11. Parker Smith, RHP
Level: Rookie DOB: 03/05/03
Smith, a native Houstonian and a 4th round pick by the Astros this season, was one of the big time starters for Rice over the last couple of years. Smith operates with a low to mid 90s fastball, touching 96 MPH. He also has a plus changeup and solid slider. His junior year at Rice, he struck out 78 over 89.1 innings but scouts believe there is way more in the tank. Smith has really good control, walking just 66 in over 220 innings in college.
12. Kenni Gomez, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 05/14/05
Gomez was signed by the Astros out of Cuba for $775,000 in 2022. Gomez has made his way stateside this season and had a .632 OPS in rookie ball, but showed enough that the Astros were willing to let him start the year in Fayetteville this season at 18 years old. He has performed well posting a .731 OPS with 33 extra base hits and 12 stolen bases. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact but also has room to add power in his frame. A great athlete, Gomez is a plus runner and should be a threat on the bases and have the ability to stick in center field.
13. Jose Fleury, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/08/02
Fleury was signed during the 2021 international signing period for just $10,000, but could be another diamond in the rough for the Astros. As a 20-year-old, he dominated the DSL posting a 1.42 ERA with 4 BB/60 K in 38 innings. He has a really good changeup, which Baseball America ranked as the best in the system, and that he pairs with a low to mid 90s fastball. In 2023 he put up some gaudy numbers racking up 139 K in 98.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA. Fleury has missed some time with injuries this year, but still 39 K in 38.1 innings in Double-A at 22-years-old.
14. Ryan Gusto, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/11/99
Gusto has been in the system since being an 11th round pick in 2019. He is a little older than the normal prospect but has continued to make progress in the system. In 2023, he finished the season in Double-A posting a 2.93 ERA with 62 K in 61.1 innings. Gusto was clocked up to 98 MPH this spring and worked on refining a sweeper/slider last year. After a slow start, Gusto has been flat out dominant posting a 1.13 ERA over his last 10 starts.
15. Ethan Pecko, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 08/25/02
Pecko was a 6th round pick by the Astros in the 2023 draft. Despite just 59.2 college innings, the Astros saw something in him and have been right so far. Pecko started the season in Single-A racking up 63 K in 46.2 innings earning a promotion to High-A (34 K in 22.2 inning) and then another promotion to Double-A. Pecko has a mid 90s fastball and mixes that with a slider, cutter, curveball and changeup. Read more on Pecko here.
16. Chase Jaworsky, SS
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/31/04
Jaworksy was the Astros 5th round pick in 2023, and signed for $800k, nearly $500k overslot. Jaworsky is a smooth athlete listed at 6’1″ and 170 lbs. He is a righty thrower, lefty hitter. Scouts have noted he has a strong arm, good range at shortstop and a left handed swing that has some pop. Jaworksy gives the Astros some high potential in the middle of the diamond. He started this year out in Single-A and despite a lower average, he has connected on 20 doubles and 4 homers to go along with 28 stolen bases. Read more on Jaworsky here.
17. Colton Gordon, LHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 12/20/98
Gordon was an intriguing draft pick in 2021 after a good college career, but went into the draft after having Tommy John Surgery. After recovering and making his way back, Gordon dominated on the mount in 2022. He dominated once he got on the mound in 2022 posting a 2.35 ERA with 78 K in 53.2 innings. He won’t over power hitters with his fastball in the low 90s, but he has phenomenal command and pitchability with his secondary offerings making him an uncomfortable at-bat. Gordon had an injury early but since coming back, has struck out 69 in 74 innings in Triple-A. . Read more on Gordon here.
18. 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 he has 6 BB/27 K in 25.2 innings. Overall, he has 90 K in 83.1 innings this season using a 93-96 MPH fastball to go along with a chanegup, slider and curveball. Read more on Hicks here.
19. Anderson Brito, RHP
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/07/04
Brito was signed by the Astros out of Venezuela for $10,000 in 2023. He has had a really quick rise to this point starting the 2024 season in the Dominican Summer League and making his way to Single-A. Through 34.1 innings this season, the right-hander has racked up 57 strikeouts. Despite being smaller in stature, listed at 5’10” and 155 lbs, he has a monster fastball that sits around 96 MPH and can tough 99. He also has a good slider and changeup too.
20. Trey Dombroski, LHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/13/01
Dombroski was drafted by the Astros in the 4th round of the 2022 draft after a standout career at Monmouth University, including 14 BB/130 K in 95 innings as a junior. The lefty stands at 6’5″ and 235 lbs. While he doesn’t blow you away with his stuff, he really knows how to pitch and has very good command. Dombroski started this year in High-A and despite a higher ERA, the peripherals looked good and he got a promotion to Double-A where he tossed 4 scoreless in his debut. Read more on Dombroski here.