Astros Top-Eight Prospects After First 2 Rounds

 Astros Prospects Six to Five

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

Sixth Best Astros Prospect is Michael Feliz

You might remember Feliz as the pitcher who was unprotected from the Rule V draft but then was magically protected later that night. You might also remember him as the prospect that was promoted for a three-game stint from Double-A, only to be returned after making his major league debut.

It was a head scratcher as to why the Astros would start his arbitration clock and send him back after he makes his major league debut. Feliz was signed as an international free agent at the age of 16 in 2010 by the Houston Astros. He has been moved along slowly as he is in his fifth season and still in Double-A.

He throws in the mid-90’s with his fastball, but can hit 98 mph at times. He couples that heat with a slider and changeup. Some say that he will be a front-line starter while others say that he will be a future closer. In his debut with the Astros, he allowed one hit with very electric stuff.

Fifth Best Astros Prospect is Vincent Velasquez

Velasquez will probably not be on this list for too long with him making his major league debut on Wednesday. Scouts have told Jose de Jesus Ortiz that Velasquez has the best arm in the Astros farm system. Here is Ortiz’s exact quote from his Tweet, “People I truly respect, including several scouts who have seen him often, tell me Velasquez is the best of the #Astros arms.”

The Astros and baseball scouts alike think that Velasquez can be something special, but injuries have limited his progress. He has a plus fastball, which can reach 100 mph at times. His second best pitch is his changeup, which is a good complement to his fastball. He still needs to develop his curveball but still has the potential to be a top of the rotation pitcher.

Keeping Up With the Prospects: Vincent Velasquez

Next: Astros Top Prospects Four to Three