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

Mar 6, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow (right) laughs with television analyst Peter Gammons (center) and Astros manager

(left) prior to a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

With the latest Astros top prospects list released on Wednesday by MLBPipeline.com, they looked at the top-30 Astros prospects for the 2015 season and beyond. For readers familiar with the list, you might be used to the top-20 prospects. The good news is that this will allow casual Astros fans to have better access to more names in the Astros system.

This post will look at how the 2015 Astros top prospects rank compares to their 2014 prospect rankings. We will also use the MLB estimated time of arrival for each prospect, and look at which current Astros prospect or player could potentially block that prospect. We will also link prospect interviews by Eric Huysman and Kennon Riley and Astros prospect profiles by Jason Burke.

The Astros prospects that I have interviewed have said that they don’t really pay attention to the rankings, it’s a popularity contest, and it does not interfere with the way they play.

This is part one of the three-part series. It’s pretty obvious which players are the Astros top prospects, so we will begin at the last five prospects according to MLB.com.

Next: Astros top prospects: 30-26

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

Astros top prospects: 25 -21

Mar 2, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher

(59) during morning work outs at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#25 – Adrian Houser – RHP (unranked)

To be honest, this is the first I have heard of Houser. He was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Astros out of high school. The Astros are taking their time with this player, as he played with the Low-A ball River Bandits in 2014. His best two pitches are his fastball (mid 90’s) and curve ball, and he has great downward action in his pitching that leads to ground balls. As most prospect pitchers, he must improve his control of his pitches.

2014 Stats: 5 wins/ 6 losses/ 4.14 ERA/ 93 strikeouts in 108.2 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Kyle Kendricks

Floor: Lucas Harrell

Position blocker: Mark Appel and Josh Hader

#24 James Hoyt – RHP (unranked)

Hoyt was the throw in at the last-minute by Jeff Luhnow in the Evan Gattis deal. While Hoyt was not highly ranked, Luhnow saw something special in Hoyt, which justified giving up the top prospects they did for Gattis and Hoyt. While I don’t think Hoyt will make the opening day roster, he will be available when needed, already having AAA experience. He is a tall guy at 6.5 feet, who throws hard and has two different types of sliders. If you’re looking for the next closer for the Astros after Luke Gregerson, this may be the guy.

Who is James Hoyt by Jason Burke.

2014 Stats: 3 wins/ 3 losses/ 3.17 ERA/ 77 strikeouts in 52.2 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: NA (I think 2015)

Ceiling: Brad Lidge

Floor: Dan Wheeler

Position blocker: Josh Fields or Will Harris

#23 Asher Wojciechowski – RHP (Stock decreased #20 in 2014)

Wojo’s ranking actually decreased in 2015 from 2014, but don’t tell the Astros that with the way he is pitching this spring. Wojo, like Brady Rodgers, does not have overpowering stuff. What he does have is the ability to throw strikes and pitch for contact. This spring, Wojo has pitched well with a zero ERA through nine innings, in three games while striking out seven batters. He may not be on this list for long, but should be able to hold down a rotation spot till one of the big boys are ready. Injuries have held Wojo back, but it looks like those days are behind him this spring.

Wojo is showing his mojo by Eric Huysman

2014 Stats: 4 wins/ 4 losses/ 4.74 ERA/ 59 strikeouts in 76 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Henderson Alvarez

Floor: Jeff Locke

Position blocker: Dan Straily

#22 Daniel Mengden – RHP (unranked)

My Aggie friends will love this guy because he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 draft out of Texas A&M. He has a delivery that is similar to Tim Lincecum, which could be deceptive to the hitters. He has a handle on four different pitches such as fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup; but none of them are real standout pitches. Scouts say that he might eventually be a bullpen pitcher, especially with how stocked the Astros system is with starting pitchers. But as he develops, he could stay a starter throughout the career. With him just being drafted last season, we don’t have a lot to project of him right now.

He has only pitched 17 innings in professional baseball, but he has been impressive so far.

2014 Stats: 0 wins/ 0 losses/ 3.07 ERA/ 17 strikeouts in 11 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Tim Lincecum

Floor: Dice K

Position blocker: Michael Feliz or Josh Hader

#21 Francis Martes – RHP (unranked)

Martes was originally signed in 2012 by the Florida Marlins from the Dominican Republic at an early age. He was included in the Jarred Cosart trade last year. Martes is 19-years old now, and has the ability to throw in the upper 90’s, but he is still really raw as a pitching prospect. Think Michael Feliz three years ago, as he sits there for a little while and then has a breakout season. The most likely role with Astros will be in the bullpen, but he could work his way into the rotation in three years. He did have 23 walks in 44 innings in the Gulf Coast League in 2014.

2014 Stats: 3 wins/ 3 losses/ 4.09 ERA/ 45 strikeouts in 44 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2018

Ceiling: Jose Valverde

Floor: Paul Clemens

Position blocker: Lance McCullers Jr.

Next: Thoughts on the first 10 Astros top prospects