor-leaguers. The former Tennessee Vol was team Defensive Player of the Month in July of the last two seasons — with Lexington in 2009 and Tri-City in 2008.

Catchers (Ht., wt., B/T, age, hometown, acquired) & Staff

Jonathan Fixler

Rene Garcia

John Patton

James Farrar

Jonathan Fixler (6-1, 205, R/R, 23, Park Ridge, Ill., 19th round June 2007 draft) divided last season among Lancaster, Corpus Christi and Round Rock. He played 80 games for the Legends in 2008, batting .248 with eight HR and 50 RBI. He was Lexington’s Defensive Player of the Month in April 2008. His three-year totals after leaving Indiana University: .223, 18 HR, 85 RBI, 147 games. … Rene Garcia (6-1, 172, R/R,20, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, 35th round June 2008 draft) hit .295 for Greeneville in 2008 and .202 for Tri-City last year. Over 70 professional games, Garcia is batting .221 with two HR and 15 RBI. … James Farrar, 28, joins the Legends as strength and conditioning coach. From Templeton, Mass., and a graduate of Lasell (Mass.) College, he has worked five years as a personal trainer. This is his second season in the Astros organization, having been with Tri-City in 2009. … “General” John Patton returns for his third season as Legends trainer and his seventh year in the Astros organization. He served one season with former Astros affiliate Martinsville, then three seasons with Tri-City. Before joining the Astros, he spent one season as an intern in the Baltimore Orioles organization. A graduate of Manchester (Ind.) College, he works during the off-season for Orthopedics Northeast in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Pitchers (Ht., wt., bats/throws, age, hometown, acquired)

Wander Alvino

Tanner Bushue

Jose Cisnero

Kirk Clark

Wander Alvino (5-11, 166, R/R, 23, Nizao, Dominican Republic, non-drafted free agent February 2006) spent two seasons with the Dominican Summer League Astros, then one each with Greeneville and Tri-City. Over those four seasons, he is 8-19 with a 4.37 ERA. He has 157 strikeouts to 70 walks over 204 innings. … Tanner Bushue (6-4, 180, R/R, 18, Kinmundy, Ill., second round June 2009 draft), out of South Central High School in Illinois, was named by Baseball America as the ninth-best prospect in the Gulf Coast League last season. In five starts for the GCL Astros, Bushue went 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA, with 19 strikeouts to five walks over 22 1/3 innings. Baseball America rates him the seventh-best prospect in the Astros system. … Jose Cisnero (6-3, 185, R/R, 21, Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, non-drafted free agent December 2007) won back-to-back Pitcher of the Month honors (July-August) at Greeneville last season. Overall, he made starts, going 4-2 with a 3.56 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 30 walks over 55 2/3 innings. … Kirk Clark (6-2, 202, R/R, 21, Moline, Ill., free agent August 2009) made 10 relief appearances spanning 19 innings for Tri-City last season. He finished 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA, 24 strikeouts and three walks. …

Robert Donovan

Arcenio Leon

David Duncan

Robert Donovan (6-5, 195, R/R, 23 next week, Royal Palm Beach, Fla., 23rd round June 2009 draft), out of Stetson University, debuted with Tri-City last season. In 19 games, including four starts, Donovan was 2-5 with four saves, 3.74 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 21 walks over 33 2/3 innings. He was the team’s Pitcher of the Month in August. … David Duncan (6-9, 230, L/L, 23, New Richmond, Ohio, fifth round June 2008 draft), out of Georgia Tech, begins the season on the disabled list due to a sore arm. He split last season between Tri-City, Lexington and Lancaster, going a combined 4-14. With the Legends, Duncan was 4-4 with a 4.29 ERA, 52 strikeouts and nine walks over 56 2/3 innings. … Arcenio Leon (6-1, 162, R/R, 23, Maracaibo, Venezuela, non-drafted free agent February 2005) appeared in 41 games, including four starts, for the Legends in 2009. He finished 4-2 with a 5.86 ERA, 52 strikeouts and 49 walks spanning 70 2/3 innings. He spent the previous two seasons with Greeneville, which came after two years in the Venezuelan Summer League. His five-season totals: 10-16, 13 saves, 4.42 ERA, 167 K, 125 BB, 228 IP. Baseball America pegs him as the 19th-best prospect in the Astros system, noting “He sits at 93-95 mph with his fastball, topping out at 96. He mixes a slider than can be an electric pitch at 86-88 mph, a swing-and-miss offering with sharp, late break and depth.” …

