Astros Top Prospects for 2019
With the season just a couple weeks away, we can finally start counting down the Astros top 30 prospects. I will do 10 prospects per day. Today we will look at Astros top prospects #20-11.
Previous lists:
20. Rogelio Armenteros, RHP
Current Level: AAA
ETA: 2019
DOB: 06/30/94
Armenteros really broke onto the scene in 2017 when he dominated across AA and AAA posting a 2.04 ERA with 146 K in 123.2 innings. Armenteros spent the entire 2018 season with Fresno and while his numbers were good, they weren’t as impressive as 2018. He still struck out 10.2 per 9 innings but had a 3.74 ERA. I thought he would get a chance to make his debut in 2018 but with the Astros adding him to the 40 man roster this season, there is a good chance he will debut in 2019. He won’t dominate you with stuff, but he has a solid mix and good pitchability.
2018 Stats: 22 G, 3.74 ERA, 118.0 IP, 106 H, 48 BB, 134 K, 10.2 K/9
19. Luis Santana, 2B
Current Level: Rookie
ETA: 2022
DOB: 07/20/99
The 19 year old infielder was signed by the Mets as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 as one of their more expensive signings and traded to Houston this off-season. Santana was ranked among the Mets’ top 30 prospects at the time of the trade. In his short time in pro ball thus far, the kid has done nothing but hit. Across 3 seasons his career numbers are astronomical: .329/426/.465 with a 64BB/52K ratio. Although he has hit just 7 homers, he has shown some pop with his 29 doubles. The source of excitement behind Luis is a quick bat and an outstanding ability to make consistent, hard contact on all types of pitches. Scouts see him as a spark plug type player. Santana’s line over the last two seasons: 118 G, .336 BA/.437 OBP/.476 SLG, 158 wRC+.
2018 Stats: 53 G, .348 BA/.446 OBP/.471 SLG, 13 2B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 8 SB, 27 BB, 23 K
18. J.J. Matijevic, OF
Current Level: A+
ETA: 2020
DOB: 09/06/97
Matijevic was the Astros 2nd round pick in 2017. Scouts were unsure where he would play but it looks like the Astros are set on him being an outfielder at this point. Matijevic put together a really solid 2018 season. He started the year in Quad Cities but make quick work hitting .354 with 10 XBH in 13 games. He spent the rest of the year in Buies Creek and showed off his power with 20 2B, 19 HR in 88 games (.513 SLG). Overall he posted a respectable 10.2 BB% and a very good 147 wRC+. He generated some great exit velocity this season and really showed off the power stroke. Reports are down on his defense a bit but his bat should be able to carry him. For more on Matijevic click here.
2018 Stats: 101 G, .277 BA/.350 OBP/.538 SLG, 26 2B, 4 3B, 22 HR, 62 RBI, 13 SB
17. Peter Solomon, RHP
Current Level: A+
ETA: 2021
DOB: 08/16/96
Solomon was another high upside pick. A guy who had electric stuff but control issues. Just as the picks before, he dominated in the minors this season. He started the year with Quad Cities and had a 2.43 ERA with 88 K in 77.2 innings. He was promoted to Buies Creek where he was even better posting a 1.96 ERA with 4 BB/26 K in 23 innings. Overall he had a 2.32 ERA with a 2.40 FIP in 100.2 innings. Oh, and you wouldn’t believe it but he also posted good groundball numbers. Solomon has a low to mid 90s fastball and mixes in a solid slider, curveball, and changeup.
2018 Stats: 24 G, 2.32 ERA, 100.2 IP, 78 H, 32 BB, 114 K, 10.2 K/9
16. Framber Valdez, LHP
Current Level: MLB
ETA: 2018
DOB: 11/19/93
Valdez has been a favorite of many to breakout over the last couple years. He started the year in Corpus Christi and posted some of the best peripherals of his minor league career (2.8 BB/9, 11.4 K/9). He was promoted to AAA where he pitched in just two games before being called up the the Astros. With Houston he had a 2.19 ERA and 34 K in 37 innings. Overall in the minors he had a 4.11 ERA but a 2.93 FIP with great peripherals. Valdez has a good fastball and very good curveball but doesn’t really have a third pitch. His tailing fastball and curveball should be good enough to keep him in the MLB in the rotation or the bullpen.
