A couple weekends ago, I created a survey to gather feedback on the type of content readers want to see. One suggestion was highlighting the Astros’ top prospect at each level every month, giving fans a clearer idea of who to watch. The monthly format also accounts for promotions as the season progresses. While I didn’t put one together for April, here’s the list for May. If a player is on the IL, I’ll leave them off the list for now. This list is based on pre-season rankings.
Sugar Land (Triple-A)
1. Ethan Pecko, RHP – 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, 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.
2. Miguel Ullola, RHP – 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.
3. 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. 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. Cole has some risk with the swing and miss, but he has huge upside.
4. Jose Fleury, RHP – Fleury was signed during the 2021 international signing period for just $10,000, but could be another diamond in the rough for the Astros. He has a really good changeup, which Baseball America ranked as the best in the system, and that he pairs with a low 90s fastball. He’s had some struggles as he has gotten higher in the system, but the right-hander is still just 24 years old and has the standout changeup.
5. Alimber Santa, RHP – Santa was signed as an international free agent and is listed at 5’10”, 228 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. Despite not sticking as a starter, he had been really good out of the pen and appears to be on a shortlist of arms that the Astros could call on.
Corpus Christi (Double-A)
1. Walker Janek, C – Janek was seen as the best defensive catcher in the 2024 draft, showing up a plus arm and a quick release. The 21-year-old has above average bat speed and the ability to produce 20+ homers at the major league level. His raw power has improved and he has chance to be a gold glove type at catcher while hitting for 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.
2. Joseph Sullivan, OF – 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.
3. Bryce Mayer, RHP – 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 had a big 2025 season striking out 112 over 87.2 innings between three levels, earning minor league pitcher of the year for the Astros. Mayer features a mid-90s fastball that plays up thanks to above-average vertical movement, paired with a strong curveball and a quality slider.
4. Lucas Spence, OF – 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. He finished his first season with 31 doubles, 27 stolen bases and a .771 OPS in 116 games, and an impressive 14.3% walk rate. Spence is known for his disciplined approach at the plate. He also possesses excellent speed, which he puts to good use both on the bases and in the outfield defensively.
5. Jackson Nezuh, RHP – Nezuh, the Astros’ 14th-round pick in 2023 out of Louisiana-Lafayette, is shaping up to be a draft-day steal. Nezuh had an impressive first full season striking out 151 over 120.1 innings, though he hasn’t found the same success since. 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.
Asheville (High-A)
1. Ethan Frey, OF – 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. 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 had a great performance post-draft last year.
2. Caden Powell, INF/OF – 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. Powell started of the 2025 season 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.
3. Parker Smith, RHP – 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 is healthy now.
4. 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.
5. Alejandro Nunez, INF – 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. He’s off to a decent start for Asheville and is still really young at just 21 years old.
Fayetteville (Single-A)
1. Xavier Neyens, INF – Neyens was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft and signed for $4.12 million. A left-handed hitter out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington, Neyens boasts some big time raw power. Neyens is athletic and has played both shortstop and third base this season. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 210 pounds, Neyens projects as a formidable middle-of-the-order presence with power and patience.
2. Kevin Alvarez, OF – The Astros signed Alvarez 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.
3. Ryan Forcucci, RHP – 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. He’s back healthy now after TJ surgery and pitching in Fayetteville. It may take some time, but he has top of the rotation stuff.
4. 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. Huezo posted an impressive 107 MPH 90th percentile exit velocity though swing and miss is still a concern.
5. Nick Monistere, INF – 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.
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