Houston Astros Top 15 Prospects For 2015

Houston Astros Top 15 Prospects For 2015

For the last few months I have released the Astros top prospect by position every week. From catcher, to shortstop, to right and left-handed pitchers. While doing these top prospect lists, I once again realized how deep the Astros farm system is. For most positions it was not hard at all to find three players to fill the list.

Coming off a 70-win season there is plenty optimism for the 2015 season. With the moves this off season the Astros club has gotten more competitive. One of these moves required trading prospects to acquire Evan Gattis. Although three prospects were traded for Gattis, the system is still deep with a ton of talent. Many of the prospects are getting close to contributing with the big league club too.

Let’s get to the list!

1. Carlos Correa, SS

Captain Correa to save the day! Correa was drafted #1 overall in the 2012 draft. He has been lauded for his elite makeup along with his baseball skills. Standing at 6’4″ and 205 pounds, he still has room to add muscle. Correa started the season in A+ at 19-years-old which put him 3.8 years younger than the average player in the league. All reports I have seen talk about how slick he is at shortstop with the glove, which is really encouraging for his chance to stick at shortstop.

Unfortunately this summer, Carlos Correa injured his leg sliding into third base but should be a full go come spring training. A report from Puerto Rico stated that Correa put on nearly 20 pounds this offseason while lowering his body fat percentage from 17% to 9%. Not only is he the Houston Astros top prospect, he is one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

2014 Stats: .325 BA/.416 OBP/.510 SLG, 50 R, 16 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 57 RBI, 20 SB, 36 BB/45 SO, 144 wRC+ in 62 games (A+)

2. Mark Appel, RHP

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There isn’t much to say about Mark Appel that hasn’t been said already. Appel was selected by the Astros with the #1 overall pick in 2013. In 2014, Appel posted a 9.74 ERA in 44.1 IP in Class A+. His final start in Lancaster he went 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K and was immediately promoted to AA Corpus Christi. In AA, Appel pitched in 7 games (6 starts) with a 3.69 ERA in 39 innings. Appel was chosen by the Astros to participate in the Arizona Fall League where he posted a 2.61 ERA in 31 IP allowing only 18 hits.

There are plenty of mixed reviews right now on Appel but the end of his 2014 definitely looked a lot better. All the reports I have read say that Appel has all the pitches and ability to be a major league starter, we are just waiting for it all to come together. I think big things are in store for Appel in 2015.

2014 Stats: 3-7, 6.91 ERA, 83.1 IP, 109 H, 64 ER, 24 BB, 78 SO, 2.6 BB/9, 8.4 SO/9 (A+ and AA, not including AFL)

3. Colin Moran, 3B

Moran was originally drafted by the Marlins with the 6th overall pick in the 2013 draft. Coming out of college, Moran was known as an advanced college hitter. In his junior season at UNC he hit .391 and drew 63 BB to only 25 SO. In July 2014 the Astros traded a Jarred Cosart to the Marlins and received Moran in return (among others).

Moran has moved fast through the system so far playing in three different levels between 117 games. After the Astros trade for him, he was promoted to AA Corpus Christi. He showed his hit ability batting .304 in 28 games. The power has yet to translate to games but he is still young for his level of play.

2014 Stats: .304 BA/.350 LBP/.411 SLG, 6 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 9 BB/23 SO, 114 wRC+ in 28 games (AA)

4. Domingo Santana, RF

Domingo Santana was originally signed by the Phillies out of the Dominican Republic in 2009. Santana was traded to the Astros as part of the return in the Hunter Pence trade. His first full season with the Astros system was in 2012 where Santana was assigned to A+ Lancaster. In 2o12 he hit .302 with 26 2B, 23 HR in 125 games. In 2013 he played the full season at AA Corpus Christi hitting .252 with 23 2B, 25 HR, 64 RBI. In 2014 he played in AAA hitting well to the tune of .296 BA. He got a cup of coffee with the Astros but struggled. Santana has a big arm in RF and has massive power along with some strikeout concerns. Santana just turned 22 years old and is still very young for his level.

2014 Stats: .296 BA/.384 OBP/.474 SLG, 27 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 81 RBI, 64 BB/149 SO in 120 games (AAA).

5. Vincent Velasquez, RHP

Velasquez was originally drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft. Velasquez was assigned to rookie ball where he posted a 3.07 ERA in 29.1 IP. Unfortunately, Velasquez had to have Tommy John Surgery and missed all of 2011. He returned to baseball in 2012 and put together a nice season in both 2012 and 2013.

