The Astros shipped out some prospects at the trade deadline to acquire talent, but they also added talent in the draft in July. Below is an updated top 30 prospects for the Astros system.
1. Jacob Melton, OF
Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/07/00
Melton was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft out of Oregon State. Melton had a standout junior year in college slashing .360/.424/.671 with 22 2B, 17 HR, 21 SB as he earned Pac-12 player of the year honors. Melton is a left handed swinging outfielder who stands at 6’3″ and 210 lbs. Melton has an advanced approach at the plate and has above average power with the potential to be plus as he also makes a lot of contact. The lefty is a plus runner on the bases and in the outfield and should stick in center field defensively. This year he has made it up to Triple-A and 11 homers and 22 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. Read more on Melton here.
2. Brice Matthews, SS
Level: High-A DOB: 03/16/02
Matthews was seen as one of the best athletes in the Big 1o going into the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old had a breakout junior season slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 HR, 20 SB for Nebraska. He has a quick swing with strong exit velocities, even for his size. Scouts note he has 20-25 HR potential with good pull power. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop and has a strong arm but also the potential to be a plus center fielder if he has to move positions. He has some swing and miss in his game but the other positives make up for it. Matthews has shown off the tools so far this year earning a quick promotion to Double-A. In 55 games this season he has 12 homers and 23 stolen bases.
3. Walker Janek, C
Level: Rookie DOB: 09/24/02
Janek was seen as the best defensive catcher in the draft, showing up a plus arm and a quick release. But he also made huge strides with the bat during college too. The 21-year-old has above average bat speed and the ability to produce 20+ homers at the major league level. He hit .364 with 17 homers, 58 runs batted in and 13 stolen bases in 58 games in 2024 for the Bearkats. His raw power has improved and he has chance to be a gold glove type at catcher while hitting for average and power. He quickly becomes the top catching prospect in the system.
4. Zach Dezenzo, INF
Level: Triple-A DOB: 05/11/00
Dezenzo was drafted in the 12th round of the 2022 draft and is looking like an absolute steal. He was a senior who put up a strong year at Ohio State slugging .701 with 19 HR in 51 games before dominating the MLB Draft League. The right-hander has plus power and really strong exit velocities numbers. He is a bat-first prospect who bas played both third base and first base, but has the bat profile to fit at either. This year Dezenzo has made it up to Triple-A and is hitting .310 with 13 doubles, 6 homers in 37 games. Read more on Dezenzo here.
5. Luis Baez, OF
Level: High-A DOB: 01/11/04
The Astros signed Luis Baez for $1.3 million during the 2022 international signing period. The 19-year-old is well built at 6’1″ and 205 lbs and possesses plus power from the right side. He is a solid athlete but won’t provide a ton on the bases, though he should be an adequate defender in the corner outfield spots. Baez has shown off the bat at times this year, but he hasn’t walked much and strikeouts are a little high, though he is still very young for his league. Read more on Baez here.
6. Zach Cole, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 08/04/00
Cole was drafted in the 10th round in the 2022 draft. The left-handed hitting outfielder has plus speed and a lot of pop in his bat. After struggling in his first taste of pro ball, Cole has put together an impressive 2023 season. In 111 games between Single-A and High-A, Cole is hitting .258 with 20 2B, 8 3B, 19 HR, 37 SB. Cole dealt with some injuries early this year but once healthy, he was able to show what he could do with a .826 OPS in Double-A. At just 24-years-old, Cole is one of the more higher potential outfielders in the system. Read more on Cole here.
7. A.J. Blubaugh
Level: Triple-A DOB: 07/04/00
Blubaugh was a 7th round pick back in the 2022 draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Astros have been aggressive with him, pushing him up to Double-A in 2023. Despite a higher ERA in High-A, Blubaugh struck out 112 in 100 innings including 19 K in 14.1 innings with a 1.26 ERA in Double-A to end the season. He was sent to the Arizona Fall League where he had a 2.25 ERA with 17 K in 12 innings. He has a low to mid 90s fastball with a nice pair of breaking balls. This year, he has a 4.00 ERA with 81 K in 87.2 innings. Read more on him here.
8. Miguel Ullola, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 06/19/02
Ullola is a young flame throwing right hander. The 21-year-old features a plus fastball that sits mid-90s and touches 99 MPH, even when in multi-inning spots. While he has some command issues, he has overpowered the hitters in lower levels with the fastball/slider combination. He might end up in the bullpen, but that may not be a bad thing given what kind of stuff he could have in one innings spurts. The fastball and slider are his two best pitches, but he does throw a curveball as well. This year in Double-A, he has a 4.58 ERA striking out 122 in 96.1 innings allowing just 56 hits.
