2023 Astros Minor League Thread

Does Gaston have the most power of any prospect in the system? Would love to know what kind of EVs he's putting up.

 

I would think Luis Baez is probably the most prototypical power hitter in the system. I recall seeing references to him being among the average exit velo leaders for teenage prospects. In terms of most current raw power it's probably some random upper level guy. Bryan Arias apparently hit a ball 116 mph last year, but only hit 6 HRs.

I'm excited to get some more information on Gaston as well. Can't wait to see who starts at Fayetteville. A lineup with Baez/Gaston/Gomez/Clifford would be a lot of fun, though I wouldn't be surprised if some of those guys are slated for the FCL.

 

Yeah, Gomez especially has been getting a lot of buzz. Nice to have some thumpers down in the lower levels again.

 

Looks like Bryan Arias is on the AAA roster instead of JC Correa.

 

That AAA roster has by my current rankings 10 of Houston’s top 30 prospects: Lee, Leon, Whitley, Dirden, Perez, Tamarez, Solis, Dubin, Murray, Kessinger. It’s a really good roster with both top end talent and depth in both hitting and pitching. The other rosters in the system will not be as relatively good top to bottom.

 

Oh yeah?

I remeber back when Eric Yielding was the SS of the future in case Rafael Ramirez left.

Edit: just kidding. We were all hoping Rafael Ramirez would leave. In fact, a few years later we were hoping Yielding would leave too.

Damn the Astros have come along way.

 

Everyone was waiting on #1 overall MLB prospect Andujar Cedeno

 

My first year as a fan he was being displaced by the new SS of the future Orlando Miller.

 

Good to hear. Think this year they could end up testing their 40-man depth a lot.

 

Kessinger, Dirden, and Leon both started their seasons with multi hit games. Endersby, Gage, and Record all got rocked as Sugar Land lost 14-3.

Kessinger’s stock could go up dramatically over the next 2 months. Given his proven skill set (hits for some power, walks, has some speed, can play all 4 IF spots), if he has figured out how to avoid hitting so many IFFB then he would profile as a potential everyday player in the majors.

 

It would be really nice if Leon hit. He seems like the only guy to me that has star potential in the position player realm. That’s not to say a guy like Lee couldn’t make an all star game (Castro deservedly did once upon a time) sometime in his career, but I’m talking about consistent year in and year out top 20 in the league type player like Bregman or Tucker or someone of that level.
I don’t trust the guy from Tenn to hit for enough power to be a star.

 

Leon's hit tool would have to jump two grades to be that kind of player. Big ask.

Gilbert gets Brett Gardner and Andrew Benintendi comparisons. Seems reasonable to think he could eek out 1-2 all-star nods like those two. Getting a solidly above average/semi-star out of the pick would already be such a huge win.

 

Best-case comps for AAA hitters:

C Korey Lee: Cal Raleigh
C/1B Luke Berryhill: Max Stassi (w/worse defense)
1B/3B Joe Perez: JD Davis
IF Grae Kessinger: Luis Urias
CF/2B Pedro Leon: Mookie Betts (w/more strikeouts)
OF Marty Costes: Connor Joe
OF Justin Dirden: Teoscar Hernandez (LHH version)
OF Ross Adolph: Trevor Larnach
IF Dixon Machado: Dixon Machado

 

Kessinger hopes for Keppinger's career

 

That's cold.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=2023-04-01#

In case there are those interested and it hasn't been posted already, Statcast AAA gamefeeds linked now.

 

Touche

 

Nice to see Fluery and Gaston go straight to full-season ball. Blubaugh was somewhat aggressively assigned as well.

Apparently Deury Carrasco is a pitcher now.

 

Drew Gilbert to Asheville

If he's not in Houston by early 24 I think it will be a disappointment.