Houston Astros Top 20 Prospects

by John Sickels on Feb 27, 2005 12:44 PM EST in News

This isn't a very good photo of Chris Burke. How about this one?

A nicer photo (from wireimage.com), although the wrong Burke.

Chris Burke, 2B, B+
Mitch Einertson, OF, B+
Ezequiel Astacio, RHP, B
Matt Albers, RHP, B
Ben Zobrist, SS, B
Fernando Nieve, RHP, B
Hunter Pence, OF, B
Troy Patton, LHP, C+
Willy Taveras, OF, C+
Josh Anderson, OF, C+
Taylor Buchholz, RHP, C+
Jared Gothreaux, RHP, C+
Mike Burns, RHP, C+
Brooks Conrad, 2B, C+
Mitch Talbot, RHP, C+
Tommy Whiteman, SS, C
Juan Gutierrez, RHP, C
Luke Scott, OF, C
Todd Self, 1B, C
Enyelbert Soto, LHP, C

This looks like a somewhat thin system to me right now, depleted by trades and promotions. There are a lot of other Grade C guys who could slot in the 15-20 spaces, including outfielder Ervin Alcantara, infielder Edwin Maysonet, pitchers Ronnie Martinez, Jason Hirsh, and Evan Englebrook, and catchers Lou Santangelo and Hector Gimenez. The Astros love Gimenez's glove, but I don't think he can hit. Reliever Chad Qualls, who pitched well for Houston, would get a Grade C+ or B- but I didn't put him in the book for some reason.

Of the top prospects, I think Chris Burke is ready to contribute, although I did pick up his name being bandied about in a trade rumor last week. I like lefty Troy Patton as a possible breakthrough candidate in 2005. Albers is one of my favorites, but he has some personal issues to deal with (alcohol) and needs to get his life under control.

Mike Burns and Brooks Conrad are guys with strong track records, but they don't impress scouts that much and aren't considered hot prospects. Burns in particular could end up being very useful as a middle reliever. Tommy Whiteman has excellent tools and sometimes hits well, but I've seen him flail at too many pitches outside the strike zone to be too wild about him at this point.

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Brooke

....boooiiiinnnnnnggggg!!!!

by slurve on Feb 27, 2005 12:51 PM EST reply actions

Astacio

John,

What do you think about Ezequiel Astacio? Was his breakout year the result of him 'figuring it all out', or is he a flash in the pan? At 26, it is hard to consider him a bigtime prospect, but his K rates in AA were pretty impressive and his increase in velocity is pretty promising.

by Jerry @ Minor League Ball on Feb 27, 2005 1:16 PM EST reply actions

astacio

My main concern is his age. . .at 26, as you point out, he was old for Double-A. But the improvement in his numbers was certainly notable. I gave him a Grade B because of the age issue. In a way that was something of a dodge, because frankly I'm not sure if he "figured it out" or just got lucky. The increase in K/IP was big enough that it certainly SEEMS like it was for real. Texas League folks were very impressed with him. But I do have some residual doubts.

by John Sickels on Feb 27, 2005 1:18 PM EST reply actions

(the other) Mark McLemore

John, I know he prob isn't on the prospect radar yet, but what are your thoughts on lefty P Mark McLemore, a 4th rounder in '02 I believe who put up pretty good K/BB in the Carolina league last year being used as both a starter and closer. He'll be 24 in AA this year. Does he have a shot since their system is so thin?

thanks

by jrose643 on Feb 27, 2005 1:23 PM EST reply actions

Brooke Burke

are those B's for real?

by Bobo2 on Feb 27, 2005 1:28 PM EST reply actions

well

Her husband is a plastic surgeon - you do the math ;)

by UCFKnights on Feb 27, 2005 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

the other Burke

how is his glove?

by Bobo2 on Feb 27, 2005 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Juan Gutierrez

Do Gutierrez have any special stuff??
he just pitch so-so in a rookie league
but Astros choose to put Gutierrez in 40man roster
I'm very curious about the pitcher

by fayray on Feb 27, 2005 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Willie Taveras

I've read good and bad things about him. He's the guy that steals a lot of bases. But i've read (might have been from you) that his hitting is marginal or something. What can you tell me about himm?

by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Feb 27, 2005 2:28 PM EST reply actions

taveras

He's really really fast and hit .335 in the Texas League last year. But he has no power and doesn't draw many walks. He may end up being similar to the fast Brian Hunter.

by John Sickels on Feb 27, 2005 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

Will he be

Their center fielder in the future, solely on the fact that he can cover all that ground on their and could spark the top of the lineup? Or is his OBP and no power make him better suited to a pinch running or bottom of the order spot?

by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Feb 27, 2005 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

don't know

We don't know yet. Either outcome is possible...although from watching him play I don't think he's ever going to drive the ball with any authority. If they get lucky he could be Juan Pierre.

by John Sickels on Feb 27, 2005 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

By the way

That's the right Burke, don't worry.....

by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Feb 27, 2005 2:29 PM EST reply actions

Burke Rumor

the rumor you heard involving him was one of the thousand and one Byrnes trade rumors. It was something like;

Byrnes to NYM
Burke to OAK
Cameron to HOU

NYM apparently balked at it, though not quite sure they dont just do Byrnes for Burke.

by Zonis on Feb 27, 2005 5:05 PM EST reply actions

Astacio

He was 24 in AA not 26.

by stubbyc on Feb 27, 2005 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Jason Lane

It seems as though this is the first time Jason Lane isn't on this list since 1987.

Congratulations Jason. It looks the Astro brass has finally come to their senses. All the best this year with your starting role. The prospect list will never forget you.

Piston Honda

by Piston Honda on Feb 27, 2005 5:55 PM EST reply actions

Re: Piston Honda

Soda Popinsky was da man. But probably on 'roids.

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Feb 27, 2005 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Soda Popinsky

I could never get the timing right when Bald Bull came charging.

Sickels, this site rules!!!

by count sutton on Feb 27, 2005 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Troy Patton

I played with him for the longest time in High School and earlier, what does he project as? I hear he fell in the draft because he had agreed with UT. Do you think he can stay and start in the pros, or convert to an RP?

by Ienpw on Feb 27, 2005 7:55 PM EST reply actions

patton

Too early to tell for certain...he has just 6 pro games under his belt. What I heard is that he will be used as a starter in the short run to build innings and experience, but in the long run he may end up in the bullpen if stamina becomes an issue. At this point we don't know his long-term role, but he looks like a good sleeper prospect to me.

by John Sickels on Feb 27, 2005 8:07 PM EST reply actions

Brooke Burke

Seems to have the "look". But what OPS has she put up?

by Salemicus on Feb 27, 2005 9:05 PM EST reply actions

Burke

Brooke is NEVER the wrong Burke

-peter

by PeterF on Feb 28, 2005 2:24 AM EST reply actions

Jordan Parraz

Any thoughts on 3rd round draftee Jordan Parraz?

by cranston shoemakers on Feb 28, 2005 10:48 AM EST reply actions

A trade for Burke that never happened

Last year, even early in the year - I really wanted the Twins to deal Jacque Jones to Houston for Burke. They might have had to throw in something on the side, but the Twins have a deep system and could have handled it. Unfortunately, the Astros didn't get back into the race until after the trade deadline. Jones would have been a good fit for them, especially against the Cubs all righty staff. And the Twins really need an answer at 2B, it isn't Rivas. Oh well...

by alskntwnsfn on Feb 28, 2005 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Brooks/Burke

With Burke seemingly ready, where do you think that leaves Brooks? I imagine that a Moneyball type team would be interested, but I wonder if he'll go the way of a Jason Lane.

by Dex @ Minor League Ball on Feb 28, 2005 9:09 PM EST reply actions

brooks

Yeah, I think Brooks Conrad is reduced to waiting for Burke to get injured or something. And even then he isn't guaranteed to get the first shot at filling in. He could get stuck or stalled like Lane, yes. Either way, he needs a strong season in Triple-A. If he does that then he may get a chance somewhere eventually like Ginter or Marcos Scutaro.

by John Sickels on Feb 28, 2005 9:16 PM EST reply actions

John, I know I'm late in asking...

but the Cameron deal looks deader each day, and I don't know if we have the creativity to get Lew Ford away from Minny.

What do you think Taveras can realistically do this year? And where do you put his "potential upside"? I saw Callis call him a potentially "more powerful Juan Pierre". Well, in almost any person's view, that's a good thing for a CF who's defensively very strong, especially with our CF. Can you envision that type of offense from him, realistically, even down the road 2 or 3 years? Or is that the "tools" talking?
I like what I've seen, but I don't know that his skills are really up to that leap of talent...

by joeficarra on Mar 6, 2005 9:02 PM EST reply actions