Prospect Rankings 2017

[Nate Colbert]

Baseball America with their new Astros Top Ten Prospect list (which leads in to their Top 30 Prospects rankings in the Handbook early next year):

1. Francis Martes
2. Kyle Tucker
3. David Paulino
4. Franklin Perez
5. A.J. Reed
6. Forrest Whitley
7. Teoscar Hernandez
8. Yuli Gurriel
9. Derek Fisher
10. Garrett Stubbs

Quite the leap for Stubbs (at least according to BA), who goes from not even making their Top 30 Astros' Prospects list last year to the Top 10 this season and being called in a separate article posted today "one of the best defensive catchers in the minors".

Mostly the chat was a yawner but there was this:

Matt (Norfolk, VA): Who is omitted from this list, further down the top 30 that has the best chance of vaulting to the top of next years list?
J.J. Cooper: The Astros have a number of young arms who could keep climbing. I’ll throw Hector Perez out as one name to watch who could be a Top 10 guy next year.

[mrpink]

That's interesting.  Wasn't Stubbs the guy that someone said would have to move away from catching because of his size?

I'm also surprised Gurriel counts as a prospect.

[Duman]

I'm also surprised Gurriel counts as a prospect.

Yeah, I agree.  He is only a prospect in the fact that he hasn't lost his rookie status yet.  He could be a front runner for AL Rookie of the year next year as a 33 year old.

[juliogotay]

RH pitchers and LH hitters. Good to see the latter.

[Reuben]

I'm kinda shocked to see Gurriel ranked below Teoscar Hernandez. Really?

[austro]

I'm kinda shocked to see Gurriel ranked below Teoscar Hernandez. Really?

I suspect that it reflects their opinion that Gurriel's ceiling is pretty clear at this point.

[juliogotay]

mlb.com ranks the Top 10 prospects by position within all ML organizations. The only Astro prospect ranked in the Top 10 for his category at #5 was Martes in the RHP. I thought Tucker at least would have made Top 10.

Hader was #2 in LHP category.

[Reuben]

I suspect that it reflects their opinion that Gurriel's ceiling is pretty clear at this point.

Maybe so, but I'm not sure if even the highest opinions of Teoscar project him as better hitter than Gurriel. I mean, sure, Yuli's 33, but in his prime he was considered the best player in Cuba, right? Better than Cespedes, Abreu, etc. (albeit with less power). That's quite a high ceiling.

[Nate Colbert]

Sickels with his Top 20 Astros Prospects for 2017.

[roadrunner]

I thought for sure Martes would grade an A. 

[VirtualBob]

Sickels with his Top 20 Astros Prospects for 2017.

Loses credibility when Miguelangelo Sierra is listed at #20 (C+) and then later, after a large group of "interchangeable" C+ guys, is grouped with a bunch of "other" prospects at C.

[pots]

Loses credibility when Miguelangelo Sierra is listed at #20 (C+) and then later, after a large group of "interchangeable" C+ guys, is grouped with a bunch of "other" prospects at C.

My favorite line:

could turn into Anthony Rizzo if he makes adjustments, Jon Singleton if he doesn’t

Mr. AllOrNothing apparently

[Jacksonian]

My favorite line:
Mr. AllOrNothing apparently

Sickels is my least favorite prognosticator.

[moriartp]

Sickels is my least favorite prognosticator.

As far as I can tell, he just parrots other sites and sprinkles in a little bullshit of his own.

[Nate Colbert]

BP follows BA and Sickels with their Astros Top Ten Prospects list:

1. Francis Martes
2. Kyle Tucker
3. David Paulino
4. Franklin Perez
5. Forrest Whitley
6. Miguelangel Sierra
7. Ramon Laureano
8. Derek Fisher
9. Teo Hernandez
10. Daz Cameron

[roadrunner]

BP does a really good, thorough review of the system.  I haven't heard of Dean Deetz, but they have a blurb about him as a The “One Day It Might All Click For Him” Guy.  Sounds like he could be potential bullpen help in 2017.

I always enjoy their top 10 of 25 and under list, too:

1. Carlos Correa
2. Alex Bregman
3. Lance McCullers
4. A.J. Reed
5. Francis Martes
6. Kyle Tucker
7. Michael Feliz
8. Joe Musgrove
​9. David Paulino
10. Franklin Perez

[juliogotay]

BP does a really good, thorough review of the system.  I haven't heard of Dean Deetz, but they have a blurb about him as a The “One Day It Might All Click For Him” Guy.  Sounds like he could be potential bullpen help in 2017.

I always enjoy their top 10 of 25 and under list, too:

1. Carlos Correa
2. Alex Bregman
3. Lance McCullers
4. A.J. Reed
5. Francis Martes
6. Kyle Tucker
7. Michael Feliz
8. Joe Musgrove
​9. David Paulino
10. Franklin Perez

The highest I have seen Reed on any list this off-season after his poor debut. Without failure I have seen Martes first and Tucker 2nd on "prospects" list.  Musgrove ahead of Paulino is also an outlier. I think that is  good for the organization.

