I have to thank you for your attention to my thoughts. Respectful consideration of ideas is one reason I enjoy coming here. The fact that I have Forcucci, an untried pitcher at the top of my most valuable prospects list says a lot about the lack of strength I am able to identify in the Astros system. If we where not close to a draft I would have to consider reducing my list to twenty five prospects. As to Ullola, he is only the second pitching prospect I have seriously considered in all the many years of my interest in them to be a potential closer. That is a very rare prospect indeed. Pitching prospects are kept in the starter role for as long as they can be because starters are generally more valuable. Eighth and ninth inning relievers are very rare and are seldom identifiable in the minor leagues. I can see Ullola as a seventh inning guy right now with room to grow ahead of him.
I don't think the individual pitch tracking works for the complex leagues, so that really just tells you he struck out looking more than swinging. He's a bit unusual, signing at 20 just days before the DSL season began last season. It's been really encouraging how good he's been so far, and it certainly seems like he's ready for Fayetteville.
I agree Sullivan is the top prospect that is clearly dominating his level right now. I've come around on Brutcher as well, and think the short Asheville RF fence might encourage him to incorporate pulling the ball in the air more.
Brutcher and Spence have forced themselves onto the radar. They’ve both made quick work of A ball, and Spence seems like he’s already knocking on the door of AA. Brutcher hasn’t really shown much speed or HR power, so I’m more excited about Spence, but both guys look like good finds. But like almost all college players, we won’t know much about them until they get to AA.
They're very different players for sure. Brutcher is listed at 6'5" 215, and the photos I could find made him look like he still has soom room on his frame. I think if he makes the majors, it's because he develops impact power, which admittedly isn't at all what he's showing in A ball. He's running a sky-high BABIP, which makes me think he's hitting the ball hard, but he's not going to hit a ton of HRs if half his batted balls are grounders. Spence has a higher likelihood of becoming a major league player, imo, but I'm not sure power is going to be a huge part of his game. I see his upside as a cross between Jake Meyers and Tony Kemp. If he has Jake's power and defense with Tony's hit tool, he could be a borderline star. If he has Tony's power and defense with Jake's (pre-2025) hit tool, he's not worth much.
Pedro Leon hit his 3rd HR for the FCL team today, he has only played 3 games for them. I suspect he will be brought back to Sugar Land next week. Luis Baez hit a double.
I am not really concerned with Leon and Baez's power or extra base hit production. It's all about the K rate, BB/K ratio, swing decisions and whiff percentage. If those are good, the other tools they have will make them viable.
Parker Smith allowed two runs (one earned), walked three, and struck out three in three innings in the FCL game. He did not allow a hit and the earned run was an inherited runner that was charged to him.
What Kyle Stowers is doing for the Marlins might be a good comp for Jacob Melton’s offensive potential, although Melton offers more baserunning and defensive value. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/can-the-marlins-top-slugger-keep-this-up.html
Yeah, just looked and there's not enough to care about H/R or LH/RH splits. I sure hope he keeps wrecking **** and makes this a conversation worth having
Of his 11 hits, 9 are for extra bases. No wonder his SB count is really low compared to prior years. With Melton, I'm watching his OBP and SO since his biggest tool is speed. He just needs to get on base consistently.
I am not sure his speed is his biggest tool. The way he is crushing the ball right now his power might be his best tool. I am probably getting overly excited about him but he is looking like a potential star big leaguer.
Don't get me wrong. I love all the extra base hits and want the second coming of Shohei but I'm not that greedy.
