Ever since Ed Wade became the GM of the Houston Astros in 2007, the Astros have continually picked up the Phillies scraps.
Names such as Michael Bourn, Jason Michaels, Pedro Feliz, J.A. Happ, Nelson Figueroa, and Brett Myers can be found on the Houston roster as of today, with all of them playing for the Phillies at some point in their career.
Following the latest deal between the Phils and Astros, Sergio Escalona joins the likes of Bourn, Feliz, and Happ in what is becoming the “Phillies of the South.”
Escalona was a prized prospect in the Phillies’ farm system; however, he became expendable after Philadelphia re-signed reliever J.C. Romero, and the club decided to designate him for assignment.
He pitched fairly well with Reading (AA), going 4-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 50 appearances. His latest success with La Guaria of the Venezuelan Winter League (0-0, 3.94 ERA) made him a likely contender for a bullpen spot come Spring Training — now he’ll have to earn his stripes down in Houston.
In return for Escalona, the Phils acquired infielder Albert Cartwright, a 36th-round pick in 2007 by Houston.
Cartwright, 23, spent last season with Lancaster (Class A) and Corpus-Christi (AA). In 127 games between the two clubs, he batted .294 with 10 home runs, 55 RBI’s, 14 triples and 31 stolen bases.
Clearly, speed is not an issue for Cartwright.
It’s hard to analyze a deal that involves two prospects, especially when they play two entirely different positions, but Cartwright looks like a good ballplayer.
Escalona will be a solid reliever with the Astros whenever he gets a shot in the majors, and it would have been nice to keep him around in Philly, but the Phils are getting older in the infield (Rollins 32, Utley 32, Howard 31, Polanco 35), and the need for young talent in the infield is in demand for the future.
