Check out the top performers at each position so far during the 2024 season. I will be choosing Astros prospects who played the majority of their games at the given position. See the results below!
CATCHER
John Garcia – Garcia, the Astros 19th round pick in 2022, has put together a really good year. The 23-year-old has played the full season so far in High-A and is hitting .300 with 19 doubles, 9 homers and a .870 OPS in 66 games.
2024 Stats: 66 G, .300 BA/.376 OBP/.494 SLG, 19 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 7 SB, 142 wRC+
FIRST BASE
Will Wagner – Wagner has been primarily a first baseman for Sugar Land this season, and he has been great at the plate. The left-handed hitter is batting .305 with a ridiculous 49 BB/29 SO in 64 games this season.
2024 Stats: 64 G, .305 BA/.420 OBP/.423 SLG, 12 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 3 SB, 119 wRC+
SECOND BASE
Jesus Bastidas – The Astros signed Bastidas this off-season and he has been one of the better hitters in Triple-A. Through 84 games in Triple-A, the 25-year-old leads the Astros system in doubles (25) and homers (20) this season.
2024 Stats: 84 G, .269 BA/.350 OBP/.519 SLG, 25 2B, 3B, 20 HR, 68 RBI, 11 SB, 109 wRC+
THIRD BASE
Austin Deming – Deming signed for just $7,500 last year but is clearly outperforming that bonus. The 24-year-old is hitting .275 with 16 doubles, 12 homers and 41 runs batted in through 68 games in High-A.
2024 Stats: 68 G, .275 BA/.351 OBP/.478 SLG, 16 2B, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 7 SB, 131 wRC+
SHORTSTOP
Shay Whitcomb – Following a season where he led all of minor league baseball in homers, Whitcomb is having another good year in 2024. The 25-year-old has a .918 OPS with 19 homers and 22 stolen bases in 85 games this season.
2024 Stats: 85 G, .298 BA/.383 OBP/.535 SLG, 16 2B, 2 3B, 19 HR, 71 RBI, 22 SB, 124 wRC+
OUTFIELD
Pedro Leon – Like Bastidas and Whitcomb, Leon has been a run producer for Sugar Land this year. In 86 games this season, Leon is hitting .305 with 17 homers, 71 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases.
2024 Stats: 86 G, .305 BA/.381 OBP/.528 SLG, 21 2B, 2 3B, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 21 SB, 123 wRC+
Luis Baez – Baez got a huge bonus a couple of years ago, and the Astros are starting to reap the benefits this season. In 73 games in High-A, the 20-year-old is hitting .275 with 17 doubles and 15 homers, showing off the power that got him signed.
2024 Stats: 73 G, .275 BA/.307 OBP/.477 SLG, 17 2B, 15 HR, 56 RBI, 8 SB, 114 wRC+
Logan Cerny – Cerny has had a strong season, despite having a lower BA. In 60 games in High-A, he has shown off the power speed combo with 12 homers and 23 stolen bases, which is the high for Asheville this year.
2024 Stats: 60 G, .229 BA/.345 OBP/.468 SLG, 16 2B, 12 HR, 32 RBI, 23 SB, 126 wRC+
PITCHERS
Jake Bloss – Bloss saw a meteoric rise this season. After getting drafted in the third round in 2023, the right-hander has dominated this season. Between three different levels, he has posted a 1.64 ERA allowing just 31 hits in 66 innings.
2024 Stats: 13 G, 1.64 ERA, 66.0 IP, 31 H, 12 ER, 21 BB, 63 K, .140 BAA
A.J. Blubaugh – Blubaugh made one start in Double-A this year before earning a promotion to Triple-A, where he has continued to pitch well. In 16 outings this season, he has a 3.46 ERA with 72 K in 75.1 innings.
2024 Stats: 16 G, 3.46 ERA, 75.1 IP, 70 H, 29 ER, 31 BB, 72 K, 8.6 K/9
Joey Mancini – Mancini kind of flew under the radar but has been putting together a dominant year making it up to Double-A. After posting a 2.73 ERA in Asheville, he has posted a 1.87 ERA in Corpus Christi, good for 2.27 overall in 63.1 innings.
2024 Stats: 17 G, 2.27 ERA, 63.1 IP, 40 H, 16 ER, 28 BB, 63 K, .182 BAA
Jose Guedez – Guedez has been really solid this year, despite pitching in a hitter’s paradise in Asheville. The right-hander has a 2.98 ERA, racking up 70 strikeouts in 63.1 innings, allowing just 49 hits.
2024 Stats: 15 G, 2.98 ERA, 63.1 IP, 49 H, 21 ER, 34 BB, 70 K, 9.9 K/9
James Hicks – Hicks, a 13th round pick in 2023, has been one of the better pitchers in the system this year. Across three different levels, the right-hander has a 3.18 ERA with 17 BB/80 K in 70.2 innings.
2024 Stats: 16 G, 3.18 ERA, 70.2 IP, 70 H, 25 ER, 17 BB, 80 K, 10.2 K/9
Alain Pena – Pena has pitched well at every stop in his career and this season has been no different. The 21-year-old has struck out 75 batters in 71 innings while posting a 3.30 ERA for Fayetteville this season.
2024 Stats: 17 G, 3.30 ERA, 71.0 IP, 64 H, 18 ER, 26 BB, 75 K, 9.2 K/9
Ethan Pecko – Another draft pick from 2023, Pecko has really racked up the strikeouts this season earning a promotion to High-A. In 65.2 innings this season, Pecko has totaled 90 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA while holding batters to a .220 BAA.
2024 Stats: 18 G, 3.43 ERA, 65.2 IP, 55 H, 25 ER, 27 BB, 90 K, 12.3 K/9
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