432: Jose Altuve 496: Livan Hernandez 500: J.D. Martinez http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/espn500_2012_astros/houston-astros They are gradually releasing the Top 500 up until opening day. So only the bottom 100 are available. Utter shock to see Martinez below Altuve and Hernandez.
my prediction is, assuming he stays healthy, Altuve will bat over .300 this season and will move up this list significantly.
My hopes are for Martinez. I think he has the potential to be the offensive star for the Astros for a long time.
Both guys have hit at every level. Will be interesting to watch. I think JD has more chance to reach his potential though.
I know he was just 23 last year, but 5 walks in 200+ AB as a rookie does not bode well for his development.
He's not expected to be an all-star or anything. It's pretty evident from his minor league stats and watching him that his OBP will be driven almost entirely by hits. He's like a Vlad Guerrero without the pop. If he hits .300 or above he'll be fine.
Updated list: 314) Brett Myers 323) Bud Norris 326) Carlos Lee 398) Jed Lowrie 432) Jose Altuve 496) Livan Hernandez 500) JD Martinez Wandy is the only Astros left. He is at least in the top 250. Melancon came in at 299 Lidge at 350
That's comical. If Melancon was still in Houston, he wouldn't be top 500... but since he's in Boston... J.D. Martinez at 500 will be laughable soon. I think he's poised for a huge year.
saw an article in the ESPN magazine that had him in the top 5 of young players most likely to hit .300 based entirely on statistical information of similar players track record.
And the Astros are done, with Wandy Rodriguez being the 166th best player in baseball. RoyO came in at 151.
30 teams, 500 players. So on average 16-17 players per team if equal talent distribution. The Astros have 8 players on the list, one in the top 300, none in the top 100. That's pretty damn craptacular. Make me wonder how many prospects have blossom to even think about being .500 again.
