- Seven Astros Make ZiPS’ Top 100 Prospects
Another day, another list. This list came out last week but I felt it was very important to show as it takes away some of the traditional scouting and is a list based on computer projections. As the title suggests, the Astros did well on this list. Here are the seven Astros on the list.
#29 Francis Martes
Martes continues his climb. Martes was unranked by the ZiPS’ projection system heading in 2016. That has obviously changed as he is now ranked #29. Martes pitched the entire season with Corpus Christi and went 9-6 with a 3.30 ERA and 131 K in 125.1 innings at just 20 years old. He should make his MLB debut at some point this season.
#45 Kyle Tucker
Just like Martes, Tucker is on the rise. After a solid showing in rookie ball in 2015, ZiPS had him ranked #92 in all of baseball. In 2016 Tucker hit .285/.360/.438 with 25 2B, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 32 SB in 117 games. Scouts believe he should add more power and if he does, he could jump up to one of the top outfield prospects in baseball.
#54 Franklin Perez
Great to see Perez make the list. Prior to 2016, he was one of my picks for breakout prospect and he did so at just 18 years old. In 2016, Perez had a 2.84 ERA with 19 BB/75 K in 66.2 IP. Perez’s fastball sits around 92-94 MPH but he has very good pitchability and quality secondary offerings. He should continue his rise in 2017.
#78 Ramon Laureano
Laureano was drafted by the Astros in 2014. He was another choice of mine to be a breakout guy in 2016 and he put together a tremendous season Laureano slashed .319/.428/.528 with 15 HR, 43 SB between A+/AA. He has started to receive some national attention but with a solid 2017 campaign he should fly up the rankings.
#85 David Paulino
Paulino has had a long journey to this point recovering from TJS but pitched well in 2015 posting a 2.81 ERA. He was unranked by many heading in 2016 but that has changed. In 2016, Paulino went 5-4 with a 2.00 ERA and 19 BB/106 K in 90 IP in 2016.
#97 Derek Fisher
Fisher slipped just a bit in these rankings after being #82 last year. Fisher was drafted in the first round in 2014 and has had back to back season with 20+ HR/20+ SB (22 HR, 31 SB in 2015; 21 HR, 28 SB in 2016). Fisher split time between AA and AAA in 2016 showing off his power and speed combination as well as his patience at the plate with 83 BB in 129 games.
#99 Jason Martin
Martin has flown under the radar a bit but the 21 year old had a very good 2016 season. He spent the whole year in High-A and hit .270 with 23 HR/20 SB in 110 games. He will be 21 for the majority of the 2017 and should be playing with Corpus. Like Laureano, if he has another good season he will fly up the rankings.
Here is a link to the full ZiPS’ prospect list as well as a better explanation for the rankings (though Insider access is required).
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: Ross Way Photography**
