Mike Foltynewicz Makes MLB Debut while Mark Appel Headlines MiLB Moves

Last Thursday was MLB’s Trade Deadline. There were a few major trades throughout the game. In Houston, Jarred Cosart and Kike Hernandez joined the Miami Marlins in another deal that improved the Astros’ minor league depth.

While some have criticized the deal, especially after the promotion of Mark Appel, the move increases depth at third base while dealing from a depth of perceived strength. With many elite pitching prospects in the system. dealing Cosart will likely appear to be a nice move in the future.

That move helped to facilitate the promotion of Michael Foltynewicz. Prior to the 2014 season, Folty was a consensus top-60 prospect. Baseball Prospectus ranked the flame-thrower 43rd while MLB.com and Baseball America thought slightly less as they had him 54th and 59th respectively.

When the 22-year old pitcher made his MLB debut last Saturday, he touched 99 mph several times. Overall he recorded 2/3 of an inning with a promising strikeout of Jose Bautista but did allow a walk.

There was also the controversial promotion of Mark Appel from the Lancaster Jethawks to the Corpus Christi Hooks. While his control problems were evident, Appel was able to throw 5 scoreless innings and recorded 4 strikeouts, 4 walks, and allowed 2 hits. He will get his second start as a Hook on Tuesday, August 5 at 7:05 PM CST.

And the beginning of August saw the Astros make some moves that will help the minor league system, and the players themselves, for the 2015 season.

Here’s a look at some of the promotions that the Houston Astros announced early on Monday, August 4th:

House of Houston has agreed to join us at Climbing Tal’s Hill to discuss the recent moves and more: