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 – Seth Beer
Beer was the Astros first round pick in the 2018 draft, so his stock is already high. But following the draft there were questions about how he would perform with would bats as he progressed through the minors. Last year he made it up to High-A and posted a .746 OPS in 27 High-A games. He was assigned to High-A this season and has improved on his numbers. In 29 games he has a .997 OPS. His power has shown up too with 8 2B, 7 HR and a .591 SLG. Overall he has a solid 19.5 K% and a great 178 wRC+. While its early in his MiLB career, his stock is pointing up with his performance so far this season.
2019 Stats: 29 G, .327 BA/.406 OBP/.591 SLG, 8 2B, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 11 BB/25 K, 178 wRC+
Pitcher – Parker Mushinski
Mushinski was a 7th round pick in the 2017 draft out of Texas Tech. In college he was a late inning reliever and while he had good K numbers (11.2 K/9 in 2017) he also walked quite a few (5.9 BB/9 in 2017). The same was true for in 2017 and 2018 for Mushinski but he has improved this season. He has pitched in 6 games and has a phenomenal 7 BB/40 K in 24.2 innings. Good for a 31.4% K-BB. He has a 2.55 ERA, 2.99 FIP and 1.90 xFIP. This has also came with a reasonably high BABIP (.333) and really high HR/FB (21.4%). Mushinski is also doing well keeping the ball on the ground with the 53.7 GB%. With the Astros light on lefty pitching prospects, Mushinski is making his name known.
2019 Stats: 6 G, 2.55 ERA, 24.2 IP, 21 H, 7 ER, 7 BB, 40 K, 14.5 K/9
⇓ Stock Down⇓
Hitter – Ross Adolph
As stated above, being on the stock down doesn’t mean he is a bad prospect. Adolph came over in the Davis trade this last off-season. Many were excited about him, myself included, due to his performance in 2018 when he had a .857 OPS with 28 XBH and 14 SB. He made his full season debut this season at 22 but has struggled posting just a .531 OPS in 27 games. He also has a 39.3 K%. His BABIP is very low, but the lack of power is concerning. Adolph is only 22 years old so plenty of time to turn it around, but his stock is down compared to where it was to start the season.
2019 Stats: 27 G, .126 BA/.290 OBP/.241 SLG, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 15 BB/42 K, 70 wRC+
Pitcher – Dean Deetz
Deetz was a favorite of mine early in his minor league career, mainly due to his great stuff. He pitched well early and then really turned heads with his performance in AA when he posted a combined 1.55 ERA with 11 BB/65 K in 55.1 innings and another 50 K in 34.1 innings in AAA. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to replicate that production this year. He has pitched in 8 games and has an 11.25 ERA (11.58 FIP) while walking 12 in just 8 innings. He has the raw stuff to be a middle reliever but he has to throw strikes. His stock right now is definitely down but he still has time to rebuild it.
2019 Stats: 8 G, 11.25 ERA, 8.0 IP, 11 H, 10 ER, 12 BB, 14 K, 13.5 BB/9
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**Photo Credit: Joe Dwyer**