Juan Minaya

Colton Pitkin

Daniel Sarisky

Juan Minaya (6-4, 185, R/R, 19, Maimon, Dominican Republic, non-drafted free agent September 2008) broke in last season with the GCL Astros, making 12 starts. Over 52 2/3 innings, he went 3-3 with a 4.27 ERA, while striking out 18 and walking 30. … Colton Pitkin (6-3, 210, R/L, 20, Baytown, Texas, 41st round June 2007 draft), selected out of Sterling High School in Texas, was Greeneville’s Pitcher of the Month in June and August of 2008. After two seasons with Greeneville, Pitkin moved up to Tri-City last year, compiling a 4-8 record with a 4.21 ERA. In 14 games, including 13 starts and one complete game, he worked 68 1/3 innings, striking out 49 and walking 32. … Daniel Sarisky (6-1, 175, R/R, 21, Duluth, Ga., 40th round June 2009 draft), out of Oglethorpe University, made 10 relief appearances for Greeneville and 10 for Tri-City last season. At Greeneville, he was 2-1 with a 4.73 ERA, 17 strikeouts and four walks over 13 1/3 innings. With Tri-City, he had no decisions, a 3.27 ERA, 24 strikeouts and nine walks over 22 innings. …

Michael Schurz

Jose Trinidad

Brandt Walker

Michael Schurz (6-2, 205, R/R, 23, Portsmouth, Va., 44th round June 2009 draft), out of the University of Iowa, sparkled in 23 relief outings last season. In 15 games with the GCL Astros, Schurz was 2-0 with six saves and a 2.25 ERA. He struck out 22 and walked six over 16 innings. Then, in eight outings for Tri-City, Schurz was 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA, 15 strikeouts and seven walks in 13 2/3 innings. … Jose Trinidad (5-11, 150, R/R, 22, Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican Republic, non-drafted free agent February 2006) led all Astros minor-leaguers in 2008 with a 2.73 ERA (17 earned runs in 56 innings). With the Legends last year, he was shut down after 13 relief stints and 21 innings due to injury. He was 0-3 with a save and a 4.71 ERA. His four-season minor-league totals, beginning with two years in the DSL: 9-11, 10 saves, 2.92 ERA, 134 strikeouts, 51 walks, 160 1/3 innings. … Brandt Walker (6-1, 165, R/R, 22, Austin, Texas, eighth round June 2009 draft), in his first season out of Stanford University, went 1-7 with a save and 7.92 ERA for Tri-City last season. He pitched in 16 games, including 11 starts, and totaled 50 innings, 39 strikeouts and 36 walks.

Taking a closer look at the Houston Astros’ selections in this week’s Major League Baseball Draft.

After all, this is where many of the 2010 Lexington Legends are sure to come from. Background info, courtesy of the Astros media relations staff.

