I usually wait until after the draft to release an updated list, but with graduations, breakout performances, and a much larger sample size than we had in the preseason, now felt like the right time to revisit the rankings. So here is the updated Top 30 Prospects list, featuring some new faces and a few big risers.
1. Xavier Neyens, INF
Level: Single-A 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. Neyens if off to a hot nice start posting an OPS near .900 with a walk rate over 20%, and some impressive exit velocities.
3. Kevin Alvarez, OF
Level: Single-A 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. Alvarez put together a strong pro debut in the DSL posting a .874 OPS with an impressive 12.0% walk rate and insane 9.9% strikeout rate. This year in Single-A he’s hitting .242 with 5 home runs at just 18 years old.
3. Ethan Frey, OF
Level: High-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. Unfortunately he hasn’t been able to replicate that success in High-A so far hitting just .227, though he still has a solid walk rate.
4. 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 finished the 2025 season in Triple-A and is back there now after an early injury. He has 20 K in 16.1 innings in Triple-A this season. Read more on Pecko here.
5. 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. Mayer has been really good in Double-A this year posting a 3.70 ERA with 37 K in 24.1 innings.
6. 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. His first full season was a good one as he accumulated 17 home runs, 42 stolen bases and a .798 OPS over 106 games. He also led the Astros system in walks and stolen bases. His numbers are down a bit this year, but he still has 9 HR and 12 SB in 38 games for the Hooks. Read more here.
7. Walker Janek, C
Level: Double-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 23-year-old has above average bat speed and the ability to produce 20+ homers at the major league level if he can make enough contact. 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 he 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. He got off to a slow start this season but I’ve been told by a scout he is good enough defensively to start at the MLB level right now.
8. 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. 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.
9. Cole Hertzler, RHP
Level: High-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. Now healthy, Hertzler has been dominant in High-A posting a 2.70 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 33.1 innings.
10. 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.
11. 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. He’s struggled so far in 2026 walking 29 batters in 35.2 innings.
12. 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. Tredwell started the season in the injured list and has yet to pitch. Read more on Tredwell here.
13. 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 22-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. Bush got off to a great start this year but has cooled off a bit. He recently landed on the IL after being hit by a pitch.
14. 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. Hicks has been up and down this year, but the sinker is a good pitch and one that should get him to the next level. Read more on Hicks here.
15. Caden Powell, SS
Level: High-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 also missed time with a broken hamate bone, an injury that often takes hitters a while to fully regain their power from. Even so, he’s performed well this season, hitting over .300 in Asheville, though the power numbers haven’t returned just yet.
16. Ryan Forcucci, RHP
Level: Single-A 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 but the results haven’t been as expected. While reports are that his fastball has the velocity back, he’s had trouble locating walking 19 in just 9.2 innings this season.
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%. Huezo has been a little boom or bust this season connecting on 17 extra base hits, but the strikeouts have held him back a bit. Read more on him here.
18. Nick Monistere, INF
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 was performing well this season with a .805 OPS and 15 SB before landing on the injured list.
19. Jason Schiavone, C
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/19/03
The Astros selected Schiavone in the 11th round of the 2024 draft. After a down year in Fayetteville, he has been on an absolute tear this season batting .277 with a minor league leading 18 home runs. He also earned a promotion to Double-A to start the season and homered in his first game. Schiavone is an intersting hitter as he provides elite power, good plate discipline, but also some swing and miss. On top of the 18 home runs, he had drawn 42 walks in 38 games, though he has 54 strikeouts. The power is legit though and he has posted some elite exit velocities. He’s also thrown out 28% of base stealers and is a good athlete behind the plate.
20. Alimber Santa, RHP
Level: MLB 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 and the results were strong. They were even better in Triple-A in 2026 posting a 1.42 ERA over 19 innings earning him a call-up to Houston.
21. Gabel Pentecost, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/27/03
Pentecost was drafted by the Astros in the 6th round of the 2025 out of Taylor after putting together a standout college career including a 3.04 ERA with 116 K over 80 innings as a junior. Pentecost has a fastball that sits in the low 90s but can touch 96, but it plays up thanks to good extension. This season he started the year in Single-A and looked great striking out 19 over 17 innings before landing on the injured list. He has a solid mix of pitches ascots the board with the slider being his best secondary offering.
22. Jagger Beck, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 11/28/06
The Astros took a somewhat unconventional route after the 2024 draft, signing right-hander Jagger Beck out of high school as an undrafted player. Beck, listed at 6’6″, has a ton of projection in his frame left and already has stuff that is playing well in full season ball. Beck runs his fastball up to 96 MPH but has been able to keep hitters off balance with a really good curveball. The 19-year-old opened this season with his full-season debut in Fayetteville and has shown plenty of promise early on. Through six appearances, Beck owns a 3.28 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 24.2 innings pitched.
23. Nick Potter, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 02/11/04
Potter was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2025 draft after two years at JuCo and one year at Wichita State. Despite being a reliever in college, the Astros have converted him to a starter. The right-hander has a big time fastball that sits 95-96 MPH and can touch 100. He also has a solid curve but the hurdle coming into pro ball was command. He’s looked strong as a starter so far posting a 2.91 ERE through 7 starts. Potter’s arsenal is sure to change with the Astros from where it was in college.
24. 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. In rookie ball so far, Mitchell has shown extreme patience drawing 19 walks in 12 games.
25. 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. This year he’s posted a 3.86 ERA over seven games in Double-A. Read more on him here.
26. Javier Perez, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 12/23/03
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. Perez opened up the 2025 season in the FCL and dominated 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. Perez opened the 2026 season in Fayetteville and has been dominant from the start. Through 37.2 innings, he owns a 3.19 ERA with 48 strikeouts and just nine walks, continuing to show impressive command and swing-and-miss ability. Perez works with a low 90s fastball, changeup, cutter and curveball.
27. Max Holy, INF
Level: Double-A DOB: 07/11/02
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft, infielder Max Holy is looking like a steal for Houston. Following two years at JuCo and two years at Miami-Ohio, Holy has made his way up the system to Double-A. The infielder is possibly the best infield defender in the system with a great glove, solid arm and quick instincts. He also possesses 70 speed which he utilizes in the field and on the bases. This year he has had a breakout season batting .285 with a .831 OPS and 22 stolen baes through 37 games in High-A and Double-A.
28. Juan Sierra, OF
Level: Single-A 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. Sierra is off to a decent start in 2026 hitting .251 with 6 doubles and 5 home runs through 28 games in Fayetteville.
29. Nehomar Ochoa, 1B/OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/31/05
Ochoa was drafted by the Astros in the 11th round of the Galena Park High School in Houston, and signed for $300,000 double the slot for the 11th round. He is huge kid, listed at 6’4″ and 230 lbs. Despite his size, he is a good athlete who can play all three outfield positions, though he will probably end up in the corners or at first base down the line. He had a nice first season at 18 years old but a freak accident derailed his 2025 season. This year Ochoa appears back to form as he’s hitting .294 with 4 home runs and 17 stolen bases through 31 games.
30. 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.
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