Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than 27th and landed No. 29 on this year’s preseason list.
That clearly hasn’t impacted their ability to win at the Major League level, having reached the playoffs eight straight years. And they continue to get major contributions to the big league team from relatively unheralded prospects, maximizing talents from late-round Draft picks or bargain international signees.
“One of the things that we take pride in is being able to extract everything we can from the players that we have,” said Jacob Buffa, Astros senior director of player development and performance science. “And overall, I think our group has done a pretty good job. We're not going to hit on every single player, but I think we have a pretty good process that allows us to give the Major League team players that will ultimately help them win a World Series.”
Right now, the system does lean toward bats, with the top five of the new Top 30 all position players, headlined by new acquisition -- and No. 1 prospect -- Cam Smith. It’s the best assortment of hitters the system has had in some time and four of the five (2024 first-round pick Walker Janek is the exception) have the chance to impact the big league roster during the 2025 season.
The pitchers are trying to catch up. Right-hander Miguel Ullola (No. 6), signed for $75,000 in 2021, led the Minors in average-against (.163) and raced to Triple-A in '24 -- though he left the Astros’ Spring Breakout game last Friday with shoulder discomfort. No. 7 Anderson Brito thrived in reaching full-season ball for the first time last year. Ethan Pecko (No. 10), the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and A.J. Blubaugh (No. 11) excelled at the upper levels while four Astros arms -- Blubaugh, Colton Gordon (No. 16), Ryan Gusto (No. 21) and Wander Suero -- were all named Triple-A Pacific Coast League All-Stars, once again giving the organization a pool of perhaps lesser-known (but ultimately big league-ready) pitchers to call upon as they try to compete in the AL West again.
“One of the strengths of our pitching development, it’s not just a broad sweeping, ‘Hey, this is something that we focused on and this is a common theme that allowed all these guys to get better,'” said Buffa, pointing to Ullola’s improved walk rates and Blubaugh’s continued velocity jumps as distinct examples. “It’s different modes of success for all of them. That’s one of the things that I’m proud of with our pitching department. It’s an individualized approach for each one of the guys.”
It’s not that the Astros don’t see things like farm system rankings and likely think they’re underranked regularly. It’s just not something they focus on, knowing that their mode of operation seems to work, even if it’s underappreciated.
“We notice it and our players notice it, but It’s not our ultimate target,” Buffa said. “We’d love for our players to get recognition for their sake, not necessarily because we want it to reflect a certain way on the program.
“These guys put in a lot of really hard work and they’re talented, and as their coaches, we believe in them, so we’d love for them to get recognition. But ultimately that’s not how we’re going to assess success or failure.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Camp standout: Brice Matthews
Matthews (No. 2) was the Astros’ first-round pick in 2023 after posting a 20-20 season at Nebraska in his Draft year. Hailing from suburban Houston, the local kid came home and had a very solid first full season of pro ball, making it to Triple-A despite missing a chunk of the season with back problems. He finished the year with 15 homers and 32 steals in 79 games.
Matthews’ numbers in Grapefruit League games don’t jump off the page, but the Astros have loved how much he looked like he belonged in big league camp, all while focusing on the right side of the infield more than he has previously, though he did play more there during his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League during the offseason.
“He’s looked fantastic on and off the field,” Buffa said. “He’s come in confident, he’s shown some leadership abilities. He’s playing second right now, which he didn’t play last year. And he looks great at second. He’s putting together good ABs with good quality contact.”
Breakout candidate: Jackson Nezuh
Nezuh was the club’s 14th-round pick in the 2023 Draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette -- yet another late-round find for the Astros. He didn’t throw after signing, but then was leading the Single-A Carolina League with 105 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings before getting promoted to High-A in July of his first full season. His 30 percent strikeout rate and 3.15 K/BB rate really stood out.
“He has an electric fastball that misses a lot of bats,” Buffa said. “He has a good breaking ball. We’re very excited about him, and I think by the end of the year, a lot of people will be talking about him.”
Nezuh may have started the buzz early with his performance in the Astros’ Spring Breakout game. The right-hander, No. 15 on the Top 30, struck out four in 1 2/3 innings, including fanning the side in the sixth inning against Nationals prospects.