Prior to 2014, most people were expecting a breakout season from Velasquez. While he pitched well, he struggled with minor injuries and only threw 63.2 innings. It is noted that Velasquez has a plus fastball and a plus change-up. Velasquez will most likely start 2015 in AA Corpurs Christi and if healthy, could be on a fast track to Minute Maid Park.

2014 Stats: 7-5, 3.53 ERA, 63.2 IP, 50 H, 25 ER, 25 BB, 91 SO, 3.5 BB/9, 12.9 SO/9 (A+ and Rk)

6. Brett Phillips, CF

Phillips was drafted in the 6th round out of high school in 2012. He played in rookie ball in 2012 and 2013 hitting zero home runs. Phillips really broke out in 2014 putting together a phenomenal season. The reports on Phillips is strong defense in CF with a cannon for an arm.

The left handed hitting Phillips started with Quad Cities in 2014 and hit .302 with 21 2B, 12 3B, 13 HR, 148 wRC+ and led the Midwest League in slugging percentage. He was then promoted to Lancaster and propelled them to the California League championship with a .980 OPS and 156 wRC+. This phenomenal season really put him on the map even drawing some top 100 prospect rankings.

2014 Stats: .310 BA/.375 OBP/.529 SLG, 87 R, 29 2B, 14 3B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 23 SB, 50 BB/96 SO in 130 games (A and A+)

7. Michael Feliz, RHP

Feliz was originally set to sign with the Athletics for $800,000 but the contract was voided after a positive drug test. This allowed the Astros to sign him for only $400,000. Feliz bounced around rookie ball for three seasons showing off nice strikeout rates but somewhat shaky command.

In 2013, Feliz had a breakout season. He was assigned to Class A- Tri-City where he dominated the NYPL. Feliz went 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA in 69 IP, 53 H, 13 BB, 78 SO. Feliz built on this success in his first season in full season baseball. John Sickels noted that Feliz was up to 96 MPH and showing off a nice breaking ball. Feliz will most likely start in Lancaster, which is a tough place to pitch.

2014 Stats: 8-6, 4.03 ERA, 102.2 IP, 104 H, 46 ER, 37 BB, 111 SO, 3.2 BB/9, 9.7 SO/9 (A)

8. Josh Hader, LHP

The left-handed pitching Hader was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 19th round of 2012 draft and signed out of high school. In that same season Hader dominated. Between rookie level and A- he compiled 28.2 IP, 14 H, 6 ER, 9 BB, 48 SO, 15.1 SO/9. The next season he started out with Class A Delmarva and pitched pretty well. Hader went 3-6 with a 2.65 ERA, 85 IP, 67 H, 42 BB, 79 SO. Hader was acquired by the Astros in 2013. He joined Class A Quad Cities and posted a 3.22 ERA, helping Quad Cities to the Midwest League Championship.

Hader started the 2014 season in Class A+, pitching in the hitter-friendly Lancaster, and he dominated! Hader went 9-2 with a 2.71 ERA in 103.0 IP, 76 H, 38 BB, 112 SO, 9.8 SO/9. This granted a promotion to AA where he struggled a bit in 20 innings with a 6.30 ERA, but he did strike out 24. This season was enough for Hader to be the Astros minor league pitcher of the year.

2014 Stats: 10-3, 3.29 ERA, 123.0 IP, 92 H, 54 BB, 136 SO, 10.0 SO/9 (A+ and AA)

9. Teoscar Hernandez, CF

Hernandez is a right-handed hitting outfielder out of the Dominican Republic. Hernandez was signed as an international free agent in 2011 for $20,000. Teoscar has all the tools to become an above-average major leaguer which includes speed, power, and defense in center field. In 2013 he hit .271 with 25 2B, 9 3B, 23 HR for Class A Quad Cities.

Everyone knows Hernandez has the tools but this season he really broke out. He hit .294 with 33 2B, 17 HR in Class A+ Lancaster before earning a promotion to AA. He struggled there a bit with strikeouts but still managed to hit .284 with 4 HR in 28 games. The concerns with Hernandez would be the strikeouts and 2015 in AA will be a huge test for him.

