Just like the stock market, prospects’ stock will go up and down throughout the season. Here is the Astros Prospect Stock Report: Volume 1.
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.
⇑ Stock Up ⇑
Hitter – Yordan Alvarez
Alvarez’s stock has already been high, as he was ranked the #34 prospect in baseball by Baseball America coming into the season. But he has destroyed expectations thus far as a 22 year old in AAA. In 17 games this season he is hitting .339 with 10 HR, 26 RBI, and 11 BB/11 K. Thats good for a 15.5 BB% and 15.5 K%. He also has an insane .576 ISO and 213 wRC+. This has been a great start for Alvarez and his stock is definitely rising. We should see him in Houston at some point in 2019.
2019 Stats: 17 G, .339 BA/.451 OBP/.915 SLG, 4 2B, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 11 BB/11 K, 213 wRC+
Pitcher – Tyler Ivey
Ivey was a third round pick in 2017. He had a very good 2018 season posting a 2.97 ERA with 29 BB/135 K in 112 innings. The Astros were aggressive starting him in AA and he has shown he is ready for it. He has pitched in 4 games and has 4 BB/23 K in 16 innings with a 1.13 ERA. He has allowed just 10 hits and a .169 BAA. A very good start to the season for a prospect on the rise.
2019 Stats: 4 G, 1.13 ERA, 16.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 23 K, 12.9 K/9
⇓ Stock Down⇓
Hitter – AJ Reed
Yes, Kyle Tucker has struggled, but I’m willing to give him more time before I consider his stock down. Reed meanwhile has had an absolutely abysmal season. While Reed stock was already down, he has only gotten worst so far this season. In 12 games this season he is hitting .163 with .209 SLG. He has yet to hit a HR and has 19 K in 12 games, good for a 39.6 K%. This also comes with a reasonable BABIP at .292.
2019 Stats: 12 G, .163 BA/.250 OBP/.209 SLG, 2 2B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB/19 K, 18 wRC+
Pitcher – Brett Adcock
The Astros do have a top pitching prospect struggling, Bukauskas, but this is his first taste of AA. Adcock, however, pitched in AA last year. He posted a 2.89 ERA in 2018 between A+ and AA but has really struggled so far in 2019. He has a 15.83 ERA and 9 BB/6 K in 9.2 innings. Unfortunately, there isn’t really anything to take away from this. More walks than strikeouts, opposing hitters batting .348 against him. He is still only 23 but needs to get some good outings going.
2019 Stats: 4 G, 15.83 ERA, 9.2 IP, 16 H, 17 ER, 9 BB, 6 K, .348 BAA
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**Photo Credit: Andy Nietupski/Round Rock Express**
