1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

2022 Astros Minor League Thread

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by tellitlikeitis, Dec 8, 2021.

  1. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,989
    Major League Baseball may be in a lockout (as I'm typing out this thread), but it will be business as usual in the minors.

    The Sugar Land Skeeters open their season on April 5, 2022 (a Tuesday) in Sacramento. The other three full-season affiliates will start on April 8, which is a Friday. Corpus, Asheville, and Fayetteville will all open with three-game series.

    Corpus Christi takes on San Antonio.
    Asheville will be in Bowling Green.
    Fayetteville will also open on the road as they travel to Kannapolis.

    The Hooks, Tourists, and Woodpeckers will also open the second half of the season against their season-opening opponents.

    Monday will be the designated off day for the minors. All series will be six games in length, with a few quirks:

    - Sugar Land has a stretch in early June where they will play three games in OKC and then return home to play Las Vegas for three games. I don't know if this was an error of some sort.

    - Fayetteville has an off day on June 5 (a Tuesday) in between the first and second games of a series against Down East. I also don't know if this was an error.

    - Corpus Christi's first road series of the year in Midland (April 12-16) will conclude with a doubleheader on the 16th (a Saturday), giving them two off days.

    - There will be a break from July 18-21 to coincide with MLB's All-Star break (provided that MLB's season starts on time).

    The AAA season concludes on September 21, while all other leagues end on September 11.

    Alright, with that out of the way, here's my top 15 prospects with other names to keep an eye on. None of these players have made an appearance for the major league club.

    1. Pedro Leon
    2. Hunter Brown
    3. Jeremy Pena
    4. Korey Lee

    You could probably put the top four in any order, honestly.

    5. Forrest Whitley
    6. Alex Santos
    7. Jaime Melendez
    8. Joe Perez
    9. Shawn Dubin
    10. Yainer Diaz
    11. Tyler Whitaker
    12. Jairo Solis
    13. Misael Tamarez
    14. Chayce McDermott
    15. Cristian Gonzalez

    Others to watch (no particular order)

    Shay Whitcomb
    Yohander Martinez
    Luke Berryhill
    Colin Barber
    Jimmy Endersby
    J.P. France
    Enmanuel Valdez
    Matthew Barefoot
    Alex McKenna
    Michael Horrell
    Jonathan Bermudez
    Ray Gaither
    Diosmerky Taveras
    Julio Robaina
    Jonathan Sprinkle
    Spencer Arrighetti
    Brayan De Paula
    Angel Macuare
    Elvis Garcia
    Carlos Calderon
    Miguel Palma
    Dauri Lorenzo
    Yefri Carrillo
    Luis Encarnacion
    Leosdany Molina
     
    King1, No Worries, The Drake and 2 others like this.
  2. Astrodome

    Astrodome Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    10,999
    Likes Received:
    12,218
    Please Forrest, time to level up.
     
  3. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,956
    Likes Received:
    14,706
    1. SS Jeremy Pena 55
    2. C Korey Lee 55
    3. CF/SS Pedro Leon 55
    4. RHP Hunter Brown 50
    5. RHP Forrest Whitley 50
    6. OF Tyler Whitaker 45+
    7. RHP Alex Santos 45+
    8. 3B Joe Perez 45+
    9. RHP Jaime Melendez 45+
    10. RHP Shawn Dubin 45+
    11. OF Colin Barber 45+
    12. C/1B Yainer Diaz 45+
    13. RHP Peter Solomon 45
    14. C Mike Papierski 45
    15. IF Grae Kessinger 45
    16. LHP Jonathan Bermudez 45
    17. RHP Chayce McDermott 45
    18. IF Shay Whitcomb 45
    19. RHP Tyler Ivey 45
    20. RHP Angel Macuare 45
    21. 1B/OF JJ Matijevic 45
    22. IF Cristian Gonzalez 45
    23. IF Dauri Lorenzo 45
    24. OF Alex McKenna 45
    25. IF Freudis Nova 45
    26. RHP Tyler Brown 45
    27. LHP Julio Robaina 45
    28. RHP Diosmerky Taveras 45
    29. RHP Misael Tamarez 45
    30. OF Logan Cerny 45

