2017 Astros Minor League Thread

That's it for Whitley.

Definitely scuffled with his command. Started in the bullpen when he had a couple of passed balls that went into the field of play. Hometown jitters, I figure.

Very little solid contact. The one line drive was about it.

Lotta hitting the catcher's glove, either for the ball or the strike.

Probably not the homecoming he wanted, but the stuff is obvious.

 

Wonder if Luhnow is considering bringing up Whitley...

In the 2017 SI article, they predicted HOU bringing in Aiken to close out the WS. Would be funny if it was actually Whitley. He has the stuff to pitch an inning or two in relief. Obviously don't expect him to, but that would be wild.

 

That won't happen. Maybe next season but not this season. Don't want to work him too hard in only his first pro season.

 

Sheesh Cristian Javier.

 

At this point, giving this kid some bullpen work in September is probably worth a shot.

 

There are only 4 catchers in the majors with more than 18 HR this season. Rogers is looking like a truly elite prospect. Toro will also have a chance to make a big jump next year. I'm really hoping he makes the full time switch to catching.

 

Elieser Hernandez 9 ks in 3 innings today. Rough season due to injury but I bet he starts in AA next year and will be a sleeper pick.

 

5 position player and 5 pitching prospects that have the best chance to jump into the elite tier (joining Whitley, Tucker, F Perez, and Alvarez):

C Jake Rogers: will start in AA. Has shown 20+ HR power, elite defense, and has kept his k rate down to a reasonable level. Should already be among the 10 best catching prospects in baseball.

C Abraham Toro: will likely start back in QC. Has broken out this year and has 15 HR across 2 levels while striking out 17% and walking 13%. Making the jump to the highest level of prospect hype will depend on him moving to catcher full time while also carrying over his recent production to High A. Reminds me a lot of 2015 Jake Nottingham in terms of where his stock is at.

CF Daz Cameron: Has already had the recognition that will give him more visibility than most prospects. Will start next season as a 21 year old in High A after posting a very good 126 wRC+ (With 14 HR and 30 SB) so far as a 20 year old in A ball this season. A good enough start to warrant a mid season jump to AA would have him shooting up prospect lists.

CF Gilberto Celestino: Making the jump will depend on him being placed in full season A ball next year, and he was only an average hitter in rookie league this year. But he was only 18, and there isn't anyone else blocking him from being the CF in QC next spring. If he is placed there and holds his own, he'll get a lot of visibility.

2B/OF JJ Matijevic: He hasn't done a ton to warrant being lumped in with the others above, but the potential is there. He may very well be placed back in QC, which should give him a chance to put up big offensive numbers and (hopefully) work on playing a passable 2B. If he can play second, he will be the type of high ceiling/high floor prospect that can move quickly and get a lot of love.

RHP JB Bukauskas: he's already on some Top 100 lists, but a good start next April will have him in a lot of Top 25s.

RHP Corbin Martin: He's come out of the gate extremely hot and like Bukauskas he could move very quickly.

LHP Cionel Perez: He will be a 22 year old in AA, a lefty with elite stuff, and likely also on the 40 man roster. He will be on people's radar and if he comes out Hot will get a lot of attention.

RHP Hector Perez: he will start next year at 21 in AA. His stuff is excellent and the strikeouts have always been there. He's also got the size. He's the type of prospect that can rise (if he carries over the k rate to AA and is able to bring down the walks) or vanish (if he is moved to the pen and/or flounders) very quickly.

RHP Jairo Solis: this is dependent on him being placed in QC next year, which may sound ridiculous but after what he's done in Greeneville in a small sample I think it's possible. If so he would likely be the youngest player in that league which by itself would garner a lot of hype. Houstons track record with guys like him will also get him more attention.

HM: J Perez, Nova, Alcala, Javier

 

Admittedly, Daz has turned in on since the beginning of the year when he wore every bit of his bust label but since he's producing now why hasn't he been moved up? The FO has had zero problems with aggressive placements. He'll be an interesting one to follow. I don't think jump to elite prospect territory but he remains an intriguing, higher upside guy than most.

Toro I think is a sleepers sleeper.

Good post Snake.

 

I think between his previous struggles, his injury/struggles to start this season, and the OF in front of him in the system, they probably felt it better to let him have some sustained success.

 

Brandon Bielak (11th round pick out of Notre Dame) has had an even better start to his pro career than Corbin Martin. 35:4 K:BB ratio in 29 2/3 innings and only 3 ER given up.

 

The Astros rely heavily on what their scouts and coaches tell them rather than raw numbers or even obvious success. The fact he hasn't been promoted tells me there is something they are not happy with regardless of his success this season.

 

I know we are the ultimate numbers organization, but there's something to be said for basic psychology.

He's a kid who has probably been the best player on the field since tee ball. Elite talent, MLB bloodline, possible #1 pick, future all star. Then out of nowhere he basically spent a year and half getting his ass handed to him on the field, and online. Give him a chance to finish the year strong, put up some good numbers, and hit the offseason on a high note. Then let him start fresh at High A next season, possibly moving to double A with an early-mid 2019 ETA still in the cards. It also lets him build that trade value back up for the offseason, instead of scouts possibly watching him get punched in the mouth again.