 "Photo: Dawn Jones-Garcia")
Round Rock's motto is "Express today, Astros tomorrow." With the Astros seemingly out of contention, if the team decides to give some young players a look at the future rather than starting veterans, that tomorrow may come sooner for a few Round Rock players.
The non-waiver trade deadline passed and Morgan Ensberg was shipped out in exchange for cash, while Dan Wheeler was traded for Ty Wiggington. However, since the waiver trade deadline has not passed yet, the team could decide to move some vetearns, which could lead to an exodus of players from Round Rock coming up to fill those spots. Even if the Astros don't move anybody at the waiver deadline, September call-ups are only a month away.
The Express feature a range of players who are veteran minor leaguers, such as Danny Klassen, players who are failed major leaguers, such as Cody Ransom, and young promising prospects such as Troy Patton.
If the Astros are still looking to be in contention, some of the veterans from Round Rock are likely to get a call up in September. With the Houston bullpen struggling, veteran options on the Express are Stephen Randolph and Travis Driskill.
"Randolph is a veteran lefty, and you can never get enough left-handed pitching at that level," Express manager Jackie Moore said. "Driskill is a reliever who has done well for us. We're hoping we can send up a guy who can help them in contention for a pennant."
However, if the strategy changes to building toward the future and seeing what some of the younger, more promising prospects will do at the next level, then some guys who will probably get a look are Patton, Josh Anderson, Juan Gutierrez and Paul Estrada.
Patton is the No. 2 prospect in the Astros organization, according to Baseball America. The Astros drafted him in 2004 after he had committed to Texas. However, the Astros organization gave him an offer he couldn't refuse, as he bypassed college for his chance to go pro.
Patton was called up from AA Corpus after posting a 2.99 ERA and gave up just one run in seven innings in his first start at Round Rock on July 6. Patton got shelled in his second start at Omaha, giving up nine runs in five innings. However, Patton bounced back in his third start, throwing seven innings of one run ball again and fanning six. After throwing more than 120 innings his velocity has dipped down, but when fresh he usually throws a 92-93 mph fastball along with his electric curve. Patton was recently named to the Minor League News Fab 50.
"He's a very good young pitcher with great composure," Moore said. "His tempo is great. I can understand why he was named to that list from the time watching him here."
Another promising starter is Gutierrez. The 24-year-old righty is currently 5-9 with a 3.87 ERA thus far this year, and last year as member of the AA Corpus Christi Hooks threw two back-to-back seven-inning shutouts. Gutierrez is the Astros' 5th best prospect, according to Baseball America.
"Gutierrez is a top prospect who has been doing a good job, and I can see him getting considered for a call up," Moore said.
In the outfield, the Astros may want to give the speedy Anderson a chance to roam centerfield at Minute Maid Park and move Pence to right. The 25-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2003. Last year at AA Corpus he led the Texas League in stolen bases and hits. Thus far this season at Round Rock Anderson is hitting .281 with 33 stolen bases. Similar to former Astro center fielder Willy Taveras, Anderson does not have much home run power, only hitting one this season.
Also, switch-hitting Tim Raines Jr., the son of former major league All-Star Tim Raines, is hitting .341 with 29 RBI and six homers in limited action. Now that Jason Lane has been called up to Round Rock, Raines has been seeing everyday playing time in the outfield.
"Raines has been swinging the bat well all season, and Anderson has gotten better deeper into the season," Moore said. "Those guys are both having really good years and starting to open a lot of eyes."
Estrada is another one of the team's top prospects. Last year in AA he was named to the AA All-Star team. In December he was moved up to the 40-man roster. Estrada currently has seven saves for Round Rock and has a 4.97 ERA. Estrada, who is from Venezuela, is ranked as the seventh best prospect in the Astros system. Estrada's arsenal contains a fastball, curveball and split finger fastball.
Reliable options from Round Rock with major league experience are Chan Ho Park, a former starting pitcher for the Dodgers, Rangers and Padres, infielder Cody Ransom, formerly a member of the Giants organization and Humberto Quintero, who has bounced around between Houston and Round Rock as catcher.
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