Houston Astros Top Prospects: No. 20-11
With the minor league All-Star games starting and the MLB Draft in the books, we figured it would be a good time to re-rank the top Astros prospects. This will be a compiled and consensus list from five of the writers here at AstrosFuture.com.
Here are the prospects ranked from 20 down to 11!
20. Reymin Guduan, LHP
Current Level: AAA
ETA: 2017
DOB: 03/16/92
Reymin Guduan has evaded the Rule-5 draft last year, and the Astros are lucky he did. Guduan wasn’t selected because of control issues, but he features a triple digit fastball, which you would’ve thought would be enough to be given a chance. But Guduan is still with Houston where he signed back in 2009. He stands 6’4 and throws left handed and as stated previously is the owner of a triple digit fastball. He also has a slider which continues to improve to a plus offering. Until 2015, he was more of an afterthought when he broke out and had his first successful campaign. Since then, he’s been one of the most dominant relievers in AAA this season, and could find himself in Houston sooner rather than later if his control continues to improve. – Johnny
2016 Stats: 1-2, 2.43 ERA, 29.2 IP, 22 H, 8 ER, 16 BB, 35 K 10.6 K/9 (AA/AAA)
19. Riley Ferrell, RHP
Current Level: A+
ETA: 2018
DOB: 10/18/93
As a former TCU Horn Frogs closer, Riley Ferrell is set up to be a near immediate impact pitcher in the Astros bullpen as soon as this year. So far the only thing holding him back has been his durability, Ferrell is currently out for the season due to an aneurysm in his throwing shoulder. Ferrell throws a high 90s fastball touching 97-98mph with a wipeout slider. Ferrell will need his control to improve to have a chance to close but his stuff is good enough right now to carve out a spot in the pen. – Rob
2016 Stats: 1.80 ERA, 4 SV, 10.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 14 K, 12.6 K/9
18. Franklin Perez, RHP
Current Level: A
ETA: 2019
DOB: 12/06/97
Perez is a young, athletic starting pitcher signed by the Astros for $1 million out of Venezuela. At just 16 years old Perez was sitting 91-93 MPH with his fastball. He should be able to add more velocity as he still has room to grow on his 6-3 frame. He also possesses a plus curveball and a chanegup which is still developing. Perez might have the highest ceiling of any starter in the Astros minor league system. The Astros thought enough of his work to bring him stateside at just 17, last season, and now he is in full season at 18 years old. – JP (Jimmy)
2016 Stats: 1-1, 2.36 ERA, 26.2 IP, 27 H, 7 ER, 5 BB, 27 K, 9.1 K/9
17. James Hoyt, RHP
Current Level: AAA
ETA: 2016
DOB: 09/30/86
James Hoyt is as dominate a reliever than any in the Astros’ system. Not your typical prospect due to the fact that he is 29, his road to the Astros has been a long, interesting one, having played in the Mexican Leagues and signed by the Braves in 2013 for his first shot at professional baseball. He was then traded to the Astros in the 2015 Evan Gattis Trade, and since has dominated. He features a high-90s fastball and a devastating slider and splitter that both hit in the high-80s. He strikes out hitters at a very high rate (16.14 K/9) and his control is very good, as he can throw all his pitches for strikes consistently. Barring an injury in the Astros’ bullpen, Hoyt will be the next reliever in the Minor Leagues to get the call. – Johnny
2016 Stats: 2.00 ERA, 17 SV, 36 IP, 15 H, 7 ER, 15 BB, 64 K, 16.0 K/9
16. Jonathan Arauz, SS
Current Level: Rookie
ETA: 2020
DOB: 08/03/98
Arauz was acquired in the trade that brought Ken Giles to the Astros this past off-season. In 2015 at just 16 years old he played for the Phillies Rookie level team and held his own hitting .254 with 10 2B, 2 HR in 44 games. I spoke to a scout who said Arauz is a “legit stud”. He is a lefty hitting shortstop with good bat to balls skills and the frame to add more power. Arauz has chance to make the Giles deal great for the Astros. He should be starting his season soon with GCL or Greeneville. – JP
2016 Stats: N/A
15. Ronnie Dawson, OF
Current Level: A-
