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Astros: Building an Astros Minor League All-Star Team
The Astros are gearing up to make a deep run, and a big part of their success was the rebuild of their farm system.
The Houston Astros, minor league system, continues to be ranked as one of the strongest in all of baseball. Even with graduates such as Francis Martes and Derek Fisher reaching the major leagues, the team continues to excel in player discovery and development.
So today, I decided to build an all-star team from guys who performed at a high level this season, and we are going to start with the flamethrowers.
Pitchers
RHP Forrest Whitley
Anytime you are awarded your systems minor league pitcher of the year. You know you had a great season. Whitley has done nothing but dazzle since being the Astros first round pick (17th overall) in 2016. This season at the age of 19-20, Whitley pitched at three different levels and dominated at all three. In 23 games, the young flamethrower struck out 143 batters and held his opponents to a .230 batting average. He finished his season at Double-A Corpus and ended with a 2.83 ERA over three levels. The future is very bright for the kid from San Antonio, TX.
RHP Rogelio Armenteros
While Whitley shows up on prospect boards everywhere, Armenteros is a guy who has largely been under the radar. However, his numbers this season were fantastic. The Cuba native pitched at AA Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno and was the best pitcher at both levels.
He finished with an ERA at 2.04, and opposing hitters hit only .205 against him. His 146 strikeouts to 38 walks are awesome. Rogelio is a guy that could be in Houston very soon.
RHP Yoanys Quiala
Here is a name the average Astros fan probably does not know. Quiala is another Cuban arm in the system that had a solid season. The 6’3″ Righty went 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA at Buies Creek, before getting the call-up to AA Corpus Christi. There he continued to pitch well and carried a 2.86 ERA throughout his time in Corpus.
On the year, Yoanys finished with a 2.57 ERA in 24 games, in which he pitched 108.2 innings. He struck out 92 batters and walked only 24. He managed to avoid the long ball, as he just gave up six home runs. Next season will be a good indicator for Quiala as to whether he is legit or not, as he will spend the season at AA Corpus and AAA Fresno.
Honorable Mentions
RHP Carson LaRue
12-7, 3.23 ERA, 105 K’s to 30 BB’s. Pitched at Quad Cities and Buies Creek in 2017.
RHP Jorge Alcala
7-6 3.05 ERA, 95 K’s to 45 BB’s, Pitched at Quad Cities and Buies Creek in 2017.
Catcher
Stassi is a former top prospect trying to re-establish himself. This season, he and fellow catcher Juan Centeno formed a dynamic catching duo down at Triple-A Fresno. Stassi hit .272 with an On-Base Percentage of .393, and the power returned for Stassi, as he smashed 14 Home runs and 15 doubles. While the 26-year-old backstop may never be an elite catcher, he has shown some substantial backup catcher potential
A 21st round pick of the Astros in 2016, Robinson had a fantastic season at Class A Quad Cities. The Southern Mississippi product hit .275 with 15 long shots, 77 RBI’s, and an On-Base Percentage at .330. The late round product could shoot up prospect boards, and will more than likely be in the Astros top 30 pretty soon with the trade of Jake Rogers to Detroit thinning the catching depth chart.
Honorable Mention
.311/.354/.383, 1 Hr, 12 2B’s. Centeno played at Triple-A Fresno and at the MLB level. He is now the third catcher on a major league postseason roster. Wow.
.256/.382/.335, 3 HR, 20 RBI’s, hit for the first cycle in Corpus Christi Hooks history.
First Base
A.J. Reed
Anytime you break a clubs record. You had a good season. Reed hit 34 long ones for the high powered Fresno Grizzlies, breaking the club record for home runs in a single season. The slugger finished with a slash line at .261/.358/.525, and while those numbers haven’t translated well to the major league level yet, the power potential is still there. He also finished with 104 RBI’s and carried an OPS at .883. It is only a matter of time before Reed clicks at the major league level, whether that is with Houston or somewhere else, only time will tell.
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Yes, I know. White played almost every position on the diamond, so he isn’t just a first basemen. This jack of all trades had another solid season, hitting .300/.371/.528 with 25 Home runs, 22 2B’s, and 89 RBI’s. The versatile 26-year-old played all over the infield and even saw time in left field. His success didn’t just stay in Fresno, as he is hitting .302 with 3 Hr’s in 53 At-Bats for the Astros this season.
Honorable Mentions
With the Class-A Quad Cities, Sieber slashed a .289/.403/.458 on the year. While not amazing, Sieber was solid for the River Bandits and deserves some recognition.
Second Base
While Kemp probably would have been on the opening day roster for most clubs, Kemp spent this season with the stacked Fresno Grizzlies. Kemp played the Altuve role for the club, hitting .329/.375/.470 and swiping 24 bases. The 25-year-old has seen some time with the big league club and has value just about anywhere in baseball. His career should be a fun one to follow.
The journeyman and fan favorite had a terrific 2017 season. The utility type infielder played all over the infield over two levels, AA and AAA. Mayfield slashed .283/.327/.500 and slugged 20 bombs with 67 RBI’s. If Mayfield doesn’t get a chance in the majors for Houston, he will get it elsewhere.
