This will be your weekly hot list of prospects who are performing well at the plate and on the mound. Here is last week’s hotlist. Below is the new hotlist for Week Two.
Who’s Hot At The Plate?
Shay Whitcomb – After a couple great seasons in the minor leagues, Whitcomb got off to a slow start in 2025. This week he returned to form. The 26-year-old hit .296 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 7 runs batted in. It’s only a matter of time before Whitcomb will see some time in Houston.
Kedaur Trujillo – Trujillo has been in the Astros system since 2022 and made it stateside last year. The 21-year-old got the start in Fayettvillle this season and had a big week this week. Over four games, Trujillo hit .385 with a double, 2 homers, 3 runs batted in and 4 walks to 3 strikeouts. He’s a career .291 hitter in the minors.
Caden Powell – Powell was the Astros 5th round pick in 2024 after putting up some video game numbers (.502, 32 HR) at Seminole State College. He’s off to a hot start in 2025 and in five games this week, the 21-year-old hit .364 with 2 doubles, a home run, 6 runs batted in and 2 stolen bases for the Woodpeckers.
Lucas Spence – Spence was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft. Spence has been a solid player this year for the Woodpeckers and had a nice week where he hit .389 in five games. The left-handed hitting Spence also picked up 2 stolen bases and is a perfect 5 for 5 on stolen bases this year.
Who’s Hot On The Mound?
Jose Fleury – Fleury ends up on this list again. He had some injuries in 2024 but has continued his hot start this year. He made one start this week and tossed 6.1 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. He allowed just 2 hits. On the season, he has struck out 19 over 17.a scoreless innings. He could be a fast mover up to Triple-A if he keeps this up.
Rafael Gonzalez – The 20-year-old Gonzalez has been in the system since 2023 after being signed by the Astros out of the Dominican Republic. Gonzalez made one start this week and was dominant tossing 5 scoreless innings while striking out 6, and didn’t walk any. Gonzalez could be a sleeper this year.
Jose Guedez – Guedez was off to a nice start in 2024, posting a 3.24 ERA in Asheville, before suffering a season ending injury. He is back healthy now and had a great start this week, tossing 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts allowing just 1 hit. If he keeps this up, he will be in Corpus Christi soon.
Cole Hertzler – Hertzler was the Astros 5th round pick in 2024 and he is off to a really good start in Single-A this year. This week, the right-hander allowed 1 run over 4.1 innings while striking out 6. Overall, he has a 0.66 ERA while racking up 19 strikeouts in 13.2 innings for the Woodpeckers.
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