The Houston Astros are among the most recent examples of an elite team winning based largely on how well they drafted, signed, developed, and traded.
Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, and Kyle Tucker remain from a system which also produced George Springer and Carlos Correa.
The current farm system, however, lacks the depth and impact talent it had when the current run began years ago.
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 24 | Hunter Brown | RHP | 60 |
Brown’s three 60-grade or better pitches, including a mid-to-upper 90s four-seamer and two distinct breakingballs, none of which can overcome 40-grade command, suggesting reliever risk.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 22 | Drew Gilbert | OF | 50 |
Gilbert’s game is about hitting for average, getting on base, and impact speed and defense.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 25 | Pedro Leon | OF | 45 |
Anatural middle infielder, Leon has moved to the outfield, where his plus speed and cannon arm play better than his bat.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 24 | Yainer Diaz | C | 45 |
Diaz is a hit-first, power-based backstop with thin margins for error both offensively and defensively.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 22 | Jacob Melton | OF | 45 |
Melton has the physical tools of an everyday player, but to get to his power and speed he’ll have to find a way to make consistent contact.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 6 | 28 | David Hensley | IF | 40 |
On-base skills and projectable power has been a part of Hensley’s profile for years and at 28 it’s make or break time.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 21 | Miguel Ullola | RHP | 40 |
Tremendous arm speed generates high-octane velocity for Ullola, who alson possesses a above-average slider and a chance at an averae curveball and changeup.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 24 | Korey Lee | C | 40 |
Lee has a chance to be an average defender, but it’s a power-over-hit offensive profile, putting a lot of stress on the power aspect.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 23 | Colin Barber | OF | 40 |
Barber has the tools to hit for average, get on base, and play above-average defense in center, even with fringe-average arm strength.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 24 | Joey Loperfido | OF | 45 |
The Astros’ seventh-round pick in 2021 is comong off big year at the plate and a chance to advance to the majors on his hit tool alone.
[ninja_tables id=”19815″]
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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