ETA: 2019
DOB: 05/19/95
I was much higher on Dawson than the rest of the staff here at Astros Future. He has an ideal physical frame for an outfielder, as he stands at 6’2″ and weighs in at 225 lbs. He has a short, compact swing from the left side of the plate. I love his swing right now and if he kept it he could be a perennial league leader in doubles and still run into 20 HR’s. He also has plus speed, he’s a rangy outfielder and is a threat on the basepaths. Dawson will most likely end up in a corner outfield spot but should provide solid defense. Dawson is one to keep an eye on. – Grayson
2016 Stats: 65 G, .331 BA/.419 OBP/.611 SLG, 25 2B, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 21 SB, 37 BB/43 SO (College Stats)
14. Jandel Gustave, RHP
Current Level: AAA
ETA: 2017
DOB: 10/12/92
Gustave probably has the best fastball in the Astros system. It sits in the high 90s and can reach 102 MPH. He also mixes a slider that can be a plus pitch at time, though he needs to be more consistent with it. The Astros nearly lost him for good in 2014 in the rule 5 draft draft but he was returned before the start of the season. He pitched all of 2015 with Corpus and posted 2.15 ERA though he only struck out 49 in 58.2 innings. He has pitched this season with Fresno and while the ERA is a bit higher, he has done a nice job striking guys out. – JP
2016 Stats: 1-2, 4.70 ERA, 30.2 IP, 25 H, 16 ER, 12 BB, 32 K, 9.4 K/9
13. Albert Abreu, RHP
Current Level: A
ETA: 2019
DOB: 09/26/95
Abreu has burst on the scene in the Minor Leagues, going from relatively unknown to eye-opening in a span of months. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 at the age of 17, he quietly dominated Rookie Ball, and really broke out in 2015 in Low A Quad Cities. He has hit somewhat of a rough patch in 2016, but will continue to adjust to the hitters he faces. Abreu will continue to fill out his frame, currently standing 6’2″ and weighing 175. Topping out at 99, he has elite velocity for his age. As he develops and grows, he’ll improve in throwing his offspeed pitches, which includes an already nasty Changeup. His control will improve with time, and he’s going to continue to get better as he learns to pitch in the higher levels soon. – Johnny
2016 Stats: 1-6, 5.26 ERA, 51.1 IP, 37 H, 30 ER, 34 BB, 71 K, 12.4 K/9
12. Teoscar Hernandez, OF
Current Level: AA
ETA: 2017
DOB: 10/15/92
Hernandez was signed by the Astros in 2011 for just $20,000. He is well built at 6-2, 180 lbs and possesses the tools to become an above average outfielder. He has plus speed and a good mix of power. He broke on the scene in 2013 at just 20 years old when he hit .271 with 25 2B, 13 HR in Single A. The next season at Lancaster he hit .292 with 37 2B, 21 HR. He was promoted to AA but struggled a bit last season hitting just .219 but did have 17 HR, 33 SB. This season he has made adjustments and they have paid off. He is walking more, striking out less and stealing bases. He has a ton of potential and at 23 years old, he could be reaching that. A move to AAA seems to be on the horizon for him. – JP
2016 Stats: 65 G, .303 BA/.383 OBP/.437 SLG, 17 2B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 28 SB, 31 BB/52 K
11. JD Davis, 3B
Current Level: AA
ETA: 2017
DOB: 04/27/93
The 23-year-old Davis was a multi-positional star in college, playing third base, first base, pitcher, and some outfield. The Astros have settled on him as a third baseman. Davis certainly has the power profile for the position, hitting 50 homers in his first 253 minor league games and is a career .278 hitter. Davis has struck out 287 times in 985 career at bats, and while he has maintained a decent walk rate in the minors, his swing and miss issues combined with his average bat speed are likely to prevent him from ever developing much of a hit tool. He had plenty of arm for third and is an adequate defender. – Wayne
2016 Stats: 64 G, .244 BA/.325 OBP/.440 SLG, 16 2B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 29 BB/70 K
Next up will be the Astros top 10 prospects. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
