Astros Top 20 Prospects, 2013

1) Carlos Correa

Average, power, speed, defense, great make-up, great body. There’s nothing not to like for the future “Face of the Franchise”. He’s only 18, but it’s safe to buy your Carlos Correa Astros jersey now. Number 12.

2) George Springer

Nice speed-power combo, plays hard, plus defense, great make-up. Concerns: age and the strikeout rate. 

3) Jonathan Singleton 

Above average all-around hitter, close to Majors, young. Concerns about defense and make-up. Smoking pot won’t get you High on my list.

4) Lance McCullers Jr.

Great stuff, great make-up, but a long ways away. Young pitchers are terrifying. 

5) Delino DeShields Jr. 

Ridiculous speed, above average pop, decent BB:K ratio, young. Will he regress from monster 2012? Where will he end up defensively? 

6) Rio Ruiz

Good make-up, good hitter. Still a long way to go.

7) Jarred Cosart

Electric stuff, but extremely inconsistent and make-up concerns. Getting old.

8) Nick Tropeano 

Moderate upside, but highly productive and has outstanding “out pitch” (Change-up).

9) Mike Foltynewicz

Innings-eater potential, solid stuff, but nothing special.

10) Nolan Fontana

David Eckstein all over again. 

11) Aaron West

Productive, throws strikes, intriguing background. Needs to perform at higher levels. Breakout candidate. Might be a CIA agent in disguise.

12) Robbie Grossman

Jack of all trades, master of none. Good chance to stick at ML level.

13) Domingo Santana

Monster power, young. Huge concerns about making enough contact. 

14) Jonathan Villar

Huge defensive upside, young, good pop-speed combo. Strikeouts, make-up are a concern. Earns an 80 grade for Wall-Punching.

15) Vincent Velasquez

Good stuff, productive, but small sample size, injury history. Breakout candidate. 

16) Joe Musgrove

Intriguing frame, stuff. Needs to play, plain and simple. Only 40+ innings in two seasons. 

17) Preston Tucker

Defensive concerns, but can flat-out hit. Earns a spot on the Reggie Cleveland All-Star team. 

18) Asher Wojciechowski

Low upside, but chance to be 5th starter/bullpen.

19) Adrian Houser

Good-not-great stuff, young, innings-eater potential. Need to see more.

20) Brady Rodgers

Poor man’s Aaron West.

Others: Ariel Ovando, Andrew Aplin, Kevin Comer, Tyler Heineman, Jio Mier, Brett Phillps.