This week, the Astros announced they will be sending eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League is a healgue where teams send prospects to compete and get some extra playing time for the 2025 season. Below is a breakdown of the prospects.
Zach Cole, OF
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 put together an impressive 2023 season. In 111 games between Single-A and High-A, Cole is hit .258 with 20 2B, 8 3B, 19 HR, 37 SB. Cole had a rough 2024 and after struggling to start the season this year, he has been on fire. Over his last 53 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Cole is hitting .315 with 11 home runs, 43 runs batted in and a 1.010 OPS. Overall he has 22 doubles, 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 97 games this season. Read more on Cole here.
Jeron Williams, INF
Williams was a 9th round pick by the Astros in 2023. The Astros started him off in High-A in 2024 and he showed off right away hitting .344 in April and earning him a promotion to Double-A. He struggled a bit in the promotion but still hit .252 with 26 stolen bases overall. After dealing with some injuries to start 2025, Williams has came back swinging it well hitting .314 in August. Williams has some pop and big speed, and the Arizona Fall League will be a good test for him. Read more on Williams here.
Walker Janek, C
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 finished the season hitting .263 with 12 home runs and 30 stolen bases over 92 games. He’s also threw out 31% of base stealers.
Anderson Brito, RHP
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. The fact he is being assigned to the Arizona Fall League is great news on the injury front.
Brett Gillis, RHP
Gillis was a 9th round pick by the Astros in 2022. The right-hander dealt with some injuries, missing the entire 2024 season. He came back healthy this year and really hit a stride posting a 2.01 ERA with 33 K in 33.1 innings over his last 7 games for Asheville. These numbers were impressive especially in the hitter friendly Asheville. Gillis wound up back on the injured list but like Brito, him being assigned to the Arizona Fall League is great news on the injury front.
James Hicks, RHP
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 his first full season in 2024 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 finished with 115 K in 106 innings this season using a 93-96 MPH fastball to go along with a chanegup, slider and curveball. Hicks was hurt to start the year but has been great his last two outing striking out 21 over his last 11 innings. Read more on Hicks here.
Hudson Leach, RHP
Leach was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 draft. In 2024, Leach pitched across three different levels (rookie, Single-A, High-A) and was solid posting a 3.26 ERA. He also racked up 49 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. He had some walk issues, but has really good stuff running the fastball up to 98-99 MPH. This year he dominated early before an injury, but came back and got a quick promotion to Triple-A where he has struck out 16 over his last 12 innings.
Nate Wohlgemuth, RHP
Wohlegemuth went undrafted following the 2024 draft and the Astros signed him as a free agent in June 2025. Wohlegemuth pitched at a few different schools in college, including San Jacinto College in Houston, before signing with Frontier League to start 2025. Wohlegemuth only pitched in 23 innings between Single-A and High-A this year but he racked up 31 strikeouts and allowed just 14 hits with a 3.13 ERA.
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