The Astros farm system has seen its turnover through the years and while the system looks different compared to even just a year ago, there is some really good talent here. Let’s take a look at the updated top 30 prospects (and maybe more…) for 2026!
1. 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.
2. 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 or first base as some scouts project him there. The 21-year-old hit .330 with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 17 runs batted in and an impressive 20 walks to 25 strikeouts. This worked out to an impressive 166 wRC+. He also posted a ridiculous 6.2% swinging strike rate and a 83.4% contact rate in his pro debut.
3. 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. In 47 games in 2025, the 17-year-old hit .300 with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 33 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases. This also included an impressive 12.0% walk rate and insane 9.9% strikeout rate. He was also named as a DSL All-Star.
4. 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.
5. Walker Janek, C
Level: High-A DOB: 09/24/02
Janek was seen as the best defensive catcher in the 2024 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 the 22-year-old hit .263 with 21 doubles, 2 triples and 12 home runs over 92 games for High-A Asheville. He also added a surprising 30 stolen bases. Even more important though, he threw out 31% of base stealers, a really strong number for a catcher.
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. Pecko had a breakout 2024 season where he posted a 3.47 ERA across three levels. 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. Pecko had some injuries early in 2025 but after getting healthy, the 2024 minor league pitcher of the year got back to his normal self. He had a 4.40 ERA in Double-A but that included a 1.75 ERA over his final six outings in Double-A. He got a promotion to Triple-A where he finished with a 3.09 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 35 innings. He should be in Houston in 2026. 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. The promotion to Double-A was a little tougher for him, but he still finished with 17 home runs, 42 stolen bases and a .798 OPS over 106 games in his first full season. He also led the Astros system in walks and stolen bases. Read more here.
8. 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 striking out 37 over in 29 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. He was also named the Astros minor league pitcher of the year for 2025, following some other top performers like Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti and Ethan Pecko.
9. 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. Blubaugh was up and down a bit in 2025 but when he got a chance with the Astros, he showed off posting a 1.69 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 32 innings. Blubaugh has a mid to high 90s fastball and a good changeup and sweeper. The 2025 season showed that Blubaugh belongs with the big league club and should get some good long looks this season. Read more on his 2025 season here.
10. 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 23-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 had a big 2024 season and followed that up with some strong numbers in Triple-A in 2025 striking out 131 batters over 113.2 innings.
11. 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. Cole has put up some impressive numbers in the minors and after a slow start in 2025, he turned it around hitting 19 doubles, 14 home runs and a .868 OPS in 82 games in Double-A. He was promoted to Triple-A where he hit .353 with 5 home runs over 15 games before earning a call-up to Houston. Overall he had a 22 doubles, 7 triples, 19 home runs and a system leading 151 wRC+ over 97 games. Cole has some risk with the swing and miss, but he has huge upside. Read more on Cole here.
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. He’s back healthy now and has been pitching in West Palm Beach this off-season. He has above average command and knowing the Astros system, his pitching repertoire will look different than it did back in 2024. He has the makings to be an above-average starter and could show it in 2026.
13. 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 made the most of his first professional season. He started the 2025 season in Fayetteville and after hitting .286 in Single-A, he was promoted to High-A where he connected on 6 home runs with a .774 OPS. He was promoted to Double-A where he added 4 more home runs with 17 runs batted in. He finished the season with 31 doubles, 27 stolen bases and a .771 OPS in 116 games, and an impressive 14.3% walk rate. 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.
14. 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. Tredwell had a breakout season in 2025. The right-hander pitched across three different levels and posted a 3.69 ERA with 122 strikeouts over 100 innings. This included a dominant 40 strikeouts over 22.2 innings in Double-A to end the season. Read more on Tredwell here.
15. 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 started of the year great in Single-A posting an OPS over .800 while showing off power and speed. He missed some time with an injury and had some struggles when coming back, but his power and upside with the bat is legit. He has an average arm and range, per reports, which could force him to third base down the line.
16. 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. Nezuh had some struggles in 2025 but finished the season strong posting a 1.67 ERA over his final six games. He would end up finishing the season with a 4.34 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 76.2 innings between Double-A and a couple outings in the FCL. Read more on him here.
17. 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. 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%. He has a chance to be a breakout guy in 2026. Read more on him here.
18. 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. Hicks had some injuries in 2025 but finished the year on a high note striking out 23 to just 4 walks over his final 14.2 innings. He then went on to dominate in the Arizona Fall League posting a 0.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings. Read more on Hicks here.
