Who Has Better Top 5 Prospects, Astros or Rangers?

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September 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The writers of Climbing Tal’s Hill and Nolan Writin are making their best effort to create a better rivalry between the Astros and Rangers. It started with an “Astros are better than the Rangers” post by CTH editor Jason Burke, and continued with a rebuttal by NW editor Lisa Weatherall. The Astros were also ranked 15th overall team for 2015, while the Rangers were ranked as number 25 per ESPN.

It got me thinking, how do the Astros top-5 prospects compare to the Rangers? Who has the brighter future? You are about to find out. Click next to view the first match-up, rankings by Baseball America, may the best prospects win.

Next: Round 1: Carlos Correa versus Joey Gallo

Round 1: Carlos Correa versus Joey Gallo

Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder

Trevor Crowe

(63) breaks up a double play attempt by Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (84) in the first inning at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Correa-ss (ETA 2016) was the number one overall pick in 2012, and he is now ranked by MLB Pipeline as the third best overall prospect. Last season he was hampered by a broken right fibula after only 62 games in 2014. In those 62 games at High-A Lancaster, he hit 0.325/ 50 runs/ 6 2b/ 3 3b/ 6HR/ 57 RBI/ 30 SB. He will most likely start year of at AA, and depending on how he plays, might be a September call-up.

From MLB pipeline (3rd overall);

Aug 7, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Frisco Rough Riders third baseman Joey Gallo (24) bats during the game against the Springfield Cardinals at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Springfield beat Frisco 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Gallo-3B (ETA 2016) was drafted with the 39th overall pick in 2012, and he has shown some pop in the minors so far. In 2014 between Class-A and AA, Gallo hit 0.271/ 97 Runs/19 doubles/ 3 triples/ 42 HR/ 106 RBI/ 7 SB. With his long swing, he will strikeout a lot but hit many home runs once he gets to the majors.

From MLB Pipeline (9th overall);

While Gallo obviously has the power advantage over Correa, our shortstop is the better overall hitter. Gallo profiles as a Chris Carter type player. Gallo has the best raw power in baseball right now, but boasted an “Astro” like strikeout percentage with 33%. Correa has been compared to Alex Rodriguez or Troy Tulowitzki.

Advantage Astros.

Next: Round 2: Mark Appel versus Jake Thompson

Round 2: Mark Appel versus Jake Thompson

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Mark Appel 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

Marl Appel-RHP (ETA 2015). Lisa with Nolan Writin’ pointed out that the Astros have had the number one pick for the last 20 years. While that is terribly incorrect, Mark Appel was the second recent number one pick in 2013 draft. While his career might have gotten off to a rocky start, he is still on track to join the Astros in 2015. Appel struggled with High-A Lancaster, but turned his year around after promotion to AA and in his stint in the Arizona Fall League. He is the pride of the Astros pitching prospects, and should be a top of the line starting pitcher.

2014 Stats (2 teams): 3-7/ 6.91 ERA/ 83 IP/ 78 SO/ 1.596 WHIP.

From MLB Pipeline (30th overall);

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 60

Dec 8, 2014; San Deigo, CA, USA; Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister talks to media at the MLB Winter Meetings at Manchester Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Thompson-RHP (2015). Thompson had a great year in 2014, and has a fastball that sits in the low-90’s, should develop into a #2 or #3 starter for the Rangers. Thompson was drafted in the second round of the 2012 draft by the Tigers, but was traded to the Rangers for Joakim Soria. He became the Rangers top pitching prospect after the trade.

2014 Stats (3-teams): 10-5/ 3.12 ERA/ 129.2 IP/ 130 SO/ 1.23 WHIP.

From MLB Pipeline (83rd overall);

According to Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Top Prospects, Appel is 35th-overall while Thompson is 47th-overall.

Looking at last year’s stats, you might think that Thompson wins this round by a landslide, but Mark Appel has the better makeup. This match-up is too early to decide, because if Appel pitches like he did in Arizona, the doubts of 2014 will be forgotten.

Advantage Astros

Next: Round 3: Velasquez versus Alfaro

Round 3: Vincent Velasquez versus Jorge Alfaro

Aug 2, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Velasquez-RHP (ETA 2016). Velasquez has fought health issues throughout his early career, including Tommy John surgery. He was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd-round of the 2010 draft by the Astros. He sits in the low 90’s, but must stay healthy. In 2014, Velasquez did have some health issues, but looked good in the Arizona fall league.

2014 Stats (2-teams): 7-5/ 3.52 ERA/ 64 IP/ 91 SO/ 1.17 WHIP.

From MLB Pipline (83rd overall);

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Change-up: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Aug 7, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Frisco Rough Riders designated hitter Jorge Alfaro (8) bats during the game against the Springfield Cardinals at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Springfield beat Frisco 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Alfaro-c/1b (ETA 2016). Alfaro has the best arm and power for a catcher in baseball. Even though his arm is great, he has some improvements to make as a receiver. He was signed by the Rangers in 2010 from Colombia for 1.3 million signing bonus.