9. Ryan Forcucci, RHP
Level: Rookie DOB: 12/02/02
Forcucci is a right-handed pitcher listed at 6’3″ and 205 lbs that the Astros selected in the third round of the draft this year. The 21-year-old only made five starts in 2024, but was dominant posting a 2.16 ERA with 37 K in 25 innings. He has a mid 90s fastball that tops at 97 and a wipeout slider in the 80s. The only question is durability, but when he is on the field he has pitched well. He was seen as a potential first rounder early in the season but Tommy John surgery caused him to slide.
10. Shay Whitcomb, SS
Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/28/98
Whitcomb was the Astros 5th round pick in the 2020 draft signing for just $56,000. He had a breakout 2021 season posting a .893 OPS with 23 HR, 30 SB. In 2022, Whitcomb struggled in Double-A but made some adjustments and came back in a big way this year. In 133 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Whitcomb had 35 HR (which led all of minor league baseball) and 102 RBI. Whitcomb has some swing and miss to his game, but he has made adjustments and cut down on the strikeouts while still showing power with 23 homers and 26 stolen bases this season. Read more on him here.
11. Parker Smith, RHP
Level: Rookie DOB: 03/05/03
Smith, a native Houstonian and a 4th round pick by the Astros this season, was one of the big time starters for Rice over the last couple of years. Smith operates with a low to mid 90s fastball, touching 96 MPH. He also has a plus changeup and solid slider. His junior year at Rice, he struck out 78 over 89.1 innings but scouts believe there is way more in the tank. Smith has really good control, walking just 66 in over 220 innings in college.
12. Kenni Gomez, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 05/14/05
Gomez was signed by the Astros out of Cuba for $775,000 in 2022. Gomez has made his way stateside this season and had a .632 OPS in rookie ball, but showed enough that the Astros were willing to let him start the year in Fayetteville this season at 18 years old. He has performed well posting a .731 OPS with 33 extra base hits and 12 stolen bases. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact but also has room to add power in his frame. A great athlete, Gomez is a plus runner and should be a threat on the bases and have the ability to stick in center field.
13. Jose Fleury, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/08/02
Fleury was signed during the 2021 international signing period for just $10,000, but could be another diamond in the rough for the Astros. As a 20-year-old, he dominated the DSL posting a 1.42 ERA with 4 BB/60 K in 38 innings. He has a really good changeup, which Baseball America ranked as the best in the system, and that he pairs with a low to mid 90s fastball. In 2023 he put up some gaudy numbers racking up 139 K in 98.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA. Fleury has missed some time with injuries this year, but still 39 K in 38.1 innings in Double-A at 22-years-old.
14. Ryan Gusto, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/11/99
Gusto has been in the system since being an 11th round pick in 2019. He is a little older than the normal prospect but has continued to make progress in the system. In 2023, he finished the season in Double-A posting a 2.93 ERA with 62 K in 61.1 innings. Gusto was clocked up to 98 MPH this spring and worked on refining a sweeper/slider last year. After a slow start, Gusto has been flat out dominant posting a 1.13 ERA over his last 10 starts.
15. Ethan Pecko, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 08/25/02
Pecko was a 6th round pick by the Astros in the 2023 draft. Despite just 59.2 college innings, the Astros saw something in him and have been right so far. Pecko started the season in Single-A racking up 63 K in 46.2 innings earning a promotion to High-A (34 K in 22.2 inning) and then another promotion to Double-A. Pecko has a mid 90s fastball and mixes that with a slider, cutter, curveball and changeup. Read more on Pecko here.
16. Chase Jaworsky, SS
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/31/04
Jaworksy was the Astros 5th round pick in 2023, and signed for $800k, nearly $500k overslot. Jaworsky is a smooth athlete listed at 6’1″ and 170 lbs. He is a righty thrower, lefty hitter. Scouts have noted he has a strong arm, good range at shortstop and a left handed swing that has some pop. Jaworksy gives the Astros some high potential in the middle of the diamond. He started this year out in Single-A and despite a lower average, he has connected on 20 doubles and 4 homers to go along with 28 stolen bases. Read more on Jaworsky here.
