Bus Leagues Express: July 25

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Astros pick up a trio of prospects: In another move that could complete their firesale, the Astros sent lefty Wandy Rodriguez to the still-contending Pirates for lefty Rudy Owens, righty Colton Cain and outfielder Robbie Grossman. Pittsburgh will now likely have Rodriguez for two and a half more seasons, and they can afford it because Houston is picking up the tab for a large portion of the remaining contract. Of the prospects Houston landed, Owens is the closest to the majors with the lowest ceiling. Grossman’s best attribute is his plate approach with a high walk rate, but the maxed out corner outfielder may not hit enough to stick in a starting lineup and take advantage of it. Cain’s numbers aren’t impressive in high-A this year, but he’s a big body with an above average fastball and improving secondary pitches.

Choice out for season: The outlook for Michael Choice isn’t good this season as a broken hand will end his 2012 campaign. He was hit by a pitch Saturday night, and that’ll cost him the rest of his season just as he was starting to heat up. Like last year, the A’s outfield prospect got off to a slow start but started heating up around the midpoint of the season. He’ll carry a 19 game on base streak into next season. Last year, Choice led the Cal League with 30 home runs and had a 47 game on base streak. He’ll finish the year with a .779 OPS in 91 games, batting .287 with 10 home runs.

Great Falls clinches playoff berth: One of the more amusing things in the minors to me is short-season leagues splitting their already well, short season into even smaller halves. The Pioneer League does this, and the Great Falls Voyagers clinched the first half title for the league’s North division Tuesday with a 7-2 win. They’re the only team in the Pioneer League with 20 wins so far. In a league known for its offense, the Voyagers are getting it done with a pitching staff measurably better than the rest of the league. The staff has been led by Jonathan Casey, an undrafted free agent signing last year, and Zachary Toney, a later pick in the 2012 draft. Toney leads the staff with 31 strikeouts.

Nam picks up a cycle: Now that the no-hitters have seemingly dried up for a few days, cycles have been the statistical novelty du jour in the minors lately. The latest to hit for the cycle is Tae-Hyeok Nam, an Ogden infielder. The Korean born Nam was signed by the Dodgers out of high school in 2009, and he’s had a hard time gaining traction in the states. After showing nice patience at the plate in his first year in the Arizona League, he became a very aggressive swinger that’s caused him to bat below .220 in the two years since. The home run he hit in the third leg of his cycle in the 6th inning was just the 7th in his career.

Correa hits first pro homer: His season has been a struggle so far, but Carlos Correa hit his first pro home run in the GCL Astros’ 3-2 win yesterday afternoon. He’s missed some time this year with an injury, but otherwise he’s been able to play much more than first overall picks usually do after being drafted. His OPS is just .605 in 24 games, but now he might be heating up with a four game mini hitting streak and has reached base eight times with a couple extra base hits in that span. The Astros believe it will be one of many in their long road to the top of the AL that will begin next year.

Baseball set to return to Portland: According to Baseball America, affiliated baseball could soon be on the way back to Portland, Oregon. After the Beavers relocated to Tucson to accommodate the city’s new MLS team, the city has been without a team. Ownership of the Yakima Bears, expected to relocate, have reached an agreement with the Portland suburb of Hillsboro which is about 30 miles outside of the city. The city will pick up the tab for the stadium, and as long as Minor League Baseball approves it, construction could begin in the fall. Milwaukie, another suburb of Portland, is also looking to secure a Northwest League team, but they’re still in negotiations.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

A total of three probables are posted tomorrow. Three! Why?