Astros Top Prospects: MLB.com Top 30 Fresno Grizzlies

30th-23rd Top Astros Prospects

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

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

#25 Nolan Fontana

Fontana plays almost all the infield positions except for first base. His main tool that stands out is his on-base ability, despite the low batting average. He has struggled recently to find playing time with Johnathan Villar, Tony Kemp, and Matt Duffy on the Fresno roster. He has fallen into what his eventual role could be with the Astros, as the Marwin Gonzalez type of utility player.

He has a good eye and has the ability to do everything at the plate, while not being great at any skill. He has shown a good ability to draw a walk in his minor league career. Fontana was drafted with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2012 draft by the Astros. He has dropped from the Astros 17th top prospect to the 25th.

Triple-A Fresno Stats: .231/ .365/ .360/ .725 slash line, with three homers, 35 RBI, and five stolen bases. He has also walked 62 times while striking out 84 times.

If Fontana can keep getting on base at a consistent rate, he should be able to compete at AAA for a spot in the majors once September call-ups happen. The Astros need more guys who can get on base, and all Astros fans know that third base is a position of need right now for the Astros. Jed Lowrie is there, but he could potentially move to DH if Fontana impresses Astros management enough to get the call up to the bigs.

#24 Andrew Aplin

Aplin has split time in AA and AAA this season, dominating AA ball and playing very average in AAA. His defense has been very good at both levels, but there has been a definite difference in production at the plate from AA to AAA, and that’s why Aplin is “stuck” in the minors right now. His instincts in the outfield are just enough to keep him in AAA, but his aggressive style at the plate has hurt him at times.

He doesn’t really have any tools that stand out, but is a high-energy outfielder whose energy adds another dimension to his game. He hustles, goes after every fly ball like it’s his last, and doesn’t take many plate appearances off. He’s no George Springer, but his scrappy style makes it easier to compare him to Jake Marisnick.

Here are Aplin’s stats at AAA Fresno: .254/ .368/ .328/ .696 slash line, with two home runs, 18 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. His strikeout to walk ratio is even, at 32 strike outs to 32 walks.

If Aplin continues to be a patient hitter, draw walks, and hit singles, he could be a nice fourth outfielder for the Astros one day. I wouldn’t have any expectations for Astros fans to see him in Houston in 2015, but perhaps in 2016 when an Astros outfielder gets injured or falls in a slump.

#23 Brady Rodgers

Rodgers has been a real innings-eater for the Grizzlies this year, completing 102 innings of work, which leads the team. Growing up an Astros fan in Texas, Rodgers was really pleased to be drafted by his favorite team in the 3rd round of the 2012 MLB draft. Since then, he has been steadily working and improving to make his first start in an Astros uniform.

The strength of Rodgers’ game is his control. While not possessing great velocity on his fastball, Rodgers has been very efficient in controlling the strike zone and walking very few batters in his minor league career. He’s a lot like Dallas Keuchel in the sense that he can get a lot of ground ball outs, but sometimes his command of the strike zone makes him very hittable, and opposing batters are able to rough him up a bit.

Here are Rodgers’ AAA Fresno stats: 9-5 record with a 4.59 ERA, 102.0 IP, 21 BB allowed, 75 Ks, 12 home runs allowed, and a 1.40 WHIP.

Rodgers’ great command will get him a chance in the majors, but I don’t think that chance will come in 2015. If any pitcher gets called up this year, it’s going to be Appel just because he’s the top prospect. Rodgers has put in the work in the minors to deserve a shot, and he will definitely get a chance in 2016 Spring Training to compete for a spot at the back end of the Astros rotation. I think he’s better than Asher Wojciechowski, and maybe even Scott Feldman. It should be an interesting next few months in the Astros organization for Brady Rodgers.

Next: 22nd-10th Top Astros Prospects

22nd-10th Top Astros Prospects

Apr 26, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski (59) takes the field for warm ups before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

#22 Asher Wojciechowski

I’m only ok with Wojciechowski being on this list at #22 if he’s there as a bullpen option. Wojciechowski has shown that he’s not a top prospect as a starting pitcher, when he got his shot in the majors earlier this season. In his four starts for the Astros back in April, Wojo was unable to pitch past the fourth inning, which is definitely unacceptable for any major league starter.

