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below. Austin American-Statesman
Off-season wrangling begins: Austin front office already
working to round up
more W's and more fans
ROUND ROCK — Luke Scott called it the hardest time of his life.
Call it a blindside blow or a punch in the gut, but a demotion to Triple A often leaves a baseball player emotionally doubled over, gasping for another breath of the rarefied air of a major-league ballpark. Scott, an outfielder for the Round Rock Express, began this season in Houston as the opening-day starter in left field for the Astros. After leading all Astros minor-leaguers with 97 combined RBIs between Single A and Double A in 2004, Scott bypassed Triple A completely by virtue of a strong spring training. He was a major-leaguer, and he was on his way. On his way down to Triple A, it turned out. After he batted .154 with only one extra-base hit in 16 games for Houston, Scott discovered his major-league woes were just the start of his troubles. Two months later, he couldn't even hit Triple-A pitching while with Round Rock, batting a meager .218 in 51 games by the Fourth of July.
"I tried everything I knew to get out of it," Scott said. "I tried different stances. I tried every tee drill. I tried every mental approach that I knew. "It was by far the hardest time of my life."
This yo-yo effect that yanks players up to the majors or sometimes sends them spiraling back to the minors is relatively new to the Round Rock franchise and its fans. Playing for the Triple-A affiliate of the Astros, Express standouts are just one step -- and 165 miles -- from a locker in a major-league clubhouse in Houston, meaning more player movement than the Express saw as a Double-A affiliate.
It's just one of the perks of Triple-A ball. For the fans, it provides an opportunity to see local favorites get a chance in the big leagues sooner. For the players, it brings the dream so close they can almost hear the train whistle beckoning from the replica 19th century locomotive at Minute Maid Park. But sometimes the players come back.
"It's a kick in the pants," said Express closer Will Cunnane, who's made major-league rosters in eight different seasons. "For some people it's hard to pick yourself up off the floor. You can't blame anyone else but yourself."
Overall, 18 players on the Express roster have tasted major-league life to varying degrees. Scott, right fielder Todd Self, catcher Raul Chavez, reliever Travis Driskill and starting pitcher Brandon Duckworth all have spent time with the Astros this season. Chris Burke, Mike Burns, Humberto Quintero and Wandy Rodriguez each began the season with Round Rock before finally sticking with the big-league club.
No one has made the trip down U.S. 290 more than former Express starting pitcher Ezequiel Astacio, who has been called up to Houston four times this season. After a trio of impressive starts in recent weeks -- including five shutout innings Wednesday night at Arizona -- it appears his most recent callup could be his last.
"Astacio's been put into some pretty tough situations and been asked to perform," Astros General Manager Tim Purpura said. "I was particularly impressed with him when we sent him back. He had a tremendous month."
After returning to Round Rock, Astacio won four starts and recorded a save in June. He posted a 0.99 earned-run average while making the adjustments the Astros had asked of him.
"That's the way we want it," said Express Manager Jackie Moore. "It finally paid off for him. It's been a tough situation, but he handled it well."
Purpura's job requires him to closely examine how players react when they are re-assigned to the minors, and he believes that mindset and attitude will dictate whether they ever make it back.
"The general manager and manger will meet with a player and basically tell him why we're sending him down," Purpura said. "We'll also tell him if there is something to work on. . . . The sooner they get over (the demotion), the sooner they have a chance to get back."
In addition to Astacio, Purpura cites a success story as the model he hopes Express players will follow. Current Astros Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett made their major-league debuts with the team in 2002, but each struggled and was sent back to Triple-A New Orleans within two months. Neither player wasted any time working on his return, and both were in Houston for good by the end of the season. As of Thursday, Everett had been the starting shortstop for Houston since 2002, and Ensberg, a third baseman, led the team with 28 home runs.
"We tell guys they have one day to pout about it, and then after that they have to get after it," Purpura said. "I don't think Morgan or Adam even did that. They just got after it. Now Morgan's an All-Star."
Scott understands, and has since snapped out of his slump. On the most recent road trip, he hit eight home runs in 12 games. His batting average has since risen to .268, and he tied a club record in Monday's game against Salt Lake with three home runs. Suddenly, Scott is gaining attention again.
"One of the only things you can control is your attitude," Scott said. "This whole game is mental, and I'm my biggest opponent. You've got to battle with your mind, and it's not easy. It's the hardest thing about this game."
