Just like the stock market, prospects’ stock will go up and down throughout the season. Here is the Astros Prospect Stock Report: Volume 1.
Disclaimer – Being on the stock down part of this list does not necessarily mean the player is a bad prospect. More just noting the rough patch they are experiencing this season.
⇑ Stock Up ⇑
Hitter – Myles Straw
Straw has been on the radar for a few seasons now. After hitting .358 with 156 wRC+ in 2016, Straw put together a solid 2017 which saw him hit .290 with .405 OBP and 125 wRC+ between A+/AA. So far this season he has destroyed the Texas League hitting .393 in 18 games while posting phenomenal walk (18.4%) and strikeout (14.5%) rates. The majority of his batted balls are still going to the opposite field (51%) but he is proving to be a menace on the bases with 12 SB in 18 games this season. His stock is definitely rising.
2018 Stats: 18 G, .393 BA/.506 OBP/.492 SLG, 2 2B, 2 3B, 7 RBI, 14 BB/12 K, 12 SB
Pitcher – Corbin Martin
Martin was a tough pitcher to figure out during the draft. Some scouts had first round grades on him with some lower while other scouts saw him as a reliever. After dominating following the draft in 2017 (2.20 ERA, 32.2 IP, 43 K), he has had a great start to the 2018 season following an aggressive promotion to Buies Creek. In three outings this season Martin has a 0.00 ERA (1.90 FIP) with a very impressive 6 BB/21 K in 14.0 IP.
2018 Stats: 3 G, 0.00 ERA, 1.90 FIP, 14.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 BB, 21 K, 13.5 K/9
⇓ Stock Down⇓
Hitter – Stephen Wrenn
Wrenn was seen as a bit of a steal in the 2016 draft, especially after posting a .794 OPS in 71 games following the draft. He had a rough 2017 season but the Astros still gave him an aggressive promotion to AA to start the 2018 season. Unfortunately, he has started the season slow with a .532 OPS and just one extra base hit in 15 games.
2018 Stats: 15 G, .215 BA/.301 OBP/.231 SLG, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 7 BB/22 K, 6 SB, 47 wRC+
Pitcher – Francis Martes
After breaking out in 2016, Martes has struggled to repeat that success of the last couple years. While he is pitching in a tough league, the numbers haven’t been very good. Over three starts he has allowed 11 earned runs in 14.1 innings while posting 5.6 BB/9. On the bright side, his BABIP is very high at .435 but a bigger sample will be needed to see if this balances back out. He has definitely lost some shine from his top prospect day prior to 2017.
2018 Stats: 3 G, 6.91 ERA, 4.75 FIP, 14.1 IP, 21 H, 11 ER, 9 BB, 14 K, 5.6 BB/9
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**Photo Credit: SR Photography**
