Astros Top Prospects: MLB Pipeline Top-30 Part 2

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Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi (12) singles during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-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. Prospect interviews by Eric Huysman and Kennon Riley, and Astros prospect profiles by Jason Burke are also linked.

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 two of the three-part series. In part 1, we looked at the 30th through 21st player on their list. This post will look into the 20th through 11th ranked players in the Astros farm system.

Next: 20th through 16th top Astros prospects

20th through 16th top Astros prospects

Mar 6, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi (12) at bat against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#20 Danry Vasquez – OF (Stock decreased, #19 in 2014)

You might remember Danry Vasquez as being the minor league hitter the Astros received for Jose Veras in 2013. Vazquez entered the top-20 for 2014 after the trade of Rio Ruiz and Michael Foltynewicz. While he is still a young player, he is now 21-years old, and he broke into professional baseball at 17-years old. He has always been one of the youngest players at each level he has played with. He is a line drive hitter who has the potential to hit for a decent average. The knocks against him is that he may not ever hit for enough power to justify being a corner outfielder and he has below average speed. When the Astros traded for Vazquez, he was near the top of the Tigers prospect list.

2014 Stats: 423 AB/.291 Avg/ 123 hits/ 30 doubles/ 2 triples/ 5 homers/ 47 RBI/ 1 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Alex Rios (without speed)

Floor: L.J. Hoes

Position blocker: Preston Tucker

#19 Max Stassi – C (Stock decreased, #16 in 2014)

Max Stassi was one of the players the Astros got back in the Jed Lowrie trade, along with Chris Carter and Brad Peacock. Stassi was a highly regarded catching prospect before he came to the Astros and took off in his first year in the minor leagues. He even made his major league debut in 2013, but a pitch to the face shortened his debut. Solid play from the catchers in 2014 prevented Stassi from a big impact last year.

Stassi had a down year in 2014, but did become a September call-up at end of the season. He should still be important in the Astros plans, especially with Jason Castro reaching free agency in 2017 season. The question that the Astros have to figure out is what to do with Stassi in the meantime.

Max Stassi Profile by Kennon Riley

Could Max Stassi change positions? by Jason Burke

2014 Stats: 392 AB/.247 Avg/ 91 hits/ 20 doubles/ 2 triples/ 9 homers/ 45 RBI/ 1 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Travis d’Arnaud

Floor: John Buck

#18 Kyle Smith – RHP (Stock decreased, ranked #13 in 2014)

Kyle Smith was acquired from the Royals for Justin Maxwell. Smith was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of high school by the Kansas City Royals. He moved quickly through the lower levels with his pitching ability. The Astros liked what they saw and traded for him. He pitched last year at AA, so he should start at AAA in 2015, and could be recalled by the Astros at some point.

He is not a hard thrower, tops out at 90 mph, but he has good command and a Roy Oswalt like curveball. He may not be the top Astros pitcher in its system, but he could surprise people.

2014 Stats: 9 wins/ 5 losses/ 3.95 ERA/ 127 strikeouts in 123 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Roy Oswalt

Floor: Tim Redding

Position blocker: Mark Appel and Josh Hader

#17 Nolan Fontana – SS (Stock decreased, ranked #14 in 2014)

Nolan Fontana was drafted by the Astros in the second round of the 2012 draft from the University of Florida. He’s a natural shortstop with average skills across the board except for his lack of power. He also has a great eye, walking almost as many times as he strikeouts out over his career. His tools don’t wow you, but he profiles more as a utility player versus an everyday player. With his patient approach at the plate and ability to hit for a good average, he will be a plus player off the bench. Last season he walked 61 times while striking out 76 times.

2014 Stats: 229 AB/.262 Avg/ 60 hits/ 21 doubles/ 1 triples/ 1 homers/ 26 RBI/ 5 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2016

Ceiling: Bill Spiers

Floor: Marwin Gonzalez

Position blocker: Joe Sclafani

Feb 26, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros infielder Nolan Fontana poses for a picture during photo day at Osceola County Stadium Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#16 Joe Musgrove – RHP (Stock on the rise, unranked in 2014)

Joe Musgrove was acquired in the ten player trade that sent J.A. Happ to the Blue Jays. He had a slow start to his career, but broke out in 2014 with the Tri-City Valley Cats. The 2011 first round pick, with his tall frame 6’5″, pitches with a downward trajectory on his fastball due to his height. As 2015 approaches, he appears to be ready to start heading up the food chain. He needs some growth, but he should be able to quickly move through the Astros farm system at the age of 22.

2014 Stats: 7 wins/ 1 losses/ 2.81 ERA/ 67 strikeouts in 77 innings.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Roy Oswalt

Floor: Wade Miller

Position blocker: Mark Appel and Josh Hader

Next: 15th through 11th Astros top prospects

15th through 11th Astros top prospects

Feb 26, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Preston Tucker poses for a picture during photo day at Osceola County Stadium Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#15 Preston Tucker – OF (stock increased, #17 in 2014)

I’m going to try to maintain my composure with this one because all he has done is hit when he is not expected to be able to hit. He was the first interview I did with Climbing Tal’s Hill, and Morgan Ensberg has nothing but good things to say about Tucker. He may not have the best overall skills, but he always finds a way to hit the ball and hit it hard. Last spring, Bo Porter was raving about his skills. Jeff Luhnow said that he hoped that Tucker will become what Allen Craig was with the Cardinals. He might get the call at some point in 2015. However, he plays a position at which the Astros are loaded. He has played at first base in college, but hasn’t really been given the chance in the minors much. Tucker has moved quickly through the minors and reached AAA last year.

