Astros Top 20 prospects

I was a little bored last night and since the Astros season ended during this awful road trip, I thought it would be interesting to see where farm system is doing.

1. Jason Castro, C

Astros top prospect doing well at AA. However, team shouldn't rush him too quickly and seeing how J.R. Towles development played out (or lack thereof), they won't.

2. Jordan Lyles, RHP

Astros top pitching prospect destroying Low-A hitting with impressive projectible stuff. Only 18 years old. Team should be careful to limit his innings. 2nd starter ability.

3. Bud Norris, RHP

PCL ERA leader doing well so far for the big league team. Lack of size and command issues limit his long-term potential. 3rd starter ability or future closer.

4. Ross Seaton, RHP

Local pitcher doing well at Low-A. Similar to Lyles but not striking out as many hitters. Only 19 years old. Astros fans will keep tabs on his development very closely.

5. Jiovanni Mier, SS

2009 1st round pick has started professional career well. Very good defensively. Long term question will be how well he hits.

6. Yorman Bazardo, RHP

Technically not a prospect but minor league free agent has turned his career around after disastrous 2008 season at IL. Lack of strikeouts and delivery issues will always concern me. Could be 4th starter.

7. J.B. Shuck, OF

Lead off hitter doing very well at Lancaster (420 OBP%). Only real weakness is lack of power. Rated higher than any other Lancaster hitter because in belief that his game will translate better beyond Lancaster's hitter environment.

8. Sammy Gervacio, RHP

Has had up and down season at AAA, but weird delivery should fool hitters for a while. Future set-up man.

9. Chia Jen Lo, RHP

Korean pitcher has handled 1st professional season well at AA. Future set-up man.

10. Polin Trinidad, LHP

Started well at AA, struggled a bit at AAA, but command remains strong. Probable career as long inning relief man.

11. Dallas Keuchel, LHP

2009 8th round pick has start professional career nicely. Advanced pitcher that could move through the system quickly.

12. Brian Bogusevic, OF

Pitcher turned hitter hasn't hit as much this year at AAA. Still inexperienced in terms of hitting. Lack of power probably limits him to 4th outfielder.

13. Jay Austin, OF

18-year old holding his own at Lexington. Nice speed, okay defense, but lack of patience. Development will take time.

14. Jon Gaston, OF

2009 Minor league home run leader. However, too many strikeouts, lack of size and Lancasters hitter-friendly environment worry me. Must see AA numbers.

15. Koby Clemens, 3B

Great offensive season at Lancaster but defensive issues and inflated numbers hurt his stock. Must see AA numbers.

16. Tanner Bushue, RHP

2009 2nd round pick started very well professionally and has high upside, but hasn't pitched recently. Will take time to develop.

17. Chris Johnson, 3B

Hasn't translated his tools into skills at AAA, still young enough to improve, but I'm not optimistic.

18. Fernando Abad, LHP

One of the only pitchers doing well at Lancaster, his superb control stands out (7BB in 70+ innings)

19. T.J. Steele, OF

Injured for much of the sesason, Steele is hitting well, but contact issues will hold him back.

20. Daniel Meszaros, RHP

2008 48th round pick holding his own at AA. Future reliever.

Astros Top 20 prospects

I was a little bored last night and since the Astros season ended during this awful road trip, I thought it would be interesting to see where farm system is doing. Here is my top 20.

1. Jason Castro, C

Astros top prospect doing well at AA. However, team shouldn't rush him too quickly and seeing how J.R. Towles development played out (or lack thereof), they won't.

2. Jordan Lyles, RHP

Astros top pitching prospect destroying Low-A hitting with impressive projectible stuff. Only 18 years old. Team should be careful to limit his innings. 2nd starter ability.

3. Bud Norris, RHP

PCL ERA leader doing well so far for the big league team. Lack of size and command issues limit his long-term potential. 3rd starter ability or future closer.

4. Ross Seaton, RHP

Local pitcher doing well at Low-A. Similar to Lyles but not striking out as many hitters. Only 19 years old. Astros fans will keep tabs on his development very closely.

5. Jiovanni Mier, SS

2009 1st round pick has started professional career well. Very good defensively. Long term question will be how well he hits.

6. Yorman Bazardo, RHP

Technically not a prospect but minor league free agent has turned his career around after disastrous 2008 season at IL. Lack of strikeouts and delivery issues will always concern me. Could be 4th starter.

7. J.B. Shuck, OF

Lead off hitter doing very well at Lancaster (420 OBP%). Only real weakness is lack of power. Rated higher than any other Lancaster hitter because in belief that his game will translate better beyond Lancaster's hitter environment.

8. Sammy Gervacio, RHP

Has had up and down season at AAA, but weird delivery should fool hitters for a while. Future set-up man.

9. Chia Jen Lo, RHP

Korean pitcher has handled 1st professional season well at AA. Future set-up man.

10. Polin Trinidad, LHP

Started well at AA, struggled a bit at AAA, but command remains strong. Probable career as long inning relief man.

11. Dallas Keuchel, LHP

2009 8th round pick has start professional career nicely. Advanced pitcher that could move through the system quickly.

12. Brian Bogusevic, OF

Pitcher turned hitter hasn't hit as much this year at AAA. Still inexperienced in terms of hitting. Lack of power probably limits him to 4th outfielder.

13. Jay Austin, OF

18-year old holding his own at Lexington. Nice speed, okay defense, but lack of patience. Development will take time.

14. Jon Gaston, OF

2009 Minor league home run leader. However, too many strikeouts, lack of size and Lancasters hitter-friendly environment worry me. Must see AA numbers.

15. Koby Clemens, 3B

Great offensive season at Lancaster but defensive issues and inflated numbers hurt his stock. Must see AA numbers.

16. Tanner Bushue, RHP

2009 2nd round pick started very well professionally and has high upside, but hasn't pitched recently. Will take time to develop.

17. Chris Johnson, 3B

Hasn't translated his tools into skills at AAA, still young enough to improve, but I'm not optimistic.

18. Fernando Abad, LHP

One of the only pitchers doing well at Lancaster, his superb control stands out (7BB in 70+ innings)

19. T.J. Steele, OF

Injured for much of the sesason, Steele is hitting well, but contact issues will hold him back.

20. Daniel Meszaros, RHP

2008 48th round pick holding his own at AA. Future reliever.

 Tell me what you think.