The Astros farm system has seen its turnover through the years, but there is still some good and underrated talent here. Let’s take a look at the updated top 30 prospects (and maybe more…) for 2025!
1. Brice Matthews, SS
Level: Triple-A DOB: 03/16/02
Matthews entered the 2023 draft as one of the most athletic prospects in the Big Ten. The 21-year-old broke out during his junior season at Nebraska, slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Known for his quick swing and impressive exit velocities, Matthews projects for 20–25 home run power, with strong pull-side pop. While he’s seen time across the infield, the Astros appear committed to developing him at second base. There is some swing-and-miss in his game, but those concerns are lessened due to his potential. Matthews backed up the scouting reports in 2025, hitting .283 with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases over 73 games at Triple-A, earning a call-up to Houston. Read more on Matthews here.
2. 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 makes a lot of hard contact. The lefty is a plus runner on the bases and in the outfield and should stick in center field defensively. Melton struggled with some nagging injuries this season but showed this year that the Astros called him up to make his big league debut. Read more on Melton here.
3. Xavier Neyens, INF
Level: Rookie DOB: 10/29/06
Neyens was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft and signed for $4.12 million—the organization’s largest bonus since Alex Bregman received $5.9 million in 2015. A left-handed hitter out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington, Neyens boasts some of the most impressive raw power in the 2025 draft class. While he has a strong arm suited for a corner infield or outfield spot, it’s his powerful bat and advanced hitting ability that made him a top pick. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 210 pounds, Neyens projects as a formidable middle-of-the-order presence. He’s the first high school position played selected by the Astros in the first round since Tucker in 2015.
4. Walker Janek, C
Level: High-A 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. In 2025, Janek has hit well posting a .791 OPS with 10 HR, 22 SB in 65 games. He’s also thrown out 33% of base stealers.
5. Kevin Alvarez, OF
Level: Rookie DOB: 01/13/08
The Astros signed Alvarez this past winter for $2 million, one of the highest international bonuses the organization has ever awarded. Just 17 years old, Alvarez was widely regarded as one of the top pure hitters in the 2025 international signing class. A left-handed bat with an advanced approach, he projects for above-average power and stands out as a well-rounded athlete with a strong arm and solid defensive instincts. According to Francys Romero, evaluators have compared his physicality and skill set at this age to a young Kyle Tucker or Paul O’Neill. Alvarez is hitting .293 with 8 doubles, 2 home runs and an impressive 20 BB/12 K in his first taste of professional baseball in the Dominican Republic
6. Ethan Pecko, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 08/25/02
Pecko was selected by the Astros in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. Despite logging just 59.2 innings in college, the organization saw potential and so far, they’ve been proven right. He began the 2024 season in Single-A, striking out 63 batters over 46.2 innings before earning a promotion to High-A, where he added 34 more strikeouts in 22.2 innings. His strong performance continued in Double-A, posting a 2.36 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 26.2 innings. In total, Pecko tallied 125 strikeouts over 96 innings, earning the title of Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2024. He features a mid-90s fastball and complements it with a deep arsenal that includes a slider, cutter, curveball, and changeup. After starting the 2025 season on the injured list, Pecko returned to form, posting a 1.75 ERA in July. Read more on Pecko here.
7. Joseph Sullivan, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 07/01/02
Sullivan was the Astros 7th round pick in 2024 after a solid college career at South Alabama. The outfielder was a mid round selection but came with a ton of upside. He is a great athlete with plus speed and the chance to stick in center field. Sullivan grades well on swing decisions and has good raw power that he has been able to prove in games this season. He has a great makeup and has an edge to him in the weight room and on the field. He started the year in High-A and had a .872 OPS with 15 HR, 34 SB earning him a promotion to Double-A where he has 2 homers in his first 8 games.
8. Miguel Ullola, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 06/19/02
Ullola is another pitcher in the long line of international arms developed by the Astros. The 22-year-old features a plus fastball that sits mid-90s and generates a ton of swings and missed. While he has some command issues, he has overpowered the hitters with the fastball/slider combination. Ullola appears to have the stuff to be an elite bullpen arm, though the Astros have committed to keeping him a starter for now. The fastball and slider are his two best pitches, but he does throw a curveball as well. Ullola has posted a 3.56 ERA this season with 96 K in 73.1 innings, though he has walked 55 to this point.
9. Ethan Frey, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 03/15/04
Frey was selected by the Astros in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft, with the team going over slot to secure his signing. The former LSU standout enjoyed a breakout junior year, batting .331 with 15 doubles, 13 home runs, and 50 RBIs across 62 games. Standing 6’6″, Frey combines impressive size with surprising athleticism and speed. He offers above-average power and has the tools to play center field, though he could eventually settle into a corner outfield role. He has yet to make his debut but should be in full season ball soon.
