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Astros Prospects: MLB Pipeline releases the new Top-30 list.
By Eric Huysman
The new kids on the block.
Rankings from MLB Pipeline.
#29 Jorge Alcala
#30 Framber Valdez
The new kids on the block are the coolest ones.
You get to learn about some different players on the radar. Alcala is the first guy, who played in America for the first time since being signed in 2014. He is a hard thrower with a slider to complement his fastball. Via MLB Pipeline, he struck out 70 hitters in 56 innings last year between three levels, ending with Tri-City.
Valdez, like Alcala, is from the Dominican Republic. He’s a little older but throws left-handed. He is two years older as well, so could be fast-tracked to the MLB. Signed in 2015, MLB Pipeline says that he has a great sinker and curveball. He throws in the mid 90’s and could have the makings of a starter with four good pitches.
Unfortunately, two guys were removed from this list.
Those two players were Guadalupe Chavez and Reymin Guduan. Chavez was the player the Astros received from the Blue Jays for Scott Feldman. He didn’t have a bad season in 2016, but other players shot up past him.
Guduan on the other side is now on the 40-man roster. He will compete for a second lefty out of the bullpen, but he struggles with control. Guduan can throw in the upper 90’s touching 100 mph at times. He will most likely start at Triple-A but could be a power option in the bullpen soon if he harnesses his command.