Seven Houston Astros Make MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects List

Jun 18, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; West shortstop Carlos Correa bats during the Midwest League-All Star Game at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Not a “Top 10 Prospects” list but close, MLB.com released this season’s top 100 prospects and there were seven different Astros that made an appearance. Insert something that has to do with how great the Houston Astros future looks, here.

There is plenty more to read in the article, and I encourage y’all to check it out.

Previous Lists

Baseball Prospectus Top 10 Prospects

FanGraphs Top 10 Prospects

Baseball America Top 10 Prospects

Where Are They Ranked?

#8 Carlos Correa

#17 Mark Appel

#21 George Springer

#50 Jonathan Singleton

#52 Lance McCullers

#54 Michael Foltynewicz

#66 Delino DeShields

Best Tools List (All three were honorable mentions)

Fastest Runner – Delino DeShields Jr.

Strongest Arm – Carlos Correa

Best Fastball – Michael Foltynewicz

Where MLB.com ranks Astros prospects based on position

1B – #1 – Jonathan Singleton

"Singleton had a disappointing season, serving a 50-game suspension for multiple positive tests for marijuana before posting a .687 OPS in Triple-A, but scouts like his offensive prowess. He combines power, patience and an all-fields approach, which could make him a .280 hitter with 25 homers annually once he gets established in Houston. When Singleton gets there, he’ll be the third big leaguer the Astros have gotten out of the 2011 Hunter Pence trade with the Phillies, following Jarred Cosart and Josh Zeid."

SS – #3 – Carlos Correa

"The No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft led the Midwest League with an .872 OPS as an 18-year old in 2013. Correa proved he is the kind of all-around talent worthy of being the top pick. Big and physical, he is an all-around hitter. While some scouts think he will outgrow shortstop, Correa has all the tools necessary to be a quality defender."

OF – #5 – George Springer

"Springer posted the most eye-popping numbers of any Minor Leaguer in 2013, batting .303/.411/.600 with 37 homers, 45 steals and 83 walks between Double-A and Triple-A. His best asset is his well-above-average power, and he brings plus speed, arm strength and center-field defense to the table as well. Springer’s lone weakness is a tendency to swing and miss, but he’s also willing to work counts and still could hit for a solid average."

RHP – #6 – Mark Appel

"One of only 17 players to go in the first round of two June Drafts, Appel was the eighth overall pick (by the Pirates) in 2012 and the top selection last year, when he signed for $6.35 million. He should be the first starting pitcher from the 2013 Draft to reach the Majors, and that could happen before the end of the 2014 season. Appel can get outs with a mid-90s fastball that holds its velocity and a hard slider, and his changeup is an effective third pitch."

Other Interesting Tidbits 

My Two Cents

WHERE IS VINCENT VELASQUEZ?!? Seriously, DeShields over Velasquez? MLB.com is the only site so far to have DeShields rated this highly. No other list had DeShields in their top 10 Astros prospects lists, but MLB.com has DeShields ranked as the 66th best prospect (and 7th best Astros prospect)? Certainly interesting.

I don’t want to take anything away from DeShields. I think he will be a solid major-leaguer, I just think that Velasquez has earned his spot in the top 100. You could argue he is currently the second best pitching prospect in the Astros organization behind Appel. Yes, he’s that good.

One thing is clear though, as more top 10/100 prospects lists come out, you will continue to see how great the Astros farm system is, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a list with 10 Astros in the top 100.

Watch out Major League Baseball!