10 Houston Astros Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 Houston Astros Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections for every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Astros system beyond their Top 30.
31. Alberto Hernandez, SS
Hernandez signed out of Cuba during the 2022 international signing period for $950,000 and was the 21st Cuban-born player in the Astros system, marking the first time one organization rostered more than 20 Cuban players since the 1960s. He made his stateside debut in 2023 and hit .257/.375/.414 across 40 Florida Complex League games. Hernandez shows a good balance of plate skills and developing power. Hernandez had previously been a switch-hitter but dropped it, and now hits righthanded full-time.
32. Waner Luciano, 3B
Luciano is a thicker bodied slugger that hit .247/.345/.476 with 10 home runs in the Florida Complex League last summer. Luciano shows above-average bat-to-ball skills and approach with impressive exit velocity metrics. Luciano has seen time at third base and right field, and is limited defensively, putting pressure on Luciano’s bat.
33. Trey Cabbage, 1B/OF
In 2023, Cabbage became just the sixth player in the 119-year history of the Pacific Coast League to post a 30-30 season. His 80-grade power and top-of-the-charts exit velocities earned him a cup of coffee with the Angels. He’ll need to show more discernment, though, if he wants to stick in the majors, as his 20-grade hit tool leaves too many questions about his chance of being more than a power bench option. Cabbage can moonlight in center field, giving him some defensive versatility.
34. Ethan Pecko, RHP
Pecko popped in his draft spring with Towson as he impressed over 11 starts. A strong pre-draft performance in the Northwoods League helped raise his stock. Pecko showed five different pitches in his debut, with a potentially plus slider, a low-90s fastball and potentially average or better secondaries in his changeup and curveball.
35. Shawn Dubin, RHP
Injuries have slowed Durbin as the he made his MLB debut in 2023 at 27. While Durbin has been used as a starter and a reliever he’s only gotten out of the fifth inning four times over his last three seasons. Dubin mixes four pitches led by his mid-90s fastball that’s effective driving whiffs in and out of the zone. He mixes three secondaries in a upper-80s cutter, a firm changeup and a low-80s curveball. Dubin is a reliever who should see a more time out of the Astros bullpen in 2024.
36. Chase Jaworsky, SS
A projectable high school player that spent time in the outfield and middle infield as an amateur. In his professional debut Jaworsky spent all of his time defensively in the infield split between second base and shortstop. He showed strong plate skills, but underwhelming raw power.
37. David Hensley, 2B
Hensley has seen time with the Astros in each of the last two seasons, including inclusion on the World Series roster in 2022. After opening the season with the big league club, Hensley struggled and was demoted to Triple-A on May 19th. He struggled in Triple-A but returned to the major leagues multiple times last season. Hensley is a utility infield option for the Astros.
38. Pedro Leon, OF
Signed out of Cuba for $4 million during the 2020-21 international class, Leon has failed to establish himself over the last three seasons. An experienced Cuban professional Leon was expected to move quickly. His lack of a true defensive home and poor contact skills have hindered his progress. With his Rule 5 date upcoming next offseason, Leon could see time in the major leagues this season.
39. Esmil Valencia, OF
Valencia signed in January of 2023 for $900,000 and debuted in the Dominican Summer League last season hitting .262/.346/.388. Valencia showed above-average bat-to-ball skills but a hyper-aggressive approach and underwhelming exit velocity data. Valencia saw a majority of his time defensively in centerfield but is likely to move to corner as he fills out.
40. Jayden Murray, RHP
Signed by the Rays for $3,000 out of Dixie State in the 23rd round in 2019, the Astros acquired Murray in the Trey Mancini trade that sent Jose Siri to the Rays. Murray was shutdown in May with right forearm tightness and did not return in 2023. When healthy Murray shows multiple fastball shapes, a sweeper and a changeup.