[Nate Colbert]

I haven't heard of Dean Deetz, but they have a blurb about him as a The “One Day It Might All Click For Him” Guy.  Sounds like he could be potential bullpen help in 2017.

Like Ramon Laureano, one of those Northeastern Oklahoma A&M guys scouted by Jim Stevenson.

[Speaking of Laureano (and I hope I haven't linked to this before), nice article from a couple of months ago from milb.com about his journey from the DR to Long Island and then on to Oklahoma.]

[juliogotay]

Like Ramon Laureano, one of those Northeastern Oklahoma A&M guys scouted by Jim Stevenson.

[Speaking of Laureano (and I hope I haven't linked to this before), nice article from a couple of months ago from milb.com about his journey from the DR to Long Island and then on to Oklahoma.]

I have been to Miami, Oklahoma and that university for business. Not much there but it is a paradise compared to neighboring Commerce, Oklahoma which is the childhood home of Mickey Mantle.

[astrosfan76]

MLB.com published their top 10 RHP prospect list today.  Alex Reyes, who, it feels like, has been on these lists forever, comes in at #1, with Martes at #5. 

Martes' stuff is similar to what Lance McCullers Jr. showed in the Minors. He can work at 93-96 mph and reach 98 with his fastball, and while it doesn't feature a ton of life, he does show some feel for moving it around the strike zone. His curveball gives him a second well above-average pitch, combining power and depth.

Martes' changeup has improved a lot in the last two years and shows flashes of becoming a plus offering, and he also can snap off a hard slider when he wants.

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=rhp

[astrosfan76]

MLB.com with their Top 10 catching prospects today.  No Stros on the list, but Stubbs received honorable mention.

He may be undersized at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, yet Garrett Stubbs (Astros) is a dynamo who's athletic behind the plate and excels at making contact.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/213808058/2017-top-10-catching-prospects/?topicid=151437456

[Nate Colbert]

Martes (#20), K. Tucker (#35), Paulino (#54), Fisher (#83) and Whitley (#84) in MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. Franklin Perez fell just outside in a group of 15-20 players (according to a Jim Callis tweet). The club had 7 players on last year's list with 3 graduating (Bregman, Musgrove, Reed) thru loss of rookie status, 1 falling off the list (Daz Cameron) and 2 newcomers to the list (Fisher, Whitley).

Yankees and Braves had the most prospects on the list with 7, CWS followed with 6 and the Astros next along with a gaggle of 5 other clubs with 5. In terms of MLB.com's "prospect points", Houston rated 9th out of the 30 organizations.

Exes: Hader is at #38 while Brett Phillips falls off the list after ranking at #32 last year.

The complete list is here.

[Nate Colbert]

Apparently K. Law's Astros Top Ten Prospects list stacked up like this:

1. Francis Martes
2. Kyle Tucker
3. Franklin Perez
4. Forrest Whitley
5. Ramon Laureano
6. Miguelangel Sierra
7. Teo Hernandez
8. Derek Fisher
9. Daz Cameron
10. Garrett Stubbs

[juliogotay]

Apparently K. Law's Astros Top Ten Prospects list stacked up like this:

1. Francis Martes
2. Kyle Tucker
3. Franklin Perez
4. Forrest Whitley
5. Ramon Laureano
6. Miguelangel Sierra
7. Teo Hernandez
8. Derek Fisher
9. Daz Cameron
10. Garrett Stubbs

Paulino conspicuously absent. And only 3 pitchers of the 10.

[Nate Colbert]

Paulino conspicuously absent. And only 3 pitchers of the 10.

For a while now Law has consistently said Paulino ends up a reliever so downgrades him for that in his rankings.

[Nate Colbert]

Martes (#20), K. Tucker (#35), Paulino (#54), Fisher (#83) and Whitley (#84) in MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. Franklin Perez fell just outside in a group of 15-20 players (according to a Jim Callis tweet).

BA out with their Top 100 Prospects list tonight: Martes (#15), Tucker (#19), Paulino (#51), F. Perez (#54) and Reed (#72). Martes was the 2nd-ranked pitcher on the list after STL's Alex Reyes.

The club had 7 players on last year's list with 3 graduating (Bregman, Musgrove, Reed) thru loss of rookie status, 1 falling off the list (Daz Cameron) and 2 newcomers to the list (Fisher, Whitley).

Ditto, there were 7 Astros on last year's BA list.

Yankees and Braves had the most prospects on the list with 7, CWS followed with 6 and the Astros next along with a gaggle of 5 other clubs with 5. In terms of MLB.com's "prospect points", Houston rated 9th out of the 30 organizations.

