MLB: 10 best farm systems in baseball
By Robby Sabo
8. Houston Astros
Last year the Houston Astros system was all the rage of baseball. Thanks to some 2014 performances they’ve taken a bit of a hit.
Certain outlets have rated them outside the Top 10 heading into this season.
Top Prospects:
- Carlos Correa, SS (4)
- Mark Appel, RHP (31)
- Michael Feliz, RHP
- Vince Velasquez, RHP
- Brett Phillips, OF
- Teoscar Hernandez, OF
- Colin Moran, 3B
- Josh Hader, LHP
- Lance McCullers, RHP
- Domingo Santana, OF
Perhaps a big reason for the hit is stud George Springer is now smashing home runs with the big club. In fact, Springer mashed 20 of them in only 295 at-bats (AB).
Houston became the first team in 50 years of drafts to actually hold the number one pick three times in a row. Carlos Correa and Mark Appel were the first two in 2012 and 2013. Although they saw their struggles in 2014 (Correa with a broken leg and Appel pitching to a ridiculous 6.91 ERA), they’re both still in the Baseball America Top 100.
The last first overall pick, Brady Aiken in 2014, failed to sign, thus the Astros lost his rights.
I haven’t given up just yet on Jeff Luhnow’s slow and steady philosophy.
No question it’s painful for fans. Targeting such a far out date like 2017 as the year they “finally arrive” is transparently rough. However, this was expected once guys like Springer and Jon Singleton took their talents to the majors.
Look for a few of those guys outside the Top 100 to surprise.
Next: Number 7