He sneaked into the Astros top 20 as a 3B, but know it is reported he is moving to Catcher.  His body type always fit that more to me.  Likely, it means Max Sapp will be moving to 1b as well.

I wouldn't probably be posting, nor would we know about if if he wasn't Roger's son.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5374478.html

In a down year for the league, here is the top 20:

1. Jordan Schafer, of, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Braves)
   
2. Chris Marrero, of, Potomac Nationals
   
3. Elvis Andrus, ss, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Braves)
   
4. Max Ramirez, c, Kinston Indians
   
5. Wes Hodges, 3b, Kinston Indians
   
6. Chorye Spoone, rhp, Frederick Keys (Orioles)
   
7. Brandon Erbe, rhp, Frederick Keys (Orioles)
   
8. Tommy Hanson, rhp, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Braves)
   
9. Adam Carr, rhp, Potomac Nationals
   
10. Matt Whitney, 1b, Kinston Indians
    
11. Mitch Einertson, of, Salem Avalanche (Astros)
    
12. Daniel Cortes, rhp, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals
    
13. Josh Rodriguez, ss, Kinston Indians
    
14. Sergio Perez, rhp, Salem Avalanche (Astros)
    
15. Brad James, rhp, Salem Avalanche (Astros)
    
16. Brad Bergesen, rhp, Frederick Keys (Orioles)
    
17. Shelby Ford, 2b, Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates)
    
18. Jairo Cuevas, rhp, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Braves)
    
19. Julio Pimentel, rhp, Wilmington Blue Rockies (Royals)
    
20. Kyle McCulloch, rhp, Winston-Salem Warthogs (White Sox)

I would like to get John and anyone else's thoughts on Brad James at Salem in the Carolina League.

As Willymo pointed out in another thread, his line for this year is
James (W, 5-0)    5.2    5    1    1    1    4    0    0.92

Add this to his performance in LowA South Atlantic League:

Where he went 6-2 with a 1.32 ERA over 92 1/3 innings.

BTW his previous two years in Rookie Ball, his ERA was well over 4.  Something has developed here that is working for him.  Yet he has not cracked many list as a top Astros prospect.

I know he is slightly old for the league.  Any one got thoughts?

To those who were doom and gloom on Troy Patton last week, should check out his line from this weekend.  17 straight batters retired before his first walk.  A no no through 6 when he reached his pitch count limit.  His start before that was more solid than previous.

I think he may have gotten things straitened out huh?

I also think he may get a few starts a AA before the year is out.

What minor league managers are up and coming?  Which of those should have the first shot at braking the recycled old manager cycle this year?

My personal favorite is still a few years away but keep an eye on Tim Bogar in the Houston system.  He won at the Appy League in 04 and finished second in both halves of the SAL in 05 with almost a completely new team in the 2nd half.

I have seen separated at birth and other humorous websites but this is a good one.  This guy has done a great job of poking fun at 80's baseball cards. He has made up strange but true comments from some of the more odd pictures in baseball card history.  

http://www.joesportsfan.com/CardCollection.html

The Lexington paper stated today that Troy Patton and 3 of his Legend team mates (Ben Zobrist, Johnny Ash & Jeff Wigdahl) will be moving up to Adv. A Salem after the All Star game.  I would expect that as soon as Hunter Pence comes off the DL he will join them.  

That makes 7 players called up to Salem for the year from Lexington.  Is this the core of the future Astros we are seeing move through here?