Houston Astros

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: After a shoulder injury cut his season short in 2021, Barber needed a resurgent year. Signed for $1 million as a fourth-round pick in 2019, Barber had just 44 games of affiliated ball under his belt entering 2022. He returned to High-A Asheville, where he had played just 16 games the year before. Barber missed a month with a right shoulder strain but hit .298/.408/.450 otherwise, albeit with a stark home-road split.

Scouting Report: Barber's profile is centered around his combination of above-average bat-to-ball skills, above-average approach and projectable power. Despite a well-synced leg lift trigger, Barber's swing is mostly based around his upper body and the way his hands work. He shows an above-average ability to discern balls from strikes and rarely expands the zone. His contact quality leaves something to be desired, and he struggles to drive the ball in the air to his pull side. A majority of Barber's best contact comes in the form of hard-struck liners to the opposite field and fly balls to center. Barber's present power is below-average but he shows flashes of above-average potential and has traits that could still be further optimized. Aa above-average runner, Barber has seen time in all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center field. He has an average throwing arm.

The Future: The 2022 season was the first in which Barber has put together a lengthy stretch when he was both productive and healthy. He profiles as a second-division regular outfielder but his shoulder issues in recent seasons are concerning. Barber should begin the 2023 season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 45. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Taylor enjoyed a standout sophomore season with Central Michigan, where he went 11-4, 1.81 with 125 strikeouts and 24 walks over 94.1 innings. He ended his breakout campaign in the Cape Cod League, where he made another seven appearances with Bourne. In 2022, Taylor failed to replicate his sophomore season, though his underlying numbers looked identical. The Astros selected Taylor with the 80th overall pick in the supplemental second round and signed him for $804,700. He did not pitch post draft.

Scouting Report: Blessed with plus ride on his fastball, Taylor lived and died by his hop-heavy four-seamer during his collegiate career. The low-90s fastball averaged 20 inches of induced vertical break--an elite number--with late armside run. His ability to command the pitch at the top of the zone allows his trio of secondaries to waterfall off of it. His low-80s slider has a cutter-hybrid type shape and could improve with added power. His mid-70s curveball features heavy two-plane break and is his most-used secondary. He also utilizes a mid-80s changeup with tumble and fade. Taylor has average command of his arsenal and could project for above-average control at peak.

The Future: With excellent pitch shapes across his arsenal and a track record of success as a starter, Taylor is the type of pitcher the Astros have had success developing into rotation options. Taylor has the look of a potential No. 4 starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 45. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: After an injury plagued start to Perez's professional career, Perez found health in 2021, rose through three levels of the minors and hit .262/.326/.454 with 18 home runs. He broke camp with the major league team but was reassigned to Double-A within a week. He went down with an oblique injury in late April and missed two months of the season, returning to Corpus Christi in mid July. Perez was promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land in late September.

Scouting Report: Over his five-year professional career Perez has improved his physique and conditioning to the point he now has a more toned build. While health continues to be a concern, Perez has a high-skill profile with projectable power in his frame. He's an above-average contact hitter with an average approach and rarely gets himself into trouble by expanding the zone. He has a clean, level righthanded swing with a quiet load. While his exit velocity data is above-average, he makes his hardest contact at flatter launch angles, which leads to hard stuck liners to the gap. Perez's power currently plays best for doubles. He's a below-average runner with limited range at third base. Whether he sticks at third base is an open question, though he's made improvements in the field over the last two seasons. A former two-way star in high school, Perez has a plus throwing arm.

The Future: Perez has a bat-first profile with defensive questions, and his most likely role is as a strong-side platoon bat with the ability to fill in on the infield corners.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Corona was signed by the Mets out of Venezuela and acquired by the Astros alongside Blake Taylor in the deal that made Jake Marisnick a Met. After an underwhelming season at Low-A Fayetteville in 2021, Corona reworked his swing and approach at the plate, optimized his bat path to add launch and cut down on his swing-happy tendencies. The changes worked. Corona had a breakout 2022, hitting .278/.362/.495 with 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 28 stolen bases split between Low-A Fayetteville and High-A Asheville.

