1. Jacob Melton, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 09/07/00
Melton was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft out of Oregon State. Melton had a standout junior year in college slashing .360/.424/.671 with 22 2B, 17 HR, 21 SB as he earned Pac-12 player of the year honors. Melton is a left handed swinging outfielder who stands at 6’3″ and 210 lbs. Melton has an advanced approach at the plate and has above average power with the potential to be plus as he also makes a lot of contact. The lefty is a plus runner on the bases and in the outfield and should stick in center field defensively. He has played 2023 between High-A and Double-A connecting on 23 homers and stealing 46 bases. Melton has posted really strong exit velocities numbers and has a chance to be a power outfielder at the major league level. Read more on Melton here.
2. Joey Loperfido, OF
Level: Triple-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. He had a breakout 2022 season slashing .316/.408/.492 with 25 2B, 12 HR, 32 SB. Loperfido is a plus athlete that should be able to provide above average defense at multiple positions. In 2023 he has his best season as a pro hitting 25 homers, stealing 27 bases and posting a .880 OPS as he made it up to Triple-A. Loperfido possesses above average athleticism which shows on the bases with 60 SB in his minor league career. Read more here.
3. Zach Dezenzo, INF
Level: Double-A DOB: 05/11/00
Dezenzo was drafted in the 12th round of the 2022 draft and is looking like an absolute steal. He was a senior who put up a strong year at Ohio State slugging .701 with 19 HR in 51 games before dominating the MLB Draft League. The right-hander has plus power and really strong exit velocities numbers. He is a bat-first prospect who bas played both third base and first base, but has the bat profile to fit at either. Dezenzo had his best season as a professional in 2023 hitting .305 with 23 doubles, 18 homers and 22 stolen bases as he moved up to Double-A. Read more on Dezenzo here.
4. Spencer Arrighetti, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 01/02/00
Arrighetti has had an interesting ride to this point. He college career consisted of three different schools with him ultimately getting drafted in the 6th round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He has a mid 90s fastball which has topped at 98 MPH before, and a plus slider to go with it. He has an improving curveball and changeup as well. Arrighetti’s fastball also has a lot of ride on it creating an advantageous approach angle for him. In 2022, Arrighetti struck out 152 in 116.2 innings. In 2023 he made it up to Triple-A racking up 141 strike outs in 124.2 innings. Read more on Arrighetti here.
5. Brice Matthews, SS
Level: High-A DOB: 03/16/02
Matthews was seen as one of the best athletes in the Big 1o going into the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old had a breakout junior season slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 HR, 20 SB for Nebraska. He has a quick swing with strong exit velocities, even for his size. Scouts note he has 20-25 HR potential with good pull power. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop and has a strong arm but also the potential to be a plus center fielder if he has to move positions. He has some swing and miss in his game but the other positives make up for it. He played in 33 games in Single-A following the draft posting a .740 OPS.
6. Luis Baez, OF
Level: High-A DOB: 01/11/04
The Astros signed Luis Baez for $1.3 million during the 2022 international signing period. The 19-year-old is well built at 6’1″ and 205 lbs and possesses plus power from the right side. He is a solid athlete but won’t provide a ton on the bases, though he should be an adequate defender in the corner outfield spots. In 2023, Baez made his way up to Single-A finishing with 15 doubles, 11 homers in 58 games overall. Scouts note he has the power to be a 25+ HR guy in the big leagues.
7. Colton Gordon, LHP
Level: Triple-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 dominated once he got on the mound in 2022 posting a 2.35 ERA with 78 K in 53.2 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. In 2023, he struck out 151 batters in 128.1 innings with a 4.14 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A. Read more on Gordon here.
8. Will Wagner, INF
Level: Triple-A DOB: 07/29/98
Wagner was an 18th round pick by the Astros in 2021. 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 had a strong 2022 slashing .261/.374/.394 also putting up a really good walk rate (13.5%) and strikeout rate (19.7%) as he made his way up the system. He was great in 2023, hitting .337 with 20 doubles, 7 homers and 38 RBI in 65 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Read more here.
9. Kenedy Corona, OF
Level: Double-A DOB: 03/21/00
Corona was acquired in the deal that sent Jake Marisnick to the Mets. He is listed at 5’11” and 184 lbs, but is built really well and packs a punch in his swing. In 2022, the right-hander had a .857 OPS with 24 2B, 19 HR, 28 SB in 107 games between Single-A and High-A. He possesses above average speed and some intriguing pop that has continued to improve as he has matured. In 2023 in Double-A, Corona put up 22 HR and 32 SB in 117 games overall. He also has the ability to play all three outfield positions and has the knack for making the highlight reel play and was ranked as the best defensive outfielder in the system by Baseball America.
10. Rhett Kouba, RHP
Level: Triple-A DOB: 09/03/99
Kouba was a 12th round pick of the Astros during the 2021 draft. The right-hander has a mid 90s fastball and a solid mix of off-speed pitches (changeup, slider, curveball). After having a good 2022 season, Kouba has experienced a breakout 2023 pitching in Double-A and Triple-A. He finished the season with 37 BB/136 K in 128 innings with a 3.45 ERA. Kouba is deceptive but also has very good control, allowing him to challenge hitters and not put many free runners on base.