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

By Andrew Gleinser

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 18: Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros throws a live batting practice session during a team workout at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on February 18, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 18: Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros throws a live batting practice session during a team workout at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on February 18, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Biggest Rises

The biggest jump went to right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown, who moved up from No. 22 last year to No. 9 this year. He was the team’s fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft and has a blazing fastball, though his control and his secondary offerings are still developing. The 21-year-old has only pitched in Low-A ball thus far, but he could turn into a late-inning relief weapon.

Right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia, ranked 29th last year, jumped to 17th for this year. He’s yet to pitch above High-A ball, but the 23-year-old has a career 2.50 ERA in three minor league seasons with a high strikeout rate. He’s a fastball-changeup guy with a still-developing slider but seems to profile more as a reliever.

Fellow righty Jose Alberto Rivera also made a 12-spot jump, from 30 to 18. The 23-year-old is another power arm, as he can reach triple digits with his fastball. The secondary pitches are still coming along, though, and like Garcia, probably profiles as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter.

Jose Urquidy, ranked No. 11 in 2019, jumped all the way up to No. 2 this year. His stock has risen dramatically in the past year, capped off by his brilliant performance in Game Four of the World Series. He won’t be on this prospect list much longer as he’s expected to start the year in the Astros rotation.

Yet another right-handed pitcher, Jairo Solis, moved up from No. 19 to No. 10 despite missing the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery. He’s a different type of pitcher than the others on this list — not quite the flamethrower, but more polished and with better secondary offerings. He’s still just 20 years old, so it’ll be interesting to follow how he fares this season.

Finally, outfielder Colin Barber, the Astros’ fourth-round draft pick in 2019, moved from 20th to 11th on the list. The club drafted him out of high school and gave him an above-slot bonus, and he’s already the franchise’s highest-ranking outfield prospect. The lefty has the upside to be a 20-20 guy with a solid average and good discipline, and his mentality has been compared to that of Alex Bregman. He’s still at least a couple years away from the majors, but the sky is the limit.