Format = Place Participant | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Degree Performed | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. 3B Cam Smith | 22 | AA | 2025
The 14th total decide by the Cubs on this summer season’s draft, Smith skipped blissfully by means of the A-levels in simply 27 video games, blasting six house runs in 15 Low-A video games and slashing .333/.421/.500 in 12 Excessive-A video games earlier than rounding out the season with 5 video games with Double-A Tennessee. Houston noticed sufficient to focus on the 6’3” 224 lb righty within the Kyle Tucker commerce. Smith provides the membership a ready-soon third-base prospect within the wake of Alex Bregman’s departure, although with Isaac Paredes additionally on the town, Smith could should attempt some outfield.
2. RHP Miguel Ullola | 22 | AAA | 2025
Ullola allowed simply 72 hits in 127.1 Double-A innings however recorded a 4.24 ERA as a result of he allowed 73 walks. The 1.14 WHIP he was left with is fairly variety on the eyes, however you may see the trail to higher outcomes. He leans on a double-plus fastball, and guys like to put off a number of pitches as a result of he’s all over, however his mixture of slider, curve and alter might work alongside that fastball if he might simply command two of these constantly and present the others, by which I imply the stuff is nasty, he’s bought good stability and athleticism all through his supply, so I’m betting the non-fastball choices will enhance throughout time as he’s uncovered to higher-level teaching.
3. OF Jacob Melton | 24 | AAA | 2025
A left-handed batter at 6’2” 208 lbs, Melton hit nicely at Oregon State and hit nicely with wood bats within the Western Canadian League as a 19-year-old and appears like a reasonably protected wager to maintain hitting. He’s additionally a plus runner in an period when 30 steals is only a mind-set. He went 15/30 in 105 video games throughout two ranges in 2024 and could be a menace for 20/30 as a giant leaguer if he can lock down a job.
4. SS Brice Matthews | 23 | AAA | 2025
A primary-round decide in 2023, Matthews flew by means of the system in 2024, enjoying at 4 ranges in simply 79 video games and slashing .265/.384/.481 with 15 house runs and 32 stolen bases. He ran out of fuel in Triple-A and batted simply .143 in 12 video games there, however I can’t maintain that towards a man on the finish of a wonderful season. At 5’10” 190 lbs with straightforward pull energy from the best facet, he’s tailor made for the Minute Maid.
5. 1B Zach Dezenzo | 24 | MLB | 2024
A right-handed hitter at 6’5” 220 lbs, Dezenzo was a four-year starter at Ohio State who slugged .701 as a senior after slugging .732 with wood bats within the MLB Draft League. It is a theme for Houston, who likes to see a bit success sans aluminum and has reaped some middle-round rewards within the course of. Dezenzo was a twelfth spherical decide in 2022 and has already sipped 19 video games price of big-league espresso after slashing .323/.425/.573 with 5 house runs and the steals in 25 Triple-A video games. Houston blocked Dezenzo by signing Christian Walker for 3 years, however it will make sense for them to present this man an opportunity in 2025.
6. OF Pedro Leon | 26 | MLB | 2024
Leon will flip 27 on Might 28, so it’s type of an understatement to say 2025 appears like now or by no means for a man who has performed THREE FULL SEASONS in Triple-A. That’s not the craziest consequence on the planet, however it will’ve been fairly unthinkable when the group signed Leon out of Cuba for $4 million. In 118 video games there this season, Leon slashed .299/.372/.514 with 24 house runs and 29 stolen bases whereas the Astros struggled to seek out outfield manufacturing on the large league membership. Proof means that the previous is prologue, and that Leon gained’t get a lot of a glance this 12 months both, however he’d be fascinating for our sport if he ever bought on the sphere.
7. OF Luis Baez | 21 | AA | 2026
A right-handed hitter with a giant swing at 6’1” 225 lbs, Baez has proven an aggressive strategy that produces good energy however a weak on-base share. He slashed .258/.301/.462 with 21 house runs and 11 stolen bases in 106 video games throughout two ranges the place he was among the many youthful gamers. That’s fairly good, and Baez seemed to be experimenting with endurance at season’s finish, strolling at a 13.1 p.c clip in his 14 video games at Double-A. He’ll flip 21 this week on January eleventh. Completely happy birthday, Luis!
8. 3B Shay Whitcomb | 26 | MLB | 2024
A fifth spherical pick of UC San Diego in 2020 who signed for $56,000, Whitcomb has by no means been the very best chance prospect, however he’s posted good outcomes all through his professional profession, and 2024 was his finest season but. In 108 Triple-A video games, he slashed .293/.378/.530 with 25 house runs, 26 stolen bases and a 19.8 p.c strikeout price: an 11.3 p.c enchancment from 2023. This earned him a 20-game stint with Houston, however he solely bought 46 sporadic plate appearances there and didn’t thrive, slashing .220/.304/.293 regardless of hanging out simply 17.4 p.c of the time.
9. OF Zach Cole | 24 | AA | 2026
A plus defensive heart fielder with lefty energy and plus velocity, Cole gained’t should max out within the batter’s field to develop into a practical main leaguer. 2024 was a down 12 months robust. He slashed .214/.302/.408 with ten house runs and 14 stolen bases in 70 Double-A video games, however that’s in all probability sufficient to wave him alongside to Triple-A given the defensive worth. He’s in all probability a free-agent degree dynasty participant till he places collectively a loud stretch.
10. C Walker Janek | 22 | A+ | 2027
The twenty eighth total decide within the 2024 draft, Janek is a defense-first catcher who hit simply .175 in 25 Excessive-A video games as knowledgeable. Secure to say he ought to’ve began his profession in Low-A popping out of Sam Houston, however that’s water underneath the bridge now. At his finest, Janek brings plus energy with the type of protection that opens doorways for him.
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