    Honorable mention:
    C: Scott Manea, Luke Berryhill, Cesar Salazar, CJ Stubbs, Nathan Perry, Miguel Palma, Juan Santander
    IF: Luis Encarnacion, Leosdani Molina, Narbe Cruz, Hector Nieves, Alex De Goti, David Hensley, Enmanuel Valdez, Deury Carrasco, JC Correa, Luis Santana, Yohander Martinez, Kobe Kato, Will Wagner
    OF: Norel Gonzalez, Corey Julks, Rainer Rivas, Roilan Machandy, Richi Gonzalez, Ross Adolph, Marty Costes, Scott Schreiber, Matthew Barefoot, Wilyer Abreu, Luis Guerrero, Justin Dirden, Kenedy Corona, Michael Sandle, Zach Daniels, Jordan Brewer
    P: all of them
     
    #3 Snake Diggit, Dec 9, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2021
    Bregatron and punkoholic like this.
  4. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,956
    Likes Received:
    14,706
    The fact that Houston lost 3 prospects in the minor league portion of the rule 5 draft is a testament to their depth. This system took a big step forward in the last year. Several prospects increased their stock multiple levels and now the system not only still features very good depth (including incredible pitching depth) but also now has top end talent, as any of their top 5 prospects wouldn’t look out of place on a Top 100 list and they have a solid 2nd tier who could be Top 100 types by the end of next year. Add in the expected international signees and the fact that they’ll have a full complement of draft picks and this farm system is very good. They should be ranked in the 12-18 range in MLB and described as an average system.
     
    IowaAstro, Bregatron, AB423 and 2 others like this.
  5. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,956
    Likes Received:
    14,706
    Projected opening day minor league rosters:

    AAA Sugar Land:
    C: Lee, Papierski, Manea
    IF: Kessinger, Leon, Perez, De Goti, Gonzalez
    OF: Julks, Siri, Matijevic, Costes, Taylor
    P: H Brown, Dubin, Solomon, Bielak, Ivey, Bermudez, Taylor, Martinez, Paredes, James, Scrubb, Mushinski, Record
    IL: Whitley, Hansen, Solis
    Others: Shaver, A Lee, Wielansky, Donato, McKee, Scheetz, Hernandez, Lawson, Riggs, Olczak, France, Conine, Blanco, Torres
    Notes: Trades, injuries, and the Rule 5 draft will solve the pitching glut. Solid lineup although it’s not sure that Perez will start in AAA; they may sign another CJ Hinojosa type for depth. Lee, Leon, and Perez are potential future core position player pieces for Houston.

    AA Corpus Christi:
    C: Berryhill, Stubbs, Salazar
    IF: Valdez, Whitcomb, Hensley, Arias, Nova
    OF: Barefoot, McKenna, Adolph, Abreu, Schreiber
    P: T Brown, Melendez, Macuare, Endersby, Deason, Ruppenthal, Peck, Moclair, Conn, Garcia, Horrell, Sprinkle, Serrano
    Others: Holderbach, Mendoza, Rodriguez, Bravo, Freure, Collado, DeJuneas, Cobos, Benedetti, Henderson, Casey, Cabral, McDonald, Cody, Lopez
    Notes: Another deep roster although it lacks elite prospects. Whitcomb is a major breakout candidate.

    High A Asheville:
    C: Diaz, Perry, Rodriguez
    IF: Santana, Carrasco, Williams, Correa, Wagner
    OF: Daniels, Barber, Dirden, Guerrero, Corona
    P: Rivera, Jimenez, Robaina, Tamarez, Taveras, De Paula, Jaquez, Gusto, West, Gomez, Gruller, Holcomb, Henley
    Others: Cueta, Orr, Urdaneta, Ramirez, Zimmerman, Garcia, Ceballos, Plumlee, Barry, Gayle, Hiraldo, Meszaros, Mesquita, Reina, Mejias, Matthews, Palmer
    Notes: extremely underrated group of pitchers. Barber and Diaz are potential elite prospects. I expect the 2021 college draftees to hit well in Asheville. Perry is also a breakout candidate.

    A Fayetteville:
    C: Palma, Hurtado, Alvarez
    IF: Kato, Gonzalez, Martinez, Stevens, Cruz
    OF: Brewer, Cerny, Sandle, Loperfido, Hamilton
    P: Santos, McDermott, Arrighetti, Tokar, Betances, Rodriguez, Vega, Calderon, Garcia, Brown, Kouba, Bellozo, Salgado
    Others: Mascai, Giron, Hallmark, Schroeder, DeLabio, Brockhouse, Ford, Gaither, Garcia, Solano, Lopez, Perez, Swanson, Hunt, Foggo, Chaidez, Dickey
    Notes: not a great roster but still pretty deep. Cristian Gonzalez and Alex Santos are high ceilings guys. If Tyler Whitaker is assigned here he would be a major breakout/Top 100 candidate.