Braves with 8 players on the BA list while the Yankees had 7 and the Brewers 6. Astros tied with White Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rays, Rockies and Padres for 4th-most with 5. The Rangers had just 1 player make the Top 100 (OF Leody Taveras at #47).

Exes: Hader is at #38 while Brett Phillips falls off the list after ranking at #32 last year.

Hader is at #33 for BA. Not really an ex but Lourdes Gurriel slotted in at #73.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects

[Nate Colbert]

Astros with 4 on the BP Top 101 Prospects List (Martes #28, Tucker #37, Paulino #83, Perez #84). Down from 5 on last year's list (Bregman, Reed, Martes, Cameron, Tucker).

[astrosfan76]

BA put together a list of players outside the Top 100 for each position who are players whom they feel could break out (one at the lower levels, one at the upper levels).  Forrest Whitley made the cut, with this writeup:

Lower: Forrest Whitley (Astros). Whitley is huge (6-foot-7, 240 pounds), with a power fastball and swing-and-miss breaking stuff that should help him pile up strikeouts. Unlike most giant teenage pitchers, Whitley already has the body control to maintain his delivery and throw strikes well for a 19-year-old.
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/beyond-top-100-breakout-prospects-every-position/#OH4LfK8Uz0oxTkp6.99

[Nate Colbert]

And now BA with a list of 12 players whose ISO/walks/steals provide value beyond the batting average:

4. Ramon Laureano | of | Astros

A 16th-round pick out of junior college in 2014, Laureano led the minors with a .428 on-base percentage last year with help from his plus speed, excellent batting eye and enough power to keep pitchers honest.

8. Derek Fisher | of | Astros

The only minor league batter to hit at least 20 homers with at least 20 stolen bases in both 2015 and 2016, Fisher emphasizes power over contact but has enough plate discipline to profile as a lefthanded-hitting corner thumper.

[Nate Colbert]

BA out with their Top 100 Prospects list tonight: Martes (#15), Tucker (#19), Paulino (#51), F. Perez (#54) and Reed (#72). Martes was the 2nd-ranked pitcher on the list after STL's Alex Reyes.

Might be #1 now given the news that Reyes blew out his elbow and will undergo TJS.

[astrosfan76]

Might be #1 now given the news that Reyes blew out his elbow and will undergo TJS.

So, that increases his trade value, right?

[juliogotay]

So, that increases his trade value, right?

can you imagine how sick Marlins leadership feels?

[astrosfan76]

can you imagine how sick Marlins leadership feels?

At least they got about 120 good-okay innings out of Cosart from the deal...

[austro]

can you imagine how sick Marlins leadership feels?

They don't give a shit. They're selling to Kushner.

ETA: I wonder if Manfred will make them change leagues.

[astrosfan76]

They don't give a shit. They're selling to Kushner.

ETA: I wonder if Manfred will make them change leagues.

And Loria gets a sweet new gig out of the deal, hacking off more francophones.

[Duman]

Sickels top 200 prospects is out:

29 Marte
36 Tucker
38 Paulino
81 Gurriel
93 Perez
96 Whitley
161 Laureano
165 Fisher
172 Teoscar

Former - Hader 37

[Nate Colbert]

Astros placed 3rd in Baseball America's organizational prospect rankings behind Braves at #1 and Yankees at #2. Ranked #2 last year.

FWIW, other AL West members: A's ranked 17th, Rangers 22nd, Mariners 23rd and Angels 29th.

[Nate Colbert]

And MLB.com with their updated Top 30 Astros Prospects out today (in paren is where they had the player ranked 1 year ago):

1. Francis Martes (3)
2. Kyle Tucker (4)
3. David Paulino (7)
4. Derek Fisher (9)
5. Forrest Whitley (NR)
6. Franklin Perez (18)
7. Teo Hernandez (26)
8. Ramon Laureano (NR)
9. Daz Cameron (5)
10. Miguelangel Sierra (17)
11. Garrett Stubbs (NR)
12. Gilberto Celestino (16)
13. J.D. Davis (12)
14. Yordan Alvarez (NR)
15. Freudis Nova (NR)
16. Cionel Perez (NR)
17. Anibal Sierra (NR)
18. Jonathan Arauz (15)
19. Ronnie Dawson (NR)
20. Jandel Gustave (19)
21. Brady Rodgers (NR)
22. Jake Rogers (NR)
23. James Hoyt (22)
24. Riley Ferrell (20)
25. Colin Moran (6)
26. Brendan McCurry (23)
27. Jason Martin (NR)
28. Stephen Wrenn (NR)
29. Jorge Alcala (NR)
30. Framber Valdez (NR)

LHP (2)
RHP (10)
OF (10)
SS (4)
3B (2)
C (2)

Guys who fell off list (other than thru graduation or trade): Jon Kemmer (#21 last year), Andy Aplin (#28), Akeem Bostick (#29) and Michael Freeman (#30).

