Astros in your Fantasy Part 1: Top 10 Prospects

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Rio Ruiz (30) plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#8 Astros Top Prospect: Rio Ruiz

ETA: 2017

Solid Third Baseman

Rio Ruiz and Lance McCullers were able to be signed to above slot value because the Astros signed Carlos Correa to a lower value. Ruiz had some health concerns before the draft, which scared some teams off. He was supposed to be the future third baseman of the Astros, but in 2014 the Astros traded for Colin Moran, so Ruiz’s success will be based on either how successful Moran is, a position change, or if one of them is traded to another team.

Ruiz has more power potential than Moran, but both can’t play third base. I see Ruiz having a rookie season such as Manny Machado‘s second full season. But it depends on the number of at-bats he gets.

0.283/14 HR’s/71 RBI’s/ 6 SB’s

According to Prospects361.com, Fantasy Impact:  In rostering prospects in a Dynasty League, I look heavily at a player’s strikeout-to-walk ratio.  The reason is simple…hitting is the hardest tool to develop and usually players who can make strong contact with plate discipline will move faster through the system.  Ruiz can hit and therefore should be rostered in all Dynasty Leagues.  I do worry about his lack of athleticism and the fact that he’s noticeable heavier since being drafted two years.  That said, a .300 batting average with 15 to 20 home runs seems to be a good baseline for projecting Ruiz’s future ceiling.

Ceiling: Manny Machado

Floor: Nolan Arenado

Next: Colin Moran