The Astros made a couple of minor league moves - signing two first-basemen: John Gall and Josh Pressley. They also signed Reggie Abercrombie to a minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation. Getting the pink slip was pitcher Agustin Pinales.
John Gall: 30-year old righty (cousin of Eric Byrnes). Hit a home run over Taiwan, carrying Team USA to the bronze medal game of the 2008 Olympics. Gall hit .312 for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in 2008 with 112 hits in 98 games. Struck out 50 times, walking 31 times in 359 at-bats (.369 OBP and .493 SLG) last year.
Josh Pressley: 28-year old righty who spent the last two seasons in the independent Atlantic League. Killed the ball last year with a .354 average (173x489) with 30 HR and 101 RBI in 133 games. 76:73 (K:BB) and a .605 SLG earning the Atlantic League's 2008 Player of the Year award.
Agustin Pinales: 21-year old righty appearing in 16 games for Greenville in 2007 allowing 36 earned runs in 39.1 innings, going 1-4 with an 8.24 ERA.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