2014 Stats (3 teams): 0.271/ 78 runs/ 22 home runs/ 89 RBI/ 4 stolen bases.

From MLB Pipeline (45th overall);

According to Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Top Prospects, Velasquez is 75th-overall while Alfaro is 31st-overall.

While I think that Velasquez will be a top pitcher for the Astros, I like what Alfaro can offer as a catcher. He has a plus arm and can hit the long-ball.

Advantage Rangers.

Round 4: Michael Feliz versus Nomar Mazara

Jul 26, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baseballs lay in the dugout between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Feliz-RHP (ETA 2017). Feliz has been a player that I written a lot about this offseason, including who could be a future ace: Josh Hader or Michael Feliz? He is a hard thrower, reaching 98 mph at times, and is still pitching at the Single-A level despite 2014 being his 5th season in the minor leagues. He started slow his first two years, and had a coming out party in 2012. Not sure who he compares too, but probably like Yordano Ventura of the Royals.

2014 Stats (1-team): 8-6/ 4.03 ERA/ 102.2 IP/ 111 SO/ 1.37 WHIP

From MLB Pipeline (unranked),

Video from MLB Pipeline

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Aug 7, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Frisco Rough Riders right fielder Nomar Mazara (9) bats during the game against the Springfield Cardinals at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Springfield beat Frisco 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nomar Mazara-of (ETA 2016). From MLB Pipeline, “The Rangers shocked other teams when they gave Mazara $4.95 million to sign out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, a record that should stand for a while thanks to bonus limitations established in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Rangers saw him as a prospect with a tremendous body and power potential, and they believe he’s on the verge of a bdiscovery.”

2014 Stats (3 teams): 0.271/ 78 runs/ 22 home runs/ 89 RBI/ 4 stolen bases.

From MLB Pipeline (54th Overall),

According to Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Top Prospects, Feliz is un-ranked in top 101 while Mazara is 40th-overall.

I think that Michael Feliz ends up in the closers role at some point for Houston, but he shows real potential. The Rangers might reach a point where they don’t have a place for all of their outfield. Feliz has a blazing fastball and will make a good impact with the Astros.

Advantage Rangers

Next: Round 5: Brett Phillips versus Nick Williams

Brett Phillips

Round 5: Brett Phillips versus Nick Williams

Brett Phillips-of (ETA 2016). Jim Callis on Phillips “Phillips still gets overshadowed in a deep Houston system, and his all-around tools and breakout 2014 season weren’t enough to get him on the Top 100. His skills, performance and relative anonymity made him an easy choice for this week’s Pipeline Perspective, where Jonathan Mayo and I identify the best sleeper who missed making the list.”

Phillips could develop into a 5-tool player, he caught my attention last year. By end of the year he should crack the top 100. The question is where will he play, he has people blocking him in the outfield.

2014 Stats (2 teams): 0.310/ 87 runs/ 17 home run/ 23 stolen bases.

From MLB Pipeline (Un-ranked),

Mar 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Nick Williams slaps hands with a bat boy after hitting a home run in the ninth inningagainst the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Rangers won 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Williams-of (ETA 2017). From MLB Pipeline “Williams has a quick, easy stroke that allows him to repeatedly barrel balls and drive them to all fields. Though he needs to tighten his strike zone, he doesn’t swing and miss excessively. He profiles as a middle-of-the-order hitter who can produce for both power and average.”

2014 Stats (3 teams): 0.283/ 87 runs/ 13 home runs/ 6 stolen bases.

From MLB Pipeline (Un-ranked),

According to Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Top Prospects, Phillips is un-ranked in Top-101 while Williams is 71st-overall.

Even though I’m a big Phillips guy, just rankings alone shows that Williams is better than Phillips for now. However, the player I’m most excited to watch play ball is Brett Phillips, and he will make his mark on the game. Phillips will have another good season in 2015 and will be inserted into the top-100 next year.

Advantage Rangers.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

The results show that the Rangers won, because they have more prospects in the top 100 based on the Baseball America top-5 for each team. However, it must be pointed out that the Astros have 3 pitchers compared to the one Ranger pitcher. The Astros are built better in the pitching department than, but have two good hitters in Correa and Phillips. The Rangers have 4 hitters in their top-5 prospects. Experts still rank the Astros overall a better minor league organization based on the depth of the system.

Congrats Ranger fans, you won your only game of the year versus the Astros, 3-2. We will still win the boot.

Next: Jeff Luhnow talks about Astros Offseason

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