21. Jackson Nezuh, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 02/11/02
Nezuh was the Astros 14th round pick in 2023 out of Louisiana-Lafayette and is looking like a steal. He started the year in Single-A and racked up 105 K in 81.2 innings. He was promoted to High-A and has been even better posting a 2.03 ERA with 21 K in 13.1 innings. Nezuh has a ow to mid 90s fastball and pairs it with a really good split-change, a slider and a sweeper that has helped him rack up the strikeouts. Read more on him here.
22. Michael Knorr, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/12/00
The Astros drafted Knorr in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft. Knorr spent his first three seasons at Cal State Fullerton before moving to Coastal Carolina for his senior year where he struck out 86 in 69 innings. Knorr has a fastball that reaches 98 MPH and a good changeup. He also has some deception in his delivery and if he can command his fastball a bit better, he can move up the system pretty quickly with his fastball/changeup combination. In 2023 he struck out 78 on 58.1 innings between Single-A and High-A, though he missed some time with an injury. He hasn’t really gotten going this year due to some injuries.
23. Nehomar Ochoa, OF
Level: Single-A DOB: 07/31/05
Ochoa was drafted by the Astros in the 11th round of the Galena Park High School in Houston, and signed for $300,000 double the slot for the 11th round. He is huge kid, listed at 6’4″ and 230 lbs. Despite his size, he is a good athlete who can play all three outfield positions, though he will probably end up in the corners moving forward. This season he has 9 homers and 16 stolen bases in 87 games in Single-A.
24. Alonzo Tredwell, RHP
Level: Rookie DOB: 05/08/02
Tredwell is a monster on the mound, standing at 6’8″ and 230 lbs. The 2023 2nd round pick had a nice college career at UCLA posting a 2.83 ERA with 13 K in 92.1 innings. The right-hander has a mid-90s fastball that can tough 96. He also has a solid slider as his main secondary offering. Tredwell’s fastball also generates a lot of swings and misses thanks to his carry up in the zone. He struck out 67 in 57 innings this season before missing time with an injury. Read more on Tredwell here.
25. Caden Powell, SS
Level: Rookie DOB: 10/24/03
Powell was selected by the Astros in the 6th round of the 2024 draft and signed overslot for $422,500. The 20-year-old is listed at 6’3″ and 200 lbs with room to grow. He started his college career at Oklahoma but transferred to Seminole State College where he was named the D-1 junior college player of the year after hitting .502 with 32 HR, 104 RBI and a slugging percentage over 1.000. He makes contact and is a good athlete with the chance to move to third if he outgrows shortstop.
25. Kenedy Corona, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/21/00
Corona was acquired in the deal that sent Jake Marisnick to the Mets. He is listed at 5’11” and 184 lbs, but is built really well and packs a punch in his swing. After putting together a strong 2023 season, the outfielder has struggled this season in Double-A hitting just 2 homers in 73 games, though he does have 22 stolen bases. He is a good athlete and the ability to play all three outfield positions but will need to get more from the bat.
26. Joey Mancini, RHP
Level: Double-A DOB: 10/04/00
Mancini was the Astros 15th round pick in 2022 out of Boston College. His first full season in the system he was solid striking out 102 batters over 97 innings. This year, he has taken it to a new level. Working with a mid 90s fastball, the right-hander has struck out 78 over 77.2 innings with a 1.97 ERA this year. This included a 1.50 ERA over 48 innings in Double-A. He’s also allowed just 51 hits in 77.2 innings.
27. Andrew Taylor, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/23/01
The Astros nabbed a tall right hander in Andrew Taylor, who stands at 6’5″ and 190 lbs, with their compensation pick for losing Carlos Correa. Taylor has a low 90s fastball but generates a ton of swings and misses with high spin rate and carry, which is throws the majority of the time. The righty had an impressive college career for Central Michigan posting a 2.45 ERA with 261 K in 195 innings. Taylor also possesses a solid changeup and two other breaking pitches. He racked up some strikeouts in 2023 but hasn’t been healthy in 2024. Read more on Taylor here.
28. Jancel Villarroel, C
Level: Single-A DOB: 01/17/05
Villarroel was signed by the Astros in August of 2022 out of Venezuela. While he is smaller in stature, listed at 5’8″ and 176 lbs, he makes up for it with his ability. The catcher has elite bat to ball skills and a good understanding of the strike zone. Before coming stateside this year, he had 37 BB/37 SO in 57 games in the DSL. He started the year in the FCL and got a quick promotion to Single-A posting a .790 OPS overall.
29. Pascanel Ferreras, INF
Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/03/99
Ferreras was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2023 draft, the last pick of the 20th round out of Western Carolina. He has the ability to play multiple infield positions and has some pop. The 22-year-old started the year in High-A and made quick work hitting .309 in 21 games earning a promotion to Double-A. Overall, he has a .740 OPS in 78 games this year. He can probably play a factor for second base in a few years down the line.
30. Jose Guedez, RHP
Level: High-A DOB: 09/27/01
Guedez is another international find for the Astros, signing him out of Venezuela in 2022. This season he started out in High-A and has been dominant in a hitter friendly environment. Over 63.1 innings he struck out 70 with a 2.98 ERA. He runs the fastball up to the mid 90s. Unfortunately he was placed on the 60-day IL on July 21st so he may be out a while.