ETA:
Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB  1 hour ago
The two guys it pained me the most to leave off @Astros #Top30Prospects were RHPs Dean Deetz & Hector Perez.

[juliogotay]

Biggest riser, Teo.  Biggest dropper, Moran.

[MusicMan]

Biggest riser, Teo.  Biggest dropper, Moran.

Alas, my dream of the Bunch of Morans will never become reality.


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[chuck]

Alas, my dream of the Bunch of Morans will never become reality.

Reminds me, have you seen all the vile abuse Dexter Fowler's been taking?

[Nate Colbert]

Reminds me, have you seen all the vile abuse Dexter Fowler's been taking?

BFiBs strike again.

[MusicMan]

Reminds me, have you seen all the vile abuse Dexter Fowler's been taking?

A turn of events that surprised exactly zero sentient beings.


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[chuck]

I wonder how many of these highly evolved specimens are self-professed family values voters.

[Nate Colbert]

Astros placed 3rd in Baseball America's organizational prospect rankings behind Braves at #1 and Yankees at #2. Ranked #2 last year.

FWIW, other AL West members: A's ranked 17th, Rangers 22nd, Mariners 23rd and Angels 29th.

Jim Callis tweeted the Astros are ranked 11th in the corresponding MLB.com rankings. Callis & crew had the Astros at #10 last year.

[VirtualBob]

Biggest riser, Teo.  Biggest dropper, Moran.

Laureano from 31 or lower to 8 is a bigger riser than Teo from 26 to 7.

[Nate Colbert]

BA of course released their Astros top ten back in November--here's their Top 30 Prospects from the Handbook (again paren represents last year's rank):

1. Francis Martes (2)
2. Kyle Tucker (4)
3. David Paulino (7)
4. Franklin Perez (21)
5. A.J. Reed (1)
6. Forrest Whitley (NR)
7. Teoscar Hernandez (NR)
8. Yuli Gurriel (NR)
9. Derek Fisher (10)
10. Garrett Stubbs (NR)
11. Miguealangel Sierra (25)
12. J.D. Davis (14)
13. Ramon Laureano (NR)
14. Daz Cameron (5)
15. Ronnie Dawson (NR)
16. Hector Perez (NR)
17. Jonathan Arauz (NR)
18. Jandel Gustave (18)
19. Gilberto Celestino (24)
20. Jake Rogers (NR)
21. Trent Thornton (NR)
22. Brady Rodgers (NR)
23. James Hoyt (27)
25. Lupe Chavez (NR)
26. Freudis Nova (NR)
27. Tony Kemp (15)
28. Yordan Alvarez (NR)
29. Jose Hernandez (NR)
30. Colin Moran (9)

Some of the folks who dropped off the BA list from last year to this year: Jon Kemmer (#13), Riley Ferrell (#20) and Wander Franco (#22).

Comparing the BA Top 30 vs the MLB.com Top 30, the biggest discrepancies were Cubans Cionel Perez (#16) and Anibal Sierra (#17) appearing on the latter list but are nowhere to be seen on the former while Hector Perez shows at #16 on the BA list but is missing from MLB.com (though Callis said he would have Perez at #31 or #32). Another Cuban Yordan Alvarez was #14 at MLB.com but just #28 for BA.

[Nate Colbert]

Astros placed 3rd in Baseball America's organizational prospect rankings behind Braves at #1 and Yankees at #2. Ranked #2 last year.

Jim Callis tweeted the Astros are ranked 11th in the corresponding MLB.com rankings. Callis & crew had the Astros at #10 last year.

Also 11th in Sickels' 2017 rankings (were 3rd in his 2016 rankings).

[Nate Colbert]

Longenhagen has just 2 Astros on Fangraph's Top 100 Prospects list--Martes at #18 and Tucker at #63.

Recapping for the more obsessive amongst us: 5 Top 100 Prospects on the BA list, 4 on the MLB.com list, 6 on Sickels list (though one of those was Gurriel), 4 on the BP list, 4 on Keith Law's ESPN list and now 2 on the FG list.

[Reuben]

Reminds me, have you seen all the vile abuse Dexter Fowler's been taking?

What was this in reference to?

[chuck]

What was this in reference to?

His wife, a US citizen, was born in Iran. In response to the first travel ban Dexter inflammatorily said, “It’s huge. Especially anytime you’re not able to see family, it’s unfortunate.”

I know, right? What a fucking communist. Or at least a mohammedian. I'd like to see his birth certificate.

