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.
Hillsboro Hops, City of Hillsboro and Mortenson celebrate “Topping Out” of new Ballpark
HILLSBORO, Ore – On Friday, March 7, The Hillsboro Hops, in collaboration with the City of Hillsboro and leading developer and design-builder Mortenson, celebrated the “topping out” of the Hillsboro Hops Ballpark located at 4450 NE Century Blvd. in Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. The event commemorated the structure reaching
Hillsboro Hops Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
Hillsboro, Ore. (January 14, 2025) – It was announced today by the Hillsboro Hops and Arizona Diamondbacks that Mark Reed will be managing the Hops in 2025. Reed, a coach on the Hops’ 2024 staff was a third-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2004. Also returning to Hillsboro is
New Ballpark Waitlist Now Open
Hillsboro, Ore. (November 14, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops announced on Thursday that waitlist deposits for the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark are now available. The Hops’ new ballpark is scheduled to open in April of 2026 and will be a premier year-round baseball and concert venue. This is the first
2025 Hillsboro Hops Home Schedule Released
Hillsboro, Ore. (October 21, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops announced their full 66-game home schedule for 2025 on Monday. The final season in Hillsboro Ballpark will be headlined by 36 weekend games, Star Wars Night, two Craft Beer Nights and 7 Soñadores games. Opening Weekend is highlighted by Opening Night
Hillsboro Hops Fund Banquet Panel Announced
Hillsboro, Ore. (October 17, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops will host the 11th annual Hillsboro Hops Fund Banquet on Saturday, November 23rd at NW Events & Environments in Hillsboro. The event, which is presented by Barclays, will be headlined by a featured conversation “Future is Female” from four prominent women
Haruki Mukohchi Named NWL Trainer of the Year
September 24, 2024 (Hillsboro, OR) - It was announced by The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) that Hillsboro Hops' trainer Haruki Mukohchi has been named the 2024 Northwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year. "I am very honored to receive this award," said Mukohchi. "I would like to thank
Construction Milestone for Hillsboro Hops New Ballpark
Hillsboro, Ore. (September 20, 2024) – A major milestone was reached in the construction of the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark on Thursday as the first concrete pour took place. 250 cubic yards of concrete was poured onto the new site on the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. The footings poured on
Hops Split Friday & Saturday games at Tri-City, Set for Sunday Season Finale
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 8, 2024) --- The Hillsboro Hops played one of their poorest games of the year on Friday night at Gesa Stadium in a 7-3 loss to Tri-City, followed by a crisp 2-1 victory over the Dust Devils on Saturday. And on Sunday night at 6:30, Hillsboro will
Hops' Dramatic Victory Isn’t Enough
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 5, 2024) --- Junior Franco’s top-of-the-eighth-inning heroics and a clutch save by Yordin Chalas led to a 2-1 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils on Thursday night at Gesa Stadium. The tense victory kept the Hops’ slim postseason hopes alive… until about 45 minutes later, when Vancouver
Hops Lose at Tri-City, Elimination Number Falls to One
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 4, 2024) --- Hillsboro wasted several early opportunities on Wednesday night at Gesa Stadium, including leaving the bases loaded in the second and fourth innings, en route to a 5-2 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils. Vancouver lost 10-7 at home to Eugene, delaying the Canadians’ playoff-berth
Hillsboro Hops Partner with Intel to Support STEM Education in Oregon as Part of Strikeouts for STEM Program
Hillsboro, Ore. (September 4, 2024) – In collaboration with the Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops), Intel, the Oregon-based semiconductor manufacturer, is donating $40,000 to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation to support future STEM opportunities for the children of Hillsboro. Intel has committed to donate $30 for every strikeout by a Hops pitcher this
Hops Lose at Tri-City, Playoff Hopes Shrink
Pasco, Wash. (Sept. 3, 2024) --- With the Hops’ epic six-run, ninth-inning Sunday comeback win over Vancouver now in the rear-view mirror, Hillsboro came to the Tri-Cities for the season’s final series, trailing Vancouver by three games with six to play. Alas, the Hops’ playoff hopes took a major hit
