The Southern League had the night off, but here are some key performances from the Eastern and Texas Leagues.

 

Matt Whitney

• 1-4 HR(7) 2 RBI—.419 7 RBI last 10 games

 

Brad Corley

• 2-4 HR(9) 2 RBI 2R—.284 9 HR 36 RBI (Power & RBI numbers down from last year)

 

Ryan Roberson

• 2-3 2 2B 2RBI BB—.400 2 HR 11 RBI last 10 games

 

Matt Wieters

• 2-4 2B RBI—.346 18 HR 49 RBI 1.025 OPS (Would love to see this guy in Baltimore in Sept.)

 

Travis Snider

• 3-4 2 2B 3RBI R—3 HR 12 RBI 0BB/13K last 10 games

 

Ricky Romero

• 8 IP 5h 2ER 2BB K—Ugly season for former 1st rounder (5-5 5.61ERA 68K/47BB)

 

Zack Daeges

• 1-5 HR(3) RBI–HR’s in back to back games but still disappointing power year

 

Jeff Corsaletti

• 2-4 HR(12) RBI BB—.400 3 HR 9 RBI last 10 games

 

Erik Lis

• 2-4 HR(10) 3RBI 2R—.271 48 RBI 31 2B

 

Austin Jackson

• 2-3 R RBI—.359 5 RBI last 10

 

Brandon Hynick

• 7 IP 8H ER 0K—Nice outing in very mediocre season (5-6 4.97 ERA)

 

Jose Vallejo

• 2-4 2B R BB—.294 10 HR 62 RBI 31 SB at A & AA

 

Chris Johnson

• 2-4 RBI R—Busting out of 2-23 slide with 8 hits in last 4 games

 

Aaron Cunningham

• 2-4 3R—.368 10 R 5 RBI last 10 games

 

Tommy Everidge

• 3-5 HR(17) 5 RBI—.259 75 RBI

 

Chad Huffman

• 3-5 2B R—.299

 

BUY/SELL Analysis

Chris Johnson became the organization’s top 3B prospect once Mike Costanzo was traded to the Orioles.  Johnson was ranked by Baseball America as Houston’s 13th best prospect, but his season, thusfar .320 10 HR 52 RBI, has vaulted him well into the top 10.  Johnson is a well built 6-3 220lb. athlete with good range and a strong arm at 3rd base.  Johnson has power to all fields and is showing that he can hit for average too.  Johnson’s first year cards are in the 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects set.  Singles are selling for less than 50 cents each and refractors are around $3-4.  It will be interesting to see if the Astros send Johnson to the Arizona Fall League to play this off season.  If so, I would venture that he would have a crack at the 3B job in spring training next season.

 

Market Advice: BUY, BUY, BUY this guy’s cards.  Look for Bowman Sterling to produce autographed versions of his cards.  I think there is great value to be had in his serial #’ed cards and if Bowman Chrome comes out with an autographed card in its August release, they should be cheap early on.  Johnson’s best years are ahead of him!