Scouting Report: Corona is a well rounded center fielder with an exciting power and speed mix. The changes to Corona's swing allowed him to tap into more of his raw power while sacrificing a minimal amount of contact. A fringe-average contact hitter with above-average approach, Corona manages his swing-and-miss by rarely chasing and aggressively attacking pitches in the zone. His tweaked approach resulted in a 10-degree uptick in his average launch angle on batted balls hit harder than 95 mph. His 90th percentile exit velocity also increased two mph in 2022. A plus runner and aggressive basestealer, Corona's speed translates to all parts of his game. He's a rangy defender in center field capable of covering ground in a hurry, and his average throwing arm allows him to handle an outfield corner when needed.

The Future: Corona is a sneaky breakout candidate with a realistic platoon outfield role in his future.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 60. Field: 55. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Tamarez was nearly 20 years old when he signed out of the Dominican Republic. He debuted in the summer of 2019, pitching in both the Dominican Summer League and the Gulf Coast League. He made his full-season debut in 2021 and performed well across two Class A levels. He was assigned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin 2022 and struck out 122 batters to 55 walks across 103.1 innings before a late-season promotion to Triple-A.

Scouting Report: A lean long-limbed righthander with an athletic repeatable operation, Tamarez works exclusively from the stretch. He has a longer arm action and a high three- quarters arm slot with a crossfire finish that hinders his command. It's a deep pitch-mix of quality pitches with above-average pitch shapes. His four-seam fastball sits 93-95 mph touching 99 mph at peak with above-average ride and late cut. His primary secondary is a tight mid-80s slider that topped out at 90 mph in 2022. The slider is his best bat-missing pitch, as it generates whiffs on 48% of swings against it. His curveball is a slurvy low-80s offering that offers a different look. His changeup is go-to secondary against lefthanded hitters, as lefties whiffed at a rate north of 40% against the pitch. Despite excellent stuff, walks have been an issue for Tamarez due to his above-average command.

The Future: Tamarez has potential back of the rotation upside with a likely up and down starter role approaching in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Hamilton spent four seasons at Wright State, with a breakout season in his Covid-Junior campaign in 2021. He hit .374/.535/.771 that year with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases and was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and a second team All-American. The Astros selected Hamilton in the fifth round and signed him for $47,500. He played 33 games with Low-A Fayetteville after the draft. Hamilton ascended from Low-A to Double-A in 2022.

Scouting Report: Hamilton is an advanced, experienced college hitter with refined bat-to-ball skills, a discerning eye and average power. His lefthanded swing is driven by his loose hands and strong wrists. His swing can get long, but he has enough bat speed and bat-to-ball ability to keep his swing-and-miss in check. Hamilton shows average game power but is unlikely to see substantial gains because he's nearly maxed out physically. He's a plus runner who has been a highly successful basestealer. Hamilton primarily played center field, where he's average and shows good closing speed and instincts. His below-average arm might be stretched every day in a corner-outfield spot.

The Future: Hamilton is a well-rounded player with a strong combination of plate skills and supporting tools. He has a realistic ceiling as a fourth outfielder on a competitive team. Hamilton will be challenged by a return to Double-A Corpus Christi in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Loperfido went unselected in the 2020 draft and returned to Duke for a fourth season. It provided a wise decision when he had a standout campaign in 2021, hitting .374/.474/.612. He won MVP honors at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament and entered the draft on a high note. He was selected by the Astros in the seventh round, signing for $72,500 and got his feet wet at Low-A Fayetteville. He split his 2022 season between both Class A levels.

Scouting Report: Loperfido has a tall, athletic build and is an above-average athlete and runner for someone with a 6-foot-4 frame. He's best defined as a tweener with a variety of abilities but no standout tool. His lefthanded swing is driven by his rapid-fire hands that generate good bat speed despite a somewhat stiff upper half. He's a fringe-average contact hitter but limits his strikeouts because of strong pitch-recognition skills. His move at the plate and bat path projects more for line drive contact, but he's shown an ability to turn on pitches on the inner half of the plate and drive them to his pull side. He's an above-average runner who's less of a true burner than a player who uses long, powerful strides to reach top gear underway. Loperfido is a fringe-average center fielder but projects best at first base. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions, second base and first.

The Future: Loperfido has the look of a superutility player who can beat up on younger competition in 2022. His balance of plate skills and pull-side power could make him a useful bench bat.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 45. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: The son of former all-star closer Billy Wagner, the younger Wagner was a two-time Atlantic Sun Conference first-team selection who hit .305/.377/.462 over three seasons with Liberty. The Astros drafted Wagner in the 18th round of the 2021 draft and signed him for $50,000. He got his first pro experience at Low-A Fayetteville and split his 2022 season between High-A and Double-A. Wagner starred in the Arizona Fall League after the season, hitting .346/.433/.712 with three home runs over 14 games.

