Houston Astros Prospect Discussion

by John Sickels on Dec 29, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Next on the list after the Indians is the Houston Astros. Use this thread to discuss their prospects.

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Two guys

Two guys I’d be interested in are Ross Seaton and Drew Sutton.

Seaton was a third rounder, but would have gone much higher had there not been fears that he would go to Tulane. I believe the Astros gave him 700,000 to sign. Will be interested in how he does in 2009. Perhaps a B- for now?

Sutton is old for a prospect (25) but did have an impressive AA season and followed it up with more of the same in the AFL. The performance likely merits a B+ but the age probably knocks him down to a B-/C+. He could play a role for Houston next year - I believe he’s played 2B, SS, and the OF.

by rdf8585 on Dec 29, 2025 1:06 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

this should be a riveting discussion.

by larry on Dec 29, 2025 1:18 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

Throwing out some grading ideas for discussion

Castro B (should be a solid-if-unspectacular catcher)
Bud Norris B- (two good pitches, high K rate, seems like he should be interesting major leaguer in some form)
Seaton B- (over-slot guy who might remain a sleeper to some)
Brian Bogusevic C+ (great tools, interesting story, but still a 24 year old with only 150 ABs since 2005 . . .4th outfielder?)
Jordan Lyles C+ (interesting performance, but projects as #3 starter, a long way from the majors)
Eli Iorg C (sweet tools, but plate discipline is pretty bad for a 25 year old older than his competition and is already limiting his production)
Drew Sutton C (really hit this year, but old, repeated the league, has never hit like this outside of a Sally League stint as a 22 year old . . .95 percent chance his upside is utility guy)
Koby Clemens C (would he even get a chance? some interesting skills, would have been a college junior in 2008)
Felipe Del Paulino C (old, lost season, if he makes it he’ll be a reliever)

by mrkupe on Dec 29, 2025 2:18 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

Lyles had a very nice debut

He was dominant in rookie ball, and that he even was making appearances in the NYP league as a 17 year old was impressive. I really like what I’ve read about his fastball velocity/command, and the fact that he already has 3 usable secondary pitches at his age is a nice bonus (cutter/curve/change).

by jibs on Dec 29, 2025 2:29 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

RIght.

Numbers are quite good. But he was still a pretty major reach . . .if he had gone where he was projected (somewhere between rounds 5 and 10), then he’d be regarded as a possible sleeper but not more than that. Scouting reports on him have him pegged as a guy with some decent offerings and projection but nothing standout.

If he can pitch well in full-season ball next and/or his stuff takes a step forward . . .well, clearly we’d have to re-evaluate him then. I don’t see a reason to jump the gun based on the current results.

by mrkupe on Dec 29, 2025 2:54 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

already exceeding early scouting reports

The pre-draft scouting reports had him throwing in the upper 80’s, which caused me to seriously question what they were thinking on draft day. But, at his workout with the club and as a professional, he’s thrown 91-93, which combined with his other other attributes (command, mechanics, secondaries, and projectability), would have placed him much higher than a 5th-10th-round talent. The velocity will probably need to jump another tick to put him as more than a #3 at this point, but he’s definitely young enough to do that and is a guy worth watching.

by astrosfan76 on Dec 30, 2025 9:56 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Koby

He should be moving to Corpus Christi (AA) this season, so he’s not too far away from Houston. Well, at least it’s not that much of a drive. At this point, there aren’t that many guys ahead of him: Santangelo, Towles, Quintero, and Palmisano. Eventually, Castro should pass him and become the everyday catcher by ’11. But, Koby does have an outside shot to become a backup catcher if the cards fall right.

Another guy worth discussing is Chris Johnson. He put up great numbers at AA (.870 OPS) and was considered a breakout candidate entering the season by some (including Callis). He struggled after moving to Round Rock, but put up solid overall numbers in the AFL. His plate discipline could still improve, though he’ll probably never be a high OBP guy. He’s a good defender who can rush his throws, leading to errors. He’s considered the 3B of the future and should be in Houston at some point in ‘08. I’d give him a B-.

by astrosfan76 on Dec 30, 2025 10:17 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs