Astros Top Prospects: MLB Pipeline Top 30 (Part 1)

Astros top prospects: 30-26

Feb 26, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher

poses for a picture during photo day at Osceola County Stadium Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#30 – Osvaldo Duarte (unranked)

The Astros signed 17-year old Osvaldo Duarte out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. He has played shortstop and center field for the Astros in his early minor league career. He is now listed as a 19-year old, and has played with the Dominican Summer League  and the Gulf Coast League in 2014. He is still young, and does not have much of a track record.

2014 Stats: 149 AB/.275 Avg/ 41 hits/ 7 doubles/ 3 triples/ 0 homers/ 19 RBI/ 16 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2018

Ceiling: Ben Revere

Floor: Pinch runner specialist

#29 – Joan Mauricio (unranked)

The Astros signed 16-year old Joan Mauricio in 2013, and he was viewed as one of the top international signings that year. He is a good defensive shortstop, who could develop some power as he ages. Like Duarte, he played in the DSL and GCL in 2014. However, he struggled with the promotion to the GCL hitting only .127 in 71 at-bats. He is too raw to really project at the moment, but keep your eyes on him.

2014 Stats: 224 AB/.228 Avg/ 51 hits/ 9 doubles/ 10 triples/ 1 homer/ 33 RBI/ 7 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2018

Ceiling: Starlin Castro

Floor: Marwin Gonzalez

Position blocker: Carlos Correa

#28 – Ronald Torreyes (unranked)

Baseball America has Torreyes on its top ten list, but MLB Pipeline does not agree with that ranking. Torreyes has a good hitting skill which is geared more towards hitting line drives versus the long ball. He was added to the 40-man roster this offseason over protecting Delino DeShields Junior, who the Astros lost in the Rule Five draft to the Texas Rangers.

Torreyes main position is second base, but has played some outfield in the past few years with the presence of Jose Altuve. He is major league ready after playing in AAA last year, and could get the call if something happens to Altuve (knock on wood).

2014 Stats: 460AB/.298 Avg/ 137 hits/ 20 doubles/ 5 triples/ 2 homer/ 46 RBI/ 12 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Howie Kendrick

Floor: Marwin Gonzalez

Position blocker: Jose Altuve (Duh)

Andrew Aplin – OF (unranked)

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. He profiles as a fourth outfielder, versus an everyday player. MLB Pipeline says that he profiles as an Eric Byrnes type player, who doesn’t have great tools, but plays above his abilities. He has walked more than he has struck-out in the minors so far in his early career, and he stole 26 bases in 2014 despite having average speed.

2014 Stats: 452 AB/.265 Avg/ 120 hits/ 14 doubles/ 2 triples/ 6 homer/ 65 RBI/ 26 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Eric Byrnes

Floor: Robbie Grossman

Position blocker: Preston Tucker

#25 Brady Rodgers – RHP (unranked)

Brady Rodgers was drafted in third round of the 2012 draft. On the way to Spring Training, he took an epic drive to Florida with Mark Appel where they took turns driving and answering questions on Twitter with fans. So far, his spring has been not so epic with a 6.20 ERA in 3.1 innings. His last outing was a little better, but his stats say that he is ticketed to AAA to start the season. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but relies on location and good sink on the ball.

He could be an option for the Astros in 2015, but he is low on the totem pole in terms of starters in the minors.

2014 Stats: 6 wins/ 12 losses/ 4.55 ERA/ 87 strikeouts in 120.2 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Kyle Kendricks

Floor: Lucas Harrell

Position blocker: Mark Appel and Josh Hader

Next: Astros top prospects: 25 -21