So, he gets things like this from one Mike Evans, obviously a true patriot: "I am a big St Louis cardinal fan [baseball image] he needs to shut up and play baseball lucky to be in this country don't criticize my vote you have no idea what it means to have your talent just do that makes me sick [baseball image] who you going to vote for criminal Hillary and Baby killer not happy with him [baseball image]

Jason Fudge (replying to someone): Erin McCarley you are wrong. He signed a contract with the Cardinals so that makes him property of stl cardinals and mlb so he needs to keep his mouth shut. His personal opinion, problems, beliefs and political views should be kept to himself as long as he's under a mlb contract and before anymore b.s. is said I've read the article and it's not our fault he married someone from another country. Trump isn't doing this to be a dick and he's not picking to be a racist. He's doing it because it's his job to keep every single one of us safe here in the United states. So fowler needs to understand that, keep his mouth shut and play ball. Any problem with it the break the contract and move. Stl is a great baseball town and we don't need his b.s.

Lindey Wood: He should just move out of the country! He has plenty of money. So sick of hearing this especially from people like him.

Mike Choate: Just another over paid black racist bitch

Anne Burke: Trade his black ass!

Michael Kelch: Not Trump's fault you married a Persian. If you by in to Islam I hope you have a .200 year w/many errors.

Huey Johnston: Screw this overpaid POS!!! Go back to $hitcago!!! Trump is going to cut off the free stuff and he don't like it...

Gregory Gibson: Fuck him

Robin Hayes: Get rid of that piece of shit. I don't care how good he is. Fuck him.

Ed Ebel: jerk, now I wont be watching sports & will have to cancel my TV subscription.

Joel Bowman: He can gonfuck himself. Fucking so over all the bs from black people over uneducated opinions. Your making a shut ton. Gobfuck yourself and go back to the cubs

For example.

Our old friend Chuy is mentioned here:

http://www.stlamerican.com/sports/sports_columnists/sports_eye/many-cardinals-fans-show-dexter-fowler-st-louis-ugly-side/article_684d0326-f967-11e6-8f52-33509fd51e51.html

Best fans in baseball. Family values voters.

[chuck]

Best I can tell that was my ten thousandth post. If I'd known at the time I might've tried a bit harder, maybe spiced things up with a bit more gratuitous racism.

[Reuben]

Jeezus that's some fucked-up shit.

I mean, yes, how dare he express a personal opinion on something that affects him and his family directly, right? He has a contract with a BASEBBALL TEAM!

[Nate Colbert]

Best tools rankings among all minor league players from BA recently:

• Myles Straw was #5 among fastest baserunners
• Francis Martes was #7 for best FB and #2 for best curveball
• Garrett Stubbs was ranked #2 as far as best defensive catcher
• J.D. Davis was #2 for best infield arm

Link

[Nate Colbert]

Longenhagen over at FG with his breakdown of the Top 21 Astros Prospects (plus additional writeups on 23 other prospects).

[Nate Colbert]

BA names their Top 20 DSL Prospects from the 2016 season (paywalled article). OF Gilberto Celestino was the only Astro on the list.

[Nate Colbert]

Martes (#20), K. Tucker (#35), Paulino (#54), Fisher (#83) and Whitley (#84) in MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. Franklin Perez fell just outside in a group of 15-20 players (according to a Jim Callis tweet).

With other players "graduating" due to loss of rookie status, Perez has moved into these rankings at #100 giving the Astros 6 players on this list.

[Nate Colbert]

And MLB.com with their updated Top 30 Astros Prospects out today (in paren is where they had the player ranked 1 year ago):

1. Francis Martes (3)
2. Kyle Tucker (4)
3. David Paulino (7)
4. Derek Fisher (9)
5. Forrest Whitley (NR)
6. Franklin Perez (18)
7. Teo Hernandez (26)
8. Ramon Laureano (NR)
9. Daz Cameron (5)
10. Miguelangel Sierra (17)
11. Garrett Stubbs (NR)
12. Gilberto Celestino (16)
13. J.D. Davis (12)
14. Yordan Alvarez (NR)
15. Freudis Nova (NR)
16. Cionel Perez (NR)
17. Anibal Sierra (NR)
18. Jonathan Arauz (15)
19. Ronnie Dawson (NR)
20. Jandel Gustave (19)
21. Brady Rodgers (NR)
22. Jake Rogers (NR)
23. James Hoyt (22)
24. Riley Ferrell (20)
25. Colin Moran (6)
26. Brendan McCurry (23)
27. Jason Martin (NR)
28. Stephen Wrenn (NR)
29. Jorge Alcala (NR)
30. Framber Valdez (NR)

With Hoyt having graduated, Dean Deetz moves on to this list at #30.

