The Astros have set their rosters for opening day of the minor league baseball season. There are a lot 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 to watch and dig a little deeper.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Triple-A)
Hitter – Pedro Leon, OF
While Leon is clearly well known, I wanted to list him here. The Astros have a rotation in center field with Meyers and McCormick right now. The next couple in line are Dirden and Leon. Dirden had a big spring but Leon still has a ton of tools. The 24-year-old oozes potential with a power speed combination that is at the top of the list in the Astros system. After the 2022 season saw him post a .796 OPS with 38 SB, 2023 is going to be an interesting year for him.
One More: Grae Kessinger, OF
Pitcher – Jairo Solis, RHP
Signed for $450k back in the 16-17 signing period, Solis was once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the system after he made it to full-season Single-A at just 19 years old. A couple years ago, the Astros added him to the 40 man roster but he was DFA’d last year due to roster constraints. Injuries have derailed him over the last few seasons but it appears he is finally healthy and had a nice spring with 3 scoreless innings. Would be huge for him to make this comeback. He is still only 23-years-old.
One More: Jayden Murray, RHP
Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A)
Hitter – Quincy Hamilton, OF
Hamilton was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2021 draft. He had a great first year in the system posting a .857 OPS with 28 2B, 17 HR, 27 SB in 119 games. The 24-year-old has a patient approach at the plate a nice mix of power and speed. He can play all three outfield positions and given his age and experience, a nice start could see him in Triple-A pretty quick.
One More: J.C. Correa, INF
Pitcher – Colton Gordon, LHP
Gordon, also a draft pick in 2021, recovered from Tommy John after the draft but returned in 2022 and dominated. Gordon had a 2.35 ERA with 8 BB/78 K in 53.2 innings between Single-A and High-A in 2022. He isn’t overpowering with the stuff, but his off-speed pitches play well and he has a very advanced pitchability from the left side.
One More: Rhett Kouba, RHP
Asheville Tourists (High-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 had a good first year in the system with a .832 OPS and 15 HR/35 SB in 86 games. He finished the year on fire hitting .318 with a .997 OPS over the final 48 games. 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: Kenedy Corona, OF
Pitcher – Edinson Batista, RHP
Signed a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, Batista struggled a bit early on but has had a breakout season in 2022. The right hander has a low to mid 90s fastball but features a wipeout slider that generates a ton of swings and misses right now. He also has a curveball and a changeup which are still a work in progress, as is his command. But the size and pitches are there for him to succeed at the higher levels.
One More: Bryant Salgado, RHP
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Single-A)
Hitter – Kobe Kato, INF
Kato was originally a 13th round pick in 2021 and had a solid showing following the draft with a .746 OPS and 24 BB/16 K in 32 games in Single-A. He missed the 2022 season with an injury but it back now. He doesn’t have a lot of power but he draws walks, gets on base, has some speed and has the ability to play multiple positions on the infield. He will be 24 this year but could be a fast mover.
One More: Dauri Lorenzo, 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 spring training last year when 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 ended up getting hurt in 2022 and wasn’t able to show what he could do. But he is healthy now and has a chance to breakout.
One More: Nolan DeVos, RHP
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