Astros: MLB’s Top 30 prospects list for 2020 shows changes

MLB Pipeline revealed its top prospects lists for 2020, and here’s how the Astros list shapes up.

As we get ready for the start of the season, one of the best bits of information is the annual release of MLB’s top prospect rankings. It gives us a glimpse into how the club’s prospects are advancing and how the farm system as a whole ranks against the rest of the league. This year’s rankings for the Astros reflect some changes over last year’s.

What’s not changed, however, is that Forrest Whitley remains in the top spot among Astros prospects. The scouting report noted his tough 2019 season and how he’s adjusted his mechanics. The big takeaway, as we’ve known all along, is that “if he can maintain average control and command, his stuff will make him a star.”

What’s also unchanged is that Whitley is the only one among Astros prospects to make the league’s Top 100. He comes in at No. 19 overall, a slight drop from his No. 16 ranking last year.

In the Astros Top 30, Jose Urquidy, Abraham Toro, Freudis Nova and Bryan Abreu round out the Top Five. Interesting to note is that catcher Korey Lee, last year’s first-round draft pick, dropped from No. 3 to No. 8. There doesn’t appear to be a big reason for it, aside from the fact that other players simply ascended. He hit .268/.359/.371 in 64 games in Low-A ball last year and will look to build on that.

Now here’s a look at the biggest movers since last year.