There might be some hope over the horizon. Kevin Alvarez, Albert Fermín, Luis De Leon, Yensi De La Cruz, Jack Valbrune, and Randy Arias are all posting >80% contact rates with wRC+ >100. There are some guys higher up in the system who might have average to mild plus hit tools: Drew Brutcher, Yamal Encarnacion, Pascanel Ferreras, Trevor Austin, Jeron Williams, Zach Daudet, Alejandro Nunez, and Kyle Walker. But those guys have other flaws that limit their projection.
That’s fine. A good hit tool even with nothing else is a major leaguer that can help. Even if it’s just a bench bat or a DH, LF or 1B eventually.
Is it still a thing that these international prospects come to the US only to find out that they're actually a year or two older than was believed? Or have teams gotten way better at figuring this out? I feel like I haven't heard of that happening for a while.
From 2012-2022, the Astros had 47 prospects age 26 or younger hit 20+ HR in a season with a k rate less than 30%. 30% of those players went on to have at least one 3 fwar season. 60% went on to reach the majors as bench or AAAA players. 10% never reached the majors (Erik Castro, Chase McDonald, Jake Adams, Colton Shaver, and Justin Dirden). This season the Astros currently have 10 prospects with a decent chance to join that sample: Jason Schiavone 30.2% k, 23 HR Anthony Huezo 30.8% k, 14 HR Collin Price 26% k, 12 HR Trevor Austin 22.8% k, 11 HR Joseph Sullivan 29.5% k, 11 HR Xavier Neyens 30.9% k, 11 HR Alejandro Nunez 18% k, 10 HR Justin Thomas Jr. 31.4% k, 10 HR Nehomar Ochoa Jr. 31% k, 9 HR Caden Powell 28.6% k, 9 HR In the sample I referenced the guy who could play up the middle had a really good track record. Guys who can play up the middle and had a k rate <20% and weren’t old for their level had a stellar track record. Every prospect on the 2026 list can play up the middle except Nehomar Ochoa. Nunez and Austin might be very underrated prospects.
Out of boredom, the other players who’ve done it: future regulars: Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, JD Davis 3x, Bregman, K Tucker 3x, Yordan 2x, Josh Rojas, Yainer AAAA: D Santana, J singleton 4x, P Tucker 3x, Duffy 2x, Fisher 3x, Reed 3x, Martin, White, Mayfield, Matijevic 2x, Beer, Taylor Jones, Whitcomb, E Valdez 2x, Julks, K Lee
Walker Janek is heading back to Palm Beach for another rehab assignment, so that explains why he hasn't played at all this month. This season went downhill fast for him; let's see if he can salvage anything.
So Ullola finally gets his call up. And if you've ever asked the question why is the Astros farm system always rated so low these past several years, look no further than how we've handled Ullola. It took us 5 years to realize he's not a starter after being pretty much a disaster trying to do so. He's essentially Ryne Stanek. Would you have tried forcing Stanek to be a starter year after year after year when you clearly see he's got a 1 pitch arsenal? That's rhetorical. Yet here we are.
Not sure I follow your logic. Ullola had an elite ceiling due to his one dominant pitch, so Houston rode that as far as they could; they then shifted him to the pen and he immediately was ready to be called up. Are you saying Houston should be moving their imperfect starters to the bullpen sooner? How would that improve their farm system?
He might start next year , or hell , this year (ok probably not this year) If being in the bullpen focuses him and helps out his mentals , maybe he can translate it to multiple innings and then starting . Especially if he can continue working on his other pitches . Imo his fastball didn't look great during spring training
Regardless of their future role in MLB, you want your best arms to throw as many innings as possible, which means being in the starting rotation.
The Rays did try Stanek as a starter for 3 years tho before finally moving him off for good. Difference being Stanek was drafted out of college and Ullola was signed out of the Dominican Republic, so yeah Ullola was going to be given a longer leash