    FCL:
    C: Santander, Toro, Guilamo
    IF: Molina, Lorenzo, Nieves, Balogh, Encarnacion, Arcila, Espinosa, Del Rosario, Mendoza
    OF: Gonzalez, Whitaker, Machandy, Ramirez, Rivas, Diaz, Morales, Liranzo, Perez
    P: Carrillo, Nodal, Batista, Gordon, Martich, Guzman, Ramirez, Pereira, Leon, Beltre, Santa, Molero, Miley, Gonzalez
     
    Bregatron, punkoholic, right1 and 5 others like this.
  6. IdStrosfan

    IdStrosfan Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2021
    Messages:
    5,272
    Likes Received:
    5,899
    I love this.

    Thanks for the insights and information.

    Lots to digest.
     
    Snake Diggit likes this.
  7. BlindHog

    BlindHog Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2021
    Messages:
    1,448
    Likes Received:
    1,065
    Mine is not quite finished but this is what I have so far for 2022.
    Sugar Land Skeeters
    Starters
    C Javier, F Whitley, P Solomon, J Bermudez, H Brown
    Tandems
    JP France, B Conine, B Donato
    Relievers
    T Ivey, J James, B Bielak, E Paredes, R Montero, J Olczak, J Record, A Scrubb
    Catchers
    K Lee, M Papierski, Shawn Manea
    Infielders
    N Gonzalez, D Hensley, G Kessinger, Joe Perez
    Hitters
    JJ Matijevic
    Outfielders
    C Julks, P Leon, M Costes, A McKenna
    Overflow
    B Abreu, S Martinez, N Riggs, J Torres, P Mushinski*, R Ferrell, A Hanson, R Blanco, A Hanson, K Scheetz, C McKee

    Corpus Christi Hooks
    Starters
    J Solis, J Robaina, J Endersby, J Melendez, M Tamarez
    Tandems
    T Brown, RJ Freure, A Macuare
    Relievers
    J Sprinkle, N Hernandez, H Peck, M Horrell, J Bravo, Devin Conn, M Ruppenthal, L Henderson
    Catchers
    L Berryhill, Yainer Diaz, CJ Stubbs
    Infielders
    S Schreiber, Cesar Prieto, Shay Whitcomb, JC Correa, E Valdez
    Hitters
    C Benedetti
    Outfielders
    M Barefoot, Colin Barber, J Dirden, C Taylor
    Overflow
    Franny Cobos, Willy Collado, Kyle Serrano, Bryan Arias, AJ Lee

    Asheville Tourists
    Starters
    A Santos, E Garcia, C Gomez, E Jaquez, D West
    TandemsAlfredi Jimenez, Freylin Garcia, Jairo Lopez
    Relievers
    Ryan GustoRay GaitherD TaverasDanny CodyKyle GrullerChandler CaseyB DePaulaCody Deason
    Catchers
    Nate Perry, Nerio Rodriguez, Alex Holderbach
    Infielders
    Cody Orr, Will Wagner, C Gonzalez, Deury Carrasco, Luis Santana
    Hitters
    R Rodriguez, Kenedy Corona
    Outfielders
    Jordan Brewer, Tyler Whitaker, Zach Daniels, Luis Guerrero
    Overflow
    Abreu, Nova, Rivera, Lopez, McDonald, Gruller, Moclair, Holcomb, Ceballos, Henley, DeJuneas, Hurtado


    Fayetteville Woodpeckers

    Starters
    Z Mathews, S Arrighetti, C McDermott, A Brown, R Kouba
    Tandems
    Heitor Tokar, Alex Palmer, Christian Mejias
    Relievers
    Bryant Salgado, Elian Rodriguez, Fabricio Reina, Carlos Calderon, Ed Batista, Carlos Hiraldo, Peyton Plumlee, Kacey Ford
    CatchersMiguel Palma, Freddy Guilamo, Jose Alvarez
    Infielders
    Omar Diaz, Yo Martinez, Leo Molina, Justin Williams, Y Ramirez
    Hitters
    Vic Mascai, Kobe Kato
    Outfielders
    Joey Loperfid, Logan Cerney, Michael Sandle, Q Hamilton
    Overflow A Giron, C Stevens, S Mendoza, G Gayle, R Garcia, S Barry, J Betances, P Brockhouse, J DeLabio, J Meszaros, R Urdaneta
     
  8. No Worries

    No Worries Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 1999
    Messages:
    29,840
    Likes Received:
    16,695
    Do happen to know the rule for who gets to play in these Minor League games?

