While minor league baseball has only been back for a couple of weeks, here are some prospects in the Astros system that have stood out so far.
Will Bush
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. So far this year for the Hooks, Bush is hitting .400 with a home run and 6 walks to 4 strikeouts. He also leads the system in OPS.
Joseph Sullivan
Sullivan was the Astros 7th round pick in 2024 after a solid college career at South Alabama. He had a really strong 2025 season but his numbers faded in Double-A. He started the 2026 season with the Hooks and has been strong posting a .947 OPS with a home run and 10 walks over 6 games. He has a .536 OBP. While it’s early, his contact rate is up and swinging strike is down compared to last year.
The bats have been a little slow to get going, but the pitching in the minors to this point has been really good. I won’t cover Arrighetti below since he isn’t really a prospect anymore, but he has a 1.26 ERA with 20 K in 14.1 innings this season.
Miguel Ullola
Ullola has consistently posted strong numbers since joining the Astros system, but command was always a question for him and last year he walked 78 in 113.2 innings. So far through two outings this season, Ullola has a 1.86 ERA with 4 walks to 15 strikeouts over 9.2 innings, allowing just 3 hits, good for a .094 BAA.
Cole Hertzler
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 in his limited outings. He was assigned to Asheville to start the 2026 season and through 2 outings he has looked strong posting a 1.86 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Gabel Pentecost
Pentecost was the Astros 6th round pick in 2026 and while he missed his debut last year due to a shoulder impingement, he debuted this year for Fayetteville and has looked good. It’s only one game, but Pentecost struck out 7 over 4 scoreless innings allowing just 1 hit. He’s looking like another strong find by the Astros scouting department.
Hudson Leach
Leach was signed after the 2024 draft as an undrafted free agent. He has added some good velocity to his fastball, now running it up to 97-98 MPH. Leach has been great in Triple-A to start the season tossing 4 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts over 4 relief appearances. He’s also allowed just one hit. He appears to be a potential reliever for the Astros this year.
There are many others who have done well too. Luis Rodriguez, Brett Gillis, Javier Perez, Jesus Carrera and Colby Langford are all off to strong starts too.
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