Notable Moves in Astros Top 30 Prospects by Baseball America

On Tuesday, Baseball America (subscription needed) released its top-30 prospects for every Major League Baseball system. For the Houston Astros, the top-10 has been known for over a month now, but the top-30 has some familiar faces and notable moves.

The Astros’ minor-league system ranks No. 28 of the 30 organizations with two prospects — Korey Lee and Jeremy Peña — in the top 100. Lee, ranked at No. 70, has been highlighted by his accurate arm and simple swing for success, and for Peña, the shortstop ranked No. 72 for his defense and new stroke of power.

Which prospects rank in the Houston Astros top-30 by Baseball America?

A notable stay in the top-15, shortstop Grae Kessinger sits at No. 12. The infielder struggled at the plate to open the 2021 season in Double-A, but as Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports, Kessinger simplified his approach and saw an increase in offensive production.

The Ole Miss alumnus was one of the most recent additions to the versatility thread, while playing first base in the Arizona Fall League. Kessinger now ranks above Forrest Whitley, who still remains a top-five prospect by numerous outlets for the Astros

Outfielder Logan Cerny is on the outside looking in, although ranked in the top-30 by MLB Pipeline. Rome reported that the Astros look to build up the frame of Cerny, as the return for Garrett Stubbs fits the organization’s “outfield blueprint.”

Prospects No. 11-30:

11. RHP Shawn Dubin

12. INF Grae Kessinger

13. RHP Forrest Whitley

14. OF Matthew Barefoot

15. SS Cristian Gonzalez

16. C Yanier Diaz

17. OF Alex McKenna

18. RHP Chayce McDermott

19. OF Colin Barber

20. OF Jordan Brewer

21. SS Dauri Lorenzo

22. OF Zach Daniels

23. RHP Jimmy Endersby

24. RHP Jojanse Torres

25. RHP Brett Conine

26. SS Shay Whitcomb

27. LHP Jonathan Bermudez

28. RHP Seth Martinez

29. RHP Jairo Solis

30. RHP Tyler Brown