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.
Ruoff Mortgage Homestand Preview: April 22-27
It’s some home cooking coming at the right time for the South Bend Cubs, and Spring has certainly sprung with some sunshine and warm temperatures on the way this week at Four Winds Field. The Beloit Sky Carp, Midwest League affiliate of the Miami Marlins, come to town, as the
South Bend Cubs Outfielder Andy Garriola Named Midwest League Player of the Week
South Bend Cubs outfielder Andy Garriola was selected as 'Midwest League Player of the Week' after clobbering four home runs in South Bend's six-game road series at West Michigan. The final three came in consecutive games, during pivotal at-bats on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Garriola is tied for second in
Cubs Come Up Short in Sunday Battle Versus Whitecaps 5-3
Comstock Park, MI - In their six game series against the West Michigan Whitecaps this week, the South Bend Cubs held leads in each game, however, in a sweep, West Michigan defeated the Cubs in all six, finishing the series with a 5-3 final on Easter Sunday afternoon. Different from
Whitecaps Erase Four Different Cub Leads In 10-9, Extra-Inning Win
The West Michigan Whitecaps just wouldn’t go away on Saturday afternoon. Having already claimed the series with four consecutive defeats against South Bend, the Whitecaps baffled the Cubs in game five, winning 10-9 in 10 innings by overcoming four different deficits. West Michigan center fielder Brett Callahan delivered the walk-off
Cubs Return Home for Second April Homestand Tuesday Night
SOUTH BEND, IN - Spring is officially here, and the South Bend Cubs are set to return home to Four Winds Field following their road trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. This week, the Cubs will square off against the Beloit Sky Carp in a six-game series beginning Tuesday night, April
Cristian Hernandez Earns Midwest League Player of the Week Honors
SOUTH BEND, IN - South Bend Cubs shortstop Cristian Hernandez was selected as 'Midwest League Player of the Week' after wrapping up this past week's series against Peoria by going 10/22 at the plate with a home run and three RBI. Hernandez leads the Midwest League in base hits with
Whitecaps Charge Past Cubs 17-3
Comstock Park, MI - In a game that the South Bend Cubs led by multiple runs after four innings of play, the West Michigan Whitecaps threw a massive punch back in the late innings, storming back to defeat the Cubs by a final score of 17-3 on Wednesday afternoon from
West Michigan Outlasts Cubs in 10 Inning Opener 2-1
Comstock Park, MI - In a series opening game that required extra innings between the South Bend Cubs and West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday afternoon, both clubs scored an individual run in regulation. That’s thanks to solid outings across the board from both starting pitchers, and a combined effort from
Toyota Road Report: April 15-20
It’s an old rivalry set to recharge this week in Grand Rapids! For the first and only time in the 2025 season, the South Bend Cubs are going to match-up with the West Michigan Whitecaps. LMCU Ballpark will feature a duel with some of the top Chicago Cubs and Detroit
Cubs’ Rally Runs Out Of Time In 11-9 Loss To Peoria
After no more than eight runs scored in any of this week’s first five games between the Peoria Chiefs and South Bend Cubs, chaos erupted on Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs hung on for an 11-9 win at Four Winds Field after coming within an eyelash of coughing up a 9-1
Cubs Split Saturday Doubleheader With Peoria, Winning 4-2 Before 4-2 Loss
In a doubleheader that featured two seven-inning games on Saturday afternoon at Four Winds Field, the Peoria Chiefs and South Bend Cubs played to a split. The Cubs captured the opener by a 4-2 score to win the series before the Chiefs answered with a 4-1 victory in the finale.
