Astros have two prospects make Top 100

The Houston Astros have not one but two players make Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects for 2011 and this is a great sign for a team that has really neglected their farm system for a few years now. Super Prospect Jordan Lyles made the list at 42nd and 19 year old shortstop prospect Jonathan Villar just snuck in at 94. Everyone expected Lyles to make the list, however Villar was a bit of a surprise.

He came over to the Astros from the Phillies in the Roy Oswalt trade last year and probably is still two to three years away from making it to the major league level. However, he has amazing potential and even greater speed. This past season was his best in the minors, hitting .260 with five home runs, 55 RBI and 45 stolen bases in 132 games.

After the Roy Oswalt trade, Baseball America broke down the prospects that we got and this is what they thought of Villar: 

“Scouts rave about Villar’s range and easy actions, saying he could play defense in the big leagues right now. ‘Defensively, it’s all there—60 arm, very good range,’ one scout told us recently. Villar runs very well and is aggressive in terms of stealing and taking extra bases. Like Gose, he’ll need repetitions to refine his offensive game. Villar likes to swing at fastballs early in the count and rarely walks. The switch-hitter has fared marginally better from the left side this season, batting .270/.333/.363 with both of his home runs.”

Hopefully Villar is able to live up to expectations and if he is the future for the Houston Astros will get a little bit brighter. For a complete list of Baseball America’s Top 100, click here.