1st Round (#21): SS Jiovanni Mier, Bonita (Calif.) H.S.; 6-2, 175
Year AVG AB  R  H   2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB OBP
2009   .394   71  37 28   10     1     5    18   22     9   18   .545
Ranked 44th on Baseball America’s draft rankings, noted as having above average speed and a powerful arm that grades out to well-above-average. … Homered in his last at-bat for Bonita High. … Also pitched in high school, and reportedly had his fastball gunned in the 91-93 mph range. … Maintained a 2.80 ERA (4ER/10IP) through the 2008-09 season. … MVP of the Miramonte League in his 2007 junior season (.479 , 3 HR, 30 RBI, 5 SB). … Brother, Jessie Mier, is a catcher for Inland Empire, Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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2nd Round (#69): RHP Tanner Bushue, South Central (Ill.) H.S.; 6-4, 190
Year ERA W-L G   IP   H  R ER BB SO
2009   0.62   8-3 13 68.1 31 15    6   22 140
No. 140 in Baseball America’s draft rankings. … As a junior in 2008, Midland Trail Conference Player of the Year (6-0, 2 sv, 47.2 ip, 11 h, 21 w, 126 so).
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3rd Round (#100): OF Telvin Nash, Griffin (Ga.) H.S.; 6-2, 220
Year AVG AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO OBP
2009   .527   78 39    7     1   10    40     9    9   .591
A Louisville Slugger High School Pre-Season All-Star in 2009.
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3rd (Supplemental-#111): 3B Jonathan Meyer, Simi Valley (Calif.) H.S.; 6-1, 195
Year AVG  H 2B HR RBI BB SO SB
2009   .390 36   10    3     34  13    19    7
177th in Baseball America’s draft rankings. … As a junior in 2008 (.387 , 13 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 43 RBI, .802 SP), led Simi Valley to CIF title. … The Ventura County Star and the Daily News Player of the Year in 2008, as well as All-State First-Team, All-CIF Southern Section First-Team and L.A. Times All-County Team that year.
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4th Round (#131): RHP B.J. Hyatt, South Carolina — Sumter; 6-4, 205
Year ERA W-L G/GS S   IP   H  R ER BB SO HR WP
2009   7.24   3-0   16/3   3 32.1 33 34  26   19   31     4     1
Former member of the Coastal Plain League’s Florence RedWolves.
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5th Round (#161): SS Brandon Wickoff, Illinois; 5-9, 170
Year AVG  AB  R   H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2009   .373  228 56  85   17    5    4      41  25     7    10-13
Rivals.com Preseason All-Big Ten as junior this season. … All-Ping! Baseball second team. … Finished on a career-best 18-game hitting streak, including nine multiple-hit games, and reached base in every game except one this season. … Had 23 multi-hit games, second-best on team, and 10 multi-RBI games. … In 2008, All-Big Ten SS. … Started all 56 games and hit in No. 3 spot in 50 games. … Hit .369 with team-high 61 RBI, tied for team lead in doubles (12) and tied for Big Ten lead in sacrifice flies (9). … His 37 RBI in Big Ten games ranked second in the league and were third-most in Illini history. … Had 24 mult-hit games and 15 multi-RBI efforts. … Played 56 games in 2007, starting 54, all at third base. … Batted mostly in the No. 2 spot. … Led his high school team to the Illinois State Tournament in 2005 and 2006, placing fourth in his junior season. … 2006 All-State pick by Prep Baseball Report and the Chicago Tribune. (Peoria) Journal Star Player of the Year in 2005.
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6th Round (#191): SS Enrique Hernandez, American Military Academy (Puerto Rico); 5-11, 170
2009 Puerto Rico High School Baseball All-Star.
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7th Round (#221): LHP Dallas Keuchel, Arkansas; 6-2, 180
Year ERA W-L  G    IP    H  R ER BB SO
2009   4.04   7-3  16 98.0 106 54  44   28  62
186th in Baseball America’s draft rankings. … Led Razorbacks in wins and innings pitched. … 4-3, 4.58 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 74.2 inning pitched and 11 starts in 2008. … Threw five or more innings in six of 11 starts and had 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. … In SEC play, 2-1, 4.72, 30 strikeouts over 47.2 innings. … Pitched two seasons for Wareham Gatemen of Cape Cod League; a West Division all-star.
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8th Round (#251): RHP Brandt Walker, Stanford; 6-3, 185