Cubs Come From Behind Again, Win 4-3 With Big Fourth Inning
Just as quickly as they started 0-3, the South Bend Cubs are right back to .500. They won a third consecutive game against the Peoria Chiefs on Friday evening, improving to 3-0 at Four Winds Field with a 4-3 triumph. Right fielder Ivan Brethowr cracked his first home run as
Cubs Pull Through Against Peoria 3-2 On Hernandez’s First South Bend Homer
The thermometer read 41 degrees with the wind blowing in from center field, but don’t tell that to South Bend Cub shortstop Cristian Hernandez. The 11th-ranked Chicago Cubs prospect cranked his first home run of 2025, breaking a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning of Thursday night’s 3-2 South Bend
Wednesday's South Bend Cubs Game Postponed – Doubleheader Scheduled for Saturday
SOUTH BEND, IN - Due to the inclement weather, tonight's game between the South Bend Cubs and Peoria Chiefs has been postponed. The game will be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on Saturday, April 12. Gates open at 2:00 PM and first pitch of Game 1 will
Cubs Ride Five-Run Sixth To 5-3 Win In Home Opener
On Tuesday night, the South Bend Cubs announced their return to Four Winds Field with their first victory of 2025. The Cubs defeated the Peoria Chiefs by a 5-3 score, tallying all five runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. South Bend now stands at 1-3 on
Ruoff Mortgage Homestand Preview: April 8-13
It is Opening Night at Four Winds Field! And with the anticipation of a new season buzzing around Downtown South Bend, the South Bend Cubs are nearly ready to take the field. Nick Lovullo is leading the Cubs in year two as manager, and a roster packed with talent is
Celebrate Opening Week 2025 at Four Winds Field
SOUTH BEND, IN - It’s time for baseball in South Bend! The 2025 Midwest League season is upon us, and after a quick three-game road trip to Beloit, the South Bend Cubs are ready to open the season against the Peoria Chiefs, Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals,
Comeback Falls Short as Beloit Beats and Sweeps Cubs 5-4
Beloit, WI - The first series of the 2025 season for the South Bend Cubs will go down as a sweep for the opponent. The Beloit Sky Carp won three consecutive games to start this season over South Bend, with both concluding as a final score of 5-4. That was
Sky Carp Swipe Away Win in Extras Over Cubs 5-4
Beloit, WI - The South Bend Cubs mounted a big comeback to get themselves back into their Saturday afternoon matinee against the Beloit Sky Carp, but in a back-and-forth battle, Beloit made one big play in extra innings to prevail by a final score of 5-4. Both teams had opportunities,
Sky Carp Blank Cubs 7-0 on Opening Day
Beloit, WI - On a chilly night in Beloit, Wisconsin, Notre Dame legend Rudy Ruettiger threw out the first pitch on Opening Day 2025 as the South Bend Cubs faced off with the Beloit Sky Carp. Ruettiger was visiting Beloit as part of an event honoring the movie ‘Rudy’. He
South Bend Cubs Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
SOUTH BEND, IN - In conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, the South Bend Cubs have released the team’s opening day roster for the 2025 season. As the Cubs get set to open the campaign on Friday, April 4 against the Beloit Sky Carp in Wisconsin, the new roster has arrived,
Expanded Parking Options Available for South Bend Cubs Home Games in 2025
SOUTH BEND, IN – Downtown South Bend has seen a number of new construction projects break ground especially near Four Winds Field. As additional development around the ballpark grows, parking options have been limited. However in 2025, the South Bend Cubs are adding two new parking lots along with additional
Multi-platinum Artist Tyler Hubbard to Headline Concert at Four Winds Field August 27
SOUTH BEND, IN - Live country music is set to return to Four Winds Field for the first time since 2018 as 22x No. 1 country hitmaker Tyler Hubbard will bring his high-energy show, as both one-half of Florida Georgia Line and as a solo artist, to Downtown South Bend
Cubs Building on Flavor and New Food Items for the 2025 Season
SOUTH BEND, IN – As stadium renovations continue ahead of the 2025 season, the South Bend Cubs are renovating their menus and adding a number of new items to the concession stands and suite menus on game day. Based on the success of last year’s popular SMASH burgers, the Cubs
Silver Sluggers Senior Discount Program Grows for 2025
The South Bend Cubs Silver Sluggers program is bigger and better than ever! Presented by Sterling Healthcare, fans that are 60 years old and above can purchase tickets at 50% off to every Wednesday home game in 2025. But membership in the Silver Sluggers Club is more than just a