Biggest Comeback in Team History Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
September 1, 2024 (Hillsboro, OR) - The Hops entered the final home game of the 2024 season on Sunday at Hillsboro Ballpark with their season on the line and needing a win versus Vancouver to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Trailing 8-3 with two outs in the ninth inning
Hops Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 5-2 Win
August 31 (Hillsboro, OR)- The Vancouver Canadians and Hillsboro Hops battled for the second playoff spot on Saturday night at Hillsboro Ballpark. The Hops beat the Canadians 5-2 tonight, but Vancouver still holds a four-game lead in the standings over Hillsboro with seven games left to play. Avery Short had
Hillsboro's Friday Night Hitting Frenzy
Hillsboro, OR (August 30)- The Hillsboro Hops had a dominant win over the Vancouver Canadians on Friday at Hillsboro Ballpark, taking the game 9-3. Jose Cabrera, 2.44 ERA, went up against Kendry Rojas, 2.70 ERA, on the bump in the high-scoring game. Coming off of 8.2 innings of a no-hitter
Hops’ Pitching Staff Allows Ten Earned Runs in Loss to Canadians
August 28 (Hillsboro, OR)—For the second game of the series, the Vancouver Canadians and Hillsboro Hops met at Hillsboro Ballpark. The Canadians started off hot and kept it that way, with the Hops never gaining a lead. Vancouver won 10-5. Although the loss was a tough one, a highlight of
Eighth Inning Explosion Powers Hops to 9-5 Win
Hillsboro, OR (August 27, 2024) – The Hops trailed the Vancouver Canadians by seven games for the final Northwest League playoff spot entering play on Tuesday. Hillsboro needs to win at least five-of-six games from Vancouver to keep hopes alive heading into the final series of the season and they
Gavin Conticello's Clutch Two-Run Homer leads Hops to 5-4 Victory
Hillsboro, OR (August 25, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops are the only team in the Northwest League to have a winning record against the Spokane Indians in 2024 and they would add to that win total in the series finale. After a heartbreaking 1-0 loss last night, the Hops had
Hops Suffer 1-0 Loss Despite Taking A No-Hitter into the Ninth
August 24 (Hillsboro, OR)- Jose Cabrera made his ninth start of the year, facing off against Yunjanyer Herrera for the Spokane Indians at Hillsboro Ballpark. In one of the best pitching games of the year, Jose Cabrera got charged with the loss despite not allowing a hit for 8.2 innings.
When it Rains it Pours, Hillsboro loses 7-2 to Spokane
August 23 (Hillsboro, OR)- The Spokane Indians and the Hillsboro Hops met up at Hillsboro Ballpark on a rainy Friday night. Hillsboro took a brutal 7-2 loss to Spokane. In the past three games, Hops' pitching staff had only given up three hits combined, and tonight they allowed ten. With
Hops' Pitching Brilliant Again, Holds Spokane to Just Two Hits in 8-2 Win
Hillsboro, OR (August 22, 2024) – A night after Hillsboro held the best hitting team in the Northwest League to just one hit, they would again silence the Indians’ bats. The combination of Jacob Steinmetz, Carlos Rey, Zane Russell and Alfred Morillo allowed just two hits and two runs in
Roman Angelo Throws Seven No-Hit Innings
Hillsboro, OR (August 21)- Hillsboro pitching dominated over the Spokane Indians at Hillsboro Ballpark in the Hops 4-1 win. Roman Angelo had a legendary outing, becoming only the second Hops pitcher to throw seven innings of a no-hitter. Angelo struck out nine batters in his appearance and was pulled from
Hops Earn Split, Take Season Series From Eugene
EUGENE, Ore. --Another strong outing from Jose Cabrera, another strong finish from the bullpen and a strong swing from Jose Fernandez. Those three things added up to a 5-1 Hillsboro win at Eugene Sunday as the Hops (23-25 second half, 58-55 overall) salvaged a series split with back-to-back wins on
Lightning Strikes Twice As Hops Snap Skid
EUGENE, Ore. --One night after losing three runners on the bases in a one-run defeat, the Hops were not deterred in their pursuit of extra bags on a stormy Saturday in Eugene. Successfully pulling off two first-and-third double steals, Hillsboro (22-25 second half, 57-55 overall) closed out a 4-2 win
Steinmetz Dazzles; Bullpen Frazzled
EUGENE, Ore. -- What more does Jacob Steinmetz have to do to get his first Hillsboro win? The 6-7 hurler from Long Island was nothing short of brilliant Friday night, but the slim lead the Hops gave him dissipated quickly upon his departure. The Eugene Emeralds scored three runs in