Something to prove: Cristian Gonzalez
Gonzalez signed with the Astros way back in July 2018 for $300,000. He had modest success early in his career, but had spent the 2022 season in High-A at age 20. Since then, he’s played just 10 games over the past two years, with a hamstring injury early in 2023 and then Tommy John surgery at the end of the season landing him on the 60-day injured list in both 2023 and 2024.
He’s healthy now and even got some time in big league Grapefruit League action. He’s still only 23 years old and will now hopefully get the chance to see if his skill set can carry him up the ladder ... if he can stay off the injured list.
“It was a really unfortunate series of injuries,” Buffa said. “He’s worked extremely hard and done a good job of coming back. He’s a tremendously talented infielder with multiple tools. I’m very intrigued to see him after having not played for almost two years.”
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Erie's Aguirre celebrates his roots through Copa
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunes de Legacy, presented by Nationwide, shines a spotlight on Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinx stories throughout MiLB of those who have forged an impressive path and left a legacy in their wake. These individuals have inspired a new generation, currently writing their own
Dreams Go On for worthy cause close to Curve
It didn’t take long for Altoona's Annie Choiniere to decide which organization she wanted to nominate for Minor League Baseball's CommUNITY grant program. It was Dreams Go On, and for excellent reason.
2020 Eastern League Season Cancelled
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Major League Baseball™ (MLB™) has informed Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020. "These are unprecedented times for
Goats' Goudeau poised for more success
Ashton Goudeau headed into the 2019 season and admittedly was looking -- and able -- to reset. After all, he had been traded the previous spring from the Royals to the Mariners, then became a free agent after the season concluded. Joining the Rockies as Minor League free agent, it
Did you know? Eastern League edition
When it comes to size, scope and longevity, few, if any, sporting bodies can rival Minor League Baseball. With 160 teams in nearly as many markets, there are innumerable nooks and crannies to explore. This marks the third installment in a series dedicated to such explorations, providing one unique, weird,
Minor League teams reminisce about retro logos
Like all of us, Minor League teams across the country are trying to navigate a new normal and figure out how to keep themselves occupied on this strange frontier. Fortunately, social media can be a tool to unite, as the Class A Burlington Bees discovered last week.Burlington invited teams around
Red Sox add Downs to big league camp
Jeter Downs and Connor Wong have a new employer, and they won't have to wait long to get acquainted.A day after they were included in the finalized blockbuster that sent 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, Downs and Wong were among five non-roster players invited to big
Williams Returning As Reading Manager
(Reading, PA) - Shawn Williams is back at the helm after leading Reading to the playoffs in 2019, while Brad Bergesen was named the R-Phils new pitching coach as the Philadelphia Phillies announced their 2020 Minor League coaching staffs on Friday.Bergesen replaces Aaron Fultz, who moves up to Triple-A Lehigh
Fisher Cats Announce Coaching Staff
Manchester, N.H. - The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the full 2020 coaching staff for their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. After leading the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays to a first-place finish (80-55) in 2019, Manager Cesar Martin (SAY-zar Mar-TEEN), Pitching Coach Jim Czajkowski (cy-KOW-ski), and Hitting Coach Matt
Yard Goats Announce Coaching Staff
Hartford, Conn - The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that its 2020 coaching staff has been completed. Pitching Coach Frank Gonzales and Hitting Coach Tom Sutaris will join first year manager and Southington native Chris Denorfia to make up an
Thunder 2020 Coaching Staff Announced
The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, in conjunction with the New York Yankees are pleased to announce the 2020 Coaching Staff for the defending Eastern League Champions.Julio Mosquera takes over as Manager after spending the last two seasons as Manager with the Class-A Charleston Riverdogs. His staff includes Pitching Coach
Akron Announces 2020 Coaching Staff
(AKRON, OHIO) January 24, 2020- The Cleveland Indians have announced the organization's staff alignment within its Player Development System for the 2020 season and the Akron RubberDucks' field staff are quite familiar with Akron from previous stops with the franchise.Manager ROUGLAS ODOR, who was the RubberDucks hitting coach in 2014,
Dave Turgeon Named Altoona Manager
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Senior Director of Minor League Operations Larry Broadway, announced the Double-A affiliate's field staff for the 2020 season on Thursday. The new staff will be led by manager Dave Turgeon, who becomes the 11th manager in franchise
Arnie Beyeler Named SeaWolves Manager
The Erie SeaWolves, in conjunction with their parent club the Detroit Tigers, have announced their 2020 manager. Arnie Beyeler has been named the 18th manager in SeaWolves history. He replaces Mike Rabelo who led the club 2019.Beyeler, a native of Moab UT, spent the 2019 season as the first base
Oliver Returning As Portland Skipper
Portland, Maine - The Boston Red Sox have announced that Joe Oliver will return as Portland's manager for the second consecutive season. Also, Lance Carter replaces Paul Abbott as pitching coach, and Lance Zawadzki is Portland's new hitting coach. Scott Gallon (Head Athletic Trainer) returns for his fourth straight season.
