I am glad to see that the Astros have already rolled out their  "45th Anniversary Season" for 2010.  Seeing that the big thing in 2009 was the 10th season at MMP, it appears that celebrating anniversaries is the new wave to market the club... Projected celebrations:

2011:  50th Season of Houston Baseball

2012:  50th Anniversary Season

2013: 60th Anniversary of Milo Hamilton's First MLB Announcing Job

2014: 50th Season of Astros baseball

2015: 50th Anniversary/ 35th Anniversary of 1st Division Title

Looking at the four reported finalist for the Astros managerial job, it seems Manny Acta deserves the Farmstros endorsement.    Acta was drafted by the Astros and spent several years in their minor league system.   Add on to that, seven years as a minor league manager for Houston and he IS Farmstros.  Granted, he has two years experience as a big league manager, but that was with Washington, so it doesn't detract too much from his Farmstros resume.

Clark comes in second with his experience managing in the system.

It is enjoyable to have this forum to follow the Astros of the Future and invite others to do so with me. Personally, my two favorite events of the 2009 season were:

1) Having Wilton Lopez on my radar long before anyone. I noticed Wilton Lopez (on the 40-man roster) was having a very good August in Corpus Christi, which caused me to wonder on this blog if he may be another September call-up. Within a week or two of my wondering, Lopez was called up to replace an injured pitcher. Much of my Farmstros information is gathered from other sources and passed on to you as quickly as possible, so it was exciting to be the one with this scoop.

2) The 57-day Twitter Ku streak. I love writing poetry of all forms so the challenge of writing a haiku about the Farmstros every day for almost two months was fun. So much fun that I am planning to take it even further in 2010. Plans are under way for THE QUEST FOR 3000 SYLLABLES during which I will tweet 177 haiku over the course of a 22-week season. The first Twitter Ku is scheduled for Opening Day (April 8).

In retrospect, I should have told Ed Wade thanks but no thanks. 

Back in late-August, Farmstros received an invite from Mr. Wade for a September call-up. Apparently, there was going to be room on the big league blogging roster. One of the reserve bloggers had severe carpal tunnel syndrome and was being put on the 60-day disabled list. According to Wade, this move was going to open up a spot on the big league roster. Wade told me that his philosophy about September call-ups is to only promote bloggers who are going to have a role on the team during the final month of the season. I wouldn't be just sitting on the bench, he assured me.

This was needless to say a very tempting offer. A pay increase. Traveling with the big league club. Given the upside, I was more than willing to walk around in Spandex as part of the annual rookie hazing. After taking a few minutes to discuss it with my family and taking care of some child care issues, I called Mr. Wade back and asked him to save a computer for me. 

Now, three weeks later, my September call-up is almost over. Unfortunately, contrary to what I had been told, my time with the Astros HAS consisted of "just sitting on the bench". 

More after the Jump

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The Astros signed 25 of their top 26 draft picks in the June draft. In total, 36 of the 51 draft picks signed. There weren't as many early picks for Houston as they had in the 2008 draft; however, several players impressed in their first professional experience.

Jiovanni Mier, SS, Greeneville (1st Round). Mier was ranked by Baseball America as the #2 prospect in the Appalacian League. He batted .276 with seven home runs, 32 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 51 games.

Tanner Bushue, RHP, GCL Astros (2nd Round). Bushue was impressive in five pro starts (2.42 ERA) before being shelved with some back issues.

Dallas Keuchel, LHP, Tri-City (7th Round). Keuchel's arrival at Tri-City was delayed by a strong College World Series appearance (with Arkanasas). Once Keuchel made it to the Valley Cats, he made 10 starts and posted a 2.70 ERA with nine walks and 44 strikeouts in 56 2/3 IP.


J.D. Martinez, OF/1B, Greeneville/Tri-City (20th Round). Martinez was equally effective with Greeneville and Tri-City. His totals for the summer were .348 with 24 doubles, 12 home runs and 56 RBI in 72 games. He was in Tri-City long enough to win the New York-Penn League batting title.

Spencer Hylander, LHP, GCL Astros (50th Round). Hylander was the last player the Astros picked in the draft. He posted a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings. He struck out 26 while walking only nine

The first two pitchers for the Pacific Coast League in the 2009 All-Star Game represented the Round Rock Express. Bud Norris made the start and was relieved by Yorman Bazardo. Norris and Bazardo starting every fifth day was one of few highlights in Round Rock, where the Express struggled to one of the worst records in AAA.

Before being called up in July, Norris had the best ERA in the PCL. In 19 starts, he pitched 120 innings and struck out 112 while posting a 2.63 ERA. Prior to his August promotion, Bazardo pitched 135 innings and had a 3.20 ERA.

Koby Clemens struggled to find a position on the field for Lancaster in 2009. However, he knew exactly where he was supposed to be when he was in the batter's box.

In his second season of High A ball, it appears that Clemens' catching days are numbered. He switched to catcher from third base at the beginning of the 2008 season. Yet, Clemens extremely hot bat have the Astros trying to find a place for him. 

After a slow start in April, Clemens batted over .300 in May, June, July and August. He finished the California League schedule with a .345 average, 45 doubles, six triples, 22 home runs and 121 RBI. He had another two RBI during a brief stint in Corpus Christi, giving him a minor league leading 123.

Clemens played catcher, OF, DH, and I think a few games at third base for the JetHawks in 2009. In a recent online chat, Ed Wade indicated that there has been discussion of putting him at first base in the future. To add to the intrigue, Clemens is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this December meaning the Astros also need to decide if they think he needs to be protected on the 40-man roster.

Lancaster outfielder Jonathan Gaston tied for the minor league lead in home runs with 35 and earned the California-Carolina All-Star Game MVP award with a walk-off home run, but he still had time to give a personal power performance in mid-July for Jeff Bagwell. 

Bagwell traveled with the Astros to watch the Dodgers-Astros series that ended Sunday, July 19. After visiting with Mark Loretta and Brad Ausmus, Bagwell was scheduled to see a few JetHawks games in nearby Lancaster. I am not sure exactly which games Bagwell attended, but Jonathan Gaston was not taking any chances.

Beginning with his final two plate appearances late Sunday, July 19 through his last plate appearance on Tuesday, Gaston had five home runs and three bases on balls which resulted in seven RBI in a total of 10 plate appearances. For the season, the 2008 draft pick batted .278 with 31 doubles, 15 triples, 35 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 100 RBI.