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:
Xavier Neyens posted a 24.5% walk rate during the 2026 season.
Walk percentage (BB%) is a straightforward statistic that measures the percentage of a player’s plate appearances that result in a walk.
Neyens led all of Minor League Baseball in walk percentage among players with at least 400 plate appearances. The slugger drew an impressive 114 walks in 103 games between Single-A and High-A.
Selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of high school, Neyens has lived up to the hype. The young hitter displayed elite exit velocities throughout the season while also showing exceptional patience and a strong understanding of the strike zone.
While Neyens did strike out at a high rate, some of those strikeouts could be reduced as he becomes more aggressive on pitches he can handle. Finding the right balance between patience and aggression will be an important part of his development moving forward.
Despite the strikeouts, the 19-year-old finished his first full professional season with an impressive .874 OPS and 137 wRC+, while connecting on 20 home runs and stealing 19 bases.
For a teenager making his full-season debut, Neyens put together an outstanding campaign. His combination of power, patience and athleticism gives him one of the highest ceilings in the Astros’ farm system and should have fans excited about what the future holds.
Previous SOTW:
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