17. Colton Gordon, LHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 12/20/98
Gordon was an intriguing draft pick in 2021 after a good college career, but went into the draft after having Tommy John Surgery. After recovering and making his way back, Gordon dominated on the mount in 2022. He dominated once he got on the mound in 2022 posting a 2.35 ERA with 78 K in 53.2 innings. He won’t over power hitters with his fastball in the low 90s, but he has phenomenal command and pitchability with his secondary offerings making him an uncomfortable at-bat. Gordon had an injury early but since coming back, has struck out 69 in 74 innings in Triple-A. . Read more on Gordon here.
18. James Hicks, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/09/01
Hicks was a 13th round pick by the Astros in 2023 and has flown through the system with his ability to miss bats. The right-hander started the season in Single-A posting 0.50 ERA in 18 innings. After a stop in High-A, he was promoted to Double-A where he has 6 BB/27 K in 25.2 innings. Overall, he has 90 K in 83.1 innings this season using a 93-96 MPH fastball to go along with a chanegup, slider and curveball. Read more on Hicks here.
19. Anderson Brito, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/07/04
Brito was signed by the Astros out of Venezuela for $10,000 in 2023. He has had a really quick rise to this point starting the 2024 season in the Dominican Summer League and making his way to Single-A. Through 34.1 innings this season, the right-hander has racked up 57 strikeouts. Despite being smaller in stature, listed at 5’10” and 155 lbs, he has a monster fastball that sits around 96 MPH and can tough 99. He also has a good slider and changeup too.
20. Trey Dombroski, LHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/13/01
Dombroski was drafted by the Astros in the 4th round of the 2022 draft after a standout career at Monmouth University, including 14 BB/130 K in 95 innings as a junior. The lefty stands at 6’5″ and 235 lbs. While he doesn’t blow you away with his stuff, he really knows how to pitch and has very good command. Dombroski started this year in High-A and despite a higher ERA, the peripherals looked good and he got a promotion to Double-A where he tossed 4 scoreless in his debut. Read more on Dombroski here.
21. Jackson Nezuh, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 02/11/02
Nezuh was the Astros 14th round pick in 2023 out of Louisiana-Lafayette and is looking like a steal. He started the year in Single-A and racked up 105 K in 81.2 innings. He was promoted to High-A and has been even better posting a 2.03 ERA with 21 K in 13.1 innings. Nezuh has a ow to mid 90s fastball and pairs it with a really good split-change, a slider and a sweeper that has helped him rack up the strikeouts. Read more on him here.
22. Michael Knorr, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/12/00
The Astros drafted Knorr in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft. Knorr spent his first three seasons at Cal State Fullerton before moving to Coastal Carolina for his senior year where he struck out 86 in 69 innings. Knorr has a fastball that reaches 98 MPH and a good changeup. He also has some deception in his delivery and if he can command his fastball a bit better, he can move up the system pretty quickly with his fastball/changeup combination. In 2023 he struck out 78 on 58.1 innings between Single-A and High-A, though he missed some time with an injury. He hasn’t really gotten going this year due to some injuries.
23. Nehomar Ochoa, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/31/05
Ochoa was drafted by the Astros in the 11th round of the Galena Park High School in Houston, and signed for $300,000 double the slot for the 11th round. He is huge kid, listed at 6’4″ and 230 lbs. Despite his size, he is a good athlete who can play all three outfield positions, though he will probably end up in the corners moving forward. This season he has 9 homers and 16 stolen bases in 87 games in Single-A.
24. Alonzo Tredwell, RHP
Level: Rookie DOB: 05/08/02
Tredwell is a monster on the mound, standing at 6’8″ and 230 lbs. The 2023 2nd round pick had a nice college career at UCLA posting a 2.83 ERA with 13 K in 92.1 innings. The right-hander has a mid-90s fastball that can tough 96. He also has a solid slider as his main secondary offering. Tredwell’s fastball also generates a lot of swings and misses thanks to his carry up in the zone. He struck out 67 in 57 innings this season before missing time with an injury. Read more on Tredwell here.
25. Caden Powell, SS
Level: Rookie DOB: 10/24/03
Powell was selected by the Astros in the 6th round of the 2024 draft and signed overslot for $422,500. The 20-year-old is listed at 6’3″ and 200 lbs with room to grow. He started his college career at Oklahoma but transferred to Seminole State College where he was named the D-1 junior college player of the year after hitting .502 with 32 HR, 104 RBI and a slugging percentage over 1.000. He makes contact and is a good athlete with the chance to move to third if he outgrows shortstop.
25. Kenedy Corona, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/21/00
Corona was acquired in the deal that sent Jake Marisnick to the Mets. He is listed at 5’11” and 184 lbs, but is built really well and packs a punch in his swing. After putting together a strong 2023 season, the outfielder has struggled this season in Double-A hitting just 2 homers in 73 games, though he does have 22 stolen bases. He is a good athlete and the ability to play all three outfield positions but will need to get more from the bat.
