Over the last couple of drafts, the Astros took some swings on high potential prospects. Two of those prospects are outfielder Jacob Melton and infielder Brice Matthews. They have elite tools and have had some really good production in 2024 to justify their draft status and prove they are the future of the Astros.
Jacob Melton, OF
Melton has been the consensus top prospect in the Astros system all season, and rightfully so. The outfielder, who just turned 24, was a second round pick by the Astros in 2022 after a standout career at Oregon State University. Melton is an elite athlete who has posted some ridiculous exit velocities, on top of having top notch speed.
In 2023, Melton showed off his power and speed combination connecting on 23 home runs and 46 stolen bases. He has dealt with a few injuries this year, but still has accumulated 14 home runs and 30 stolen bases making his way up to Triple-A.
Melton has made some adjustments to his swing recently that have paid off. Over his last 33 games in Triple-A, Melton has hit .289 with 7 doubles, 4 home runs, and 10 stolen bases. This is a 20 home run, 49 stolen base pace over a full 162 game season.
From Kenny Van Doren:
Triple-A Sugar Land hitting coach Aaron Westlake on Jacob Melton simplifying his swing and minimizing movement: “(We) wanted to make it as simple but as quick of a swing as possible in order for him to have success, especially against high velocity.”
Jacob Melton stays hot with a 105 MPH RBI double in the first for Sugar Land! #Astros pic.twitter.com/vqnkriINmB
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) September 2, 2024
Sugar Land will head into the playoffs soon, but Melton has had a strong 2024 season and put himself in a position to maybe have a spot on the Opening Day roster in 2025. Read more on Melton here.
Brice Matthews, SS
After Melton, Matthews is seen as one of the next top prospects in the system. He was drafted in the first round of the 2023 draft and to this point, has proven his draft position with his bat and play on the field. The former High School QB is a phenomenal athlete with the ability to play all over the field.
Matthews had a back injury early on in the season but came back with a vengeance. The first 8 games post injured list, Matthews hit .485 with 6 home runs, which earned him a quick promotion to Double-A where he continued to rake. In Corpus Christi, he had 9 home runs, 16 stolen bases and a .872 OPS over 42 games.
The Astros continued to challenge him promoting him to Triple-A, a quick rise for the 22-year-old. He has compiled 15 home runs, 32 stolen bases and a .904 OPS this season. Another big time power/speed threat.
Matthews noted in an interview with Kenny that he was grateful for the injury early in the season because it taught him how to prepare and ready himself. With the potential holes on the major league roster next year, Matthews, like Melton, has put himself in a position to compete for a major league spot in 2025.
Brice Matthews 2 run double for Sugar Land! #Astros pic.twitter.com/4o89E4Giya
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) September 12, 2024
You can read more on Matthews here.
While the Astros have continued to add good talent to the system, Melton and Matthews are at the top of the list!
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