With the minor league season getting into full swing, now feels like the perfect time to highlight one pitching prospect at each level worth watching.
Sugar Land (Triple-A)
Pecko was selected by the Astros in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. 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. He had some injuries in 2025 but made it up to Triple-A to end the season. After starting the season on the IL, the right-hander is back now and pitching well. In his first start this season in Triple-A, he went 3 scoreless innings striking out 6. He is the Astros top pitching prospect.
One More: Alimber Santa
Corpus Christi (Double-A)
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. Mayer had a dominant 2025 season striking out 112 over 87.2 innings across three levels. This was good enough for him to be named Astros minor league pitcher of the year for 2025. Mayer features a mid-90s fastball that plays up thanks to above-average vertical movement, paired with a strong curveball and a quality slider. This year he started back in Double-A and has pitched well posting a 3.60 ERA with 4 BB/17 K in 10 innings.
One More: James Hicks
Asheville (High-A)
Hertzler was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Liberty University. Due to some injuries, Hertzler only logged 21 innings between 2024 and 2025. 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 while also adding a changeup and curveball. Now healthy, Hertzler has been able to show what he can do. In 2026, he’s posted a 1.62 ERA with 25 K in 16.2 innings allowing just 6 hits. He has the chance to really fly up the rankings this year.
One More: Nolan DeVos
Fayetteville (Single-A)
Perez was signed by the Astros out of Mexico in March of 2024. The right-hander dominant in 2025 in the Florida Complex League posting a 1.69 ERA with 8 walks to 48 strikeouts over 42.2 innings, earning him the pitcher of the year for the Florida Complex League. He finished the season in Fayetteville striking out 22 more batters over 26 innings. Perez works with a fastball, changeup, cutter and curveball, running the fastball to the mid 90s. This year Perez has been great in Single-A. He’s posted a 2.84 ERA with 4 BB/26 K over 19 innings. He’s also allowed just 10 hits.
One More: Jesus Carrera
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