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Top Prospects No. 11-20

11. Joe Perez, INF

Level: MLB DOB: 08/12/99

Perez made his big league debut in 2022 with an early call-up due to injuries. He went back down to Double-A and had a .731 OPS before finishing the season in Triple-A, and he finished hot. Perez hit .483 in 8 games in Triple-A to finish off a year where he hit .290 overall in 83 games. He has a great arm at the hot corner and is still only 23 years old. Perez showed plus power to all fields and after an adjustment period in Double-A, he held up well against competition well above his age. The Astros have also experimented with him in the corner outfield spots. Read more on Perez here.

12. Joey Loperfido, OF

Level: High-A DOB: 05/11/99

Loperfido was drafted in the 2021 draft after putting together a really good senior season. The lefty hitting Loperfido has the ability to work counts, draw walks and make a lot of contact. In 2022, he slashed .316/.408/.492 with 25 2B, 12 HR, 32 SB. Loperfido is a plus athlete that should be able to provide above average defense. He has some power which he is still getting into in the games but has seen an uptick over the last few months. Loperfido possesses above average athleticism which shows on the bases and in the field. In 2022 he has played at first and second base as well as all three outfield positions. Read more here.

13. Misael Tamarez, RHP

Level: Triple-A DOB: 01/16/00

The Astros signed Tamarez out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He pitched in rookie league in 2019 but broke out a big way in 2021. As a 21 year old between Low-A and High-A, Tamarez posted a 3.76 ERA with 103 K in 76.2 innings. He followed that up with 142 K in 121.1 innings last year, though walks were a problem. Tamarez has a strong frame at 6-1 and over 200 lbs. Tamarez possesses a heavy fastball sitting miod 90s hitting and touching 97 MPH. He also possesses has a changeup and improving slider that can give him a deadly three pitch mix. He has the making of another under the radar pitching prospect who can make an impact in the next couple years.

14. Miguel Ullola, RHP

Level: Single-A DOB: 06/19/02

Ullola is a young flame throwing right hander. The 20-year-old features a plus fastball that sits mid-90s and touches 99 MPH, even when in multi-inning spots. While he has some command issues, he has overpowered the hitters in lower levels with the fastball/slider combination. He might end up in the bullpen, but that may not be a bad thing given what kind of stuff he could have in one innings spurts. The fastball and slider are his two best pitches, but he does throw a curveball as well.

15. Colton Gordon, LHP

Level: High-A DOB: 12/20/98

Gordon was an intriguing draft pick in 2021 after a good college career, but went into the draft after having Tommy John Surgery. After recovering and making his way back, Gordon dominated on the mount in 2022. He started in Single-A and had a 2.21 ERA with 3 BB/27 K in 20.1 innings. He was promoted to High-A where he had a 2.66 ERA with 3 BB/29 K in 20.1 innings. He won’t over power hitters with his fastball in the low 90s, but he has phenomenal command and pitchability with his secondary offerings making him an uncomfortable at-bat.

16. Forrest Whitley, RHP

Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/15/97

At this point, everyone knows who Forrest Whitley is. After a dominant 2017 which saw him strike out 143 over 92.1 innings while reaching AA at just 19 years old, he has struggled a bit to recapture that magic the last couple seasons. A suspension and a few nagging injuries has held him back. Whitley possesses a fastball that has nice life and gets up to 98 MPH which he pairs with a devastating changeup. He also has a very good curveball and solid cutter. Forrest had Tommy John surgery ending his 2021 season but made it back to Triple-A in 2022. I still believe in his upside and despite the setbacks, he has still shown some filthy stuff this spring.

17. Andrew Taylor, RHP

Level: Rookie DOB: 09/23/01

The Astros nabbed a tall right hander in Andrew Taylor, who stands at 6’5″ and 190 lbs, with their compensation pick for losing Carlos Correa. Taylor has a low 90s fastball but generates a ton of swings and misses with high spin rate and carry, which is throws the majority of the time. The righty had an impressive college career for Central Michigan posting a 2.45 ERA with 261 K in 195 innings. Taylor also possesses a solid changeup and two breaking pitches.

18. Will Wagner, INF

Level: Double-A DOB: 07/29/98

Wagner was an 18th round pick by the Astros in 2021, but looking like a steal to get him so late. The son of former Astros closer Billy Wagner, Will is a right handed thrower, lefty swinger. He plays primarily second and third base in the infield, but has moved around a bit. He is an advanced hitter who has a good command of the strike zone and makes a lot of contact. Wagner played in 117 games between High-A and Double-A in 2022 and slashed .261/.374/.394 with 19 2B, 10 HR, 53 RBI. He also put up a really good walk rate (13.5%) and strikeout rate (19.7%) as he made his way up the system. He will have to hit for a little bit more power but the bat to ball and on-base skills will take him far too. Read more here.

19. J.P. France, RHP

Level: Triple-A DOB: 04/04/95

France was drafted by the Astros in the 14th round of the 2018 draft. The right hander had a solid 2022 season striking out 136 in 110.2 innings. He was also added to there 40 man roster this off-season. France has a really good blend of pitches and has shown improved command over the last few months. He mixes a slider, cutter and chanegup off of his fastball that has been up to 95 MPH last season season. Read my interview with France here.

20. Jaime Melendez, RHP

Level: Double-A DOB: 09/26/01

Melendez was signed by the Astros out of Mexico and he has made a quick rise in the system. He was a quick rise in 2021 making his way to Double-A at just 19-years-old. He is a smaller pitcher (5-8) but is built well at 190 lbs. Melendez has a fastball that he can run up to 95 MPH consistently and a good slider but also pitches with deception thanks to his vertical approach angle on his pitches. He has a ton of upside making it up to Double-A already.