Check out the top performers at each position so far during the 2023 season. I will be choosing players who played the majority of their games at the given position. See the results below.
CATCHER
Ryan Wrobleski – Wrobleski, the Astros 20th round pick last year, has put together a strong season so far for Asheville. The 23-year-old has 24 XBH and a .821 OPS in 51 games this season.
2023 Stats: 51 G, .281 BA/.351 OBP/.470 SLG, 15 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 119 wRC+
FIRST BASE
Ryan Clifford – Clifford has had a big year at just 19 years old. He started the year in Fayetteville posting a .944 OPS before promoting to Asheville. After a rough first few games, he has turned it around and has an OPS of .866 in High-A. Overall he has 13 2B, 13 HR in 69 games. He also has a 14.0% walk rate.
2023 Stats: 69 G, .284 BA/.409 OBP/.488 SLG, 13 2B, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 4 SB, 151 wRC+
SECOND BASE
Joey Loperfido – Loperfido has played most of his games in center field, but due to lack of players at second base, I am going to stick him here. Loperfido started in Asheville but was quickly promoted to Double-A where he has been on a tear. In 69 games this season, he has 16 HR, 50 RBI and 20 SB while also walking at 13.2%.
2023 Stats: 69 G, .291 BA/.396 OBP/.562 SLG, 16 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, 147 wRC+
THIRD BASE
Zach Dezenzo – Dezenzo was the hottest hitter in baseball for the first few months as he hit .407 in 31 games for Asheville. Since his promotion to Double-A he has a .800 OPS. He has cut down on the strikeouts this year and is getting on base with walks and hits.
2023 Stats: 54 G, .350 BA/.430 OBP/.543 SLG, 16 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 13 SB, 161 wRC+
SHORTSTOP
Shay Whitcomb – Whitcomb has had a big season with the homers, as he leads the system in homers with 21 and runs batted in with 57. Since his promotion to Triple-A, he has 9 HR in 29 games.
2023 Stats: 75 G, .266 BA/.328 OBP/.522 SLG, 12 2B, 21 HR, 57 RBI, 10 SB, 108 wRC+
OUTFIELD
Zach Cole – Cole has had one of the best seasons in the Astros system this year. The 22-year-old has connected on 31 XBHs and stolen 25 bases in 68 games. He has also posted a .405 OBP in 68 games this season.
2023 Stats: 68 G, .272 BA/.405 OBP/.508 SLG, 15 2B, 5 3B, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 25 SB, 159 wRC+
Colin Barber – Barber has been solid all year long. The 22-year-old has taken well to Double-A posting a .812 OPS in 57 games. For him, it’s all about health as he has been great when on the field.
2023 Stats: 57 G, .251 BA/.361 OBP/.451 SLG, 10 2B, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 4 SB, 115 wRC+
Drew Gilbert – Gilbert got off to a great start in Asheville hitting .361 in 21 games. He got promoted to Double-A and has dealt with a nagging elbow injury which has hurt him numbers, but he still has a .814 OPS overall. He also has a 12.7 BB% this year.
2023 Stats: 67 G, .268 BA/.374 OBP/.440 SLG, 14 2B, 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 9 SB, 119 wRC+
PITCHERS
Colton Gordon – Gordon was dominant last year and he has followed that up with a great 2023. The left-hander has a 3.45 ERA with 95 K in 75.2 innings. He has clearly put himself in the conversation for one of the top pitching prospects in the system.
2023 Stats: 16 G, 3.45 ERA, 75.2 IP, 61 H, 29 ER, 26 BB, 95 K, 11.3 K/9
Trey Dombroski – Dombroski has been great this year for Fayetteville. A left-hander, like Gordon, Dombroski has been nearly unhittable allowing just 57 hits in 74 innings. He has also racked up 93 K in those 74 innings, good for 11.3 K/9.
2023 Stats: 16 G, 3.28 ERA, 74.0 IP, 57 H, 27 ER, 24 BB, 93 K, 11.3 K/9
Nolan DeVos – Like Dombroski, DeVos was another pitcher selected in 2022. The right-hander has allowed just 39 hits in 59.2 innings while striking out 82. He has recently been promoted to High-A Asheville.
2023 Stats: 15 G, 2.72 ERA, 59.2 IP, 39 H, 18 ER, 34 BB, 82 K, 12.4 K/9
Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