Alguacil Returning to Richmond as Manager
RICHMOND, Va. - José Alguacil will return to manage the Richmond Flying Squirrels for the 2020 season, the San Francisco Giants announced on Monday. Steve Kline will also return to Richmond as the pitching coach and Doug Clark has been appointed as the Flying Squirrels' hitting coach.Alguacil was the Flying
Chris Denorfia Named Yard Goats Manager
Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that Chris Denorfia has been named manager for the 2020 season. Denorfia, who grew up in Southington, comes to the Rockies organization after spending last season with the Chicago Cubs as Quality
Giants invite Bart to Major League camp
The dawn of a new year means Spring Training won't be far behind. For Joey Bart, it will provide yet another opportunity to showcase his talent against big league competition.The top Giants prospect will take part in his second consecutive Cactus League campaign after being invited to Major League Spring
Rumble Ponies Announce Coaching Staff
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are proud to announce their 2020 coaching staff. First-year manager Lorenzo Bundy will be joined by pitching coach Jonathan Hurst, hitting coach Tony Jaramillo, bench coach Luis Rivera, athletic trainer Kiyoshi Tada, and performance coach Tanner Miracle.Bundy will take the reins in Binghamton
Senators Announce 2020 Field Staff
The Washington Nationals have announced that Billy Gardner, Jr. has been named 2020 manager of the Harrisburg Senators. He replaces long time manager Matt LeCroy who moves into a different position with the Nationals organization. Joining Gardner on the 2020 Senators staff is new pitching coach Sam Narron and hitting
Senators Saddened by Sudden Passing of Mark Butler
The Harrisburg Senators are heartbroken and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of principal owner and managing partner Mark Butler. He was also a founding father and CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet.Mark took over as the principal owner of the Senators on February 25, 2015. He was incredibly passionate about
Buck Britton Returning To Bowie In 2020
BALTIMORE - The Orioles announced the coaching staffs for their eight minor league affiliates for the 2020 season today. Each affiliate will be staffed with a five-person coaching staff, after the addition this season of a fifth coach.Reigning Eastern League Manager of the Year Buck Britton returns to Bowie for
Cesar Martin Named Fisher Cats Manager
Manchester, N.H. - The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that Cesar Martin (pronounced: SAY-zar Mar-TEEN) will be the new manager of their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.Martin, 40, was named 2019 Florida State League Manager of the Year for his work at the Advanced-A level, leading the Dunedin Blue Jays
SeaWolves Announce Chace Numata Scholarship
Purchase a Chace Numata T-shirt. Proceeds benefit the Chace Numata Scholarship Chace Numata Scholarship Information and ApplicationThe Erie SeaWolves, Double-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, announced today that the team has established the Chace Numata Scholarship in honor of the SeaWolves catcher who tragically passed away in September.The SeaWolves Community
Altoona's Lozinak named 2019 King of Baseball
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced that Bob Lozinak, owner of the Altoona Curve™, has been named the 2019 King of Baseball. The King of Baseball is a long-standing annual tradition in which Minor League Baseball recognizes a veteran of professional baseball for longtime dedication and