Honorable Mentions
The former Texas A&M Aggie has played well since joining the Astros farm system. His .266/.325/.430 line is solid, and his 15 home runs aren’t too shabby either.
Third Base
Fresno players continue to dominate this list! Moran re-established himself as a top third base prospect with his Eye-Popping numbers in 2017. The corner infielder hit .301/.369/.532 and showed some real power, slugging 18 HR’s, 16 2B’s and driving in 63 runs. Moran did see some time with the Astros, but an errant ball to the face cut his season short. Nonetheless, Moran had his best season yet.
J.D Davis
Davis drops bombs. The 24-year-old former 3rd round pick has legit power. He demolished AA ball to the tune of a .279 average with 21 home runs and 60 RBI’s. He then got the call-up to Fresno and did not let up. In 16 games, Davis hit .295/.370/.623 and smacked 5 more long balls. His 26 HR’s and 78 RBI’s are spectacular and earned him a chance at the major league level. Davis has Designated Hitter written all over him, so look for him to play that role here in the next few years potentially.
Honorable Mentions
A solid athlete, Toro-Hernandez was drafted as a catcher, but the move to third has been great for him. The 21-year-old played at both Tri-City and Quad Cities and slashed a .246/.364/.496 on the year. He managed to slug 15 HR’s, and Hernandez also walked 40 times.
Cesar played for Tri-City and Quad Cities and had fantastic numbers. He hit .297 on the year with 7 Home-runs and put together an on-base percentage of .350. Look for this young infielder in either Quad Cities or Corpus next season.
Shortstop
An On-base machine, Trompiz has solid contact numbers. For a position that has thinned out in the system since the graduation of Correa and Bregman, Trompiz is one of a few solid prospects at the position for the Astros. Over three levels, Trompiz hit .275 and carried a .340 On-base Percentage. He also stole 22 bases. Trompiz has the looks of a solid utility player once he fully develops.
While not a prospect, the 31-year-old is trying to rejuvenate his career, and his attempts to become a switch hitter are a big part of that. Brignac spent the entire season at Triple-A Fresno and was a solid piece of that insane offense that ravaged Triple-A pitching all season long. He slashed .251/.326/.411 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI’s. While he may not get his chance with Houston, Brignac has shown that there may still be some baseball left in him.
Honorable Mention
While his numbers are not spectacular, the 19-year-old managed to put together a solid season. While he profiles as more of a utility guy down the road, Arauz is a good athlete who gets overlooked in the system. Between Tri-City and Quad Cities, Arauz hit .242/.336/.319.
Outfield
Do I even need to introduce this guy? Tucker had a monster season and solidified himself as one of the top prospects in baseball. Currently ranked as the #7 prospect in baseball, and the top Astros prospect, the left-handed hitting slugger put together some fantastic numbers. Tucker played at both A Advanced Buies Creek and Double-A Corpus Christi, and hit .274/.346/.528 with 25 HR’s, 90 RBI’s, and slugged 33 doubles. Only 20 years of age, Tucker has shot through the system since being drafted 5th overall in 2015. Astros fans could be watching the Tucker show here in the next year or so.
Tucker played at both A Advanced Buies Creek and Double-A Corpus Christi, and hit .274/.346/.528 with 25 HR’s, 90 RBI’s, and slugged 33 doubles. Only 20 years of age, Tucker has shot through the system since being drafted 5th overall in 2015. Astros fans could be watching the Tucker show here in the next year or so.
Jason Martin
Once again, I get to hype up one of my favorite players in the Astros farm system. Jason Martin was drafted back in 2013 at the young age of 17 and has slowly developed into a solid baseball player. His brilliance this season was overshadowed by Tucker, as the pair were both called up to Corpus on the same day. The now 22-year old hit .278/.332/.487 and hit for some solid power. His 18 HR’s, 35 2b’s, and five triples show his ability at the plate. Martin could see major league time here within the next few years.
A 12th round pick of the Astros in 2015, Myles Straw is your typical hard-nosed lead-off outfielder. He has plus speed and used it to steal 38 bags in 2017. He was an on-base machine all year long, hitting .290 with an On-Base Percentage at .405. The 22-year-old is a high contact, line drive hitter who has solid lead-off hitter potential and should progress quickly.
Honorable Mentions
Alvarez broke out this season and established himself as a legit power hitting outfielder in 2017. Acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for Josh Fields, Alvarez hit .304/.379/.481 with 12 HR’s, 69 RBI’s. Alvarez could climb up prospect boards next season with another solid season.
Another late round pick in 2015, Ferguson hit .275/.369/.400 and showed some pop with 9 HRs and 25 doubles. While he is far down on the Astros Outfield depth chart, Ferguson could hit his way into a Major League opportunity for someone somewhere.
Summary
The Astros have come a long way from their cellar days, as the major league club is slated to take on the Red Sox in the ALDS starting Thursday. The team rebuilt through strengthening their farm system, and that depth has not gone away as the team became successful. One could make the argument that this team that I just assembled could defeat the 2013 Houston Astros. While that may be pushing it, it isn’t a far stretch
Next: Justin Verlander to start Game one of ALDS
While the Astros prepare for a deep run, take a moment and think about how lucky you are to be a fan of a team that is prepared to compete now and in the future. This is going to be a fun organization to follow over the next few years.
***Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference***