Houston Astros Top 50 Prospects (2026)

2026-Top-50-Prospects-HOU — Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter

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Houston Astros

AL West
2025 record: 87-75 (2nd)

MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Double-A: Corpus Christi Hooks
High-A: Asheville Tourists
Single-A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers

2025 End-Of-Season farm system rank: #27
Jeremy Mahy’s organization take from our 2025 End-Of-Season Farm System Rankings:
This ranking is likely about the shear lack of depth in the system which could be exposed next year as Brice Matthews…and Miguel Ullola are all likely to graduate. Joseph Sullivan has been a really nice surprise and could be a top-5 prospect in this system soon. How Kevin Alvarez and Xavier Neyens develop will likely dictate the future of this system. @DET_Guru_Kurt thinks that Bryce Mayer is a diamond to keep an eye on and could contribute at the major league level next season.

Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), J.W. Mulpas (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact

Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2025

Tier 1

None

Tier 2

1. Tatsuya Imai, RHP, 27, International signee
Will Imai be the next Yamamoto? Astros fans certainly hope so. Evaluators don’t quite know what to make of his unique pitch mix. I have seen Imai’s fastball compared to Joe Ryan, his slider to Trey Yesavage and his changeup/splitter combo compared to Paul Skenes. While that could make for an exciting profile, he has yet to face the level of competition that he is getting ready to see. He looks to provide a safe floor of a number three starter with the occasional high strikeout game, but the ceiling is what people are excited about. (@JMahyfam)

2. Brice Matthews, 2B, 23, MLB
Matthews is a right-handed bat who’s shown flashes of big-league upside but still has more to prove. Drafted 28th overall in 2023, Matthews brings plus power (up to 113 mph max exit velo) and blazing speed (41 steals in Triple-A last year), making him one of the more dynamic athletes in the prospect world. However, strikeouts remain a concern after he whiffed at a 42.6% clip in his brief 2025 MLB stints. Primarily a second baseman for Triple-A Sugar Land, he’s played all over the infield and could see time in center field if the Astros shuffle their roster. Roster Resource currently projects Matthews to open 2026 back in Triple-A, but he’s a high-upside dynasty stash who could become an everyday player with legitimate 25-25 potential if he can refine his contact skills and adjust to MLB pitching. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)

3. Xavier Neyens, SS, 19, High school
Neyens offers as much raw power upside as anyone in the system, backed by a physical, big league frame and legitimate bat speed from the left side. He shows advanced pitch recognition and decision-making, drawing plenty of walks and consistently putting himself into advantage counts, with 70-grade raw power that shows up in batting practice and flashes in games when he gets extended. The swing can get long, and the hit tool comes with real questions, as swing-and-miss has been a persistent part of the profile and hard contact hasn’t always carried over against top-tier arms. Defensively, the fit is clearly at third base, where a plus arm and solid actions play well. The upside is significant if the hit tool gets even to average, but the outcome will hinge on contact consistency and whether the approach can translate that raw power into regular in-game impact. (@ShaunKernahan)

Tier 3

4. Kevin Alvarez, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
5. Walker Janek, C, 23, High-A
6. Joseph Sullivan, OF, 23, Double-A
7. Miguel Ullola, RHP, 23, Triple-A
8. Bryce Mayer, RHP, 23, Double-A

The Astros signed Alvarez (MLB’s 7th ranked international prospect) last January, and he impressed as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League. In 47 games he slashed .301/.419/.455/.874, with 2 HR, 33 RBI and 11 SB. Look for him to make his stateside debut later this summer. Janek, Houston’s 1st round pick in 2024, had a very solid season at High-A and then repped the organization as one of the overall top prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Sullivan, also drafted in 2024 (7th round), reached Double-A last season, had 42 SB on the year, and then hit .296 in the AFL. He’ll likely be with Corpus Christi again to begin 2026. Ullola is on the precipice of the big leagues, having spent all of 2025 at Triple-A, starting in 23 of his 28 appearances, as he posted a 3.88 ERA and 10.4 K/9. The University of Missouri product, Mayer, saw time across three levels last year (A/A+/AA) and is one of Kurt Moody’s candidates for a breakout season!

