Call to the pen
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Houston Astros showing farm system depth

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The Texas Rangers’ farm system is having a great season—just look at what Nomar Mazara is doing. That goes for all levels of the minors, and in the Texas League, two hitters are leading the way. Entering Wednesday Ryan Cordell and Ronald Guzman were second and seventh in the league in weighted on-base average at .467 and .409, respectively. Cordell leads the league in home runs (10) and slugging (.699) and Guzman is in the top 10 in every traditional slash line statistic.

Neither one can sustain his current pace. They were also second and sixth in batting average on balls in play at .400 and .394, respectively. Cordell’s career BABIP entering this season was .328 while Guzman’s was .321, so they should see their production slow down. But how much?

Cordell’s power has exploded, as he’s already within shouting distance of last season’s 18 home runs and is slugging more than 250 points higher. The power surge should level out, but regardless Cordell could be making a huge leap this season. For Guzman, other than an impressive .321/.374/.434 line during his first professional season in 2012, his 2016 season is blowing his career production out of the water, so significant regression should be expected.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chih-Wei Hu has been the most stingy pitcher in the Southern League. He leads the league with a 0.54 ERA and is second in FIP at 2.18. But perhaps the most noteworthy number concerning his season is that he’s stranded 91.7 percent of the runners to reach base against him, which hasn’t been many. Hitters are hitting just .220 and he’s only walked eight batters in 33 1/3 innings.

Chance Sisco is having a career year for the Bowie BaySox. The Baltimore Orioles catcher is hitting .337/.443/.408 and has just 15 strikeouts in 30 games. Sisco has always been an adept hitter, but it’s his progress defensively that is eye-catching: Entering play Wednesday he had thrown out 40 percent of base stealers, double his career high.

Next: Class-A Advanced

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