Astros Ship Kvasnicka to the Twins

As the Astros were notifying Brandon Barnes and Brad Peacock that they had made the team, they were also making a minor league trade. The Astros traded INF-OF Mike Kvasnicka to the Twins, in exchange for RHP Gonzalo Sanudo.

The Astros selected Kvasnicka with the 33rd overall pick in 2010. Many people weren’t happy with Ed Wade when he made the pick, and Kvasnicka didn’t do much to make fans change their minds. In three years and 1090 AB’s he hit just 24 home runs with a .245 avg and .681 OPS. Kvasnicka played all around the field, playing right field, third base, first base (just once), and catcher. In his three seasons with the Astros organization, Kvasnicka never made it above Single-A Lexington. Kvasnicka is a Minnesota native, being born there, went to high school there, and attended the University of Minnesota. He was drafted in the 31st round in 2007 by the Twins, but decided to play college baseball, and it seems like he made the right choice.

In return for Kvasnicka, the Astros received RHP Gonzalo Sanudo from the Twins. Sanudo pitched 36 innings in the GCL last year, giving up just 34 hits, 8 runs, 2 walks, and chalking up 33 K’s. Sanudo is now 21 and will likely be pitching at a higher level in 2013.

This trade seems like a low risk move for both teams, and made sense for both teams to pull the trigger.