Astros Draft Update

Here is a quick update on the progress of the Astros' 2006 draft picks (#1-10):

#1: Max Sapp (C) - Max is at Short Season A ball in Tri-City, splitting time between DH and C. Through 23 games, Sapp has a .219 avg, .313 OBP and .288 SLG with 10 BB and 15 K.

#2: Sergio Perez (P) - Perez signed on July 1 and was assigned to Low A Lexington. He has yet to make an appearance for the Legends.

#3: Nick Moresi (OF) - Moresi is teammates with Max Sapp in Tri-City and is similarly struggling at the plate (.177 avg, .279 obp, .260 slg).

#4: Chris Johnson (IF) - Johnson is playing SS for Tri-City (.208/.264/.260).

#5: Casey Hudspeth (P) - Hudspeth has been very good in six starts for Tri-City - -2-0, 2.42 ERA, 8 BB and 21 K in 26 IP.

#6: David "Bud" Norris (P) - Norris has been pitching out of the Tri-City bullpen: 10 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 save and a 1.80 ERA.

#7: David Qualben (P) - Qualben has been sensational in the Valley Cats' rotation: 2-1, 0.96 ERA, 28 IP, 17 H, 7 BB and 14 K.

#8: James Van Ostrand (OF) - Van Ostrand, like almost all of the Valley Cats' hitteres, has had a terrible start: .225 avg, .287 obp, .250 obp and only two extra-base hits in 80 at-bats.

#9: Greg Buchanan (IF) - The former Rice Owl is hitting relatively well in Tri-City - .282/.318/.359 with four doubles and a triple in 78 ABs.

#10: Nathan Karns (P) - One of only two high-school players selected on the first day of the draft by the Astros (Sapp is the other), it does not appear that Karns has signed as of yet.