The Astros have set their rosters for opening day of the minor league baseball season. Sugar Land will start April 5th with the other three teams starting on April 8th. The Astros have a ton of intriguing players at each level and could be a big year for a few prospects. Below are a couple players to watch at each minor league level. I will try to leave off the obvious top prospects.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (AAA)
Hitter – Alex McKenna, OF
McKenna is a former 4th round pick from 2018 who looked good following the draft but then struggled with injuries (and COVID) before finally being healthy in the 2021 season. He started the year in High-A and hit .305 with a 1.005 OPS in 41 games before being promoted to Double-A. There he hit .206 with a .619 OPS in 38 games. McKenna is a wiry athlete with great power, but some swing and miss to his game. The start in Triple-A is aggressive, but maybe he made some big improvements in the off-season.
One More: Marty Costes, OF
Pitcher – Shawn Dubin, RHP
Dubin was drafted by the Astros in the 13th round of the 2018 draft after attending two different JuCo schools. We have seen him in Triple-A already but he could be on the short list to call up. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, touching 99, and he has a plus slider. Dubin put together a great 2021 showcasing his abilitiles with 69 K in just 49.2 innings. Dubin has enough pitches to be a starter but if the Astros decide to use him in the pen, he could be electric running it up to triple digits. The entire pitching staff will be fun to watch.
One More: Jonathan Bermudez, LHP
Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
Hitter – Shay Whitcomb, SS
Whitcomb was the Astros 5th round pick in the 2020 MLB draft out of UC San Diego. He started the 2021 season in Low-A and slashed .282/.369/.429 in 41 games earning a promotion to High-A. There his numbers got even better hitting .300 with a .959 OPS. He finished the season with 23 HR and 30 SB overall and one of the best offensive seasons in the Astros system last season. The righty hitter is aggressive at the plate, leading to some strikeouts, but also to some solid extra base hit production. After a dominant 2021, he will get to the chance to prove he is legit at the upper minor league levels.
One More: Luke Berryhill, C
Pitcher – Misael Tamarez, RHP
The Astros signed Tamarez out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He pitched in rookie league in 2019 but broke out a big way in 2021. As a 21 year old between Low-A and High-A, Tamarez posted a 3.76 ERA with 103 K in 76.2 innings. Tamarez has a strong frame at 6-1 and over 200 lbs. His fastball this season has been mid 90s hitting 97 MPH. He also possesses has a changeup and improving slider that can give him a deadly three pitch mix. Fairly aggressive putting him in Double-A but he will get challenged immediately and could have a huge year.
One More: Julio Robaina, LHP
Asheville Tourists (A+)
Hitter – Cristian Gonzalez, SS
The 6-3 shortstop was signed out of Dominican Republic in 2018. He is only listed at 180 lbs but I have heard he already put on some weight. Gonzalez is solid defensively at shortstop but possesses a an absolute cannon for an arm. . Cristian has the ability to hit for some average but has been able to add power to his game already this season at 19 years old. He is only 20 years old and starting out in High-A is a great sign. Gonzalez has as much potential as anyone in the system.
One More: Will Wagner, INF
Pitcher – Chayce McDermott, RHP
McDermott was drafted by the Astros in the 4th round out of Ball State. McDermott works with a fastball in the mid 90s and can tough 98 MPH. He has a plus curveball and a changeup as well. He had a really good year in 2021 where he struck out 125 in 82.2 innings with a 3.05 ERA at Ball State and followed that up with 40 K in 21.1 innings following the draft. He is a good athlete and has a good build at 6-3, 197 lbs and should project as a starter long-term.
One More: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (A)
Hitter – Logan Cerny, OF
Cerny was originally a 10th round pick by the Phillies in 2021 but was traded to the Astros in the deal that sent Garrett Stubbs over to Philadelphia. Cerny put up a monster junior year in college hitting .332 with 17 2B, 15 HR, 12 SB. He has plus power and speed and profiles to stick in CF. He’s been called twitchy, explosive, and hyper-athletic. He has some swing and miss in his game but if the tools click, he could take off.
One More: Tyler Whitaker, INF
Pitcher – Alimber Santa, RHP
Santa was signed as an international free agent and is listed at just 5’10”, 163 lbs but really turned heads in Florida this spring. Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reported that the right hander sat 96-97 MPH with his fastball and has a changeup, slider and curveball. Santa is 18 years old and won’t be 19 until May. The Astros are going to be aggressive with him and start him in full season ball. He was one of my breakout choices.
One More: Miguel Ullola, RHP
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