Year ERA W-L G    IP   R ER BB SO
2009   7.11   0-1 12 19.0  16   15  13  12
2008   4.50   0-0   6   6.0    5    3     7    4
Opened the year as a starter. … Sophomore season (2008), reached College World Series with the Cardinal. … Pitched in 15 games (two starts) over his first two seasons, going 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA (13er, 18.1 ip. …Graduated in 2006 from St. Stephens Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. … A 2006 first-team Preseason Louisville Slugger All-American. … Ranked No. 7 among 2006 Texas High School players. … Selected by the Texas Rangers in the 21st round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
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9th Round (#281): SS Ben Orloff, Cal-Irvine; 5-11, 170
Year AVG GP AB  R  H 2B RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2009   .358  60  254 62  91 11     28   21   16    18-23
2008   .344  60  227 50  78 17     23   30   19    19-28
Named a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American this year; Top 10 Returning Senior by Rivals.com; Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch List. … In 2008, All-Big West Conference first-team honoree; Lincoln NCAA Regional All-Tournament team. … Ranked 12th in the country in sacrifice bunts (16). … Tied for third on UCI career list with 44 stolen bases; seventh in games played (181); tied for 13th in runs (116); tied for 19th in hits (190). … Started 155 consecutive games. … Struck out 35 times in 481 at bats over his last two seasons.
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10th Round (#311): 3B Erik Castro, San Diego State; 6-4, 200
Year AVG GP  AB  R  H 2B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2009   .388   58  206 48 80  19   11     56   42   37     3-4
All-Mountain West Conference second team as utility/DH. … Homered in four consecutive games against three different opponents May 10-15 (vs. Air Force, San Francisco, Utah). … Two of his team-leading 11 home runs came at PETCO Park (home of the San Diego Padres) against UC Davis on April 3; the first player in the 10 col­legiate games played in the Major League stadium to hit two homers in a game. … .496 on-base percentage led the Aztecs. Also led in batting, homers and RBI. … Errorless in 19 games at catcher and four appearances at first base. .… Batted .446 (33-for- 74) with runners in scoring position … Hit .400 in league play with eight doubles, seven homers, 24 runs and 29 RBI.
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11th Round (#341): C David “Bubby” Williams, Crowder (Mo.) College; 6-0, 190 
NJCAA Division I Baseball All-Region 16 Team in 2008. … As a freshman last year, 1st Team All Region and  Region 16 Player of the Year.
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12th Round (#371): RHP Geoffrey Thomas, Stephenson (Ga.) H.S.; 6-0, 187
Year  ERA W-L     IP BB SO
2009    0.51   3-2  27.2    23   48
Team MVP in 2006 and 2008, all-county in 2007 and 2008. … Rawlings/Perfect Game USA Preseason All-Region Team this season. … Participated in the Major League Baseball Inaugural Break­through Series and was a MLB Urban Academy All-Star selection in 2008.
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13th Round (#401): OF Jake Goebbert, Northwestern University; 6-0, 205
Year AVG GP AB  R  H 2B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2009   .280  30  107 24 30  10     4     23   18   15     2-3
2008   .353  49  173 41 61  22   10     48   28   27     3-3
As a sophomore in 2008, second-team All-Big Ten. … The Wildcats’ Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. … Broke a 31-year-old school season record by posting a Big Ten-leading 22 doubles; also led team in HR, RBI, BB and with .665 slugging percentage, . 458 on-base percentage. … Hit safely in 17 straight games. … Pitched twice, at Illinois and in a home win over Elmhurst, and did not allow a run. … ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V team . … Academic All-Big Ten.
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14th Round (#431): LHP David Berner, San Jose State; 6-2, 205
Year ERA W-L G/GS CG SV    IP  H  R ER BB SO
2009   3.20   7-2   13/13    3     0  95.2 84 43  34   15   84
In 2008, made 14 appearances, 13 starts. … Tossed 83.0 innings, second-most on the team and seventh-most in the WAC. … Led the Spartans with 67 strikeouts, fifth-most in the conference. … Went at least 4.2 innings in every start.
