Astros Prospects That Just Missed The Top 30
Recently I published my Astros Top 30 prospects for 2021, which can be found here. As always, narrowing down the back end was tough and there are a few prospects who still deserve a mention. These are prospects who just missed my top 30 list, in no particular order.
Austin Hansen, RHP
Hansen was drafted by the Astros in the 8th round of the 2018 draft. He was primarily relief in college but in the Astros system he was used in the piggy-back system and 14 of 23 games in 2019. In that season he had a 2.11 ERA with 128 K in 94 innings. This included a 3.10 ERA and 13.1 K/9 in High-A. He has a mid 90s fastball and a solid slider and curveball. Walks might be an issue for him, leading scouts to think he might be better in relief.
Blair Henley, RHP
Henley was a 7th round pick by the Astros in 2019. Following a mediocre college career, the Astros used him in relief with great success. After the draft he pitched in 36.2 innings racking up 50 K and a 1.47 ERA. He has a really good curveball with an elite spin rate and a low 90s fastball. Like Hansen, he might project best in relief but he has an elite pitch that can get batters out if he keeps it up.
Rainer Rivas, OF
Rivas is really an unknown, but the little time he has in the minors so far has been impressive. The Astros picked him up in the deal that sent Max Stassi to the Angels. In 2019, in the DSL and GCL, Rivas had a slash line of .344/.429/.471 in 44 games. He is a big kid at 6-3, 220 lbs from the left side of the plate. He has natural lift in his swing and a patient approach at the zone. Hopefully he will get a chance to show off his talents in 2021.
Luis Santana, 2B
Santana was acquired by the Astros in the deal that sent J.D. Davis to the Mets. He isn’t very tall but is well built at 5’8″ and 175 lbs. Santana has nice bat to ball skills and has displayed a solid approach at the plate, evident by his exceptional walk and strikeout rates. He is a second base only prospect and is going to need his bat to carry him through the minors. Santana had a .690 OPS in 52 games at Tai-City in 2019.
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**Photo Credit: Joe Dwyer**
