This off-season, I’m re-starting a series highlighting one standout statistic from an Astros minor league player in 2026. The stat might be positive or negative, but it will always be noteworthy.
STAT OF THE WEEK:
Albert Fermin had a .487 wOBA in 2026.
Before we get any further, let’s define what that statistic means. According to FanGraphs, wOBA, or weighted on-base average, is a statistic designed to measure a hitter’s overall offensive value. It combines the different aspects of hitting into one metric while giving more weight to outcomes that have a greater impact on scoring runs.
FanGraphs considers a wOBA over .400 to be excellent. Fermin blew past that mark, posting a .487 wOBA that was easily the highest in the Astros system. For comparison, Xavier Neyens finished at .417, which is still an excellent number.
The Dominican Summer League produced several of the top wOBA marks this season, but Fermin’s .487 ranked 10th in all of Minor League Baseball among hitters with at least 200 plate appearances.
We’ve made the comparison before because of Kevin Alvarez’s rise in the system, but Alvarez posted a .433 wOBA during his breakout 2025 season. That was a great number, but one still topped by Fermin in 2026.
It’s worth noting that wOBA is not park adjusted, meaning hitters playing in more hitter-friendly environments can benefit. Still, Fermin’s performance in 2026 established him as a legitimate prospect and potentially another nice find for Houston.
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