10. Anderson Brito, RHP
Level: High-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. 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. Brito received an aggressive promotion to start the 2025 season with the Astros placing him in High-A. He responded well posting a 3.28 ERA with 65 K in 49.1 innings before going on the injured list.
11. Bryce Mayer, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 07/07/04
Mayer was selected by the Astros in the 16th round of the 2024 draft and has quickly emerged as one of the biggest steals of the class. He began the season in Fayetteville, striking out 30 batters over 17.1 innings, which earned him a promotion to High-A. In Asheville, the right-hander continued to impress, posting a 2.85 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 41 innings. He was later bumped up to Double-A, where he’s held his own with a 3.86 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. Mayer features a mid-90s fastball that plays up thanks to above-average vertical movement, paired with a strong curveball and a quality slider.
12. 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 2024 draft. The 22-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.
13. A.J. Blubaugh, RHP
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 aggressively moved him up the ranks as they found another pitching diamond in the draft. In 2024, he had a big year 3.71 ERA with 133 K in 128.2 innings as he made his way to Triple-A. He got a call-up earlier this year making his big league debut. With the roster crunch, he was option to Triple-A where he turned in a strong July. Blubaugh has a mid 90s fastball and a good changeup and sweeper. Read more on him here.
14. Caden Powell, SS
Level: Single-A 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 21-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. Powell has had a really good year in Single-A posting an OPS over .800 while showing off power and speed. He missed some time with an injury but has returned strong.
15. Jose Fleury, RHP
Level: Triple-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 dominated early this year in Double-A but missed time due to injury but earned a promotion to Triple-A.
16. Juan Bello, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 04/06/04
Bello, acquired by the Astros in the Pressly trade, was originally signed by the Cubs in 2022 and made a quick rise to full season ball in 2024. In 2024, the right-hander posted a 3.21 ERA with 91 K in 89.2 innings. He did this at 20-years-old making 22 starts. Bello is a young athletic right-hander who has a really good curveball that he mixes with a low-90s fastball. Bello got assigned to Asheville this season and has performed well posting a 3.70 ERA with 66 K in 65.2 innings.
17. Jancel Villarroel, C
Level: High-A DOB: 01/17/05
Villarroel, signed by the Astros out of Venezuela in August 2022, may be modest in size at 5’8″ and 176 pounds, but he stands out for his talent on the field. As a catcher, he possesses excellent bat-to-ball skills and a strong feel for the strike zone. He reached full-season ball last year as a teenager, posting a .660 OPS. In 2025, he’s shown improvement across the board, batting .255 with a .743 OPS over 84 games. He shows solid plate discipline, drawing walks, minimizing strikeouts, and adding value on the basepaths with some stolen bases.
18. Alonzo Tredwell, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/08/02
Tredwell is an imposing presence on the mound, measuring 6’8″ and 230 pounds. A second-round pick in 2023, he had a strong college career at UCLA, finishing with a 2.83 ERA and 113 strikeouts over 92.1 innings. The right-hander features a mid-90s fastball that can touch 96 mph, complemented by a sharp slider as his primary secondary pitch. His fastball plays especially well up in the zone, generating plenty of whiffs due to its carry. Though he’s dealt with some injuries in the minors, Tredwell is performing well in 2025, posting a 3.68 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 29.1 innings at the High-A level. Read more on Tredwell here.
19. Jackson Nezuh, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 02/11/02
Nezuh, the Astros’ 14th-round pick in 2023 out of Louisiana-Lafayette, is shaping up to be a draft-day steal. He began his first full pro season in Single-A, where he struck out 105 batters over 81.2 innings. After earning a promotion to High-A, he was even more impressive, posting a 2.79 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 38.2 innings—bringing his season total to 151 strikeouts across 120.1 innings. Nezuh features a low-to-mid 90s fastball and complements it with a standout split-change, along with a slider and a sweeper that have fueled his high strikeout rates. However, 2025 has been more of a challenge for him, as he’s dealt with some struggles and spent time on the injured list. Read more on him here.
20. Nick Monistere, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 01/27/04
Monistere was selected by the Astros in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Southern Mississippi. He broke out during his junior season, batting .323 and leading the Sun Belt Conference with 21 home runs over 63 games. Primarily a second baseman in college, Monistere brings defensive versatility, with the ability to handle multiple positions around the field. He also offers legitimate power at the plate, making him an intriguing offensive prospect with impact potential.