[Nate Colbert]

And MLB.com with their updated Top 30 Astros Prospects out today (in paren is where they had the player ranked 1 year ago):

1. Francis Martes (3)
2. Kyle Tucker (4)
3. David Paulino (7)
4. Derek Fisher (9)
5. Forrest Whitley (NR)
6. Franklin Perez (18)
7. Teo Hernandez (26)
8. Ramon Laureano (NR)
9. Daz Cameron (5)
10. Miguelangel Sierra (17)
11. Garrett Stubbs (NR)
12. Gilberto Celestino (16)
13. J.D. Davis (12)
14. Yordan Alvarez (NR)
15. Freudis Nova (NR)
16. Cionel Perez (NR)
17. Anibal Sierra (NR)
18. Jonathan Arauz (15)
19. Ronnie Dawson (NR)
20. Jandel Gustave (19)
21. Brady Rodgers (NR)
22. Jake Rogers (NR)
23. James Hoyt (22)
24. Riley Ferrell (20)
25. Colin Moran (6)
26. Brendan McCurry (23)
27. Jason Martin (NR)
28. Stephen Wrenn (NR)
29. Jorge Alcala (NR)
30. Framber Valdez (NR)

Newly-signed Cuban pitcher Elian Rodriguez moves onto this list at #17.

[MusicMan]

BP mid season rankings move Kyle Tucker to 14 and bring in Forrest Whitley at 45.


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[Nate Colbert]

BA out with their Top 100 Prospects list tonight: Martes (#15), Tucker (#19), Paulino (#51), F. Perez (#54) and Reed (#72). Martes was the 2nd-ranked pitcher on the list after STL's Alex Reyes.

And now BA out with their midseason Top 100 Prospects list with the Astros again with 5 players on the list--Tucker (#11), F. Perez (#32), Martes (#48), Fisher (#54) and Whitley (#58).

Link

[Reuben]

I'm kinda surprised Bukauskas didn't make it, since they had Faedo at #53, and Adell/Haseley at 97/98. Hunter Greene topped all new draftees at #30.

[Nate Colbert]

I'm kinda surprised Bukauskas didn't make it, since they had Faedo at #53, and Adell/Haseley at 97/98. Hunter Greene topped all new draftees at #30.

JJ Cooper did address it in the related chat as to why Faedo (drafted 18th) made it and Bukauskas (drafted 15th) didn't--Faedo had a stronger final month and has "more starter traits". Of course, that doesn't quite explain why BA itself had Bukauskas rated higher than Faedo going into the draft.

[VirtualBob]

JJ Cooper did address it in the related chat as to why Faedo (drafted 18th) made it and Bukauskas (drafted 15th) didn't--Faedo had a stronger final month and has "more starter traits". Of course, that doesn't quite explain why BA itself had Bukauskas rated higher than Faedo going into the draft.

Consistency has never been their strong suit.

[Nate Colbert]

Keith Law has come out with his midseason Top 50 Prospects list--article behind paywall but (as reported elsewhere) apparently included the following Astros:

16. Tucker
36. Whitley
43. F. Perez
46. Alvarez

Martes not on list because only guys currently in minors were considered.

[juliogotay]

Keith Law has come out with his midseason Top 50 Prospects list--article behind paywall but (as reported elsewhere) apparently included the following Astros:

16. Tucker
36. Whitley
43. F. Perez
46. Alvarez

Martes not on list because only guys currently in minors were considered.

Assuming Martes would be a Top 50 that would be 10% of the 50 best MiL players. That's incredible. Sort of unbelievable.

[moriartp]

Assuming Martes would be a Top 50 that would be 10% of the 50 best MiL players. That's incredible. Sort of unbelievable.

Atlanta has seven on his list. Then again, the Astros organization has elite major league talent, so top to bottom there's no question that our position is better.

[Nate Colbert]

Baseball America with their new Astros Top Ten Prospect list (which leads in to their Top 30 Prospects rankings in the Handbook early next year):

1. Francis Martes
2. Kyle Tucker
3. David Paulino
4. Franklin Perez
5. A.J. Reed
6. Forrest Whitley
7. Teoscar Hernandez
8. Yuli Gurriel
9. Derek Fisher
10. Garrett Stubbs

BA did a Midseason Update on their rankings. The revised list:

1. Kyle Tucker
2. Franklin Perez
3. Francis Martes
4. Derek Fisher
5. Forrest Whitley
6. Yordan Alvarez
7. J.B. Bukauskas
8. Teoscar Hernandez
9. J.D. Davis
10. Garrett Stubbs

[MusicMan]

Quite the fall for Reed.


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[jaklewein]

Quite the fall for Reed.


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Yes, and not that he won't turn things around, but it's the kind of thing we as fans have to remember when we see prospects traded away.  2 years ago I'm sure he'd of been considered a significant piece in a trade.  Today,

[juliogotay]

anyone know what tools Stubbs has that Jake Rogers doesn't?

[Nate Colbert]

anyone know what tools Stubbs has that Jake Rogers doesn't?

