Turns out that Kevin Chapman's triumphant return was more short-lived than Wade LeBlanc's Astros career. Less than 24 hours after being promoted, Chapman is back to OKC, as Anthony Bass makes his official return.
Today also marks the beginning of the international signing period, for which the Astros once again have the largest pool to spend - $5,015,400. Jeff Luhnow has promised that Houston will be active, and that's already been true, as Jesse Sanchez reports two signings so far: RHP Franklin Perez and SS Miguelangel Sierra. Each signed for $1 million.
Perez, 16, is a 6'0", 180 lb. pitcher from Maracay, Venezuela. MLB.com has him ranked #21 in their top 30 international free agents this year; Baseball America ranks him #15. Sierra, also 16, is a 6'0", 160 lb. right-handed hitter from Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela. MLB.com ranks him #23 in their top 30, while Baseball America has him #19. You can read their profiles and watch video on MLB.com over here, and on Baseball America over here.
UPDATE: Sanchez now reports that Houston has also signed C Brandon Benavente from Venezuela for $250,000, and they are aiming to ink MLB.com #20/BA #25 prospect OF Ronny Rafael from the Dominican Republic.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
