Last week, Baseball America published a look at minor league Statcast leaders by age group, and several Astros prospects found themselves among the standouts. The goal of the study was to highlight underlying metrics that can be more predictive of future performance than traditional box-score statistics. By breaking the data down by age, the list also provided valuable context for evaluating how players are performing relative to their peers.
AGE 19:
The Astros top prospect, Xavier Neyens, ended up on the age 19 list. Neyens, who has had a strong first full season hitting 7 home runs and an OPS over .800, has underlying data that is even better.
As of the time of the article, the 2025 first round pick was posting a 70% in-zone contact rate and a ridiculously low 9% chase rate. His HIT95+, the amount of balls hit 95 MPH or harder, was 53.3%. Also his 90th percentile EV was at 108.4 MPH, which was tied for 3rd on the list.
Neyens has backed up the scouting report on him. He has big time plus power and hits the bard very hard. He is very patient and doesn’t chase pitches. The only knock is the contact rate, but if he can improve that number, he will make a huge jump.
AGE 23:
The other Astros prospect on Baseball America’s list was catcher Jason Schiavone. Schiavone, an 11th round selection in 2024, is having a breakout season. He is currently in Double-A and has 19 home runs, 47 runs batted in and 51 walks in 50 games.
As of the time of the article, 69% in-zone contact rating, and a really strong 16% chase rate. His HIT95+ percent was strong too at 59.2%. Like Neyens, Schiavone also posted an elite 90th percentile EV at 110.6 MPH.
Schiavone’s profile offensively is like Neyens. He has the third lowest chase rate and the second highest 90th percentile EV on this list, he just needs to make a little more contact and his numbers will continue to take off.
CONCLUSION:
Having prospects appear on this list is encouraging, and both Schiavone and Neyens represent some of the highest-upside bats in the Astros system. Neyens is already regarded as the organization’s top prospect, while Schiavone has made a significant leap in 2026. If each can make even modest improvements to their contact rates, they have the potential to take their prospect stock to another level.
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