2018 Stats: 22 G, 4.11 ERA, 103.0 IP, 100 H, 32 BB, 129 K, 11.3 K/9
15. Jayson Schroeder, RHP
Current Level: Rookie
ETA: 2022
DOB: 11/14/99
Schroeder is 6’2” and 200 lbs and was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft. In his debut last year he struck out 18 over 18 innings with a 1.50 ERA. Schroeder has a fastball, curve, changeup, and slider in his arsenal. He throws his curve extremely well and shows a lot of fade on his changeup, but his slider is a work in progress. He has a lot of potential at this point and should be in full season in 2019.
2018 Stats: 7 G, 1.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 13 H, 9 BB, 18 K
14. Ronnie Dawson, OF
Current Level: AA
ETA: 2020
DOB: 05/19/95
Dawson was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. He had a solid 2017 season and followed that up with a solid year in 2018 as well. He started the year in High-A and had a .728 OPS with 18 2B, 10 HR, 29 SB in 90 games. He was promoted to Corpus Christi where he played in 29 games and had a .859 OPS and 6 HR. He finished the year with a .762 OPS and a 114 wRC+. Dawson will have to cut down on the strikeouts a bit but he does draw some walks. He has solid power from the left side and, from reports, improved a ton defensively last season. Dawson is one of the more intriguing prospects with his power and speed combo.
2018 Stats: 119 G, .258 BA/.333 OBP/.428 SLG, 24 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 35 SB, 45 BB/130 SO
13. Brandon Bielak, RHP
Current Level: AA
ETA: 2020
DOB: 04/02/96
Bielak was drafted out of Notre Dame in the 11th round following a really rough junior season. The Astros aggressively started Bielak in High-A and he pitched great posting a 2.10 ERA with 74 K in 55.2 innings. He was promoted to AA where he had a 2.35 ERA, even though his peripherals went down a bit (22 BB/57 K in 61.1 innings). Overall he had a 2.23 ERA with a 2.94 FIP across both levels. Bielak has a good fastball and mixes in a very good curveball, a solid slider, and developing changeup. He had a great first season and could see AAA this year in just his second full season.
2018 Stats: 25 G, 2.23 ERA, 117.0 IP, 96 H, 39 BB, 131 K, 10.1 K/9
12. Tyler Ivey, RHP
Current Level: A+
ETA: 2021
DOB: 05/12/96
Ivey was a high upside selection in the 2017 draft. He initially attended Texas A&M before transferring to Grayson Community College. Some saw it as a possible over draft but Ivey’s numbers, and stuff, are proving other wise. Ivey started the season with Quad Cities had a 3.46 ERA in 41.2 innings. The peripherals were even better. He had 8 BB/53 K (26.b K/BB%) and a 2.14 FIP/2.40 xFIP in those 41.2 innings. He was promoted to Buies Creek where he has a 2.69 ERA with 82 K in 70.1 innings. There he had a 2.56 FIP/2.86 xFIP and 54.4 GB%. Like Bielak, Ivey has a good fastball and an above average curveball. He also has a slider, chanegup, and cutter, though those are a little behind the other pitches. He has all the makings of a top starter.
2018 Stats: 24 G, 2.97 ERA, 112.0 IP, 86 H, 29 BB, 135 K, 10.8 K/9
11. Myles Straw, OF
Current Level: MLB
ETA: 2018
DOB: 10/17/94
Straw has steadily made his way through the system after being a 12th round pick in 2015. He hits for average, draws walks, and steals bases. He started the year in AA and hit .327 with a .414 OBP in 65 games. He was also 35-41 in stolen bases. He was promoted to AAA and played in 66 games hitting .257 with .349 OBP while stealing another 35 bags. Overall he hit .291 with 70 SB in 131 games. He saw some time in Houston too and was 3-for-9 with a homer. He possesses plus speed and is probably the fastest player in the Astros system. He also has a very strong arm and with the his speed, should be able to be plus in center field. Plus speed, plus arm, and above average defense bodes well for Straw to big a major leaguer for a long time.
2018 Stats: 131 G, .291 BA/.381 OBP/.353 SLG, 17 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 70 SB, 73 BB/102 K
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