Addressed in today's hot sheet chat:

Ryan (DC): Why not Jake Rogers over Stubbs? Similar defensively and he's crushing it, not enough track record with the bat?

J.J. Cooper: He's right behind him to me and could pass him eventually as he is bigger/more traditionally sized. But Rogers' track record is shorter and I'm not forgetting what Stubbs did last year just because his numbers have dipped this year.

[Nate Colbert]

Martes (#20), K. Tucker (#35), Paulino (#54), Fisher (#83) and Whitley (#84) in MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. Franklin Perez fell just outside in a group of 15-20 players (according to a Jim Callis tweet). The club had 7 players on last year's list with 3 graduating (Bregman, Musgrove, Reed) thru loss of rookie status, 1 falling off the list (Daz Cameron) and 2 newcomers to the list (Fisher, Whitley).

Yankees and Braves had the most prospects on the list with 7, CWS followed with 6 and the Astros next along with a gaggle of 5 other clubs with 5. In terms of MLB.com's "prospect points", Houston rated 9th out of the 30 organizations.

Exes: Hader is at #38 while Brett Phillips falls off the list after ranking at #32 last year.

The complete list is here.

MLB.com with their new Top 100 Prospects list. Tucker (#10), Whitley (#40) and Fisher (#54) all move up on the list while F. Perez (#46) and Bukauskas (#87) get added to it.

Complete Top 100 List

ETA:
As noted earlier in thread, F. Perez did show up at #100 in an interim update to the preseason list.

[jbm]

Speaking of Bukauskas, where the hell is he?  Did they just shut him down or send him to Florida?

[Nate Colbert]

And MLB.com with their updated Top 30 Astros Prospects out today (in paren is where they had the player ranked 1 year ago):

1. Francis Martes (3)
2. Kyle Tucker (4)
3. David Paulino (7)
4. Derek Fisher (9)
5. Forrest Whitley (NR)
6. Franklin Perez (18)
7. Teo Hernandez (26)
8. Ramon Laureano (NR)
9. Daz Cameron (5)
10. Miguelangel Sierra (17)
11. Garrett Stubbs (NR)
12. Gilberto Celestino (16)
13. J.D. Davis (12)
14. Yordan Alvarez (NR)
15. Freudis Nova (NR)
16. Cionel Perez (NR)
17. Anibal Sierra (NR)
18. Jonathan Arauz (15)
19. Ronnie Dawson (NR)
20. Jandel Gustave (19)
21. Brady Rodgers (NR)
22. Jake Rogers (NR)
23. James Hoyt (22)
24. Riley Ferrell (20)
25. Colin Moran (6)
26. Brendan McCurry (23)
27. Jason Martin (NR)
28. Stephen Wrenn (NR)
29. Jorge Alcala (NR)
30. Framber Valdez (NR)

LHP (2)
RHP (10)
OF (10)
SS (4)
3B (2)
C (2)

Guys who fell off list (other than thru graduation or trade): Jon Kemmer (#21 last year), Andy Aplin (#28), Akeem Bostick (#29) and Michael Freeman (#30).

ETA:
Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB  1 hour ago
The two guys it pained me the most to leave off @Astros #Top30Prospects were RHPs Dean Deetz & Hector Perez.

MLB.com also updated the Top 30 Astros Prospects list as well:

1. Kyle Tucker
2. Forrest Whitley
3. Franklin Perez
4. Derek Fisher
5. JB Bukauskas
6. Yordan Alvarez
7. Colin Moran
8. David Paulino
9. Teo Hernandez
10. Daz Cameron
11. Cionel Perez
12. Jake Rogers
13. Hector Perez
14. Garrett Stubbs
15. JD Davis
16. Ramon Laureano
17. Freudis Nova
18. Elian Rodriguez
19. Framber Valdez
20. Corbin Martin
21. Jason Martin
22. Miguelangel Sierra
23. Gilberto Celestino
24. JJ Matijevic
25. Joe Perez
26. Jorge Alcala
27. Rogelio Armenteros
28. Myles Straw
29. Jonathan Arauz
30. Jandel Gustave

Guys who fell off list (other than thru graduation): Anibal Sierra (#17 previously), Ronnie Dawson (#19), Brady Rodgers (#21), Riley Ferrell (#24), Brendan McCurry (#26), Stephen Wrenn (#28).

[Nate Colbert]

Speaking of Bukauskas, where the hell is he?  Did they just shut him down or send him to Florida?

GCL. Hasn't pitched yet.

[Jacksonian]

Speaking of Bukauskas, where the hell is he?  Did they just shut him down or send him to Florida?

He's officially assigned to the GCL.  Nate has a note there about it.  He should get a few innings this season but don't expect much.

[Nate Colbert]

MLB.com with their new Top 100 Prospects list. Tucker (#10), Whitley (#40) and Fisher (#54) all move up on the list while F. Perez (#46) and Bukauskas (#87) get added to it.

