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MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Astros in 2019

By David Salituro

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 26: Cionel Perez #59 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 26: Cionel Perez #59 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

4. Cionel Perez

Cionel Perez’s career with the Astros organization got off to an inauspicious start. The Cuban defector originally signed with the club in May 2016, but the Astros voided the deal after having concerns about his elbow. He re-signed with the team to a lesser deal in December of that year and has quickly risen through the team’s minor league ranks.

The left-hander, who turns 23 on April 23, made 11 starts at AA Corpus Christi in 2018, striking out 83 batters in 68.1 innings with a 2.37 ERA. He made his Major League debut on July 11, appearing in eight games with the big-league club out of the bullpen and giving up five earned runs in 11.1 innings while striking out 12.

Perez started the 2019 season at AAA Round Rock, going 4.1 innings in his only start so far this year and giving up three earned runs. While he’s been primarily used as a starter in the minors, his quickest path to the big leagues is through the Astros bullpen. Perez can be a valuable lefty reliever for the Astros later this season. Although he’s small in stature at 5-foot-11, his fastball can reach 98 m.p.h. which he combines with a good slider. Perez is currently the ninth-ranked prospect in the Astros organization.

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