After seven consecutive appearances in the ALCS, the pennant machine that is the Houston Astros operation hit a speed bump this year. It was remarkably the first time they'd missed playing in the League Championship Series since 2016, an American League record. Despite falling short of their lofty goals, Houston still managed to win another American League West crown and saw some positive developments in their farm system.
Outfielder Jacob Melton heads a farm system that lacks star upside, but the emergence of guys like Zach Dezenzo, A.J. Blubaugh, and perhaps most importantly Anderson Brito, point toward another steady stream of reinforcements on the way to Space City.
