Houston Astros: Three prospects the team should willingly give up in a trade
By T.A. Mock
Cionel Perez, P, Houston Astros/Round Rock Express
The Houston Astros have an incredible amount of prospect talent in their farm system as a whole but they also have a ton of that has little left to prove in the minors and appears to MLB-ready. That was on display this year when the team promoted Cionel Perez, Framber Valdez, and Josh James and saw wonderful results.
Valdez was very solid but didn’t boast spectacular stuff. James has an incredible fastball and even made key appearances in the playoffs. Perez was the first one up and saw several appearances but didn’t stick around. Out of these three, Perez might have the best overall stuff and most intriguing potential.
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In 2015, Perez was the top pitcher in Cuba as an 18-year-old. He boasted an ERA just above 2.00 and this gave him the confidence to defect following the season. After a series of unfortunate events, Perez wound up signing with the Astros for far less than he desired and probably deserved.
He has a fastball that peaks in the upper 90s despite his smaller frame. He is able to do this with a quick, compact delivery that is efficient and consistent. He also has a very good slider and above-average changeup he can use easily, he is also working on developing a curveball.
Perez spent all of his first taste in the majors out of the bullpen but he still has more than enough ability to stick in a starting rotation. Other teams could easily be enticed by his potential and with several other top pitching prospects, the Astros should be inclined to sell.
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Nova, Toro, and Perez are all very intriguing prospects who would be hard to lose but if their departures could bring the final piece to another championship team, it would be worth it. Other guys the Houston Astros should be willing to deal are Bukauskas, Garrett Stubbs, and Jairo Solis.