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Astros Minor League: AA Corpus Christi Roster Best Ever?
Jun 18, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; West pitcher Lance McCullers throws against the East All Stars in the first inning during the Midwest League-All Star Game at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
With the Astros minor league players being assigned to specific teams for the season, several names at Corpus Christi should peak Astros fan’s interest. The core group of the current Double-A players played in High-A ball Lancaster last year. Why does that matter? Because this core group of players have moved up together, and they have had some experience winning.
More from Prospects
- Astros 1st-Round Draft Pick Drew Gilbert Done for the Year
- Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
- Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
- Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
- First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A
In 2013, this group won the Midwest League Championship with the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low-A). They then took the show to Lancaster (High-A), where in 2014 they won the California League Championship. If history has anything to do with this year’s outcome, things could be bright for one of the best minor league cities. Can we say 2015 Texas League Champions with the Hooks? Well, I don’t want to jinx it (thanks, Fresno). The Hooks slogan is “I’m Hooked,” and my eyes will be hooked on the MiLB App this year to look at the box scores.
Lets look at the released 2015 opening day roster for the Corpus Christi Hooks.
Next: Hitters
Hitters
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Catcher
Probable Starter: Tyler Heineman
Back-up: Roberto Pena
Back-up: Brett Booth
Heineman broke out in 2013 with the Lacaster batting .286/ 13 HR/ 71 RBI. He was a 8th round pick in 2012, but he struggled in 2014 in AA batting .242/ 1 HR/ 25 RBI. If he can equal his 2013 numbers, he should earn his way up to AAA. Pena is known for his defensive abilities.
First Base
Probable Starter: Conrad Gregor
Back-up: Telvin Nash
Gregor was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He and Kemp were drafted out of Vanderbilt. In 2014 between three teams, he batted .311/ 16 HR/ 86 RBI.
Click here for Gregors’s Interview with CTH.
Second Base
Probable Starter: Tony Kemp (#14 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Nolan Fontana (#17 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Like Gregor, Kemp was drafted in the 5th round of the 2013 draft by the Astros. Between two minor league teams last year, Kemp batted .316/ 8 HR/ 58 RBI/ 41 SB. Do those numbers look familiar? Jose Altuve part II maybe?
Click here for Kemp’s Interview with CTH.
More from Prospects
- Astros 1st-Round Draft Pick Drew Gilbert Done for the Year
- Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
- Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
- Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
- First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A
Third Base
Probable Starter: Colin Moran (#6 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Nolan Fontana (#17 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Moran was obtained in the Jarred Cosart deal in 2014, along with current center fielder Jake Marisnick. Depending on how Moran develops could decide who won that trade. Moran is a contact hitter, who won’t hit for much power. The first round pick in 2013 by the Marlins, hit .294/ 7 HR/ 55 RBI between two teams in 2014.
Shortstop
Probable Starter: Carlos Correa (#6 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Back-up: Jiovanni Mier
Correa’s stay in Corpus Christi might be a short one, but it could be legendary. The 2013 number one pick is top five prospects in all of baseball. Before being sent to minor league camp, Correa was on fire for the Astros during spring games.
Outfield
Right Fielder – Jon Kemmer
Center Fielder – Teoscar Hernandez (#8 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Left Field – Leo Heras
Backup – Brandon Meredith
The biggest name here is Teoscar Hernandez, who signed a deal out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. He offers a rare power-speed combination. In 2014, Hernandez hit .292/ 21 HR/ 85 RBI/ 33 SB.
Designated Hitter – Tyler White
White was drafted in 2013, and in 2014 he hit .290/ 15 HR/ 64 RBI.
Next: Rotation
Rotation (Not in any particular order)
Mar 16, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals infielder Denard Span (left) talks with pitcher Mark Appel during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Starter One – Mark Appel (#2 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
More from Prospects
- Astros 1st-Round Draft Pick Drew Gilbert Done for the Year
- Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
- Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
- Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
- First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A
Starter Two – Lance McCullers (#10 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Starter Three – Josh Hader (#9 Astros Top Prospect MLB Pipeline)
Starter Four – Kent Emanuel
Starter Five – Kyle Westwood
The top three pitchers are top prospects, Mark Appel should have a short stay at AA, and then get the promotion. The Astros will see McCullers first hand on Thursday when he pitches against them. McCullers was the competitive balance pick in the first round of 2012 draft and his father played in the majors as a reliever. Josh Hader is the prospect the Astros got in the Bud Norris trade, and he won the Astros minor league pitcher of the year award in 2014.
Click here for Hader’s Interview with CTH.
Click here for McCuller’s Interview with CTH.
Tandem Starter #1 – Aaron West
Tandem Starter #2 – Mike Hauschild
Tandem Starter #3 – Chris Devenski
The Astros use a tandem starting pitcher system. One pitcher pitches five innings, the other four innings. This is due to the large amount of starting pitchers in the system.
Bullpen
Mitch Lambson
Is this the best amount of talent to ever take to the field on one minor league team, I’m not sure. This group of talent knows nothing but winning, so we have to hope that they will continue this trend on the road to the majors. The infield and rotation appear should be the best groups in terms of talent on the team. This could be the nucleolus of a strong Astros team in the future.
Besides Mark Appel and Carlos Correa, which Hook will you keep track of this year?
Next: Who Made the Astros 25-Man Roster