Scouting Report: Wagner has a hit-over-power profile but started to show more thump in the season and into the fall. He makes contact at above-average rate and manages the zone well, making him a difficult player to strike out. He shows above-average on-base abilities and works deep into counts. He's a highly skilled hitter who consistently takes professional at-bats. The questions around Wagner's bat center on his lack of power projection. He's fairly close to physical max with a setup that isn't conducive for much juice. The Astros have had success coaxing more power out of their prospects, however, so Wagner's progress in that department is worth watching. Wagner is a below-average runner who lacks range in the infield. He is a smart defender with good actions who profiles best at second base, where his average arm won't be as taxed as it is at third.

The Future: Wagner is a bat-first utility type with the upside to grow into second-division regular status if he discovers average game power.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Dombroski broke out in the Cape Cod League over the summer of 2021, when he posted a 0.85 ERA with 45 strikeouts to two walks over 31.2 innings while winning the Most Outstanding Pitcher award. He returned to Monmouth and struck out 120 batters against just 14 walks across 95 innings. The Astros selected Dombroski in the fourh round and signed him for slot value. He did not pitch after the draft.

Scouting Report: Dombroski attacks hitters with a four-pitch mix that lacks power but plays up due to his elite execution. His four-seam fastball sits 88-91 mph with ride and late run and is effective for setting up his trio of secondaries. His slider is his primary offspeed pitch and is used equally as often as his fastball. Dombroski commands his slider--which shows two-plane break--well to both lefties and righties. He'll also show a slower, deep-breaking curveball that's an effective early-count strike-stealer as well as a below-average changeup. Dombroski's ability to sequence and locate all of his pitches allows his entire arsenal to play up and gives him a chance to make it as a viable starter.

The Future: Adding power over the next year could help Dombroski's profile take a step forward and give him a viable ceiling as a back-end starter. For now, he has the look of an up-and-down depth starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Curveball: 40. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 70.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: A decorated amateur who played on Team USA's U12 and U15 squads, Clifford played high-level travel ball and became known for his uncommon strength at a young age. While many evaluators questioned Clifford's bat speed and how his power would translate to the next level, the Astros liked his combination of plus power and hitterish traits enough to select him in the 11th round and award him their second-largest bonus of the class behind first round pick Drew Gilbert.

Scouting Report: A bat-first prospect who's already close to his physical max, Clifford's standout tool is his light-tower power. He has the below-average bat-to-ball skills typical of all-or-nothing power hitters, but his discerning eye showed well in his brief professional sample, when he showed the ability to identify balls and strikes and work deep into at-bats. His power translates in-game with a 90th percentile exit velocity over 105 mph. Clifford hits the ball hard consistently, but the question is if he'll hit the ball enough or have the bat speed to continue to do so against upper-level competition. He's a below-average runner who's limited to an outfield corner with just fringe-average arm strength.

The Future: Clifford's profile will go as far as bat-to-ball skills and approach will take him Those factors will determine how much of his power he gets to ultimately. Clifford will return to Low-A Fayetteville to begin 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 40. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 35/Medium

Track Record: After three seasons at Tulane, France transferred to Mississippi State and spent his final collegiate season working out of the Bulldogs' pen. The Astros took a shot on France in the 14th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for just $1,000. He debuted that summer in short-season Tri-City and reached Low-A by season's end. He spent 2019 at High-A Fayetteville and split 2021 between Double-A and Triple-A. France returned to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin 2022 and made 34 appearances while striking out 136 batters over 110.2 innings.

Scouting Report: France's game centers around his mastery of the art of deception. By throwing all five of his pitches in near-equal measure France does an excellent job of keeping hitters off-balance. France's fastball sits 91-94 mph with riding cut and a flat vertical approach angle. He mixes in a quartet of secondaries in mid-80s cutter, low-80s sweeping slider, a mid-70s curveball with depth and a low-80s changeup with Bugs Bunny shape. France keeps hitters guessing by throwing any of his pitches in any count. Despite his advanced feel for his arsenal, France's control is below-average and he'll often rely too heavily on his breaking balls and lose the zone with his fastball.