Complete Top 100 List

ETA:
As noted earlier in thread, F. Perez did show up at #100 in an interim update to the preseason list.

In terms of MLB.com's "prospect points", the top ranked organizations were:

1. White Sox (527)
1. Braves (527)
3. Rays (296)
4. Padres (276)
5. Astros (268)
5. Dodgers (268)

[Nate Colbert]

mlb.com ranks the Top 10 prospects by position within all ML organizations. The only Astro prospect ranked in the Top 10 for his category at #5 was Martes in the RHP. I thought Tucker at least would have made Top 10.

In the latest rankings: Tucker comes in #4 among all OFs, Whitley #10 among RHPs, and Rogers #8 among catchers.

[Duman]

Sickles reviews his preseason list today. 

One interesting nugget to be found there: 

10) Daz Cameron, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 20, compensation round pick in 2015; hitting .241/.317/.436 with 11 homers, 22 steals, 32 walks, 93 strikeouts in 344 at-bats in Low-A; honestly very similar to his father Mike Cameron at the same stage.

Daddy Mike's year 20 season was .238/,292/.297 in low A ball. By end of his age 22 season, he was called up to White Sox, was a regular in year 24 season.

[Nate Colbert]

Astros placed 3rd in Baseball America's organizational prospect rankings behind Braves at #1 and Yankees at #2. Ranked #2 last year.

In their updated rankings, BA places the Astros at #5.

[Nate Colbert]

Like BA, MLB.com has updated their organizational rankings. After not being ranked in the top 10 in the preseason, the Astros come in at #9 in the new rankings.

[Nate Colbert]

MLB.com also updated the Top 30 Astros Prospects list as well:

1. Kyle Tucker
2. Forrest Whitley
3. Franklin Perez
4. Derek Fisher
5. JB Bukauskas
6. Yordan Alvarez
7. Colin Moran
8. David Paulino
9. Teo Hernandez
10. Daz Cameron
11. Cionel Perez
12. Jake Rogers
13. Hector Perez
14. Garrett Stubbs
15. JD Davis
16. Ramon Laureano
17. Freudis Nova
18. Elian Rodriguez
19. Framber Valdez
20. Corbin Martin
21. Jason Martin
22. Miguelangel Sierra
23. Gilberto Celestino
24. JJ Matijevic
25. Joe Perez
26. Jorge Alcala
27. Rogelio Armenteros
28. Myles Straw
29. Jonathan Arauz
30. Jandel Gustave

With the trade of Teo, everybody at #10 and beyond moves up a notch while Dean Deetz moves on to the list at #30.

[Nate Colbert]

Passan ranks the Astros' 5th best in terms of organizational talent w/these (excerpted) comments:

"...this is mostly me betting on a player I keep hearing scouts love: Forrest Whitley, the 19-year-old Texan who’s tearing through High-A and could be in the big leagues before he can take a legal sip of beer. Bold prediction: By this time next year, Whitley will be the highest-rated pitcher on prospect lists."

"Another name to remember: Jake Rogers. A third-round pick last season, he played himself out of the Midwest League within about a month and went to Buies Creek, a great pitchers’ park, where he has OPS’d close to .840. With a huge arm and a keen receiving ability, Rogers brings to mind Willson Contreras, whose defense the Cubs loved and whose offense was a wonderful surprise."

Also the obligatory mentions of Martes,  K. Tucker and Alvarez as well as the Perez trio (Franklin, Cionel and Hector).

[juliogotay]

Passan ranks the Astros' 5th best in terms of organizational talent w/these (excerpted) comments:

"...this is mostly me betting on a player I keep hearing scouts love: Forrest Whitley, the 19-year-old Texan who’s tearing through High-A and could be in the big leagues before he can take a legal sip of beer. Bold prediction: By this time next year, Whitley will be the highest-rated pitcher on prospect lists."

"Another name to remember: Jake Rogers. A third-round pick last season, he played himself out of the Midwest League within about a month and went to Buies Creek, a great pitchers’ park, where he has OPS’d close to .840. With a huge arm and a keen receiving ability, Rogers brings to mind Willson Contreras, whose defense the Cubs loved and whose offense was a wonderful surprise."

Also the obligatory mentions of Martes,  K. Tucker and Alvarez as well as the Perez trio (Franklin, Cionel and Hector).

Nate (or Duman or anyone that keeps close tabs on the MiLs) is there anyone taken by the club this draft that we may be reading about this time next year in glowing terms?

[Jacksonian]

Nate (or Duman or anyone that keeps close tabs on the MiLs) is there anyone taken by the club this draft that we may be reading about this time next year in glowing terms?

If everything holds, Bukauskus and Martin.

[juliogotay]

If everything holds, Bukauskus and Martin.

Thanks Jacksonian.