In a relief role, however, Wojo made one brief appearance in Oakland on Friday night where he got an out in a tight ballgame. He looked a bit refreshed to be back in the majors and seemed more comfortable during his brief appearance, which is good to see. It’s definitely unfortunate for him that he had to be sent back down to AAA Fresno in order to make room for the Astros newest acquisition, Oliver Perez.

Here are Wojo’s stats for AAA Fresno: 6-2 record with a 5.42 ERA, 88.0 IP, 25 BB allowed, 67 Ks, 11 home runs allowed, and a 1.44 WHIP.

Wojciechowski doesn’t really have any strike out pitches, but he has pretty good control and a solid ability to mix up his pitches effectively. He can work well when he locates his pitches to both sides of the plate, but he’s unable to overpower anyone with a low-90s fastball. He has had his shot in the big leagues as a starter, and it didn’t really work out.

If Wojo can keep working on his stuff, he’ll be in an Astros uniform again soon. The Astros bullpen hasn’t been its finest lately, and its in need of a young arm to liven it a bit. Hopefully Perez can help out with that, but Wojo’s services might be in need again soon. I think he’ll be a steady contributor in the Astros bullpen in 2016.

#12 Tony Kemp

Kemp has been an absolute beast in the Astros’ farm system in 2015, playing all around the field and continuing to rake at the plate. His good performance earned him a quick promotion to AAA, but since then his hitting has declined a little bit. He has been forced to learn how to play outfield quickly if he wants to make it to the Astros, as Jose Altuve will occupy second base in Houston for many years to come.

The former SEC Player of the Year at Vanderbilt who was also named to the USA’s roster for the 2015 Futures Game is a really exciting player to watch and Astros fans can’t wait to see him get up to Houston. He seems to make a highlight reel play in the outfield at least once a week, which fits right in with the other outfielders for the Astros right now.

Here are Kemp’s stats at AAA Fresno: .267/ .319/ .333/ .653 slash line with five doubles, two home runs, 23 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases out of 17 attempts. He also has 13 walks compared to 23 strikeouts.

Kemp has definitely erased all questions about his size. Much like Altuve, Kemp has overcome his genetics to become a great baseball player. Kemp’s power is definitely not the strong point of his game, but his contact and speed will make him a useful player for the Astros. An outfield of Kemp, Carlos Gomez, and George Springer would definitely be able to cover a lot of ground in Minute Maid Park’s outfield.

Also, Kemp would be another great top of the lineup hitter for the Astros. He’d be the type of player that could get on base with Altuve and set up plenty of RBI chances for Carlos Correa, Evan Gattis, and Preston Tucker.

Next: Astros Top Prospect at AAA Fresno

#2 Mark Appel

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Mark Appel plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Appel has been one of the most interesting prospects in the Astros system over the last couple of seasons. The highly touted right-hander has been very up and down so far, showing signs of why the Astros selected him with the #1 overall pick in 2013 but also making Astros fans very nervous with a lot of rough outings at basically every level in the minors.

He has been the center of a lot of frustration for Astros fans, with many wondering how in the world the Astros took him over Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, who was selected #2 overall that year. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow seems to have gotten it right with his other #1 pick in Carlos Correa, but the second one looks much more shaky.

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Appel, who struggled at AA Corpus Christi, hasn’t necessarily turned it around yet in Fresno. He has been inconsistent as expected, and still not yet dominant like the true ace that he’s projected to be.

Here are Appel’s stats at AAA Fresno: 1-2 record with a 4.62 ERA, 37.0 IP, 15 BB allowed, 32 Ks, five home runs allowed, and a 1.486 WHIP.

All the scouts are still saying that Appel’s mid-90s fastball, slider, and change-up can carry him to the front of an MLB rotation and keep him there for many years. Personally, I don’t see it yet, but I’m still giving Appel time to show me. He definitely has the ability to strike hitters out and take control of an at bat, but he has also gotten roughed up a lot.

I don’t think Appel will get to Keuchel level any time soon, but he might be a better option than Feldman or McHugh in 2016. If he can develop and become what he’s supposed to become, the Astros rotation will be scary for many years to come. A 2016 rotation of Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Scott Kazmir (if he can be re-signed), Mark Appel, and Collin McHugh would match up with any other starting rotation in the AL.

It’s safe to say that the Astros organization will hit it’s booming point if Appel can reach his full potential. We are one more ace away from being elite, and Appel has the chance to become that ace. Even more exciting times are on the way for the Houston Astros.

Next: Who's Hot, Who's Not for Astros AA Corpus Christi