2014 Stats: .292 BA/.362 OBP/.535 SLG, 37 2B, 9 3B, 21 HR, 85 RBI, 33 SB, 51 BB/153 SO in 119 games (A+ and AA)

10. Lance McCullers Jr., RHP

McCullers, son of former big league pitcher by the same name, was drafted by the Astros 41st overall in the 2012 draft. He fell in the draft due to signability concerns but the Astros were able to make a deal work. In 2013, McCullers started full season ball with the Quad Cities River Bandits. He put together a great season going 6-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 104.2 IP with 39 BB and 117 SO.

In 2014 he was assigned to Lancaster, which most know is a tough place to pitch. He kept up an incredible strikeout rate striking out 115 batters in only 97 innings. Unfortunately this also came with an incline in walks to the tune of 5.2 BB/9. Lance has the tools to be a front-line starter and should start this season in Corpus Christi. Some see him fitting in as a closer but he still has a ton of upside for a starter.

2014 Stats: 3-6, 5.47 ERA, 97 IP, 95 H, 59 ER, 56 BB, 117 SO, 5.2 BB/9, 10.7 SO/9 (A+)

11. AJ Reed, 1B

Andrew Joseph Reed was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft. Reed was a two-way player at the University of Kentucky playing first base while also being there Friday night starter. In college Reed was known for his light-tower power. In his junior season he hit .336 and led the nation with 23 HRs. After joining the Astros he was assigned to the Tri-City Valleycats where he hit .306 with 5 HR. He earned a promotion Quad Cities where he hit 7 HRs. Reed is thought of as an Astros top 20 prospect and one of the top first base prospects in baseball.

In his junior season he hit .336 and led the nation with 23 HRs. After joining the Astros he was assigned to the Tri-City Valleycats where he hit .306 with 5 HR. He earned a promotion Quad Cities where he hit 7 HRs. Reed is thought of as an Astros top 20 prospect and one of the top first base prospects in baseball.

2014 Stats: .289 BA/.375 OBP/.522 SLG, 20 2B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 30 BB/54 SO in 68 games (A- and A)

12. Tony Kemp, 2B

Tony Kemp really made huge strides this season. Kemp was drafted in the 5th round by the Houston Astros in the 2013 draft out of Vanderbilt. Since being drafted, Kemp has hit at every stop along the way. In 206 minor league games he is hitting .301 with 113 BB/114 SO and 62 SB.

Kemp is an advanced hitter with great plate discipline. Kemp also won the minor league baseball Rawlings Gold Glove award at second base this season. After tearing up A+ to the tune of a .336 BA with 45 BB/35 SO in 72 games, he earned a promotion to Corpus where he continued to hit finishing with a .292 BA in AA. Kemp finished the season with a 141 wRC+ in A+ and a 135 wRC+ in AA.

2014 Stats: .316 BA/.411 OBP/.449 SLG, 121 R, 167 H, 30 2B, 8 3B, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 41 SB, 73 BB/67 SO in 131 games (A+ and AA)

13. Derek Fisher, OF

Fisher was drafted by the Astros in the first round of the 2014 draft (37th overall). Fisher is seen as a center fielder but played primarily left field for the Tri-City Valleycats. He is known as a great defender in left field though. Fisher is more toolsy than a typical college bat. He is seen as a high potential outfielder with legit tools. The left-handed hitting Fisher has decent power but very good speed. In his short time in pro ball he showed off this speed stealing 17 bases in 41 games. Definitely a high potential outfielder at this time and 2015 should prove a lot for Fisher.

2014 Stats: .310 BA/.386 OBP/.419 SLG, 31 R, 5 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 17 SB, 17 BB/35 SO in 42 games (Rk and A-)

14. Preston Tucker, LF

Preston Tucker was drafted by the Astros in the 2012 draft. He was known as an advanced bat coming out of college but was still passed on until the 7th round despite great statistics. Tucker seems to be referred to as an average overall player with what scouts call a bad body.

During his minor league career he has proven scouts wrong. In his first taste of professional ball he hit .321 with 8 HR, 18 BB/16 SO in 42 games. The next season Tucker exploded hitting .297 with 32 2B, 25 HR, 103 RBI in 135 games between A+/AA. This season he continued his success to the tune of 24 HRs. I have read reports that Tucker is not a great defender but adequate in left field.

2014 Stats: .282 BA/.352 OBP/.481 SLG, 35 2B, 24 HR, 94 RBI, 57 BB/120 SO in 138 games.

Astros Future’s Houston Astros Top 15 Prospects For 2015

By Jimmy Price | Mar 10, 2015