21. Parker Smith, RHP
Level: Single-A 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. Smith dealt with some injuries this season but has a 3.34 ERA in 29.2 innings in Single-A.
22. Will Bush, C
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/04/04
Bush took an interesting route to professional ball, spending one year at Tyler Junior College before being selected by the Astros in the 16th round of the 2023 draft. The left-handed hitting Bush has some above average raw power and solid plate discipline. He has split time between catcher and first base, and may end up at first base long term. This year in High-A he has a .811 OPS as a 21-year-old in 72 games in High-A.
23. 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 some big time raw power, though that comes with some swing and miss. 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. This year Cole .819 OPS with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 67 games. Cole comes with some huge upside. Read more on Cole here.
24. Luis Baez, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 01/11/04
The Astros signed Luis Baez for $1.3 million during the 2022 international signing period. 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, but he hasn’t walked much and strikeouts are a little high, though he has been young for the leagues he is in. His conditioning has been questioned a bit and due to some injuries, he’s had a rough 2025 season. Read more on Baez here.
25. Jase Mitchell, C
Level: Rookie DOB: 09/30/06
Mitchell was selected by the Astros in the seventh round of the 2025 MLB Draft and signed for $797,500, more than $500,000 over slot, after opting to forgo his commitment to Kentucky. A physical, left-handed-hitting catcher, Mitchell brings impressive raw power and a strong throwing arm behind the plate. He’s also considered a solid receiver defensively. With his combination of tools and upside, Mitchell has the potential to rise quickly through the Astros’ system and climb prospect rankings in the coming years.
26. Alimber Santa, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 05/03/03
Santa was signed as an international free agent and is listed at just 5’10”, 163 lbs but really turned heads in spring training when Chandler Rome reported that the right hander sat 96-97 MPH with his fastball and has a changeup, slider and curveball. Santa ended up getting hurt and wasn’t able to show what he could do. After battling through some injuries, the Astros deployed him in a relief only role this season and the results have been great as he’s posted a 1.38 ERA through 58.2 innings.
27. 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 has posted some good numbers in the minors and after a tough 2024 season, he’s turned things around posting a 3.83 ERA this year. Read more on Dombroski here.
28. Kenni Gomez, OF
Level: High-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 .753 OPS with 33 extra base hits and 13 stolen bases. He earned a late season promotion to High-A where he hit .272 in 20 games. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact but also has room to add power in his frame. He doesn’t walk much but is a good athlete with room to grow still.
29. 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. Ochoa had a solid first full season in 2024 and was slated for a potential big year this season but a freak accident in early spring put his debut off for a while and he has yet to get going full speed. Read more on him here.
30. Lucas Spence, CF
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/09/01
Spence had a strong junior season at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, batting .385 with an OPS over 1.000, but ultimately went undrafted. The Astros signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he’s made the most of his first professional season. After posting a .827 OPS in Single-A, he earned a promotion to High-A, where he’s continued to perform, recording a .746 OPS over 60 games. A left-handed hitting outfielder, Spence is known for his disciplined approach at the plate, showing strong swing decisions. He also possesses excellent speed, which he puts to good use both on the bases and in the outfield defensively. Read more here.
30 prospects just doesn’t seem to be enough… here are four more!
31. Anthony Huezo, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 11/02/05
Huezo, the Astros’ 12th-round pick in 2023, spent a couple of seasons in rookie ball before finally earning an assignment to full-season baseball. In limited opportunities this year, the 19-year-old has flashed a smooth left-handed swing with solid pull-side power. An athletic outfielder, Huezo also has the speed and instincts to handle center field, adding to his value as a potential up-the-middle contributor.
32. 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 finished with 52 K in 48.1 innings. Overall, he had a 3.82 ERA with 115 K in 106 innings in his first full-season. Hicks uses a 93-96 MPH fastball to go along with a chanegup, slider and curveball. This season Hicks has had some injuries and has yet to get things going. Read more on Hicks here.
33. Andrew Taylor, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/23/01
The Astros nabbed a tall right hander in 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. Taylor has been solid this year for Asheville posting a 3.55 ERA over 45.2 innings. Read more on Taylor here.
34. Kyle Walker, 2B
Level: Single-A DOB: 01/11/03
Walker was selected by the Astros in the eighth round of the 2025 draft out of Arizona State. After posting standout batting averages of .373 and .382 in 2023 and 2024, he transferred to ASU and kept up the production, hitting .352 while drawing more walks than strikeouts. Known for his high energy and plus speed, Walker swiped 57 bases during his college career. Though smaller in stature, he has some gap-to-gap power and the ability to rack up extra-base hits, making him a dynamic offensive threat with top-of-the-lineup potential.
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