Another busy week down on the farm as the season continues to roll on. Here’s a look at some of the biggest developments across the system with this week’s Pipeline Report.
System Spotlight
Schiavone Continues to Mash
Back in the 2024 draft, the Astros took a catcher in the 11th round out of James Madison University, Jason Schiavone. Schiavone is a three true outcome type of player. He posted nice walks rates in 2025 but this season he has taken his offensive game to a new level. The 23-year-old has connected on 17 home runs, which is tied for the most in all of baseball, and leads the minor leagues.
Schiavone has also continued to walk at a nice clip, drawing 36 of them in 32 games. The only downside has been some strikeout concerns, but even with those, Schiavone has been on an absolute tear. Defensively, he’s thrown out 25% of base stealers at catcher while also seeing some time at first base. He shouldn’t be in Asheville much longer.
Keep An Eye On
Javier Perez – RHP – Fayetteville
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 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 2.15 ERA with 42 strikeouts and just seven walks, continuing to show impressive command and swing-and-miss ability. That run included a dominant outing last night in which he tossed eight scoreless innings on only 67 pitches.
With the way he’s performed, a promotion to Asheville feels imminent. Perez has quickly emerged as one of the more intriguing arms in the system and looks like a strong candidate to crack the Astros’ Top 30 prospects list by midseason.
Under-the-Radar Performer
Jagger Beck – RHP – Fayetteville
The Astros took a somewhat unconventional route after the 2024 draft, signing right-hander Jagger Beck out of high school. After getting a brief taste of pro ball in 2025, 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 3.92 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 20.2 innings pitched. While he has allowed his share of base runners, he’s done a strong job limiting damage and pitching through traffic. Beck is expected to spend a significant portion of the season with the Woodpeckers and is quickly becoming an intriguing arm to follow in the system.
One Transaction This Week
Jeron Williams – OF – Corpus Christi
Williams was selected by the Astros in the ninth round of the 2023 draft and moved quickly through the system, reaching Double-A during the 2024 season. After a difficult 2025 campaign, he opened the 2026 season on the injured list. Once healthy, Williams began a rehab assignment in the FCL, but it also came with a notable change as he transitioned to the outfield after being drafted as a shortstop.
Now back in Double-A, Williams will be an interesting player to follow as he adjusts to the new position. With his speed and athleticism, the move could end up being a natural fit both defensively and on the bases. It’s an intriguing development and one that could unlock more value in his game moving forward.
Promotion Watch
Who Could Be Next?
Strictly looking at promotions to Houston, the one who might be in the best position is right-hander Alimber Santa. Santa has been elite this year in the bullpen for Sugar Land. Through 16 games, he’s posted a 1.53 ERA while striking out 24 batters over 17.2 innings. The biggest improvement has been the walks. He has walked just 6 in those 17.2 innings after walking 16 in 13 innings in Triple-A last year. He’s also held opponents to just a .169 batting average against.
Quick Hits
- The Woodpeckers (Single-A) lead the Astros system in stolen bases with 111.
- FCL Astros are off to a hot start at 7-0.
- Xavier Neyens made MLB Pipeline’s updated top 100 prospects, giving the Astros two on the list.
- 2025 4th rounder Nick Monistere was placed on the IL this week.
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