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15th Round (#461): CF Ryan Humphrey, St. Louis Community College–Meramec; 6-0, 195
Year AVG GP-GS  AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI
2009   .278    44-44  133  37    6    0    0      21
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16th Round (#491): 1B Ronald Sanchez, Manuela Toro (Puerto Rico) H.S.; 5-10, 170
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17th Round (#521): RHP Justin Harper, Oklahoma City University; 6-3, 210
Year ERA W-L G/GS CG SV   IP   H    R ER BB SO
2009   4.94   9-3  15-14     4     0 71.0  63  44  39   38   86
Went 2-1 with 6.00 ERA as sophomore, fanning 42 over 36 innings. … Ranked as top junior-college prospect in Arizona by Baseball America. … 0-2, 3.24 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 25 innings as freshman. … All-state for Greenway High School in Phoenix, Ariz. 
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18th Round (#551): RHP James (J.B.) MacDonald, Boston College; 6-2, 190
Year ERA W-L G/GS CG SV  IP   H  R ER BB SO
2009   4.86   5-7   15-15    1    0 96.1 96 58  52   32  71
Started 11 games and made one relief appearance as a junior in 2008, going 4-7. … As a sophomore, pitched in 13 games, totaling 28.1 innings; 1-0, one save, 23 strikeouts. … Went six straight appearances — 9.2 innings — without surrendering an earned run. … Played four years at Danvers High School, earning Northeastern Conference MVP and all-region honors in 2005.
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19th Round (#581): CF Brian Kemp, St. Johns; 5-9, 180
Year AVG  GP-GS  AB  H  R 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2009    .379    52-52  219 83 68   13    3     3     35   25   25   16-21
2008 pre-season All-Big East selection as a sophomore. … Played 36 games, all starts, batting a team-high .360 with 20 RBI, three doubles, five triples and one home run. … Stole a team-best 16 bases in 21 attempts and had 15 multi-hit games. … Had a 15-game hitting streak. … As a freshman, started 56 games and batted .348, with team-bests of 53 runs and 25 stolen bases. … Louisville Slugger freshman All-American; All-Big East third team.
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20th Round (#611): RF Julio (J.D.) Martinez, Nova Southeastern (Fla.); 6-3, 194
Year AVG GP-GS AB  H  R 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT E FLD%
2009   .428     55-55 187 80 73  15    2  15      57  41   26      8-9       6  .921
2008   .370     51-50 192 71 54  18    1  12      56  27   18      6-7       1  .989
Set single-season program record in runs scored (73) while placing second in batting average this season; top 10 season in slugging percentage (.770), hits, home runs, RBI, total bases (144) and walks. … Set NSU career home run record April 17 vs. Barry University, hitting his 31st. … Sophomore season of 2008, led team in RBI, second in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, homers and total bases (124). …  First-Team All-Sunshine State Conference, Daktronics All-South Region Second-Team, NCBWA All-South Region First-Team, ABCA/Rawlings All-America Baseball third team. .. Finished with 21 multiple hit and 10 multiple RBI games. … As freshman in 2007, hit .379 with 5 HR, 29 RBI. … Back-to-back state title teams at Flanagan High School. … Team Gold Glove winner senior year. … 2006 MLB Draft 36th Round Pick of the Minnesota Twins.
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48th Round (#1451): LHP Steven Rodriguez, Gulliver Prep (Fla.) H.S.; 6-3, 215
A 2008 Under Armour All-American. … Also named an All-American Prospect.
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49th Round (#1481): 1B Matthew Smith, Mississippi; 6-3, 230
Year AVG GP AB   H  R 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT FLD%

2009   .336   64  232 78 52 15    2    8    59    30    57     4-6        .988

Appeared in 61 games, drawing 60 starts in 2008. … Hit .283, with 40 RBI, 39 runs, 11 doubles, a triple and 14 home runs. … His 14 home runs set the Ole Miss freshman record as he posted a .527 slug­ging percentage. … Also drew 22 walks and posted 17 multiple-hit games, 11 multiple-RBI games.
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50th Round (#1511): LHP Spencer Hylander, Oklahoma Baptist; 6-1, 195
Year ERA W-L G/GS CG SV IP   H   R ER BB SO

2009   5.02   5-1   16/10   4   0   61.0 61 34 26   26   56
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