Every year I try to predict a breakout prospect. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But one thing we have seen is almost every year the Astros have a guy that comes out of nowhere to establish himself in the system as a legitimate top prospect. I will select a few who could breakout, and I’m looking at guys that might not be very well known. Let’s get to the list.
Anthony Huezo, OF
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. The 19-year-old played most of the season in the FCL showing some huge growth and while he hit .231 he had a team leading .856 OPS with 6 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He was promoted to Single-A where he finished the season hitting .301 over 22 games. He also a Hit+ of 114 in 2025, a really good number. Huezo posted an impressive 107 MPH 90th percentile exit velocity and a 27% barrel rate. Huezo’s in zone contact rate was high at 86%. Huezo has some solid pop and is an above average runner and defender. Read more on him here.
Cole Hertzler, RHP
Hertzler was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Liberty University. Hertzler has pitched limited innings due to injury but has dominated hitters in Single-A with a four pitch mix. In 21 professional innings, he has a 1.29 ERA with 28 strikeouts. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90s and can tough 96 MPH. Hertzler’s best secondary pitch is his slider that has continued to progress. His also added a changeup and curveball, and the curveball performed well for him in the Spring Breakout game. He appears healthy now and with the raw stuff he has, he could be next in line to be minor league pitcher of the year following others like Ethan Pecko, Bryce Mayer, Spencer Arrighetti and Hunter Brown from recent years.
Javier Perez, RHP
Perez was signed by the Astros out of Mexico in March of 2024. The right-hander had an absolutely dominant 2025 season in the Florida Complex League. After some dominant numbers in the DSL last year, Perezopened up the season in the FCL and continued his domination posting a 1.69 ERA with 8 walks to 48 strikeouts over 42.2 innings, earning him the pitcher of the year for the Dominican Summer League. He finished the season in Fayetteville striking out 22 more batters over 26 innings, giving him 70 K over 68.2 innings. Perez works with a fastball, changeup, cutter and curveball. He has a solid build at 6’1″, 220 lbs. and should have the chance to be in full season all year.
Anderson Areinamo, INF
Arienamo was signed by the Astros in January of 2025 and his first taste of professional baseball went really well. The infielder played in 51 games for DSL Orange and led the team in doubles, home runs, batting average and on-base plus slugging. The 18-year-old showed off some pop with the 10 doubles and 5 home runs, while still hitting .300. He also had a .413 OBP with 18 stolen bases. Arienamo was named a DSL All-Star as well. While he most likely starts the season in the FCL, if he hits well there he could see an aggressive promotion to Fayetteville.
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