Astros Top Prospects: MLB Pipeline Top-30 Part 2

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

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

More from Prospects

• Astros 1st-Round Draft Pick Drew Gilbert Done for the Year
• Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
• Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
• Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
• First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A

Looking at the next tier of Astros prospects, you start seeing more of the potential contributors for the future success of the team. This group only had two pitchers out of the ten prospects. In this tier, you also saw some on the future infielders with Reed, Davis, and Kemp. Some of these prospects could also go the Jason Lane route if their hitting careers aren’t successful.

The outfielders in this group also have to outperform their fellow prospects for playing time in the future. Preston Tucker is the closest in this group to be major league ready, while the others are still two or more years away. I have always had an interest in Joe Musgrove, because of the fact that when the trade was made, he was the highest ranked prospect at the time of the trade, I think. The tall pitchers always have the extra advantage with their height, if they can learn how to pitch.

Are prospects a sure thing? No, that’s why you do like the Astros are doing and stockpile the prospects to increase the chance for more of them making it to the show. There have been too many Brett Wallace’s and Alex Presley‘s, who have not lived up to their ability in the majors.

Do prospects care about list like this? No, they enjoy playing ball. Would they like to eventually make it into the majors? Yes, but as Brett Phillips told me in an interview; “I’m getting paid to play the game I love, everything else will work itself out.”

Good luck to everyone on this list in 2015 and beyond, and keep a look out for Part 3 of the Astros top prospects sometime soon. This will be the best of the best, including a pair of number one picks.

Did you miss Part 1 of the Astros top Prospects? click here

Which of these players are you the most excited about?

Next: The Next top Astros Prospect from 2015 Draft Could Be...

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