Just like the stock market, prospects’ stock will go up and down throughout the season. Here is the Astros Prospect Stock Report: Volume 2.
Disclaimer – Being on the stock down part of this list does not necessarily mean the player is a bad prospect. More just noting the rough patch they are experiencing this season.
Previous Stock Reports:
⇑ Stock Up ⇑
Hitter – Garrett Stubbs
Stubbs had a breakout 2016 that had him flying up the prospects lists. He struggled with some injuries last year and really had trouble getting it going. But so far this year, Stubbs has reclaimed his prospect status. In 32 AAA games he has a 144 wRC+ with great walk (8.8 BB%) and strikeout (12.4 K%) rates. He also had a .143 ISO, which is pretty good for him. He has also thrown out 10 of 22 base stealers (45%). If he continues his rise, he could see himself on the Astros roster in the near future.
2018 Stats: 32 G, .370 BA/.422 OBP/.513 SLG, 8 2B, 3 3B, HR, 16 RBI, 12 BB/17 K, 2 SB, 144 wRC+
Pitcher – Josh James
This was actually a tough choice as Cionel Perez has seen his stock go up a lot but I ultimately decided on James based on his dominance this season. James was a 34th round pick in 2014 and had mediocre numbers up to this year, though the strikeouts were solid. He has taken off in 2018 seeing his fastball reach high 90s. In six AA outings he had 10 BB/38 K in 21.2 innings before being promoted to AAA. He hasn’t missed a beat moving up as his ERA went down (2.49 to 2.36) and still posting great K rates (53 in 34.1 innings).
2018 Stats: 12 G, 2.41 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 56.0 IP, 39 H, 15 ER, 21 BB, 90 K, 14.6 K/9
⇓ Stock Down⇓
Hitter – Chuckie Robinson
Robinson was a standout during the 2017 season at catcher after hitting .274 with 32 2B, 15 HR, 77 RBI. The Astros didn’t have much depth at catcher in the minors and it looked like Robinson would start working his way up. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. Robinson is hitting .168 with .462 OPS in 36 games. He also has just 5 extra base hits in those 36 games good for a 30 wRC+. His BABIP is very low at .209 but there hasn’t been much for him to build on this season. On the plus side, he has thrown out 18 of 30 base stealers.
2018 Stats: 36 G, .168 BA/.222 OBP/.240 SLG, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 BB/33 K, 30 wRC+
Pitcher – Yoanys Quiala
Quiala had a solid 2017 season which saw him post a 2.57 ERA with 92 K in 108.1 innings between A+ and AA. He has had some good starts in 2018 but struggled mightily in others Overall, he has a 5.76 ERA and the peripherals aren’t very good. He is striking out just 7.0 per 9 innings and has a 10.1 % K-BB rate, which is not good at all. He is 24 years old so there is still time, but overall, his stock has gone down this season.
2018 Stats: 11 G, 5.76 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 50.0 IP, 53 H, 32 ER, 17 BB, 39 K
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**