Check out Preston Tucker’s Interview Here

2014 Stats: 536 AB/.282 Avg/ 151 hits/ 35 doubles/ 0 triples/ 24 homers/ 94 RBI/ 5 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2015

Ceiling: Allen Craig

Floor: Colby Rasmus

Position blocker: Domingo Santana and Jake Marisnick

#14 Tony Kemp – 2B (stock on the rise, ranked #15 last year)

I got a chance to interview the two Vanderbilt boys drafted by the Astros in 2013, Conrad Gregor and Tony Kemp. Both players have risen quickly through the minors. Kemp is a natural second baseman, but he is currently blocked by another short second baseman named Jose Altuve. He has played in the outfield before, and for him to make the big leagues, he might have to make that transition. He has speed and the ability to score runs. Looking at the numbers below, he compares very well to Jose Altuve.

Check out Tony Kemp’s Interview Here

Check out Tony Kemp’s Prospect Profile Here

2014 Stats: 528 AB/.316 Avg/ 121 runs/ 30 doubles/ 8 triples/ 8 homers/ 58 RBI/ 41 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2016

Ceiling: Jose Altuve

Floor: Dee Gordon

Position blocker: Jose Altuve

May 26, 2013; Hoover, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores infielder Tony Kemp (6) tosses his helmet after grounding out in the tenth inning against the LSU Tigers during the championship game of the SEC baseball tournament at the Hoover Met. LSU defeated Vanderbilt 5-4 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

#13 J.D. Davis – 3B (stock on the rise, ranked #18 last year)

J.D. Davis was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft by the Astros. He pitched in college throwing the ball 93 mph, but the scouts liked his hitting ability better. With the trade of Rio Ruiz, J.D. Davis might overtake Colin Moran as the future at third base for the Astros. He profiles as a Ryan Zimmerman type of third baseman, someone who can hit 20+ home runs while hitting for a decent batting average. He reached Low A ball in his first season, so he could be possibly be moved quickly through the system with his college experience.

2014 Stats: 266 AB/.293 Avg/ 78 hits/ 16 doubles/ 1 triples/ 13 homers/ 52 RBI/ 5 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Ryan Zimmerman

Floor: Morgan Ensberg

Position blocker: Colin Moran

#12 A.J. Reed – 1B (slight decline in ranking, ranked #11 last year)

A.J. Reed was another one of the pitching and hitting prospects that the Astros drafted in the 2014 draft. He won the 2014 Golden Spike Award for his pitching and hitting. He was better known for his pitching at one point, but he offers power that’s rare for a left-handed hitter. He has become a good overall hitter and not just a power threat. The Astros have made him a full-time first baseman because his speed won’t allow him to play any other position. He could be fast tracked if Jon Singleton becomes Brett Wallace 2.0.

2014 Stats: 249 AB/.289 Avg/ 72 hits/ 20 doubles/ 1 triples/ 12 homers/ 54 RBI/ 2 stolen base.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Matt Adams

Floor: Eric Hosmer

Position blocker: Jon Singleton

#11 Derek Fisher – OF (Slight decrease in stock, ranked #10 in 2014)

The draft slot that the Astros received in the Bud Norris trade along with L.J. Hoes and Josh Hader, turned into young Derek Fisher. He is a fast runner, but lacks an arm to play center or right. His speed and bat might help him accelerate his rise to the major league roster, but like many Astros outfield prospects, there may not be many openings when he is ready. He profiles as a disruptive runner on the base paths and solid hitter, possibly an Alex Rios type of player.

2014 Stats: 155 AB/.310 Avg/ 48 hits/ 5 doubles/ 3 triples/ 2 homers/ 18 RBI/ 17 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline ETA: 2017

Ceiling: Alex Rios

Floor: Ben Revere

Position blocker: Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick

Next: Summary of Part II of the Astros top prospects

Summary of Part II of the Astros top prospects

Jun 24, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers outfielder Derek fisher (23) drives in the tying run in the top of the sixth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game two of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Virginia defeated Vanderbilt 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Astros Top Prospects: MLB Pipeline Top-30 Part 2

#19 Max Stassi – C (Stock decreased, #16 in 2014)

#18 Kyle Smith – RHP (Stock decreased, ranked #13 in 2014)

#17 Nolan Fontana – SS (Stock decreased, ranked #14 in 2014)

#16 Joe Musgrove – RHP (Stock on the rise, unranked in 2014)

#15 Preston Tucker – OF (stock increased, #17 in 2014)

#14 Tony Kemp – 2B (stock on the rise, ranked #15 last year)

#13 J.D. Davis – 3B (stock on the rise, ranked #18 last year)

#12 A.J. Reed – 1B (slight decline in ranking, ranked #11 last year)

#11 Derek Fisher – OF (Slight decrease in stock, ranked #10 in 2014)

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