To complete the trade for reliever Matt Lindstrom, the Astros sent Lexington pitcher Robert Bono, GCL Astros infielder Luis Bryan, and a player to be named later.
Bono was one of the Big Five for Lexington, going 10-8 with a 3.38 ERA/1.24 WHIP in 25 starts (143.1IP). He only walked 19 batters in 601 faced, striking out 66.
Luis Bryan was the offensive star of the GCL Astros, though he managed to make it a short-season without drawing a walk, and posted an .893 Fld% on the year.
I'm not so upset about Luis Bryan, but I'm not happy about giving up Bono. He's probably Double-A ready at this point, meaning he may be able to contribute in 2012/2013. That's a long way down the road, but the Astros gave up a solid pitcher in a farm system that could use him.
Of course, if Lindstrom is the real deal, maybe I'll change my tune. Prospects are just that.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
