Weekend Leftovers

Some quick thoughts on the weekend games:

• The picture to lead the blog is of shortstop Tommy Manzella, my player of the weekend. Manzella has the most hits of any Astros farmhand through Sunday, going 8 for 18 over four games. His defense has always been good, and so far this season has been pretty solid. I still need to look at his last two games, but if Miguel Tejada does get traded this season, he'll be a solid fill-in choice.
  
• 22-year old Chris Hicks made his first start for Lancaster, picking up his first win of the season by going 5 innings. Hicks allowed four hits and two earned runs while striking out six and walking one. The right-hander also had a 7/2 ground ball/fly ball ratio, which is encouraging.
• Two more teenagers won their first game with Lexington. Ross Seaton, 19, and Brad Dydalewicz, 18, both picked up victories. Seaton struck out two and walked two in five innings, giving three hits and one earned run. One of those hits, however, was a solo home run and his GB/FB ratio was a little fly ball-heavy for my tates. Still, a very positive outing. Dydalewicz pitched five innings of no-hit ball but walked four and only struck out one. He also gave up 8 flyball outs, which might play well in a slight pitcher's park like Applebee's Park now, but could cause trouble later on in his career.
• The second Lexington game was postponed by rain, but in the three outings they did have, the Legends have won fairly handily. With Seaton, Dydalewicz and Jordan Lyles, it looks like they have a very nice rotation shaping up.
• A pair of catchers are off to good starts in Lancaster. Koby Clemens and Jason Castro have both hit well. Clemens has started twice, once at catcher and once at designated hitter, while Castro has played in all four of the Jethawks' games. Clemens has walked in both of his starts and has three hits, all for extra bases. Castro hasn't walked yet, but has made good contact with a double. Neither have had many opportunities to show off their defensive skills, but I'll keep updating on that as info rolls in.
• Castro and Lexington second baseman Craig Corrado are tied with the most total bases with 10. Unfortunately, they're both second in the system behind Ebert Rosario, who has 11. Rosario had two three-hit games over the weekend, starting at third base in all three games.

• Other notable players around the system: last year's Futures Game participant Jimmy Van Ostrand (right) has started out strong in limited action, leading the team with a .667 batting average. The Canadian is blocked a little in the Hooks' outfield by Mitch Einertson, Josh Flores and Collin DeLome, all of whom are better defensively but may not have quite the bat. In Round Rock, Brian Bogusevic continues to play good if not outstanding ball in center field. He's gone 5 for 17 at the plate heading into Monday's game, with a home run and three walks. Teammate Yordanny Ramirez is one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game, so the team is pinning hopes on Bogey by moving Ramirez over to right field.

That's all for now, but I'll come back tomorrow with some thoughts on five day's worth of defensive data.