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Astros Future recently released its 2026 Astros Minor League Postseason All-Star Team, highlighting the top performers throughout Houston's farm system. The list includes several intriguing young players, but four stand out as prospects who could realistically find themselves in Houston at some point during the 2027 season. (We are going under the presumption that there will be a season....fingers crossed.)
Two pitchers: Bryce Mayer and Jackson Nezuh are already projected with 2027 arrival dates and finished with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Astros AAA affiliate. There was the 30/30 catching and hitting phenom Jason Schiavone, along with infielder Pascanel Ferreras who I call a sleeper in this group. Here is where I am with these four players. Two of them very likely and the other two who can not so surprisingly find their way to Daikin Park.
Catcher Jason Schiavone may have the talent to accelerate his current timetable after an incredible 30/30 season. Infielder Pascanel Ferreras is my sleeper of the group, producing at Triple-A Sugar Land. Here is my look at four names Astros fans should know heading into 2027.
1. Bryce Mayer will probably kick the door in at Daikin Park
If there is one player from this group with the clearest path to Houston next season, it may be right-hander Bryce Mayer. Mayer has been named the Astros Pitcher of the Year in consecutive seasons and followed his impressive 2025 campaign with an even better 2026. The right-hander finished the year with a 3.53 ERA and 140 K's across 102 innings, allowing only 73 hits. His 12.4 K/9 led the Astros minor-league system. His performance at Double-A Corpus Christi was especially impressive. Mayer posted a 2.61 ERA with 100 K's in only 69 innings before earning a promotion to Triple-A Sugar Land.
The results weren't quite as dominant after the promotion, where Mayer posted a 5.45 ERA in 33 Triple-A innings, but there was one encouraging sign, he continued to miss bats. Mayer struck out 30 hitters in 33 innings, and that is important. A young pitcher struggling with command isn't something the Astros are new to, it is in these moments the team hones in on the issue and in most cases fixes the problem. If it doesn't get fixed, the player will not stay with Houston too long.
2. Jackson Nezuh may be even closer than people realize
Sometimes players don't receive the attention they deserve, and there are a lot of reasons for that. In Jackson's case many have not noticed him but there are a few reasons many should be willing to look his way. At 24 years old he finished with a 3.83 ERA with 124 K's across 103 and 1/3 innings, avg. 10.8 K/9 in that stretch. While that isn't as eye popping as Mayer's numbers, it is still in the double digit range and that will play in the Big Leagues.
Nezuh's promotion from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land was due to him posting a 3.97 ERA in Corpus while striking out 44 in 37.2 innings. While that won't always guarantee Major League success, there is real hope within the organization of what he can become as a pitcher.
When he was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land, he saw a drop in his ERA facing even better hitters. If he can develop as a fifth starter, swingman or sixth starter who can move between Houston and Sugar Land when necessary, the Astros have found something of value.
Young controllable pitching depth matters, and it's not something the Astros have a lot of at the moment.
3. Jason Schiavone could force the Astros to change their plans.
"The 23-year-old catcher played 123 games and finished with a: .252 batting average, .391 on-base percentage and .531 slugging percentage"Stats from MILB.com
On top of the amazing numbers listed he also added 26 doubles, 90 RBI and a 134 wRC+. The way I see it is if those numbers don't grab you than he also hit 32 home runs and stole 32 bases. This was the first time a primary catcher reached those numbers in 45 years. He has an extremely unusual combination of power and athleticism for the position. Schiavone's progression through the Astros organization is also worth watching.
Reasons to watch this kid:
1. He moved 3 levels in one season.
2. The Astros challenged him.
3. He kept producing
There are still developmental questions that could determine how quickly he reaches Houston. Swing-and-Miss remains part of his offensive profile, and developing as a Major league catcher requires much more than hitting home runs. His receiving, blocking and game calling as well building relationships with the pitchers is crucial. I have heard this first hand from talking to more than 20 pitchers and catchers in this organization. While 2028 is his projected landing date at Daikin Park, Schiavone might have different plans.
4. Don't overlook Pascanal Ferreras
Here is another case of a player who hasn't receieved a ton of attention, and in most cases I think that is ok. There are plenty of stories where those overlooked become the brightest stars. With Pascanel it isn't just that he's "overlooked" it's that he is a very intriuging player with a lot to be thankful for if you are the Astros Player Development Department.
He was selected with the final pick of the 2023 Draft, baseball's equivalent to Mr. Irrelevant we often hear of when the NFL Draft comes around. He began 2026 in Double-A Corpus Christi and hit .263 across 30 games before earning a promotion to Triple-A Sugar Land. Then he really took off. Once he arrived in Sugar Land he hit like he had been there before. He hit .305 across 71 Triple-A games collecting 24 doubles and driving in 46 runs.
He finished the season with a slash line of .294/.367/.450 with 29 doubles, 9 home runs, 62 RBI and 11 stolen bases. His 116 wRC+ is also another indication that his offensive production wasn't simply the result of batting average luck. His path to the Majors isn't in becoming an everyday Shortstop....(unless the Astros trade Jeremy Pena) but it is in his versatility.
He can handle multiple positions with brings his value higher, because the Astros value that in players. He is a versatile, inexpensive utility infielder capable of producing competitive at-bats and has real value across a 162, or 154 game regular season.
This may be the players that create Houston's next wave of talent. Obviously there are others, but they are further out than 2027. If there are players you want to know more about let me know in the comments below.
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