Tier 4

9. Ethan Frey, OF, 21, Single-A
10. Ethan Pecko, RHP, 23, Triple-A
11. AJ Blubaugh, RHP, 25, MLB
12. Ryan Forcucci, RHP, 23, College
13. Zach Cole, OF, 25, MLB
14. Jose Fleury, RHP, 23, Triple-A
15. Jancel Villarroel, C, 20, High-A

Frey, the former LSU Tiger, made quite the impression in his professional debut. While he may not project as a star, his balanced skill set could make him a decent big league regular. Pecko’s stuff may not be dominant, but his command and pitch variety could lead to a back end of the rotation starter. Blubaugh provides serious strikeout upside, but his shaky command could lead to a bullpen role. Forcucci lost the 2025 season to TJ surgery but prior to injury there was mid rotation upside. In Cole’s MLB debut he looked the part of a potential 20/20 player if he can earn enough at-bats. On the down side, strikeouts could cap that upside. Villarroel is listed as a catcher but started at six different positions last season. Don’t let his short stature fool you. There is some sneaky pop in that bat. (@JMahyfam)

Tier 5

16. Alimber Santa, RHP, 22, Triple-A
17. Jackson Nezuh, RHP, 23, Double-A
18. Luis Baez, OF, 21, Double-A
19. Caden Powell, SS/3B, 22, Single-A
20. Will Bush, C/1B, 21, Double-A
21. Alonzo Tredwell, RHP, 23, Double-A
22. James Hicks, RHP, 24, Double-A
23. Jase Mitchell, C, 19, High school
24. Lucas Spence, OF, 22, Double-A
25. Kenni Gomez, OF, 20, High-A
26. Anthony Huezo, OF, 20, Triple-A
27. Parker Smith, RHP, 22, Single-A
28. Juan Bello, RHP, 21, High-A
29. Anderson Areinamo, SS/2B, 18, Rookie (DSL)
30. Trey Dombroski, LHP, 24, Triple-A
31. Cole Hertzler, RHP, 22, Single-A
32. Nehomar Ochoa Jr., OF, 20, Single-A
33. Alex Santos II, RHP, 23, Double-A
34. Alberto Hernandez, 2B/SS, 21, Triple-A
35. Kyle Walker, 2B, 22, Single-A
36. Andrew Taylor, RHP, 24, High-A
37. Yamal Encarnacion, OF, 22, High-A
38. Shay Whitcomb, OF/3B, 27, MLB
39. Alejandro Nunez, 2B/3B/SS, 21, High-A
40. Nick Monistere, SS/3B/2B, 21, Single-A
41. Wes Clarke, 1B, 26, Triple-A
42. Ramsey David, RHP, 24, Double-A
43. Colby Langford, LHP, 23, High-A
44. Anthony Millan, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
45. Nick Potter, RHP, 21, College
46. Yensi De La Cruz, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
47. Edwin Sanchez, 1B/OF, 21, Rookie (DSL)
48. Joan Ogando, RHP, 21, Single-A
49. Keduar Trujillo, 1B/C, 21, High-A
50. Santiago Martinez, SS/3B/2B, 18, Rookie (DSL)

After injury robbed Baez of his 2025 season, he will look to get back on track this year. The power is real but so are the strikeouts. Powell has an intriguing blend of power and speed, but the contact skills will have to improve for him to continue climbing the ladder. Tredwell combines a massive frame with a high backspin fastball to create some intrigue as one to keep an eye on in 2026. Spence, an undrafted free agent in 2024, hit 10 homeruns, 31 doubles, stole 27 bags and had a .771 OPS in 116 games across three levels last year. While Alvarez is the headliner of the Astros 2025 international class, don’t sleep on Areinamo. The 18-year-old showed off his pop hitting 5 home runs and 10 doubles, while still hitting .300 and stealing 18 bases. Whitcomb’s strong Triple-A numbers have not translated to the big-league level just yet, but the potential is there for a super utility guy. Monistere, a 4th round pick in 2025 from Southern Miss, packs plus raw power and if he can refine his approach his stock is going to soar. (@JMahyfam)

Prospects1500

Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.

Greg Bracken

Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.

Jeremy Mahy

Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra

J.W. Mulpas

J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.

Scott Greene

President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.

Shaun Kernahan

Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.