    Someone like Jake Myers may likely start his next season in a normal year in AAA. Can he next year if there is a lock out? Is it just burning an option?
     
  9. Rockets12

    Rockets12 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
    Messages:
    4,894
    Likes Received:
    612
    From what I've understood, the lockout affects all players on the 40 man roster as those are the players represented by the MLBPA.

    Here's an article I found about this from CBS. They make it sound like players on the 40 man roster can play in the minor league games if they want, but based on the past it is likely they would all sit out.
     
    Snake Diggit and No Worries like this.
  10. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,990
    Likes Received:
    83,159
    Correct
     
  11. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    1st tier
    Pena
    2nd tier
    Leon
    Lee
    3rd tier
    Brown
    Guys that interest me for high upside, but there may or may not be better prospects
    Whitley
    Tamarez
    Melendez
    Santos
    Whitaker
    Guys I'm interested for potential immediate impact as a reliever and/or swingman
    Dubin
    Solomon
     
    #11 Joe Joe, Dec 10, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2021
    Snake Diggit likes this.
  12. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    23,839
    Likes Received:
    13,895
    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/oakland-athletics-top-33-prospects/

    Preemptive whining caveat: These lists aren't perfect, but give a rough idea of value of a farm system.

    Angels and A's both have lowly ranked systems per FanGraphs. I expect the A's system to be a lot better after they make trades when the offseason continues.

    Rangers and Mariners have better systems, and I expect when they are ranked, the rankings will reflect this. Mariners have the better elite prospects, while the Rangers have a lot of good prospects in AA and AAA who should be coming up this year or next.

    I expect the Astros to be about an average system (i.e., good enough to keep spitting out some good players, but not like 2019 when the Astros had elite prospects in Tucker, Alvarez along with a ton of depth guys still in the lower levels). I expect FanGraphs will have them ranked below average (AA and AAA prospects are undervalued in my opinion by FanGraphs), but better than the Angels and A's are currently ranked.
     
    Snake Diggit likes this.
  13. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,989


    This Edwin Diaz is also Puerto Rican, but obviously, he's a position player. The A's drafted him in the 15th round out of high school and he had spent his entire pro career as a member in the Oakland system. He turned 26 in August, so... a depth signing.
     
    #13 tellitlikeitis, Dec 20, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2021
    Snake Diggit and Htown Legend like this.
  14. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,989
    Jeremy Pena won a Gold Glove in the Dominican Winter League.

     
  15. awc713

    awc713 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Messages:
    6,394
    Likes Received:
    5,991
    So…if anyone wanted to provide a list of floor/ceiling comps for some of our top prospects…I wouldn’t be mad :rolleyes:
     
  16. Radricky

    Radricky Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2020
    Messages:
    2,988
    Likes Received:
    4,496
    Any word on the skeeters getting new jerseys?
     
  17. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,956
    Likes Received:
    14,706
    I’ll play. I don’t usually do comps for pitchers because of risk and I don’t know Jack about pitch types etc compared to position players traits.

    Pedro Leon: Mookie Betts ultimate ceiling, Leury Garcia realistic

    Jeremy Pena: Willy Adames

    Korey Lee: Travis D’Arnaud

    Tyler Whitaker: Hunter Dozier

    Colin Barber: Ian Happ

    Joe Perez: JD Davis

    Yainer Diaz: Christian Vasquez

    Freudis Nova: Edgar Renteria (extremely low odds)

    Shay Whitcomb: Tim Beckham

    Luke Berryhill: Tom Murphy
     
    BlindHog, Htown Legend and awc713 like this.
  18. IdStrosfan

    IdStrosfan Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2021
    Messages:
    5,272
    Likes Received:
    5,899
    I didn't think of the Mookie Betts comp for Leon but it makes sense based on tools and infield outfield versatility.

    Ever since I first read a scouting report I was thinking: Raul Mondesi.

    But he likely has a career much less than either
     
  19. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,956
    Likes Received:
    14,706
    Here’s 3 more:

    JJ Matijevic: Kyle Schwarber (very low odds)

    Zach Daniels: Justin Maxwell

    Grae Kessinger: Ryan McMahon
     
    Htown Legend likes this.
  20. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,989
    another dominican winter league notable...

     
    No Worries, rockbox and Bregatron like this.

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now