26. Joey Mancini, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 10/04/00
Mancini was the Astros 15th round pick in 2022 out of Boston College. His first full season in the system he was solid striking out 102 batters over 97 innings. This year, he has taken it to a new level. Working with a mid 90s fastball, the right-hander has struck out 78 over 77.2 innings with a 1.97 ERA this year. This included a 1.50 ERA over 48 innings in Double-A. He’s also allowed just 51 hits in 77.2 innings.
27. Andrew Taylor, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/23/01
The Astros nabbed a tall right hander in Andrew Taylor, who stands at 6’5″ and 190 lbs, with their compensation pick for losing Carlos Correa. Taylor has a low 90s fastball but generates a ton of swings and misses with high spin rate and carry, which is throws the majority of the time. The righty had an impressive college career for Central Michigan posting a 2.45 ERA with 261 K in 195 innings. Taylor also possesses a solid changeup and two other breaking pitches. He racked up some strikeouts in 2023 but hasn’t been healthy in 2024. Read more on Taylor here.
28. Jancel Villarroel, C
Level: Single-A DOB: 01/17/05
Villarroel was signed by the Astros in August of 2022 out of Venezuela. While he is smaller in stature, listed at 5’8″ and 176 lbs, he makes up for it with his ability. The catcher has elite bat to ball skills and a good understanding of the strike zone. Before coming stateside this year, he had 37 BB/37 SO in 57 games in the DSL. He started the year in the FCL and got a quick promotion to Single-A posting a .790 OPS overall.
29. Pascanel Ferreras, INF
Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/03/99
Ferreras was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2023 draft, the last pick of the 20th round out of Western Carolina. He has the ability to play multiple infield positions and has some pop. The 22-year-old started the year in High-A and made quick work hitting .309 in 21 games earning a promotion to Double-A. Overall, he has a .740 OPS in 78 games this year. He can probably play a factor for second base in a few years down the line.
30. Jose Guedez, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/27/01
Guedez is another international find for the Astros, signing him out of Venezuela in 2022. This season he started out in High-A and has been dominant in a hitter friendly environment. Over 63.1 innings he struck out 70 with a 2.98 ERA. He runs the fastball up to the mid 90s. Unfortunately he was placed on the 60-day IL on July 21st so he may be out a while.
31. John Garcia, C
Level: High-A DOB: 09/25/00
Garcia was the Astros 19th round pick in 2022 out of Grambiling State University, though he was born in the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old is experiencing a breakout year hitting .298 with a .864 OPS in High-A Asheville. He is a good athlete with a chance to be an above average defender. He has also thrown out 20% of base stealers this season.
32. Abel Mercedes, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 06/29/02
Mercedes will be one of the more intriguing prospects on this list. The right-hander from the Dominican Republic has the best velocity in the system, sitting 98-99 and touching 101 MPH multiple times this season. In 36.1 innings in Single-A, he has racked up 62 strikeouts good for a 15.4 K/9. But he has also walked 41 during that time. He has the stuff to be a shutdown reliever but will need to refine the command.
33. Derek True, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/23/01
True was another late round find by the Astros, an 18th round pick in 2023. The right-hander was a relieve in college but the Astros have been able to convert him to starter so far in pro ball. He made quick work of Single-A before earning a promotion to High-A. Overall he has 84 K in 75.2 innings. His fastball he can run up to 98 MPH and has good command of his arsenal. Read more on True here.
34. Jeron Williams, INF
Level: Double-A DOB: 09/29/00
Williams was a 9th round pick by the Astros in 2023. The Astros started him off in High-A this season and he showed off right away hitting .344 in April and earning him a promotion to Double-A. He has some pop and is seen as one of the fastest runners in the Astros system. Overall, he is hitting .253 with a .755 OPS and 24 stolen bases this season. Read more on Williams here.
35. Cam Fisher, OF
Level: High-A DOB: 06/12/01
Fisher was drafted by the Astros in 2023 after having a great college career at UNC Charlotte. The lefty hitter slashed .348/.507/.813 with 30 HR, 64 BB in 64 games this season. He offers plus power and bat speed. He gets on base but some scouts noted the strikeout concerns. Fisher is an adequate athlete and scouts have noted he might stick in right field or possibly end up in left field. He spent some time in the FCL working on some contact things but the power is undeniable with 14 homers in 62 games this season.
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