Astros had 2 Top Prospects in Triple-A West for 2021

Baseball America’s latest publication highlights two Triple-A West outfielders for the Astros.

In Baseball America’s October publication, the outlet listed their top prospects in each minor-league division, as well as constructing All-Star teams for each level. The Houston Astros saw the most chatter in the Triple-A West with the emergence of Jake Meyers (ranked eighth in the Triple-A West) and Bryan De La Cruz (ranked 10th in the Triple-A West).

Meyers was promoted following Myles Straw’s trade to Cleveland, but the centerfielder wasn’t the only slugging 24-year-old this past summer, as De La Cruz drew some chatter. De La Cruz was traded along with Austin Pruitt to Miami for relief pitcher Yimi Garcia.

Before his trade, De La Cruz never sniffed a major-league roster spot. But after he arrived in South Beach, the right-hander was placed on the 40-man roster, activated and never saw Triple-A again in 2021.

De La Cruz slashed .314/.376/.463 in his first 51 games with the Marlins, while throwing up a line of .324/.362/.518 in the Triple-A West.

From Baseball America’s All-Star minor-league team (includes all levels), Meyers was the only Astros’ prospect to make one, while he sits as the second outfielder for the Second Team. Meyers was honored on Baseball America’s Triple-A All-Star team, as well.

“He was by far the most consistent player that we saw,” Round Rock manager Kenny Holmberg said. “He could beat you in a number of ways. He can run, he’s got some pop, makes contact, he was a tough two-strike hitter, he controlled the strike zone, he catches fly balls, hits the cutoff man. He’s very fundamentally sound. Just a winning type of player.”From Baseball America

From the High-A East rankings, catcher Korey Lee was left off the Top 10 for the league, although being ranked in the Top 100 prospects by Baseball America. Chandler Rome also highlighted on the importance of Jeremy Pena’s September, as the shortstop is eyeing a major-league job in 2022.