The Future: France's likely role is as a depth starter who can eat innings in a variety of roles. He will likely shuttle between Houston and Sugar Land in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Melendez moved rapidly after signing in 2019 and reached Double-A by the end of his first full professional season in 2021. He returned to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin his 2022 campaign as the second youngest pitcher--behind the Marlins' Eury Perez--to break camp in Double-A. The assignment proved to be too aggressive as Melendez fell flat, going 2-8, 5.01 and walking 15.6% of the batters he faced.

Scouting Report: Melendez is a smaller righthander with a fairly filled-out frame. He throws from a choppy but clean operation, with a quick, fast arm action that slingshots the ball from an overhand slot. Melendez's tempo and 'inverted W' motion in his arm action causes him to fall out of rhythm. His stuff is well above-average across his arsenal but his lack of command is a problem. His fastball is a plus pitch, sitting 93-95 mph touching 98 mph with plus induced vertical break and cut. Despite his struggles overall, Melendez got good results against his fastball, which could play up in a relief role. Melendez mixes a tight mid-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball with depth and a changeup with tumble and fade. On paper, Melendez has a deep mix of plus pitch shapes, but he lacks the control and command to help them play to their potential.

The Future: After being fast-tracked to the upper minors, Melendez will likely return to starting. If he fails to throw enough strikes he could be moved to the bullpen where his fastball will likely play up.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 40. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 40

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Fleury was an unheralded signing during the 2021 international signing period but umade waves in his professional debut. He led the Dominican Summer League in K-BB% with a 38.4% rate. His 41.1% strikeout percentage ranked second for pitchers with 30 or more innings in the DSL while his walk rate of 2.7% was 13th lowest. He has breakout potential in 2023.

Scouting Report: Fleury utilizes an athletic operation and explosive motion downhill. He has a short, quick arm action and delivers the ball from a true three-quarters slot. He moves well on the mound and shows balance and fluidity throughout his mechanics as well as the ability to repeat them consistently. He mixes a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His low-90s four-seam fastball has plus vertical movement with heavy ride that explodes as it hits the zone. The pitch touches 93-94 at times. Fleury's changeup is his primary secondary and was a true plus pitch for him. He sold it with arm speed and landed it consistently in the strike zone. Fleury's high-70s curveball has slurvy shape and at times blends with his lower-80s slider, which has a tighter gyro shape. Overall, his pitch mix is strong and played up due to above-average command.

The Future: Fleury should make his stateside debut in 2023, with the potential to break out with a starter's pitch mix and command. Adding power to his pitch mix, particularly his fastball, would likely pay dividends long term.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: After three difficult seasons at Cal State-Fullerton Knorr transferred to Coastal Carolina and saw a significant velocity bump and success. He made 13 starts during the spring of 2022, going 5-0, 3.39 with 86 strikeouts to 13 walks across 69 innings. The year served as a nice departure from his previous collegiate seasons and led the Astros to select him in the third round and sign him for a bonus of $487,500. He was shut down following the draft and will make his professional debut in 2023.

Scouting Report: Knorr made adjustments to his arm action and slot upon moving to Coastal Carolina and discovered more velocity and better shape on his pitches. His pitch mix consists of four pitches, led by a four-seam fastball that sits between 93-95 mph and touches 98 mph with heavy ride and bore. He mixes a trio of secondaries in a low-80s slider with classic slider shape, a mid-70s curveball with depth and heavy two-plane break and a changeup in the low-to-mid 80s. After moving to a stretch-only delivery Knorr found average control.

The Future: After a sizable step forward in stuff, Knorr has the pitch mix and control of a starter. If that fails, he has a fastball-slider combination to fall back on in a relief role.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 35/Medium

Track Record: Dubin signed for a bonus of $1,000 out of NAIA Georgetown (Ky.). He's dealt with injuries and command issues throughout his professional career but has shown enough bat-missing ability to earn a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster. He spent the majority of his 2022 season with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he struck out 80 batters across 58.1 innings. Dubin missed time in 2022 with a forearm strain.

Scouting Report: Dubin's fastball velocity took a significant jump upon entering pro ball. After sitting in the low 90s in college, Dubin grew into mid-90s velocity. That velocity spike has also come with arm troubles. When he's on, Dubin's fastball sits between 96-98 mph and touches 101 mph with ride and cut. He mixes four secondary pitches in a high-80s cutter, a mid-80s slider, a low-80s curveball and a low-90s changeup. His primary secondary is his cutter but he plays his two breaking ball shapes off of his fastball-cutter combination in two-strike counts. Dubin has below-average control and is prone to bouts of losing the zone.