19. 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 early in 2025 but once he got healthy he performed well posting a 3.16 ERA, including a dominant August where he struck out 32 over 30 innings with a 2.05 ERA.
20. 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. The 21-year-old started the season in High-A and posted a .812 OPS with 12 homers before getting a promotion to Double-A. For the Hooks he added another 3 home runs and 14 walks in 24 games. Overall he posted a 121 wRC+, which was near the top in the Astros system.
21. Albert Fermin, SS
Level: Rookie DOB: 02/09/09
Fermin was the Astros top international signing in January of this year, signing for $2.3 million. Fermin already produces consistent hard contact, and with his physical upside, there’s reason to believe he could grow into considerable in-game power as he matures. Defensively, Fermin is athletic enough to begin his professional career at shortstop, but evaluators believe his long-term home may ultimately be at third base. With his strong arm and solid instincts, he projects well at either position on the left side of the infield, giving the Astros a versatile and high-upside addition to their international class.
22. 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 3.95 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. Read more on Dombroski here.
23. 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 including shortstop. He also offers legitimate power at the plate, making him an intriguing offensive prospect with impact potential. He had some struggles following the draft but it was limited experience in Fayetteville.
24. 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 and eventually earned a promotion to Triple-A where he struggled a bit. The changeup is legit weapon though.
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. 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 pitched in High-A Asheville in 2025 and performed well posting a 3.70 ERA with 66 K in 65.2 innings before his season ended due to injury.
27. Juan Sierra, OF
Level: Rookie DOB: 12/08/05
Sierra didn’t come with the typical large bonus that you see international prospects command, signing for just $67,500 in 2023. But he has progressed through the system and made it stateside last year. The 20-year-old hit .289 with a .804 OPS in 2025 for the FCL Astros. Sierra is well built at 6’1″ and 205 lbs. He has a simple swing that allows him to make contact without having to jeopardize power. Sierra also possesses a big arm, the prototypical fit for right field. 2026 could be a huge year for him as he makes his way to full-season for the first time.
28. 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 pitched in Asheville in 2025 and had his best year posting a 3.39 ERA over 58.1 innings. Read more on Taylor here.
29. Sami Manzueta, INF
Level: Rookie DOB: 08/21/08
Manzueta was signed by the Astros in January of 2025, at just 16 years old for $847,500. He played in the DSL in 2025 and performed well with a 109 Hit+, which was the highest of any 16-year-old. This was boosted by his excellent 14% barrel rate, which was the highest of 16-year-olds listed on BA. He also had an impressive 87% contact rate in the zone and a 90th percentile exit velocity with 102 MPH. The raw stats came out to 9 doubles, 5 home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 46 games in the DSL. He might end up at second or third but his bat will be what carries him through the system.
30. Cole Hertzler, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 06/21/03
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. He needs to get healthy but could take off in 2026.
30 prospects just doesn’t seem to be enough… here are four more!
31. 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. 2025 was a tough year for him posting just a .623 OPS in High-A.
32. 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 were great to start in Double-A (1.26 ERA) though he struggled a bit with his late promotion to Triple-A.
33. Alejandro Nunez, INF
Level: High-A DOB: 09/08/04
Nunez signed with the Astros back in 2022 for $10,000 and has made his way through a few levels. He is a lefty hitting infielder and while he doesn’t have a big standout tool, he does a little bit over everything. He has some pop, steals some bases, limits strikeouts and plays multiple positions on the field. This season in High-A the infielder hit .269 with 19 doubles, 8 home runs and 22 stolen bases over 94 games. He should be in Double-A in 2026, which will be a big chance for him to have a breakout season. He is only 21 years old.
34. Hudson Leach, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 06/16/02
Leach was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft. He was solid in 2024 striking out 49 over 38.2 innings. Leach was dominant at times in 2025, but his command would get away from him and he ended up with a 5.54 ERA overall, though he had a 3.51 FIP. He did finish with 63 strikeouts in 39 innings, including some run in Triple-A. The Astros sent Leach to the Arizona Fall League where he struck out 13 in 6.2 innings allowing 3 runs. He turned some heads in the AFL with a really good breaking ball and a fastball that was sitting high 90s, touching 99 MPH. Given the lack of certainty in the bullpen, a dominant spring from Leach could see him on the big league club in April.
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