With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2024 season. This week we will look at the shortstop position. I will focus on players who played majority of their games at this position, though they could end up on multiple lists.
Previous Position Reviews:
TOP PERFORMERS
Brice Matthews
The 2023 first-round pick put together a strong season making his way up to Triple-A. Despite an early back injury which cause him to miss some time, Matthews hit .265 with 15 home runs, 44 runs batted in, 32 stolen bases and a .865 OPS in 79 games. This included 14 games in Triple-A and his first Triple-A home run in the Championship game. He showed off versatility playing multiple positions and the power/speed threat (15 home runs, 32 stolen bases) that helped him be a first round pick.
2024 Stats: 79 G, .265 BA/.384 OBP/.481 SLG, 15 2B, 3B, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 32 SB, 142 wRC+
Tommy Sacco
Sacco was a steady contributor in Double-A for the Hooks this season. He played all over the infield for the Hooks, with most of his games coming at shortstop, and hit .243 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 102 games. He was eventually promoted to Triple-A where he finished the season hitting .275 in 22 games for Sugar Land. Sacco proved to be a nice depth piece and should be a constant contributor at Triple-A next year.
2024 Stats: 124 G, .248 BA/.344 OBP/.378 SLG, 21 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 19 SB
Jeron Williams
Williams was the Astros 9th round pick in 2023 after a great career at Toledo. In 2024, he started the year in Asheville and .310 with 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 runs batted in and 12 stolen bases earning him a promotion to Double-A. With the Hooks, he struggled a bit, dealing with some injuries as well, hitting .204 with 3 home runs and 14 stolen bases. Overall he finished the year with a .754 OPS and 26 stolen bases.
2024 Stats: 71 G, .252 BA/.312 OBP/.442 SLG, 15 2B, 5 3B, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 26 SB
Chase Jaworsky
Jaworsky was the Astros 5th round pick in 2023 out of Rock Canyon HS in Colorado. He signed for $847,500 and showed why in 2024 why he was able to command a big bonus. The 19-year-old played the full-season in Single-A and was able to rack up 20 doubles, 4 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 78 games. He also handled the bat well, striking out just 68 times. Jaworsky missed time late due to an injury but showed off some good talent in 2024.
2024 Stats: 78 G, .233 BA/.335 OBP/.346 SLG, 20 2B, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 28 SB
THE REST OF THE PACK
Ryan Johnson
Johnson, the Astros 8th round pick in 2023, played the full year in Asheville. The 23-year-old struggled with the strikeouts as he struck out 170 times in 105 games. He did have 14 home runs and 9 stolen bases in 105 games.
2024 Stats: 105 G, .202 BA/.294 OBP/.345 SLG, 10 2B, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 9 SB
Alberto Hernandez
Hernandez is a prospect with big upside, but struggled in 2024. In 74 games for Fayetteville, he hit .197 with only 9 XBHs in 74 games. He did have solid walk and strikeout rates and will only be 21 in 2025.
2024 Stats: 74 G, .197 BA/.288 OBP/.251 SLG, 7 2B, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 4 SB
2025 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
The Astros have the long term solution at shortstop in Jeremy Pena. While his bat hasn’t been at the level that som expected, he has been league average offensively and posted good defensive numbers each year compiling 12.9 bWAR in three seasons. Brice Matthews is one of the Astros top prospects and could see some time at third again in 2025, after getting time there this last season. Beyond that, the Astros have some depth pieces. Jaworsky is a spark-plug like player who can get on base and use his speed. He will be one to watch in 2025.
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