The Future: Dubin profiles as a hybrid reliever capable of going multiple innings without losing his powerful stuff. He should serve as reliever depth for the Astros in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 45. Slider: 50. Changeup: 30. Cutter: 45. Control: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: After transferring to Central Florida before the 2020 season, Gordon earned a spot in the Knights' rotation and went 5-2, 2.77 over nine starts in 2021 before succumbing to a torn ulnar collateral ligament and having Tommy John surgery. The Astros saw enough to select Gordon in the eighth round of the 2021 draft. He returned to the mound in the summer of 2022 and made nine appearances across Low-A and High-A. Following the season, Gordon participated in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: A pitchability lefty who found success in 2022 with his four pitch mix of average offerings, Gordon mixes a low-90s four-seam fastball, a upper-70s sweeping slider, a mid-80s curveball with more depth than his slider and a lower-80s changeup. While all of his pitches drove whiffs at high rates in 2022, none of his pitches stood out individually. Instead, Gordon's ability to locate his arsenal and deliver a variety of shapes from a similar release point amplified the deception of his entire mix.

The Future: Gordon projects as an up-and-down starter with the ability to eat innings when needed.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Comtrol: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: A swing change made in-season during 2021 catapulted Julks to the cusp of the major leagues in 2022 and changed the trajectory not only of his swing but of his career. On June 29, 2021, Julks was placed on the Astros; developmental list. After two weeks of work in Florida to try to unlock his power, he returned to Corpus Christi. Before that work in the cage, Julks has averaged a home run every 73 plate appearances. Since his developmental list stint, Julks has averaged a home run every 19 plate appearances.

Scouting Report: After a swing change revitalized his profile, Julks has been one of the more well-rounded players in the Astros' upper minors. He's an above-average contact hitter with an average approach who shows the ability to limit strikeouts and get on base at a fringe-average rate. His power now plays above-average and it's backed by exit velocity data above the major league average. He has above-average speed and baserunning ability and can handle any of the outfield positions but is best fit for a corner.

The Future: Julks is a ready-made fourth outfielder who can fill in situationally off of the bench.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 45. Arm: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: In the not too distant past Whitley ranked among the top pitching prospects in the game, with many believing the tall righthander was a potential ace in the making. After a breakout 2017 season when he reached Double-A as a 19-year-old, Whitley has dealt with suspensions, injuries and ineffectiveness. With just one option remaining, Whitley's time on the 40-man roster is a running clock.

Scouting Report: It's difficult to discern as to whether or not Whitley's best stuff will ever return. His once hop-heavy fastball has lost its bite. The current version sits between 94-95 mph and touches 99 mph with dead zone shape. Whitley missed a below-average amount of bats with the pitch in 2022. He throws a trio of secondaries in a mid-to-high-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball with depth and two-plane break and a mid-to-upper-80s changeup. In his 2022 sample, Whitley showed limited command of his arsenal.

The Future: The hopes of Whitley returning to his previous form are gone. He should begin his season with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he could be fast tracked with a full-time move to the bullpen.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Diaz was one of the Astros top signings in the 2023 international class, along with German Ramirez.

Scouting Report: Diaz has some of the best raw tools in the class. He has outstanding bat speed, which allows him to drive the ball with impact and put on an impressive power display during batting practice. There should be plus raw power in there, though it comes with swing-and-miss risk, so learning to tone things down and stay under control at the plate will be key for Diaz to tap into that power against live pitching. If Diaz outgrows shortstop, he has plenty of power and arm strength for third base, but he has a chance to stick up the middle. He's a good athlete with plus speed, an easy gait and an outstanding arm that draws 70 grades on the 20-80 scale.

The Future: Diaz will make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 60. Speed: 60. Fielding: 40. Arm: 70.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Ramirez was one of the Astros top signings for the 2023 international class out of the Dominican Republic.

Scouting Report: Ramirez has impressive tools for his age. He has a lean, athletic build and snaps the barrel through the zone with fast bat speed to drive the ball with impact during batting practice. Some scouts liked his hitting ability, though others thought he would need to rein in an aggressive approach. He runs well and has a strong arm, and some scouts liked his hands and thought he had a chance to stay at shortstop, while others thought he would outgrow the position and slide over to third base or the outfield.

The Future: Ramirez will make his debut in the DSL in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.